Figure Four Exhibition, South Wales

Pontypool Museum is attempting to recruit 1000 new members, their membership fees will help finance their collection and the work they do.


For more information on the exhibition or the Museum itself telephone 01495 752036. Please check the opening times before visiting.

Why not combine your visit with a stroll around Pontypool Park. Donated by the Hanbury family and once probably the best park in South Wales, it is still a fantastic space with points of interest dotted around. This is the site of Pontypool Rugby Pitch, the home of the Legendary "Pontypool Front Row."

Vernon W Jones at Pontypool Museum, South Wales

Above the Waves Exhibition

Breathe in the salty air, feel the sea spray on your skin and transport yourself to the seaside at this exhibition by a Pontypool born artist.

This up-and-coming artist who left college and disappeared around the world with a back-pack, Vernon Jones loves to paint the sea in all its moods and guises.

Fantastic paintings by Vernon W Jones on display at Pontypool Museum

To see more works click on the link to Vernon's website at the bottom of this blog. 

"In my paintings I aim to present my respect and admiration for this great source of inspiration to me. I hope my work will inspire you, the viewer, too."  Vernon W Jones 

Please make sure you take your sea-sick pills before visiting this exhibition at the Oriel Barker Gallery, Pontypool Museum. Vernon paints waves that I swear you can see moving. He captures the many moods of the ocean and its different colours. No need for a cruise this year, just pop up to Pontypool.

"I have spent much time contemplating the sea in order to be able to paint with movement and accuracy how it "works," how it "feels."  It is like a mechanism, a continuous example of cause and effect as observed in the laws which life depends upon, and by which we live. In this spirit I approach my subject through a series of different categories of works designed to improve my work and produce "better" works as time goes on.  It is my goal artistically to compete against myself and stretch my limitations by uncovering weaknesses and turn them into strengths."  Vernon W Jones

"My introduction to this subject came as something "landing on my lap," meeting another artist who suggested I try painting J Calss Yachts in oils. I decided to try under his guidance, training I still use in my own way with my own developed techniques. At first, in 2005, I struggled and I remember trying to make it "work." There were so many things to consider, the importance of keeping perspective, movement and the different shapes that form the sea. Those coupled with no experience and little confidence in my new subject matter made it very hard to achieve the result I desired. I wanted to get the sea looking and feeling correct at least correct to me."

This exhibition will continue at Pontypool Museum until October 2014. Well worth a visit. Please check the museum's hours and days of opening beforehand.

e-mail: vernon.jones@hotmail.co.uk

website:  www.vernonwjones.co.uk

Royal Ordnance Factory, South Wales

The Royal Ordnance Factory between Pontypool and Usk was created to produce munitions for WWII. It grew quickly and employed hundreds of people from the surrounding district, bussing people in from the valleys.

The link below tells the story of Gwyn Tucker (nee Taylor) who worked there from 1939 to 1945 when she moved to London with her new husband who had returned from the war.

A fascinating first-hand story of her working life.



BBC.CO.UK history of ROF Glascoed

Pontypool Park History

Pontypool park covers some 64 hectares and was originally laid out around 1703 as a private estate, belonging to the Hanbury's.

An old ‘map’ informs us that  avenues of sweet chestnut and beech follow the contours of the valleys up towards the Folly Tower.

 

A really old tree on the walkway to Pontymoile entrance

Many of the veteran sweet chestnuts are still visible, surrounding the Nant-y-Gollen ponds and close to the Gorsedd Stone Circle and are reputedly the largest specimens this far north. They were originally planted to produce charcoal for the iron forges along the Afon Lwyd river.

During the next 100 years, new plantings of chestnuts, oak, beech and yew were introduced obscuring the formal avenues and creating the wooded areas along the river and main path to Pontymoile. (Site of those wonderful gates.)

Conifer plantations were introduced during the 1950-60’s and left unmanaged and this combined with the growth of many of the original plantings, has altered the landscape to a predominantly mature wooded park with some open meadowland.

In the middle of the 20^th century the Park passed into public ownership for the benefit of the community of Pontypool.

The Park contains a number of historic areas including the Italian Gardens, Tramway Tunnel, Ice Houses and Shell Grotto. The Shell Grotto was built around 1829 by Molly Mackworth as a summerhouse, some 200m above the surrounding area and enjoys stunning views across open countryside and the Severn Estuary.

The Grotto and close-by Folly Tower are both open to the public on special days through the year.

Pontypool Museum Needs You !!

20% cut in funding !

A membership drive was launched this week to avoid the museum closing. A temporary measure could mean it would need to close for a day on weekends, unless funds can be found. They are looking for 1000 new members to ensure Torfaen's history remains here for future generations.

