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Monday, 15 June 2015

One Hundred Years Ago Today…





…. 7000 tons of Welsh coal was sent to the bottom of the sea when the steamship STRATHNAIRN was sunk by the German U-boat U-22 in St George’s Channel. The STRATHNAIRN had loaded at Penarth, leaving Cardiff at 8pm the day before, and was heading for Archangel in northern Russia when the torpedo struck at around 9.30pm. There was a massive explosion, which burst the ship’s boiler and soon the ship began to list heavily to port. The crew tried to launch the STRATHNAIRN’s four lifeboats. However, because the ship still had forward momentum, the lifeboat with the Master, Chief Officer and 19 crew members on board was smashed against the side of the ship. Those on board were drowned. Two more lifeboats capsized on being cut clear of their davits. Only the fourth, launched once the ship had come to a standstill, was able to rescue 11 crew members. The Second Officer, James Wood of Belfast, and 10 Chinese sailors (British subjects from Hong Kong) were eventually picked up some three hours later by the schooner, AMANDA of Padstow. They were transferred to two more ships and eventually landed at Milford Haven. Here they were given respite at the Sailors’ Rest Home, established by the bequest of John Cory, the Cardiff ship and colliery owner. Another lifeboat, even though upside down, provided a raft for the survival of the Chief Engineer and a Chinese sailor. They were picked up by the steamship ABBOTSFORD some nine hours later and brought into Swansea. Out of the crew of 33, these were the only survivors. The body of the Chief Officer, Alexander Stewart, was later washed ashore near Berlan Las on 12 July 1915.

The memorial to Alexander Stewart of Dundee, First Mate of the STRATHNAIRN, erected by his wife Catherine in Llandwrog cemetery. The reference to the ‘Scillies’ in the dedication reflects the initial uncertainty about the position of the sinking.
The names of the lost provide a reminder of China’s role in the Great War. At the start, the Chinese republic declared its neutrality, but in secret President Yuan Shikai lobbied Britain to enter the war by retaking the colony of Qingdao, in Shandong province, which had been seized by Germany in 1898. Some 50,000 Chinese troops were promised, but Britain rejected this offer of military personnel. Instead, China began to provide the Great War’s largest and longest-serving non-European workforce. Some 200,000 labourers were transported by sea direct from China, or brought by an overland route via Canada, often in terrible conditions. They dug trenches, repaired tanks, assembled shells for artillery, transported munitions and supplies, and are also noted as carrying water for British troops in an offensive against the Ottoman Empire in Basra, southern Iraq. Up to half a million Chinese worked on the eastern front for Tsarist Russia. Many returned home, but others stayed to set up communities in Paris, London and elsewhere. Much of China’s Great War contribution is only now beginning to be recognised.

Cambrian Daily Leader, 18 June 1915 – the reporting of the role of the ABBOTSFORD notes that the ship was owned by Thomas William Ward Ltd of Sheffield. Ward’s owned scrapyards at Briton Ferry and Newport, as well as at Blyth and Morecambe. These yards recycled 1000 tons of steel per week for conversion into munitions, railway track, etc, in support of the war effort.

Today, we remember:
John Browne, Master; Alexander Stewart, First Mate (Chief Officer); Benjamin Bruce Evans, Third Mate; James Lionel Pemberton, Second Engineer; Peter Whitehill Houston, Third Engineer; and George Flemming, Fourth Engineer

And the following mariners of Chinese origin from Hong Kong:
Ah Fat, Fireman and Trimmer; A Sam, Fireman and Trimmer; Ah Sang, Fireman and Trimmer; Ah Sing, Fireman and Trimmer; Ah Wong, Fireman and Trimmer; Chang Hong, Assistant Steward; Ching Leong, Fireman and Trimmer; Fung Long, Quartermaster; King Chee, Quartermaster; Leong Ta, Quartermaster; Tan Kee, Sailor; Wong Soo, Fireman; Wong Tai, Fireman and Trimmer; and Yang Tan, Quartermaster.

Commemorating those who gave their lives for their country, but have no grave but the sea.
http://www.peoplescollection.wales/items/450909
http://www.peoplescollection.wales/collections/415321
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/274804/details/STRATHNAIRN/


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Tuesday, 9 June 2015

International Archives Day





On International Archives Day, it seems appropriate to highlight one of the many international stories our collections can tell.

This is an image of the panelled seventeenth-century dining room at Gwydir Castle near Llanrwst in north Wales:
Gwydir Castle, DI2011_1054, NPRN 26555

The photograph is attributed to Una Norman, and was taken sometime prior to 1912. In 1921, Gwydir Castle was sold and the ornate dining room furnishings were stripped out and purchased through auction by the American newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst. When he died in 1951, he bequeathed the Gwydir dining room furniture to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The museum took the items into their stores, where they remained out of sight and out of mind for over forty years.

