Monthly Archives: May 2015

‘Careers in Libraries and Archives’, 2 June 2015 …

Research Institute For Arts and Humanities
‘Careers in Libraries and Archives’

Dr Katrina Legg, Archivist, Richard Burton Archives,Elen Davies, Librarian,Swansea University

Venue: Glyndwr Room A, Glyndwr Building, Swansea University

2 June 2015 – 2-3pm

Don’t miss the upcoming masterclass

Focused on: Enhancing Employability – Career Development

The session will be informal and will offer a chance to pick the brains of an  experienced working professional and to ask questions and gain advice.

The session are open to all students and non-students.

Places are limited.

Reserve your space today:

Contact Kate Spiller, Project Coordinator: k.spiller@swansea.ac.uk

http://www.swansea.ac.uk/riah/graduate-centre/heritageskillsprogramme

​Historic Swansea Bascule bridge will swing back into use …

http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/8203-Historic-Swansea-Bascule-bridge-swing-use/story-26525090-detail/story.html

AN ICONIC wooden bridge which crosses Swansea’s River Tawe will be restored as part of a major transport improvement scheme in the city.

Swansea Council has been awarded £2.7 million from the Welsh Government annual transport grant settlement and will be ploughing the funding into a wide range of projects aimed at improving transport and road safety in the city.

Of the settlement £200,000 has been allocated towards restoring the grade II listed Bascule Bridge, located in Morfa area.

The unique wooden bridge, which dates back to the early 1900s, is in danger of collapse if not repaired. The bridge is currently out of use.

Situated in the shadows of the Liberty Stadium, the bridge is one of the few surviving relics of the area’s rich copper heritage. It had a water-powered lever system enabling a section of the bridge to be lifted to allow sailing ships to pass through.

Once restored, the bridge will be brought back into use as a cycleway and footpath, creating an important link on the National Cycle Network 43 and for local match-day connections to the Liberty Stadium.

A spokesman for Swansea Community Boat Trust, which runs trips from the marina up the River Tawe, welcomed the news as hitherto its barge was not allowed to pass the bridge due to safety reasons.

He said: “It would be very good news for us as we could then go at least as far as the Liberty Stadium and it would be great to get closer to the bridge itself as its an important piece of our heritage.”

Mark Thomas, cabinet member for environment and transportation, said it would be used for pedestrians and cyclists.”It’s expected that major cities throughout Europe can provide sufficient cycle path infrastructure to make cycling a viable mode of transport as well as an enjoyable pastime.”

Welsh Florence Nightingale book launch, 27 May …

Cover to Cover are hosting a book launch on Wednesday 27th May at 7pm, at Newton Village Hall, Newton. Download full details from Betsy Poster.

The publication is a new edition of the autobiography of Betsy Cadwaldyr – or Elizabeth Davis – the Welsh Florence Nightingale!

Betsy was a remarkable woman, with an adventurous life, as a nurse during the Crimean War.  The story was first published in 1857, and the new edition with new material has just been published.

Tickets are £2 (redeemable on purchase of book) and are available from Cover to Cover, www.cover-to-cover.co.uk.

 

Wales on Wheels, Saturday 16 May …

Wales on Wheels 2015 is on Saturday 16 May in and around the National Waterfront Museum and Dylan Thomas Square in Swansea Marina. Bring the family for a free sunny day out and a lot of fun. https://www.flickr.com/photos/96706702@N06/.

Participants confirmed so far are:

Swansea Bus Museum.
Swansea Museum Collections Centre.
Classic Vehicle Enthusiasts Group.
Yeoman Living History – http://www.yeomangreatwar.com .
Swansea Motorcycle Club.
Skewen and Pontarddulais Classic Car Clubs.
Swansea Historic Vehicle Register.
Swansea Fire Service.
Pink Cadillac.
Tools for Self Reliance.
Wallace and Gromit van and motorcycle with sidecar.
Mametz Woods Classic Car Run 2016.
Sinclair C5 with pedals for kids.
Penydarren Steam Locomotive accompanied by Mr Trevithick himself – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZCfXIZGFhc.
Gilbern Club.
Mouse Shell Mileage Marathon record holding car (see it on Top Gear – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aD4V0SeKmc).
Roads & Road Transport History Association.
Historical Association Swansea Branch.

Plus the usual unexpected visitors!

Wales on Wheels is a joint effort by the Roads & Road Transport History Association, National Waterfront Museum, Swansea Museum, and Swansea Bus Museum. Participation and entry is free.
www.rrtha.org.uk/events

 

 

Landmark Trust Golden Weekend celebrations, 16-17 May …

On Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May the Landmark Trust will open 25 Landmarks for free across Britain in special celebration of our 50th birthday. Almost everyone will be within 50 miles of a Landmark open day – find the nearest building to you here!

