National Monuments Record of Wales Archives and Library Bulletin - February 2016

Welcome to the latest monthly edition of the National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW) Archives and Library Bulletin which lists all newly catalogued material. 
http://www.rcahmw.gov.uk/HI/ENG/Our+Services/Donate+Records/Recent+Acquisitions/. The archival items, library books and journal articles are all available to view in our public reading room. The full archive catalogue is available on Coflein and contains digital copies of many of the items listed.

Our Library and reading room is open:
Monday – Friday 09.30 – 16.00, Wednesday 10.30 – 16.30.
An appointment is advisable.

February 2016

Archives

Additional Information

• Survey notes/ drawings relating to Old Llanerch, produced by RCAHMW 
• Report relating to Ty Hwnt i'r Gain, produced by Richard Suggett, 2001 
• Colour photo survey of Longlane produced by Mr G. Yeomans, 1997 
• Survey notes relating to Long Lane produced by RCAHMW, 1997 
• Survey notes/drawings relating to Deri Odwyn, produced by RCAHMW 
• Colour photo survey of the barn at Llwyn-mawr produced by Cadw 
• Field notes/ drawings relating to Bryn-mawr, produced by Geoff Ward, 2007 
• Field notes/drawings relating to 50-54 King Street, Blaenavon, produced by Geoff Ward and Olwen Jenkins, 2003 
• Field notes/drawings relating to 1 Brutes Row, Blaenavon, produced by Geoff Ward and Olwen Jenkins, 2003 
• Field drawings relating to Felin Ganol, Llanrhystud, produced by Geoff Ward, 1984 
• Field notes/ drawings relating to New Dock Independent Chapel, produced by Geoff Ward, 2001 
• Field notes/ drawings relating to Methodist Church, Neath, produced by Geoff Ward, 2001 
• Field notes/ drawings relating to Siloam Chapel, produced by Geoff Ward, 2001 
• Field notes/ drawings relating to 17 Marine Terrace, produced by Geoff Ward, 2005 
• Field notes/ drawings relating to Troedrhiwfallen, produced by Geoff Ward, 2003 
• Survey drawings relating to Nantclwyd House, produced by Geoff Ward, 2005 
• Survey drawings relating to Tonfanau Farm, produced by Geoff Ward, 1990 
• Survey drawings relating to Llwyn yr Ebol Farmstead, produced by Geoff Ward 
• Survey drawings relating to Church Farmhouse, produced by Geoff Ward, 2005 
• Survey notes relating to Point of Ayr Colliery, produced by Brian Malaws, 1994 
• Copy of National Coal Board reorganisation plan for Tower Colliery 
• Survey notes relating to Tower Colliery, produced by Brian Malaws, 2008 

A.J. Parkinson Collection: Cat. Ref. AJPC/01
Field notes and drawings relating to various sites in Wales.

Covering dates: 1970-2000


Bristol and Region Archaeological Services Survey Archives: Cat. Ref. BRAS003
Archive records from a building recording project carried out at Llwyna Farm by Bristol and Region Archaeological Services.

Covering dates: 2007


Cadw Historic Churches Project: Cat. Ref. CHC11
Black and white photographs (with corresponding negatives) and colour slides of churches in Mid and West Glamorgan, produced by the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust as part of the Historic Churches Project.


Cambria Archaeology Project Archives

• Project archive from a topographical survey and building survey of Pill Priory and surrounding area, carried out by Cambria Archaeology, 1999: Cat. Ref. CAM37115 
• Project archive from a standing building survey of Whitland Abbey, carried out by Cambria Archaeology, 1999: Cat. Ref. CAM37011 

Drawings Collection

• Plans and measured drawings relating to Tower Colliery Ltd. 
• Field survey plan of Nevern Castle, produced by Louise Barker, March 2011 

Dyfed Archaeological Trust Projects Archive
Project archives relating to coastal surveys of:

• Cardigan Bay, 1996; DAT Project No. 30751: Cat. Ref. DATP090 
• Dyfi Estuary, 1997-8; DAT Project No. 35311: Cat. Ref. DATP091 
• Strumble Head - Ginst Point 2, 1997; DAT Project No. 33470: Cat. Ref. DATP092 
• Milford Haven 1, 1997-8; DAT Project No. 49662: Cat. Ref. DATP093 
• Carmarthen Bay, 1997-8; DAT Project No. 35205: Cat. Ref. DATP094 