In 1994, Gwydir Castle once again changed hands and its new owners began an ambitious programme of renovation and restoration. As part of this programme, they negotiated with the Metropolitan Museum for the return of the dining room furnishings. It was eventually repatriated to Wales in 1996, and reinstated at its original location. The Prince of Wales formally opened the dining room at a ceremony in 1998, almost eighty years after it was removed, and nearly sixty years after Gwydir was described in the Royal Commission’s Caernarvonshire Inventory!


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Friday, 5 June 2015

Celebrating our Volunteers








This week is Volunteers’ Week, and we couldn’t let it pass without saying a sincere ‘thank you!’ to all the people who volunteer their time to the Commission. In the last year, they’ve given 1,001 hours of time in support of our activities – that’s equivalent to 138 working days, and almost 28 working weeks!

All our volunteers make a vital contribution to our work across the organisation. They help enhance records on Coflein, our online database, and work closely with our Library staff to catalogue, label and shelve books so that they’re ready for our visitors to use. In return, we offer the opportunity to develop skills, enhance knowledge and gain valuable work experience.

Thank you all!

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National Monuments Record of Wales Archives and Library Bulletin - May 2015





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.



May 2015

 

Archives

 

Maps, plans drawings and photographs produced by Geoff Ward in 2000 of the following sites:

• Cwmeinion CM Sunday School and Chapel: C605811
• Bwlch-y-Maen Farmstead, Cards: C605813
• Ty Isaf, Llanfarian: C605814

Investigators Digital Photography

Digital photographs taken by RCAHMW investigators of the following sites:

• Bethania Chapel, Maesteg, 2014: C605909
• Peniel chapel, Tremadog, 2014: C605917
• Llanlash farmhouse, 2015: C606005
• 23 Vale Street, 2009: C606034
• Bridgend English Wesleyan Methodist Chapel (United Reform Church): C606102
• Emmanuel Christchurch (previously Christ Church), Bridgend: C606218
• Pemprys, Ysgybor-y-coed, 2015: C605187
• Farm Buildings at Rhuwarthen-Uchaf, 2014: C606371
• Erddig Hall gardens taken duirng the popular Apple Festival in 2014: C606377
• The National Museum of Wales, Cathays Park, Cardiff, 2015: C606396
• Gorsedd Gardens, Cathays Park, Cardiff, 2015: C606398
• City Hall, Cathays Park, Cardiff, 2015: C606400
• Nazareth House, Colum Road, Cardiff, 2015: C606402
• Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff, 2015: C606404
• Civic Centre, Cathays Park, Cardiff, 2015: C606414
• Gelmast Farm, Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn: C 606110


Pemprys, Detail of ventilation lintel with date inscription, ref: DS2015_064_027. C605900

•English Independant Chapel, Bridgend: C606224
•Hope Baptist Chapel, Bridgend: C606230
•Ruhamah Baptist Chapel, Bridgend: C606250
•Unitarian Chapel, Bridgend: C606253
•Tank trap blocks established near the crest of Happy Valley, Dysyrnant, 2011: C606358
•Maen Llwyd (Grey Stone), Cae Maenllwyd, Machynlleth, 2014: C606362
•Ty Maengwyn, Heol Maengwyn, Machynlleth, 2014: C606365
•Gates and gatehouses of Y Plas, Machynlleth: C606368
•Ty'n-y-coed, Dyffryn, 2009: C851902

Horse whim mechanism, Ty'n-y-coed, ref: DS2009_042_041, C530682

General Digital Donations Collection

Research notes on Pembrokeshire Parishes, Places and People compiled by Basil Hughes, 1970-2015, comprising 6 online pdf’s:  C606037

Three aerial photos of the Assembly Buildings and Council Building, Aberystwyth taken from a powered hang glider by P.J. Laverty while an Open Day for the Assembly Building was taking place, Oct 2009: C606076



Geoff Ward Slide Collection

Colour slides produced by Geoff Ward in 2001 showing:

•Garden at Bwlch yr Oerfa: C606109



Cadw scheduling Records

File of Cadw scheduled monument records for May Hill Pillboxes (MM348), consisting of scheduling notices, accompanied by Field Monument Warden reports and printed images.  Files stored in scheduled monument number order. Dated 2008: C605905



Additional Information Collection

Cefn Gwyn Lead Mine, annotated map extract (photocopied 25" OS map) and list of mine features, produced by Robert Protheroe-Jones. Dated 1993: C605812



RCAHMW Black and White Oblique Aerial Photographs

Newly digitized b&w aerial photographs taken by C R Musson showing:

•Brecon Gaer Roman fort, in 1996: C605966
•Clydach Terrace Mine Workings, taken in 1993: C605975



Ordnance Survey Aerial Photography Collection

Newly digitized aerial photographs taken by Ordnance Survey showing:

•Melin Llyn area, Caernarfonshire, in 1997 & 2005: C605984, C605986
•Penally area  in 1989 & 1994: C606073, C606075
•Area east of Tregynon in April 1997: C606074



RCAHMW Colour Oblique Aerial Photographs

35 newly digitised aerial views of sites across Wales taken 1988-2004.

