Visit to Berkeley Castle

What a great day we had at Berkeley. Raining in the morning, by lunchtime it had cleared and we have a lovely afternoon.

There has been a defensive structure on this site since the Conqueror's time. Early in the 11th century, Henry II granted Berkeley to Robert Fitzhardinge, who is the forbear of the famkily which hasd owned the Castle until the present day.

*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the visit to Berkeley Castle

The photos were taken by John Sherrington

We are accustomed to great Norman structures partially in ruins. What we have here is a "home", albeit rather large but sophisticated, with rooms you could live in. What makes a tour so interesting are the little stories that the guide tells you.

For instance, the owner in l924 married an American heiress. He had to sell Berkeley Square - for £24M - I wonder what it is worth today - The first thing she said on arrival was "where's the central heating". She was a Lowell, the eflite family of Boston.

There was a saying at the time that the Cabots - another elite family in Boston - spoke only to the Lowells but the Lowells spoke only to God. Another story - when the family set off for London in medieval times, nearly all the land they travelled over belonged to them.

Many Americans visit the Castle as you can imagine. They always ask about the pronunciation; they say BURLEY, we say BARKLEY. They are always reassured that their's is the correct way!

.

The Edward Jenner Museum

Nearby is the house where Edward Jenner lived. Born in l749, he discovered the process of vaccination. Being a countryman he was particularly interested in cowpox It was accepted in then countryside that if you contracvtred cowpox, as many dairymaids did, you were immune to smallpox.

After many experiments over a number of years, he proved that this had a basis in fact and in l980 the World Health Organisation declared "smallpox is dead". In the grounds of the house is a thatchroofed stone building called the "Temple of Vaccinia", where he vaccinated the poor.

.

Jenner was also a naturalist. He discovered that a fledgling cuckoo throws its foster brothers, or the eggs of its foster parents, out of the nest. He also studied the migration of birds little of which was known at the time. He found that the same birds returned to the same place summer after summer.

At the age of 49 he was internationally famous. In the war with Napolean, two Englishmen were held in France and were suffering from the effects of confinement. It was suggested that Jenner should write a letter to Napolean asking for their release. Napolelan was about to refuse the request when the name on the letter was pointed out to him. "Jenner", said Napolean, "We can refuse nothing to that man".

.

Truly a remarkable man though a modest one, whose work with smallpox has saved countless millions of lives

.

And last but not least is the Butterfly House. A feast for the eyes! A tropical paradise but without all the creepy-crawlies!Warm, moist, with an abundance of tropical plants, the butterflies danced as in an unrehearsed ballet, showing jewelled colours as they alight on their source of nectar. A lovely experience reminding you that beautiful as man-made structures can be, nothing beats mother nature in its own glorious display.

I'm sure an enjoyable and interesting time was had by all and thanks to Iris and her team for taking us there.

Sheila Ford..

.

Berkeley Castle and Gardens

*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the visit to Berkeley Castle and Gardens

photo: Waiting for the bus to Berkeley Castle and Gardens

The photographs werer taken by Glenice and Adrian Dallow
and Dorothy Witcomb

History of Berkeley Castle

Home of the Berkeley Family for 850 Years The most remarkable thing about the Castle is that for nine centuries, the building, the Berkeley family, the archives (which go back to the 12th Century), the contents, the estate and the town have all survived together.

Its place in history is significant, not just because it is still intact, but because the Berkeley family and their home have played an important part in the power struggles of so many centuries.

Built for War The Castle is one of the March Castles, built to keep out the Welsh.

It has all the trappings to match: trip steps designed to make the enemy stumble during an assault, arrow slits, murder holes, enormous barred doors, slots where the portcullis once fell, and worn stones where sentries stood guard.

It is also a fairytale Castle with its warm pink stone that glows in soft sunset light. Outside, the battlements drop some 60' to the Great Lawn below; but inside the Inner Courtyard, the building is on a human scale, with uneven battlements, small towers, doors and windows of every shape and size. The surrounding land would have been flooded for defence.

Where History is a Home The Family are one of only three families in England who can trace their ancestry from father to son back to Saxon times. English history has been lived out within these walls - and by this family. The Castle is the oldest building in the country to be inhabited by the same family who built it.