Emergency Recording Collection: Cat. Ref. ERC
Measured drawings, received in the course of Emergency Recording, relating to:

• Waun Farmhouse, Penrhos, 2008; NPRN 403167 
• Upper Dyffryn, 2012; NPRN 21043. 
• Clyro Court Farm, 2003; NPRN 22730 
• Penuel Chapel, Llantrisant, 2006; NPRN 14036 
• Garrison Chapel Pembroke Dock, 2001-2003; NPRN 13329 
• Grange Farm, Grangetown, 2000; NPRN 18836 
• Llantony Secunda Manor, 2002; NPRN 301615 
• Barn at Pant, Hopton Uchaf, 2006; NPRN 308569 
• Lydart Farm, 2002; NPRN 45176 
• Old Palace Cinema, Risca, 2002; NPRN 403999 
• Allt y Bela, 1998; NPRN 36379 

General Digital Donations Collection
Digital photographs showing various subjects at Tower Colliery, taken over several years, accompanied by a set of captions compiled by Brian Malaws.

Covering dates: 2015

Tower Colliery: Headframe from west, with methane plant on right
NPRN 91586 Cat. Ref. DS2008_001_065

General Information Collection: Cat. Ref. GCMY1/021
Leaflet entitled Architecture in Powys Timber-framed houses, produced by Powys County Council, 1977


Geoff Ward Slide Collection
Colour slides showing, produced by Geoff Ward, relating to:

• Siop Ffynnon Oer, 2001: Cat. Ref. GWSC250 
• Newport Cattle Market, 2003: Cat Ref. GWSC251 
• Troedrhiwfallen, Cribyn, 2001: Cat. Ref. GWSC252 

Investigators’ Digital Photography

• Digital images relating to Plas Machynlleth-Longbuilding Kennels, 2016: Cat. Ref. DS2016_019 
• St. David’s Church, Colva, 2016: Cat. Ref: DS2016_004 
• St. David’s Cathedral, 2016: Cat. Ref. DS2016_003 
• Penrhyngerwin Mine, Cardiganshire, 2016: Cat. Ref: DS2016_020 
• St Cybi’s church, Llangybi, 2015-2016: Cat. Ref: DS2015_286 
• St. Illtyd’s Church, Glamorgan, 2016: DS2015_286 

Investigators Photography
Photo surveys relating to:

• Calvary Baptist Chapel, 2002 
• Mount Hermon, 2002 
• Crwys Road English Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, 2002 
• City Mission Chapel, May St. Cathays, Cardiff, 2002 
• Minny Street Welsh Independent Chapel, 2002 
• St. Nicholas’ Greek Orthodox Church, Greek Church Street, North Butetown, 2002 
• Minster Road Independent Chapel, Cardiff, 2002 
• St. Stephen’s Church, West Bute Street, 2002 
• Conway Road English Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Pontcanna, 2002 
• City Temple, Castle Street, Riverside, 2002 
• Hope English Baptist Chapel, Cowbridge, 2002 
• Clare Gardens English Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Machen Place, Riverside, 2002 
• Victoria English Baptist Chapel, Eldon Road, Cardiff, 2002 
• Splott Road English Baptists Chapel, Splottlands, 2002 
• Gateway Christian Spiritualist Church, Northcote Street, Cardiff, 2002 
• Llandaff Road English Baptist Chapel, Cardiff, 2002 
• St. Paul’s English Independent Chapel, Neville Street, Cardiff, 2002 
• St. Paul’s Congregational Church (Seventh Day Adventists), Rawden Place, Riverside, 2002 
• Hannah Street English Independent Chapel, Cardiff, 2002 
• Trinity Wesleyan Methodist Church, Four Elms Road, Cardiff, 2002 
• Sachville Avenue Independent Chapel (Congregational), Cardiff, 2002 
• Tabernacle Welsh Baptist Chapel, The Hayes, 2002 
• Plasnewydd Presbyterian Church (Calvinist Methodist), Keppoch Street, Roath, 2002 
• Ebenezer English Baptist Chapel, Pearl Street, Cardiff, 2002 
• Society of Friends Meeting House, 43 Charles Street, Cardiff, 2002 
• Chapel, Plasnewydd Road, 2002 
• St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary School, Conway Road, 2002 
• Point of Ayr Colliery, Talacre, 1994 
• Fairwater House, Cardiff, 1994 
• Cwrt y Ceidrim, 2002 
• Cwm Trafle Bridge, 1995 
• Llwyn Mawr Barn, 2002 
• Llwyn Mawr Farmhouse, 2002 
• Llwyn Mawr Old House, 2002 
• Dolgun Blast Furnace, 1995 
• Dolgun Uchaf, 1995 
• New Dock Independent Chapel, 2001 
• Troedrhiwfallen, Cribyn, 2003 
• Cwmystwyth Lead Mines, 1993 
• Allt y Bela, 2003 
• Vulcan House and Foundry, 1993 
• Dol Clettwr, Cardiganshire, 1997 
• Plas yn Cefn, Denbighshire,1993 
• Waen Farm, Flintshire, 2003 
• Ynysmaengwyn, Bryn-Crug 
• St. Cynfelyn’s Church, Llancynfelyn, 1993 
• Eglwys Fach Church, Ysgubor-y-coed, 1993 
• Gwastad Coed, 2003 
• Llanelli House (before restoration), Carmarthenshire, 2002-2003 
• Upper Cwmyrhingyll, Radnorshire, 1995 
• Old Cilgwyn, Newcastle Emlyn, 1995 
• Lower Mellington Farmhouse, Montgomeryshire, 2000 
• Siloam Welsh Independent Chapel, Llangyfelach Road, Swansea, 2001