The open days will be unlike any we have held before. At 3pm on Saturday 16th May, across all 25 sites, different musical groups will each perform their unique version of the Anthem for Landmark. There will be all sorts of other local contributions – WI teas, historians, exhibitions, art and crafts displays, period dancers and much more, as each Landmark site creates its own celebration. Join us for this unique anniversary celebration, visit our website for full details.

The Landmark Trust is responsible for rescuing fine old buildings which it then lets for holiday stays. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Trust and a number of its buildings are open to the public this weekend. In Wales, Clytha Castle, a Victorian Gothic edifice near Abergavenny, and the West Blockhouse, one of the Napoleonic era coastal forts, at Dale in Pembrokeshire will be open. There is a special event at each of the 25 properties involved on the Saturday afternoon. If you get the chance, do take the opportunity to visit one of Landmark’s fine old buildings and learn more about the organisation’s work.

 

Vision unveiled for historic copperworks site’s future …

http://www.swansea.gov.uk/article/15174/Vision-unveiled-for-historic-copperworks-sites-future

A NEW visitor centre, conference facilities and incubation units for start-up digital businesses are among the plans for Swansea’s Hafod Morfa Copperworks site in future.

Hafod Morfa Copperworks (Conceptual)

A vision document that’s now been released for the site also includes proposals for a living history laboratory, an urban square, a brewery, a restaurant, a pedestrian bridge that links to the White Rock site, affordable housing and the restoration of historic engine sheds to show how they worked in their prime.

The vision document is now available on the new dedicated website for the site at www.hafodmorfacopperworks.com

Regeneration of the site has already started as part of a project called Cu@Swansea being led by Swansea University and Swansea Council. With the support of Welsh Government, Cadw and European funds, progress has included clearing vegetation, stabilising buildings at risk, improving access for visitors, community archaeology fieldwork, new pathways, an audio visual trail and information panels.

A programme of fortnightly site tours is also being organised every other Wednesday from May 6, starting at 2pm. Tours take approximately an hour and a half and will guide visitors around the site, exploring its history, the current project and future plans.

Swansea Council and Swansea University are about to sign a 15-year agreement to further preserve and celebrate the site.

Professor Huw Bowen, of Swansea University, said: “The new agreement is a commitment from both the university and the council to further regenerate the internationally significant Hafod Morfa Copperworks site. We hope to build on the great work that’s already been done to develop a vibrant and exciting reanimation of a site that was once at the heart of the industrial revolution.

“Subject to funding, the combination of our plans to preserve and celebrate our heritage, develop new visitor facilities and accommodate new start-up businesses means this site, which once employed hundreds of local people, will again be a catalyst for regeneration of the local area.”

“Ten years from now, it could well be a landmark site for heritage, learning, innovation and community engagement.”

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Regeneration, said: “The new 15-year agreement with Swansea University shows how serious we are about conserving and promoting our world class history. Visitors to the site in future will experience a place that celebrates the stories of the past and connects them with ideas and skills that will soon define their world. This will help further put Swansea on the map as an innovative city that recognises the importance of our heritage.”

Other plans include a workshop providing metalwork craft demonstrations and visitor activities. A pontoon could also provide mooring for Copper Jack – Swansea’s community boat – and other river craft.

Contact the Museum Collections Centre on 01792 467282 to book a place on a walking tour.

 

Hafod-Morfa Tours start in May …

14 tour guides have been developing their knowledge of the site and are ready to start offering fortnightly tours of the site from next week, 6th May. This is run in association with Swansea Museum Collections Centre. More information and booking details are available here. http://www.hafodmorfacopperworks.com/event/fortnightly-wednesday-tours/ We’d be grateful if you could help us to spread the word too.

Hafod-Morfa News …

Dear Friends,

A number of developments have been taking shape on the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks Development Project recently:

There is an exciting new vision for the future development of the site, produced by architect firm Purcell, available here http://jhurleydesign.com/copperworks-wp/wp-content/uploads/236x297_Hafod_Vision_Document_V7_DIGITAL.pdf

The site now has its own dedicated website which posts news and events and provides an opportunity for feedback. See www.hafodmorfacopperworks.com

14 tour guides have been developing their knowledge of the site and are ready to start offering fortnightly tours of the site from next week, 6th May. This is run in association with Swansea Museum Collections Centre. More information and booking details are available here. http://www.hafodmorfacopperworks.com/event/fortnightly-wednesday-tours/ We’d be grateful if you could help us to spread the word too.

There will be a Friends Group meeting on 14th May at 6pm in the Landore Social Club which provides a good opportunity to find out more about the above developments and how the project is developing.  See the event post here.  http://www.hafodmorfacopperworks.com/event/friends-meeting/

Best wishes,
Stuart Griffin

Hafod Copperworks Development Project
College of Arts and Humanities
Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP

01792 602617

Follow the Cu @ Swansea copper project at www.welshcopper.org.uk/en/

Find us on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Hafod-Morfa-Copperworks/381169952010109

See photos of the project on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/97373278@N07/sets/

Working Days Monday 9-5, Wednesday 9-5, Friday 9-12.30.