TORFAEN TREASURE DAY: was a really rewarding experience held on Friday April 7 in the Oriel Barker Gallery at Pontypool Museum.

The purpose of this very well attended event was for representatives of  the National Museum of Wales to formally hand over to our great local museum various locally discovered artefacts, legally classed as Treasure Trove.

A very warm welcome was given to all by Rt. Hon Lord Paul Murphy of Torfaen, President  of Torfaen Museum Trust, who spoke of the pride the Trust felt in displaying evidence of the history of the lives of past generations in the valley.

Dr Adam Gwilt, Principal Curator, Prehistory at Amgueddfa Cymru —National Museum of Wales, then delivered a fascinating talk on Treasure Reporting in Wales with special reference to the significance of the Bronze Age Trevethin Hoard and the gold posy from Henllys, from the post-medieval era. These wonderful objects were then presented to Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP for Torfaen, who then responded with thanks on behalf of the museum.

Dr Rhianydd Biebrach who is the Project Officer for, Saving Treasures: Telling Stories, on the pan-Wales HLF funded, partnership project, briefed us on the objectives of the project and the opportunities for museums in Wales. Rhisiart Morgan is involved in the local, HLF funded project Pobl Arwrol y Syllwg/Heroic Peoples of the Silures, which included an appearance by a warrior of that era.

Space does not allow me to report on these projects in detail but further information is available on the relevant websites.

A vote of thanks was then given to the speakers and all present by Mike Tanner, Vice-Chair of Torfaen Museum Trust, himself an ardent local historian.

Debbie Wildgust, Museum Curator, then invited guests to view the artefacts, to tour the other galleries and have light refreshments in the museum Tearoom. 

We also witnessed a re-enactment by warriors from a previous age battling in the museum courtyard! A visit to view these artefacts is strongly recommended.

Pontypool Museum is open all year on the following days and times: Tuesday to Thursday from 10am to 4pm, Saturday 1pm to 4pm and Sunday during April-October 1pm to 4pm. Admission is free. Contact details: Pontypool Museum, Park Buildings, Pontypool, Torfaen, NP4 6JH. Telephone: 01495 752036 or visit pontypoolmuseum.org.uk.

The museum invites visitors to “Discover the rich history of the Eastern Valley and visit our eight galleries, tea rooms and gift shop. There is free parking at the rear of the museum with disabled parking at the front.”
The museum is also within walking distance of bus stops.

“Torfaen Museum trust is a local charity that has been safeguarding and collecting Torfaen’s art, historical objects and cultural artefacts on behalf of the public, at its Pontypool Museum site since 1978. There are over 15,000 items on view and in our collections, with displays, ranging from prehistoric objects and medieval treasure troves, to industrial revolution collections, Pontypool RFC memorabilia and fine art.”

Call in at the museum, email, telephone or visit the website pontypoolmuseum@hotmail.com for further information and for details of the Trust’s Membership Scheme.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK: Doreen Richards-Clark sends the following information and invitation to Grassroots readers:

“The week goes from May 14 to May 20. Christian Aid began because of the need of European refugees after the Second World War. Therefore in its 70th year Christian Aid is focusing on the needs of refugees again. The week starts with a service at the Salvation Army Hall, Town Bridge on Sunday May 14 at 5pm. There will be a Welsh taster session and soup lunch at 10.30am on Tuesday May 16 at Pontypool Methodist Church, Nicholas Street. On Saturday May 20 at 7pm (doors open 6.30pm), the Pontypool Male Voice Choir will give a concert at the Salvation Army Hall. The Salvation Army Band and Timbrels will also be taking part.  Tickets are £2 and available at Crane St Church, the Salvation Army Hall or the Christian Book Shop. All money raised at these events is for Christian Aid’s work. Look out for other events being organised in various parts of Pontypool during May and June.”

NEWS FROM CWMBRAN SALVATION ARMY: Jeff Dicken invites Readers to their Spring Fair on Saturday May 13, 11am to 1pm, held at Wesley Street, which is within easy reach of car parking and bus stops. Jeff tells me there will be stalls of the following: knitted items, toiletries, jewellery, jigsaws, white elephant, plants, cakes, sweets, refreshments (light lunches and cream teas). I am intrigued by the news that there will also be a men’s cake competition!

Torfaen
Mary Barnett
Mary.Barnett@torfaen.gov.uk