St Nicholas's Greek Orthodox Church, North Butetown
NPRN 14226 DS2010_935_008

NMR Site Files

• Photo survey of Rossa Fawr, produced by RCAHMW, 1989 
• Photo survey of Heol Ddu (with location plan), produced by Iain Wright, 2002 
• Black and white photo survey of buildings at Downing Hall, produced by RCAHMW, 1994 
• Photo survey of Old Llanerch, produced by RCAHMW, 2002 
• Black and white photo survey of Blaen-waun, produced by RCAHMW, 1991 
• Photo survey of Longlane, Amroth produced by RCAHMW, 1997 
• Photo survey of Bakehouse near Ystrad-fawr, produced by RCAHMW, 1999 
• Photo survey of stone carving at St Non's Chapel, produced by RCAHMW, 2001 
• Photo survey of Castle House, Usk, produced by RCAHMW, 1999 
• Black and white photo survey of St Iagos Church, produced by RCAHMW, 1997 
• Black and white photos of outbuildings at Cefn-meiriadog, taken by Olwen Jenkins 
• Detailed measured drawings of a ground floor window at Heol-ddu (1773 house), Llanarthne, 2002 
• Black and white photo survey of Lower Mellington Farmhouse, produced by Iain Wright, 2000 
• Illustrated report relating to Old Llannerch, produced by RCAHMW, 2001-2002 
• Photo survey of Old Llanerch, Snead, produced by RCAHMW, 2002 
• Measured drawings and annotated early map relating to 1-6 Brute’s Row, Blaenavon, produced by Jenkins and Ward, 2003 
• Contact prints showing interior and exterior views of the limekiln at Stackpole Quay, produced by Geoff Ward, 1978 
• Colour photo and annotated large scale map relating to Manganese Mine Stone Hut Shelter, produced by Geoff Ward, c.2010. 

RCAHMW Digital Survey Collection
Archives relating to RCAHMW digital surveys of:

• Sudbrook Chapel, June 2015: Cat. Ref. DSC2016_SUD
• Nevern Castle, March 2011: Cat. Ref. DSC2016_NEV
• Dyffryn Adda Furnace, 2009-2015: Cat. Ref. DSC2016_DAF
• Capel Saron, Llanbadarn Fawr, March 2007: Cat. Ref. DSC2016_CSLF