Membership fee £15 per year
Family membership £20
Business, Institution or Club annual fee £60

For details visit Pontypool Museum near the Old Town Bridge or tel: 01495 752036
e-mail:  Pontypoolmuseum@hotmail.com

LATER NOTE:  I would like to thank the readers of this blog and Facebook links for showing their support and becoming members of Pontypool Museum. You do not have to live in Wales to join. The museum has members from all over the world who receive regular newsletters and information.

A fabulous display of local Japan Ware permanently on display 

The Mary Challenger Art Exhibition starts today (7 March 2014). Mary began sketching in her later life, and was known to sit quietly in the corner of a room working away with care and skill, producing images with real character.  Her figures tell their own story without the need for words.  An image I recall from a previous exhibition is an artist sketching a sculpture and in turn becoming the artist's model for another artist. Even her back views tell a thousand words.  A dear lady who's work alone is well worth a visit to Pontypool Museum.

A commemorative display of artefacts, photographs and medals from WWI has already started the drive for increased visitor numbers.


An Evening with Eddy Butler has been arranged for later in March. The TV Personality and ex-Rugby Player will tell tales from his past career to help raise funds and membership of this interesting museum.


The Vintage Tearoom is always a hit with visitors. You can enjoy coffee and a welsh cake or even afternoon tea, complete with iced cakes and scones on a tiered cake stand.

Steam Trains

As a child I would catch a steam train with my mother from Pontypool Road Station to Hereford to visit my grandmother.

I remember my trepidation as the platform disappeared around us in a cloud of steam and the strange hiss from the engine grew louder and louder. The train approached and passed us, gradually coming to a halt with the carriages alongside the platform for us to board. Inside the carriages were furnished with polished wood and pictures of exotic holiday resorts framed in glass cases. When all passengers were aboard and the doors closed, the Station Master waved his flag and blew his whistle to advise the train driver it was safe to depart.

Later diesel trains took over and the regular rhythm of the steam train and its rather frightening arrival disappeared.

 

View across Garn Lakes from carriage

My memories come flooding back at Pontypool & Blaenavon Steam Railway. Passing through their newly built ticket office and tea room, you can buy a traditional ticket at a traditional ticket kiosk.

The Station Master waves his flag and blows his whistle and we're off. On board a ticket collector checks and punches our tickets.

The journey on this especially constructed track, lasts minutes, but takes me back more  than fifty years. The Railway Society has special days which can be discovered along with their next event on the link below.


www.pontypool-and-blaenavon.co.uk/

Level crossing with Ticket Office in the distance

 

Pontypool Museum, South Wales

Cross over Pontypool Town Bridge and turn right through the park gates and you will find Ice Houses on your left (see my blog of March 2012), and the old stable block on your right, which has now been renovated to contain Pontypool Museum.

As well as the obligatory large mangel, fireplace overmantle and treadle sewing machine, there are several interesting displays which make it well worth a visit.  

The coffee shop often holds exhibitions of work from local artists, and until 31 August you can see water colours and pen & inks by Mary Challenger, a close observer of local landscape and people.  In this display she shows her enjoyment of studying other observers as they take in other works of art.

Pontypool was famous for Japanware, a highly decorated, laquered tinplate.   Often coloured foils were included in the layers of laquer to immitate gold produce delicate patterns.   Later, as the company split, Usk became known for its paper mache version of Japanware.   The museum according to its literature, holds the National collection of such wares, consisting of  teapots, occasional tables, trays, nut crackers, etc.

Do you own an antique clock?   Check out whether it is a 'Charles Vaughan.'   There are only fifty known at present - could yours make it fifty-one?   The museum hold a few examples on display, and W Linnard has written a limited edition book on the subject, available at the museum.  

Around the walls of a small conference room hang photographs of British Nylon Spinners (BNS).
Situated in Mamhilad because of the pure, clean air, this large factory was taken over by ICI in the 1960s and later du Pont.   It finally closed its doors on 31 July 2012.

Until 29 September 2012 there is a large display of Pontypool Rugby Football Club memorabilia.   The exhibition consists of photographs, trophies, jerseys, caps and flags collected over many years.

Budding musicians of all ages can try their hand at various instruments, or just enjoy the international display as well as details of Leo Abse.

A wide variety of books on local history and events, as well as bric-a-brac are available for purchase at this accredited & award winning museum.   The Torfaen Museum Trust is a registered charity and is always looking to increase its membership.

Opening hours:   Tuesday to Friday 10am-5pm,  Saturday & Sunday 2pm-5pm
There is a small admission fee, but entry is free to Torfaen Library cardholders.

