| The One Day School held
in Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall, Blaenavon in October celebrated the
CHARTIST 170th Anniversary Year – South Wales Rising 1839 and the 50th
Anniversary of Alexander Cordell’s publication of “Rape of the Fair
Country”. The event
was attended by 45 individuals from as far as the Forest of Dean, all
eager to hear three exciting presentations from the guest speakers
The first speaker Chris Barber delivered a fantastic presentation
regarding the works of Alexander Cordell, which was accompanied by
recordings of Cordell’s voice speaking about the places nearby and his
books.
The second speaker Leslie James gave an enthralling account entitled
“Has William Jones Been Given a Bad Press?” which was a re-evaluation of
the Pontypool Chartists in the South Wales uprising of 1839. A
wonderful buffet lunch was enjoyed by attendees, which was provided by
the excellent volunteers at Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall. Thanks to Shirley
and her team!
The final speaker Eric Davies delivered a very factual account of “The
Ironmasters of North Gwent” which gave the overview of the Ironmasters
as businesses and the impacts the Ironmasters had on the industrial
landscape and employment in the North Gwent area.
Finally attendees enjoyed a field trip to the Cordell Museum based near
to the Library in Blaenavon. The Museum is staffed and managed by
volunteers who were on hand to offer information and answer any
questions.
Once
again the One Day School was a wonderful educational day out! The event
is subsidised for Gwent Local History members, so well worth joining.
Look
out for more news about the 2010 One Day School planned for October
2010!!
Gwent Local
History is the umbrella body for local history societies
throughout Gwent. Each society is invited to nominate
members to sit on the Council which meets on a quarterly
basis in the north and south of the Counties alternately.
Individual members and societies receive two copies per year
of the prestigious ‘Gwent Local History’ journal.
Current
membership fees are: Individual £8.00 per year
: Societies £12.00
per year
:
Libraries/Universities £15.00 per year |