CWMBRAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY: The AGM in November saw the re-election to the committee of the usual suspects. Due to the resignation of our secretary to pursue her own research, we are now a little "thin on the ground".
Don, our research officer, is still confined to hospital and our thoughts are with his family. We hope that he will make a good recovery and be able to join us once more.
Although the committee is somewhat depleted, we have excellent support from our members whose numbers are growing each month.
Among the opinions expressed at the AGM were that speakers should limit their programmes to one hour, so that members have more time for discussions and "socialising". There should be more open evenings for showing slides, photographs and other memorabilia, and story swapping.
Our quizzes remain a popular item although it has come to our attention that some of the members of our more successful teams need to be "siphoned off" into other teams, to give everyone a chance to win one of our lavish prizes!
We have taken on board all your suggestions and arranged our 2007 programmes accordingly.
Since the AGM we have had some entertaining speakers. In December
we had a very amusing talk by our old friend Roger Morgan who told us about the
history of
In January, John Applegate spoke to us about mining in the 1900s. He arrived in full mining outfit of the period, with lots of equipment.
February's talk was given by Roy Dixon about the history of
In March, John Brewer gave a talk on Family History. He amused us by going back through his own ancestry, some of whom were of "questionable" parentage, but later the distaff side were made honest women of, so all was well.
This month saw us entertained in musical fashion by Dr Gareth John who brought along a colleague from the Isca Morris Men to tell us about the origins of Morris Dancing.
It was a lively evening and some of the more "Hardy" (no pun intended) of our members decided it would be a good idea to present ourselves at the Caerleon Amphitheatre at 5.30am on May Day morning to join in the May Day festivities.
AWARDS FOR ALL WALES LOTTERY GRANT: Before our April meeting our chairman, Bryan McDowell, was presented with a cheque for £1,800 from the Lottery Grant by the chairman of Cwmbran community council, Mr David Williams, the chairman of Croesyceiliog and Llanyravon community council, Mr Graham Welsh, and Mr Peter Kennedy from Torfaen Voluntary Alliance.
Peter has been very helpful to the society since its inception, and we are very grateful to him.
HERITAGE WALKS: All six of our heritage walks have now been completed and we are awaiting publication of the leaflets by the Torfaen Operational Group.
The walks are
TWINNING NEWS: In May last year, Cwmbran played host to a group of people
from our twin town of
To this end, Cwmbran Historical Society have now become group members of the Friends of Bruchsal Society, who will visit Bruchsal in May 2008.
VISITS FOR 2007: Our first visit of the season will be to Ironbridge in Shrop-shire. It will take place on Sunday, May 6, and will leave the Cwmbran RAFA Club at 8.30am, promptly. We will be leaving Ironbridge at 5pm. The visit has been made possible by our Lottery Grant.
FUTURE MEETINGS: Our next meeting is on Wednesday, May 16, and will take the form of an Open Evening. We will be showing old photographs, maps and other memorabilia, with free discussion and some brainteasers.
The entertainment will be provided by "Chiefly yourselves"!
June 20: Mr Roger Bryant of The Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
July 18: Rev W J Rutter "Slow boat to Brecon".
More to be announced later.
Non-members are welcome to our meetings, which take place at the Cwmbran
RAFA Club,
For more information ring Brian McDowell on 01633 484947.
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