For centuries, the Berkeleys were close to the throne, able administrators and fighters who supported their king or queen (as long as they could), backed the winning side, and married well. The Castle, naturally enough, is full of stories.

The Archives housed in the Castle date back from the earliest part of the 12th Century and number around 20,000 documents, 6,000 of which relate to the mediaeval period. The latter are mainly manorial records which relate to every county in England, excepting two only.

Website Link: www.berkeley-castle.com

.

Iris Price with the bouquet of flowers presented to her by Alma Gaskell on the occasion of her retirement from the position of Convenor for the History Group.

Along with Iris are four of her helpers who have given her continued support throughout her term of office

.

Wells Cathedral

*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the visit to Wells Cathedral

The Photographs were taken by Glenice and Adrian Dallow

In 909 the large diocese of Sherbourne was split and the minster church of St. Andrew became the first Wells Cathedral. Giso, the last Saxon bishop built both to the south, buildings for live-in priests, and north, a cloister. Pottery and animal bones were found to the south and a fine tomb cover of the tenth century with a pattern representing the Tree of Life to the north.

After the death of Giso in 1088, his successor John of Tours moved his seat to Bath Abbey and Wells was temporarily demoted. In the early 1100s Bishop Robert partially rebuilt the neglected church and carved stone fragments of the Norman period were recovered during the excavations.

By 1180 the foundations of an entirely new church were being laid to the north of the old one and on a better east-west alignment. Bishop Reginald, the then Bishop of Bath and a Norman by family, brought with him the exciting ideas of a new architectural style - the Gothic.

Probably by 1196 the demolition of the Saxon cathedral began as the new church was sufficiently advanced to be used for worship. Some stone was recycled for use in the new building. Out of respect for the ancient sacred site of the Roman mausoleum, the St. Mary Chapel was preserved and joined on to the new east cloister at a skewed angle. It became known as the "Lady Chapel by-the-Cloister".

In 1477 Bishop Robert Stillington embarked on a complete rebuilding of the chapel on a grand scale. The foundations of this cruciform building are what can be seen today in the Camery garden. This grand chapel did not last long and was blown up with gunpowder in 1552 because Edward VI had abolished Chantry chapels in the height of Reformation zeal.

Website Link: www.wellscathedral.org.uk

.

DOLAUCOTHI GOLD MINES

On 11th May 2009 members of the History and Science Groups visited the Dolaucothi Gold mines in Carmarthenshire where gold has been mined since Celtic times.

*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the visit
to Dolaucothi Gold mines in Carmarthenshire

photo: Rosa finds Gold

The Photographs were taken by Dorothy Witcomb, Glenice and Adrian Dallow

We were given a warm welcome by members of the National Trust and divided into to groups. One group went on a short walk along a Victorian adit (tunnel), the second climbed up the hill for an extensive tour of Roman and Victorian mines.

We then tried panning for gold and learnt to distinguish between fool's and red welsh gold. There was also time to see the exhibits, buy gold, and sample Irene's delicious home made deserts.

These unique gold mines are set amid wooded hillsides overlooking the beautiful Cothi Valley. The Romans who exploited the site almost 2,000 years ago left behind a complex of pits, channels, adits and tanks. Mining resumed in the 19th century and continued through the 20th century, reaching a peak in 1938.

Guided tours take visitors through the Roman and the more recent underground workings. The main mine yard contains a collection of 1930s mining machinery, an exhibition about the history of gold and gold mining, video and interpretation.

Gold panning gives visitors the opportunity to experience the frustrations of the search for gold. Other attractions include waymarked walks and picnic areas. There is fishing and accommodation on the estate, including a 35-pitch touring caravan site.

Website link: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

.

'This Fair Land of Gwent'.

For the October 2008 meeting, Author Chris Barber spoke on 'This Fair Land of Gwent'.
This county, once known as Gwent, and now split into Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Newport, has been crossed and re-crossed by invading armies, cattle rustlers, settlers and tourists. Each group have left its mark on the landscape in some way or other.

Dating from Stone Age times are such things as Harold's Stones (in Trellech), the stone circle on Gray Hill, Heston Brake tumulus in Portskewett, and various isolated standing stones. In most cases the reason for their construction is a matter of pure conjecture.