RCAHMW Uplands Initiative

• Survey archive from the Blaenavon South and Blaenavon East (extension) Archaeological Survey, 2002-2003: Cat. Ref. BSE
• Survey archive for RCAHMW Uplands Initiative Blaenavon North/West Survey, 2000: Cat. Ref. BNW
• Archaeological Survey Report relating to the Craig Aberserw to Y Garn (Ganllwyd) area, 2015: Cat. Ref. CAN2014_236
• Report entitled ‘The Uplands Initiative Glynceiriog Uplands. An Archaeological Survey’, 2014: Cat. Ref: GLC2014_318
• Digital data from RCAHMW Uplands Initiative Glynceiriog Survey, 2014: Cat. Ref. GLC2014_319
• Hard copy report entitled ‘Uplands Initiative Field Survey Llyn Cowlyd - Capel Curig’, 2014: Cat. Ref. LC2013_1000
• Report entitled ‘The Uplands Initiative Manod Bach - Y Garnedd. An Archaeological Survey’, 2014: Cat. Ref. MBYG2013_843
• Digital data files from RCAHMW Uplands Initiative Manod Bach - Y Garnedd, 2014: Cat. Ref. MBYG2013_844
• Report in three parts entitled ‘Uplands Initiative. Montgomeryshire Residual Moorland Archaeological Field Survey’, 2014: Cat. Ref. MRM2013_369
• Pro-forma recording sheets from an Uplands Initiative relating to Montgomeryshire Residual Moorland Archaeological Field Survey, 2014: Cat. Ref. MRM2013_370
• Report entitled ‘The Uplands Initiative, West Monmouthshire and adjacent uplands, and archaeological survey’, 2013: Cat. Ref. WMU2013_174
• Digital data from ‘West Monmouthshire and adjacent uplands, an archaeological survey’, 2013: Cat. Ref. WMU2013_175
• Two-part report entitled ‘Uplands Initiative, Y Rhobellau-Dduallt Archaeological Field Survey’, 2015: Cat. Ref. YRD2014_454
• Pro-forma recording sheets from Y Rhobellau-Dduallt Archaeological Field Survey, 2015: Cat. Ref. YRD2014_455
• Two part report entitled ‘Uplands Initiative Moel Ysgyfarnogod Archaeological Field Survey’, 2015: Cat. Ref. MYS2014_436
• Pro-forma recording sheets from Moel Ysgyfarnogod Archaeological Field Survey, 2015: Cat. Ref. MYS2014_437

Books

Alexander, William and Street, Arthur. 1968. Metals in the service of man, fourth edition. Harmondsworth, Penguin.

Ashley, Maurice. 1954. England in the seventeenth century (1603-1714), second edition. Harmondsworth, Penguin.

Bindoff, Stanley Thomas. 1950 Tudor England. Harmondsworth, Penguin.

Forde-Johnston, James. 1977. Castles and fortifications of Britain and Ireland. London, Book Club Associates.

Gannon, Angela and Geddes, George. 2015. St Kilda: the last and outmost isle. Edinburgh, Historic Environment Scotland.

Gibson, Alex and Simpson, Derek. 1998. Prehistoric ritual and religion : essays in honour of Aubrey Burl. Sutton, Stroud.

Gill, Deborah. 1999. Style & Design. Bath, Parragon.

Greenwood, Douglas. 1982. Who's buried where in England. London, Constable.

Hall, G. W. 2000. Mines of the sixties: selection from the contributions of H.C. Salmon, Truto correspondent to the Mining Journal, between 1860 and 1864. Ludlow, Griffin.

Hayman, Richard. 2016. The iron industry. London, Shire Publications.

Heath, Julian. 2013. Before farming: life in prehistoric Wales 225000-4000BC. Llanrwst, Gwasg Carreg Gwalch.

Hole, Frank and Heizer, Robert F. 1973. An introduction to prehistoric archaeology, third edition. New York, Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

Moshenska, Gabriel and Dhanjal, Sarah. 2012. Community archaeology : themes, methods and practices. Oxford, Oxbow.

Manley, John. 1989. Atlas of prehistoric Britain, Oxford, Phaidon.

Okonia, Emanuela (ed.). 2005. Zabytkowe budowle drewniane i stolarka architektoniczna wobec współczesnych zagrożeń. Toruń, Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika.

Owen, D. Hugh. 2014. Hanes Cymoedd y Gwendraeth a Llanelli : History of the Gwendraeth Valleys and Llanelli. Talybont, Y Lolfa.

Prebble, John. 1971. The Highland clearances. London, Secker & Warburg.

Pevsner, Nikolaus. 1951. An outline of European architecture, second edition. Harmondsworth, Penguin.

Rasmussen, Steen Eiler. 1960. London: the unique city, abridged ed. Harmondsworth, Penguin.