Amgueddfa Pontypool Museum is searching for the history of the buildings in Pontypool and the surrounding area.   A database of information is to be accumulated from scanned images of documents collected from the public.   Documents, artefacts and photographs can be taken to the museum for inclusion in this project.     For more info. Tel Mary or Peter 01495 752036 or e-mail ptcp@live.co.uk.

The Folly Tower, Pontypool (see my blog March 2012).
Pontypool Ice Houses (see my blog March 2012).
www.pontypoolmuseum.org.uk
Charles Vaughan of Pontypool published by Tathan Books, PO Box 6044, Radyr, Cardiff CF15 8YS

Pontypool, South Wales

A tour of Pontypool was accompanied by details of the Chartist uprising in 1839.   Rather unusually, the story was told from the Pontypool perspective.    It was organised through Pontypool Museum and more talks and courses are planned for the future.   Check the Pontypool Museum website for details of future events:
http://www.pontypoolmuseum.org.uk/

Now hardly noticeable above a shop front, this frontage is all that remains to show that this was once the old market hall.  

The current stone-built market hall is a few yards away on the other side of the road.

A new light revealed another side to the story of William Jones during the period of the march on the Westgate Hotel in Newport.   In contradiction to his reputation of being a coward, found hiding in Crumlin, it appears he spent many long hours on horseback carrying news of the uprising and organising supporters throughout the South Wales valleys.

Capel Hanbury Leigh held the position of Queens Lord Lieutenant for Pontypool at the time.   His arguments and opinions were well represented during the talk by the well turned-out gentlemen pictured here.

He lived in Park House which is now St Albans School, and Pontypool Museum is situated in what was his rather grand stable block.

Whilst the ladies of the time had their point of view well aired by a lady in period costume.  I feel a lady of the day might have been a little more intimidated by the presence of the Queen's Lord Lieutenant, but I supported her all the way.






http://oldpontypool.wordpress.com/2011/03/

A blog to brighten your day....      http://www.rainbowgeeks.com/

Pontypool's Unique Ice Houses

The ice houses close to Pontypool museum are unique and of great historical significance for three reasons:

(a)   This pair of ice houses are each constructed with a double chamber.  There are no other double chamber ice houses recorded in Britain.  They were usually one chamber only.

(b)    Ice Houses were usually built individually, not in pairs at here.

(c)   The close proximity of the ice houses to  Park House, the Hanbury family home, now st Albans School, is also unusual.

Pontypool museum is now housed in the old stables of Park House.

“There are a number of reports that the ice houses have been subject to a landslip which has covered the access door.   Investigations have shown that this is not the case and access to the ice houses was, and always has been through the top opening.   It is also likely that the structure had a roof which may have been thatched to ensure as much insulation as possible.



Ice to fill the houses would have been taken from the Nant-y-Gollen Ponds and the nearby Monmouth and Brecon Canal.  

In 1864 the Free Press noted that “ice had been very plentiful and large quantities were secured for the Park ice house.”



Ice was contaminated and not used in food preparation, although in later years with the advent of the railway, it was possible to purchase clean ice which could be used in food.



The icehouses have now been fully restored with funding from Cadw, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Torfaen County Borough Council.”

http://www.torfaen.gov.uk/LeisureAndCulture/ParksAndOpenSpaces/PontypoolPark/TheIceHouses.aspx

Unsolved Pontypool murder

Update November 2012

"Who Killed Dripping Lewis?" published by Book Midden Publishing is on sale exclusively at Pontypool Museum from Tuesday 7 November 2012 with proceeds donated to the museum.  A book signing was held at the museum on Saturday 10 November 2-4pm.

Monty has already started work on her next murder mystery project, the crime took place in Abergavenny in 1920.

------oo0oo------

Mr Lewis lived in Plasmont House, a 22-roomed mansion in Pontypool.   He was a wealthy property owner and draper.    Many think he was a butcher, presumably because of the 'Dripping' nickname.   One reason for this could have been he gave pots of dripping (beef fat) to the poor.  Killed in the 1930's, his murder was never solved.   Can you help?  Do you have information, perhaps passed on by an elderly relative?



------oo0oo------

 



Monty Dart will be presenting her findings and evidence revealed during her research.

"Who Killed Dripping Lewis,"

on Wednesday, 15th February 2012

 at

2pm

at

St John's Church Activity Centre,

Penywain Road, Wainfelin,

Pontypool.

A book revealing all will be published in September 2012.   I'm sure it will be a riveting read.

Various theories exist but can her research bring the culprit (or culprits) to book?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwFcisWAW-A