Iron Age settlers constructed numerous hillforts (32 in Gwent), and many survive as prominent features of the landscape. Excavations suggest that they were occupied by family groups.

When the Romans came to this area, they subdued the native Silures, building forts in strategic places, and a main base in Caerleon. They also established a small town at Caerwent in an attempt to Romanize the Silures.
During the period 600 - 1000 Ad (commonly known as 'The Dark Ages') many hermit saints lived in this area; some of the small churches founded by them later became parish churches. Some of the churches concerned are still dedicated to those early saints.

The Normans arrived in the 11th century, and immediately built fortifications to police their conquered territory. Chepstow Castle was probably the first stone-built castle in Wales, and was constructed to guard the river crossing. Other important sites were White Castle (so known because of its whitewashed walls), Skenfrith Castle (a favourite residence of King Henry II), and Abergavenny Castle (the venue of the Christmas day massacre, at which Norman lord William le Breos slaughtered the Welsh princes he invited to join the festivities).

The 18th century saw the growth of large estates; some landowners such as the Morgans of Tredegar diversified into the coal and iron industries, but others remained rooted in agriculture. One such was the Rolls family of Llanvihangel-Vibion-Awel near Monmouth. The best known member of that family was the Honourable Charles Rolls; he is renowned for his association with motor engineer Henry Royce, but he was also an early pioneer of aviation. Sadly he was also the first person to die in an air crash.
Dave Edwards

.

.

Llancaiach Fawr Manor

Llancaiach Fawr Manor is located at the northern end of the Rhymney Valley in a village called Nelson, which is just outside Ystrad Mynach. It is hardly the place you would expect to find such a wonderful and award-winning attraction! But nestled amongst the rolling hills of the valley, you will find the gem in the crown of Caerphilly County Borough Council.

*please click on the image above to access a larger photograph

........."We have yet to find out if they managed to find their way out!"

Good morrow to you gentlefolk. Be it known that in the month of June did ye history group go to Llancaiach Fawr, home of Sir Edward Prichard, as it was in 1645.

During our brief stay, we had a glimpse of the operation of the household of a country gentleman in 17th century Wales, conducted in old English.

Our first guide was Rachel Edmunds, a kitchen maid who described the running of the household below stairs. She showed how meat was roasted on a spit, and how a square wooden plate with large indentation was used for food, with a small indentation for that precious commodity - salt. In passing she described a toothache cure for those addicted to sweetmeats; this consisted of driving a red-hot nail into the infected tooth. She added in all seriousness that it must work, since anyone who tried it did not complain about toothache thereafter.

Secondly houseman Bryn Llewellyn introduced us to the chambers used by the master and his family, describing how they lived, dined, and engaged with the local population. He also described how the interior walls of the chamber acquired their pleasant yellow hue: add to the lime wash 'that which emanates from the back end of a horse', but advised against occupation of that room for three weeks thereafter.

For the tour of the sleeping apartments, our guide was John Bolitho, body servant to Sir Edward Prichard. He described how the various chambers were used by Sir Edward, Lady Prichard, and their offspring; he commiserated with the menfolk who had supported their wives through childbirth, and advised them to show their solidarity by quaffing a draught of ale. He delicately enquired if men had been in army or navy, and classed as 'deserters' any who had served a mere two years.

After a visit to the gardens and a meal, we returned to 21st century Caldicot.

Dave Edwards

.

.

Nathaniel Wells, Monmouthshire's first black Sheriff
- Speaker: John Evans

In 1800 there is little doubt that Nathaniel Wells was the richest black man in Britain.

He was the son of a Cardiff-born slave owner and one of his black slaves, and went on to become Sheriff of Monmouthshire and Deputy Lieutenant of the county.

Despite his ethnic background, Nathaniel kept his sugar estates in the Caribbean and gave no special treatment to the Africans he forced to work there. One of the estates was, in fact, accused of handing out illegally cruel punishments to the slaves who worked on them.

.

.