Renfrew, Colin. 1999. Before civilization : the radiocarbon revolution and prehistoric Europe. London, Pimlico.

Edwards, G. Rhys. 1973. Snowdonia. National Park guide number 2, second edition. London, HMSO.

Ross, Anne. 1972. Everyday life of the pagan Celts. London, Carousel.

Thomson, David. 1950. England in the nineteenth century (1815-1914). Harmondsworth, Penguin.

Waterton, Emma ; Watson, Steve. 2013. Heritage and community engagement : collaboration or contestation? Abingdon, Routledge.

Webster, Graham. 1980. The Roman invasion of Britain. London, Batsford.

Whitelock, Dorothy. 1952. The beginnings of English society (the Anglo-Saxon period). Harmondsworth, Penguin.

Williams, Gwyn A. 1985 When was Wales? : a history of the Welsh. Harmondsworth, Penguin.

Journals

The Archaeologist no. 97 (Spring 2016)

British Archaeology no. 147 (March-April 2016)

BSI Update Standards (February 2016)

Cartographic Journal vol. 52 no. 3 (August 2015)

CBA Newsletter no. 36 (Spring 2016)

Current Archaeology no. 312 (March 2016)

Cymmrodorion Transactions vol. 21 (2015)

Llafur vol. 11 no. 4 (2015)

Maritime Wales / Cymru a’r Môr vol. 36 (2015)

Pembrokeshire Life (February 2016)

Planet vol. 221 (Spring 2016)

Site Recorder no. 1594 (February 2016)

Journals Current Awareness

British Archaeology no. 147, p. 12 ‘Where are the mauls’, letter from John Sorrell discussing last issue’s article on bluestone quarries in Pembrokeshire; p. 46: ‘Neolithic houses on Anglesey’ by Catherine Rees and Matthew Jones [report on excavations at Llanfaethlu]

Current Archaeology no. 312, p. 26: ‘St Kilda: The last and outmost isle’ by Christopher Catling [about RCAHMS’s work recording the island’s archaeology]; p. 48: the regular ‘Sherds’ column by Christopher Catling; this month, is God a vegetarian, various recent Stonehenge news stories, and the bird who has ‘featheyrs fresshe as ys the emrawde greene’ (John Skelton, 1521) and lives in Britain’s city parks.

Llafur vol. 11 no. 4, p. 97: ‘Hidden From View? Male Homosexuality in Twentieth-Century Wales’ by Daryl Leeworthy

Contact us

In preparation for our move to new premises at the National Library of Wales we will be temporarily suspending our library, search-room and enquiry service from 4 April 2016. For further details, please click here.


If you have any comments or enquiries, please feel free to contact us:
NMRW Library and Enquiries Service
Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
Crown Building, Plas Crug
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion SY23 1NJ

Telephone: +44 (0)1970 621200
Fax: +44 (0)1970 627701
Email: nmr.wales@rcahmw.gov.uk
Website: www.rcahmw.gov.uk
Blog: www.heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.co.uk

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Excavations on Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire

On Friday, 4 March 2016, Dr Toby Driver FSA of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales will give a talk to the Pembrokeshire Historical Society on the recent excavations on Skomer Island.

Skomer is a highly protected landscape famous for its puffins and other breeding seabirds, but it is also home to some of the best preserved prehistoric field systems and hut settlements anywhere in Britain. In April 2014 a small team of archaeologists was permitted to open the very first modern excavation trench in the island’s history, to retrieve dating and environmental samples to better understand the long and complex history of prehistoric settlement and farming on Skomer. This followed three years of collaborative, non-invasive research between staff of the Royal Commission, The University of Sheffield and Cardiff University, working closely with the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and CADW.

Excavations in 2014 at a prehistoric mound of burnt and fire-cracked stones on north Skomer, once used to boil water for cooking, have produced the first calibrated radiocarbon dates for farming settlement. The mound sealed a land surface dated by charcoal to between 751-408 BC, the early Iron Age. A cattle tooth deposited in the cooking mound was dated to around 85 BC, the late Iron Age.

The talk will look at the special landscape and archaeology of Skomer, and touch upon the other Pembrokeshire Islands. It will take the audience through the challenges and excitement of opening an excavation trench on a windswept island, and what new information this long running project has told us about the history and people of ancient Skomer.