Two Films: 'A Journey on the Wye Valley Railway' and
'A Journey on the Brecon Mountain Railway' - Presented by Ken Bucknall

photo: Brecon Mountain Railway

One Of The Most Popular Railways In WalesTravel in one of our all-weather observation coaches behind a vintage steam locomotive through beautiful scenery into the Brecon Beacons National Park along the full length of the Taf Fechan Reservoir to Dol-y-Gaer on one of the most popular railways in Wales.

Website link: http://www.breconmountainrailway.co.uk/

The Wye Valley Railway

The Wye Valley Railway was opened on the 1st November 1876 from Wye Valley Junction (near Chepstow, south-east Wales) to Monmouth Troy (east Wales) for a total distance of 14 3/4 miles. Trains stopped at stations called, from the south, Tidenham, Tintern, Bigsweir, Redbrook, and terminated at Monmouth Troy. Here passengers could change for Ross-on-Wye (a few miles further north), Pontypool (15 miles to the south-west), and, from 1883, Coleford, in the Dean Forest.

Ultimately it lost large sums of money and closed to passengers in 1959. Freight followed in 1964. Today only short stretch of line at Tintern station is used for railway purposes - as a 7-inch gauge miniature railway - and this has stood in the path of a proposed new cycleway.

Website link: The Wye Valley Railway

.

.

.

American Museum, Bathampton Mill, & Bath Narrow Boats

American Museum

In the main house on the ground and first floors there are a spectacular series of diverse and authentically furnished rooms, trace the American way of life from colonial times to the mid 19th century. The Textile Room displaying American quilts and other textiles is located on the first floor.

Website link: www.americanmuseum.org

Bathampton Mill

Bathampton village lies two miles east of the city of Bath and has a population of around 1800. The River Avon and the Kennet and Avon Canal pass through the village.

Website link: www.thebathamptonmill.co.uk

.

Llancaiach Fawr Manor

Llancaiach Fawr Manor is located at the northern end of the Rhymney Valley in a village called Nelson, which is just outside Ystrad Mynach. It is hardly the place you would expect to find such a wonderful and award-winning attraction! But nestled amongst the rolling hills of the valley, you will find the gem in the crown of Caerphilly County Borough Council.

*please click on the image above to access a larger photograph

........."We have yet to find out if they managed to find their way out!"

Good morrow to you gentlefolk. Be it known that in the month of June did ye history group go to Llancaiach Fawr, home of Sir Edward Prichard, as it was in 1645.

During our brief stay, we had a glimpse of the operation of the household of a country gentleman in 17th century Wales, conducted in old English.

Our first guide was Rachel Edmunds, a kitchen maid who described the running of the household below stairs. She showed how meat was roasted on a spit, and how a square wooden plate with large indentation was used for food, with a small indentation for that precious commodity - salt. In passing she described a toothache cure for those addicted to sweetmeats; this consisted of driving a red-hot nail into the infected tooth. She added in all seriousness that it must work, since anyone who tried it did not complain about toothache thereafter.

Secondly houseman Bryn Llewellyn introduced us to the chambers used by the master and his family, describing how they lived, dined, and engaged with the local population. He also described how the interior walls of the chamber acquired their pleasant yellow hue: add to the lime wash 'that which emanates from the back end of a horse', but advised against occupation of that room for three weeks thereafter.

For the tour of the sleeping apartments, our guide was John Bolitho, body servant to Sir Edward Prichard. He described how the various chambers were used by Sir Edward, Lady Prichard, and their offspring; he commiserated with the menfolk who had supported their wives through childbirth, and advised them to show their solidarity by quaffing a draught of ale. He delicately enquired if men had been in army or navy, and classed as 'deserters' any who had served a mere two years.

After a visit to the gardens and a meal, we returned to 21st century Caldicot.
The next meeting of the history group on 16th July will be held in Caldicot Scout Hall, since the proposed trip to the slavery exhibition in Bristol Museum has been cancelled. A film will be shown, followed by a cream tea.

Dave Edwards

.

Bristol Museum Exhibition about the Slave Trade

.

BREAKING THE CHAINS is a £1 million Heritage Lottery Funded exhibition that has been created to mark the significance of 2007 in consultation with community members, and in partnership with Bristol's Museums, Galleries and Archives.

Website link: www.empiremuseum.co.uk

.