Venue: The Picton Rooms, The County Hall car park, Haverfordwest.
Date: Friday 4 March 2016 at 7.30 p.m.
For further information : ann.sayer@btinternet.com
Members free, Non-members welcome £3 at the door.

Note to editor: The photographs show prehistoric field systems and settlements on Skomer Island. If they are used, please use the following credit: ‘Crown Copyright RCAHNW’

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Temporary Suspension of the Royal Commission’s Library, Search-room and Enquiry Service

In preparation for our move to new premises at the National Library of Wales we will be suspending our library, search-room and enquiry service from 4 April 2016. We anticipate the suspension to last for three months.

During the closure we will be unable to accommodate visitors or reply to enquiries. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

We look forward to welcoming you to our new library and reading room in the summer.

Please pass this message on to anyone you think might benefit from this information.

For the latest news and updates see our blog The Heritage of Wales News, our Facebook Page or follow us on Twitter @RCAHMWales and @RC_Archive, @RC_Survey and @RC_Online.

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The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales to relocate to The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth

One of Wales’ leading heritage organisations has today announced that it will be moving to new offices at The National Library of Wales (NLW) in 2016.

Work is already under way at the NLW to refurbish one wing of the Library for the use of the 30 staff of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW).

The NLW’s former Manuscript Room will also be converted into a new public search room and open-access library for the National Monuments Record of Wales, a huge and rich collection of photographs and heritage records that the Commission has built up since its foundation in 1908.

These records will be stored in carefully controlled environmental conditions in two floors of the new six storey archive store that is currently being constructed at the Library.

Christopher Catling, Secretary of the Royal Commission said that:

“The move from the present Plas Crug offices (the former tax offices in Aberystwyth) to purpose-designed premises at the Library will enable us to provide a much better service to our many users, as well as much-improved storage facilities for the Commission’s archives, which include photographs dating back to the earliest years of photography, along with historic maps and records of buildings and monuments throughout Wales.’

Above all, he said: ‘we hope that the move will raise our profile and increase substantially the number of people visiting our search room to make use of the records we hold as part of their research on family and community history or on aspects of the history and archaeology of Wales.’

Linda Tomos, National Librarian, The National Library of Wales, said that the Library was looking forward to having the Royal Commission as a tenant. She said:

‘Our rich and diverse collections complement each other very well and there are already plans for our two organisations to collaborate on outreach and engagement activities. Discussions have started to deliver joint events and exhibitions in Aberystwyth and there is exciting potential to work more closely to extend our digital and community reach right across Wales and beyond – building on each other's strengths to ensure that the rich cultural heritage of Wales is fully exploited by the Welsh economy to inspire, innovate and grow.’

Ken Skates, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, paid a visit to the Library on 21 September 2015, during which he inspected the new building works. The Deputy Minister said: ”The Royal Commission’s move into the National Library sees two of our nation’s important heritage organisations come together under one roof. These improved facilities, along with the high-profile of The National Library, provide an excellent opportunity for the Royal Commission to reach new audiences and raise awareness of their fascinating work.”

Further Information:
Nicola Roberts 01970 621248 nicola.roberts@rcahmw.gov.uk
Elin-Hâf 01970 632471 or post@llgc.org.uk

Notes for Editors:
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales has a leading national role in developing and promoting understanding of the archaeological, built and maritime heritage of Wales, as the originator, curator and supplier of authoritative information for individual, corporate and governmental decision makers, researchers, and the general public.

The landscape and built heritage of Wales result from people’s interaction with the natural world over thousands of years. Since it was established in 1908, the Royal Commission has led the way in researching and explaining the remains of that interaction – the archaeology and the historic buildings we see around us.

The National Library of Wales
The National Library of Wales (NLW) serves as the nation’s memory. It is a repository of treasures and facts, a disseminator of knowledge, a venue, a destination, a place to keep the past safe and readily available for all to access, use and be inspired by, now and in the future.

Located in Aberystwyth, the Library plays a central role in culture and heritage as one of Wales’s major national institutions. As one of the six Copyright Libraries in the United Kingdom and Ireland, the National Library of Wales’ collections are vast and varied and are free to access. They include 950,000 photographs, 150,000 hours of sound recordings, 250,000 hours of moving image, 25,000 manuscripts, 50,000 works of art, 1,500,000 maps, as well as 6,000,000 books. More than 5,000,000 individual items from these collections have been digitised and made freely available on the internet.

The National Library of Wales engages in a full and continuous programme of public events that include high-quality permanent and temporary exhibitions with associated educational and presentational activities. These are crucial to NLW’s mission of interpreting the collections for, and encouraging participation by, a wide range of audiences whether onsite, at external locations or online.


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British Aerofilms Photo Used By Luftwaffe In February 1941 Bombing Raid Of Swansea

Between 19 and 21 of February 1941 Swansea docks were the target of a sustained bombing by the Luftwaffe. A large portion of the centre of Swansea was very badly damaged, and the human cost was astonishing. Two hundred and thirty people lost their lives, and over four hundred were injured.

The campaign has been the subject of numerous publications, such as the excellent work “The Three Nights’ Blitz” by J.R. Alban and “Eye of the Eagle” by Nigel A. Robbins (copies both held by the Royal Commission’s library).

Such a focused series of continued bombing raids over enemy territory requires meticulous planning and intelligence gathering. RCAHMW staff noticed that a captured WWII-era Luftwaffe low-level oblique aerial photograph annotated “Geheim” (Secret) and labelled as “Kings Dock u. Prince of Wales Dock” looked a little familiar.

A check through the Aerofilms collection of the area revealed the original photograph was taken in September 1933 (Ref. WPW043061). Aerofilms was the world’s first commercial aerial photography company, and started trading shortly after the First World War.

This find is proof that the German authorities were purchasing aerial photographs of the UK before the outbreak of hostilities in September 1939. An interesting twist that visuals intended to promote Swansea docks for its industrial capacity were later used in an attempt to destroy it.

Note:

The Aerofilms Collection is a unique archive of one million aerial photographs dating from 1919 to 2006. The collection was acquired for the nation in 2007 by English Heritage and the Royal Commissions on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland and Wales, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The earliest 95,000 images have been conserved and made available online at www.britainfromabove.org.uk and all the Wales images are available on Coflein. http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/quick_search/?simple_keyword=Aerofilms&action=site&z=0&zz=0&order_by=ASCRELEVANCE

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Visitor to Ynyslas provides New Information about the former “Top Secret” Rocket Establishment

Seventy years ago today, on 17 February 1946, the wartime adventures of an 8 year-old girl whose father served at the Ministry of Supply Experimental Establishment Anti-Aircraft Ynyslas (MOS EE AA Ynyslas) came to a happy end.

According to his ‘Soldier’s Release Book’, on 17 February 1946 Sidney L. Arthur was demobilised by the Experimental Establishment Admin Office, Ynyslas.

Before the outbreak of WWII, he was employed in the Paint Shop of the Ford Motor Company in Dagenham, Essex. The factory was then converted to the manufacture of munitions, and Sidney continued to work there. In 1940 Mr Arthur moved his family to the relative safety of Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire. Then, in October the same year, he enlisted and joined the Royal Artillery, No1 Motorised Machine Gun Brigade, based in Brighton, serving as a dispatch rider.

Although the battalion went on to serve overseas, due to health issues, Sidney remained in the UK, and was posted to Borth, in all probability, assisting with the early experimental research into guided rocket technology. He was fortunate enough to be able to move his family to the area in November 1943.

His daughter, Colleen Stear (nee Arthur), was 6 years old at the time, and recently wrote to the Royal Commission after she had visited the site of the former MOS EE AA Ynyslas Research Establishment (NPRN 408392), and was delighted to hear that the Royal Commission had researched and surveyed the area.

The family did not know what was going on at the military camp at the time, but they understood it was vital to the war effort. It was noted by the local population that during the Borth village VE day celebrations, there were some very loud bangs coming from the rocket research facility just up the road at Ynyslas!

Later in February 1946, the family returned to Cambridgeshire, but they always looked back on their time in Borth with great fondness.

Mrs Stear’s wartime memories have been added to the collection of material placed on the People’s Collection Wales by the Royal Commission.

• Gunner Sidney Leopold’s Soldier’s Release Book
  http://www.peoplescollection.wales/items/495878

• Voice of Ynyslas Collection – more memories and oral testimonies from local people
  http://www.peoplescollection.wales/collections/377950

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