Llangors Lake during excavations, 1990, ref: 90/CS/0542, C605871

Aerial view of Mynydd y garn settlement and field system, taken in 2001,  ref: 2001/CS/0497: C605815

Brecon Beacons, taken in 1992, ref: 925507/4, C605873


A.J. Parkinson Slide Collection

289 35mm colour and black and white slides showing sites across Wales produced by A.J. Parkinson between 1970-1971



RCAHMW General Scanned Image Collection

Digital copies of a set of undated architectural drawings of The Coliseum, Aberystwyth produced by J. Arthur Jones, and loaned for copying by Ceredigion Museum



J. Evans Skomer Collection

Skomer: Hut Group 8, north stream settlement. Enhanced field survey drawing at 1:50 scale undertaken by Cardiff University archaeology students, 19-20 March 1984: C605950

Skomer: Hut Groups 6, 7 and 8. Publication survey plan drawn at 1:200 scale - reproduced as Figure 6 in Evans, J.G. 1990 "An archaeological survey of Skomer, Dyfed" Proc. Pre. Soc. 56, 247-267: C605951



Vernon D. Emmanuel Collection

A further 56 digital photographs from this collection showing views of iron works, collieries, brickworks and other industrial sites in South Wales scanned from photographs taken between 1970 and 1990 by Vernon David Emmanuel and deposited in the NMR by his son David Tudor Emmanuel. C604461



R.E. Kay Collection

Sketch plan of Hen Castell, with notes, produced by R.E. Kay, 1950.



 Books:

Abergavenny and District Tourist Association, 1998, The historic market town of Abergavenny: Traditional gateway to Wales 1998, Abergavenny.

Abergavenny Museum and Castle: Abergavenny, Gwent, South Wales, Advertising & Publicity Associates.

Andreae, Sophie, & Binney, Marcus, 1978, Save Britain's heritage a sentence of mutilation: the effects of the listing cutbacks, SAVE Britain's Heritage, London.

Andrews, W., 1898, Church treasury of history, custom, fokelore etc, Andrews & Co, London.

Barton, I. M., 1958, Further excavations at Pennocrucium, near Stretton Bridge, 1953-4, Charles Batey at the University Press, Oxford.

Bouquet,  A. C., 1962, Comparative Religion, Penguin Books, Harmondsworth.

British Waterways, 2000, Waterways for Wales: improved quality of life through the sustainable development of the waterways in Wales, British Waterways,London.

Brewster, T. C. M., 1952, Two medieval habitation sites in the Vale of Pickering, Dennis and sons, Scarborough.

CADW, 2014, Cefn Mawr a'r Cylch : deall nodweddion trefol, Cadw, Caerdydd.

CADW, Cyflwyno: Tirwedd hanesyddol canol dyffryn gwy/Introducing: Middle Wye Valles historic landscape

CADW, 2015, Pembroke: understanding urban character, Cadw, Cardiff.

CADW, 2015, Penfro: deall nodweddion trefol, Cadw, Cardiff.

CADW, 2015, Merthyr Tudful: deall nodweddion trefol, Cadw, Cardiff.

CADW, 2015, Merthyr Tydfil: understanding urban character, Cadw, Cardiff.

Clark, H. F. and Sampson, D., 1964, River Ouse Survey Report, City of York (Civic Trust),York.

Coppen, Rodger, 1980, Save Britain's the best buildings in Britain, SAVE Britain's Heritage, London.

Dalglish, Chris (Ed.), 2013, Archaeology, the public and the recent past, The Boydell Press, Woodbridge.

Davies, J. B., 2002, Saint David and the early Welsh Saints, Catholic Truth Society, Cardiff.

Davies, John E., 1908, Y Drysorfa, David O'Brien Owen, Caernarfon.

Delafons, John, 2004, Politics and preservation: a policy history of the built heritage, 1882-1996, E. & F. N. Spon, London.

Edwards, O. M., 1896, Cymru Volume X, Wasg Genedlaethol Gymreig, Caernarfon.

Faversham Society,1967, The Chart Gunpowder Mills - St Ann's, town and port of Faversham, Kent, Faversham Society, Faversham.

Fiennes, Oliver, 1973?, The fight to save Lincoln Cathedral, Stellar Press, Hatfield.

Hobley, William, 1878, Hanes Methodistiaeth Arfon.

Jervoise, E., 1936, The Ancient Bridges of the Wales and Western England, The Architectural Press, Westminster.

Jones C. and E. and Griffith, H.,1988, History of St. Eleth Church, Amlwch.

Maddison, John, 1981, Save Union Chapel, SAVE Britain's Heritage, London.

Matthews, John Hobson, 2001, The life and memorials of St. Teilo (Patron of Llandaff and Cardiff), Wales and the marches Catholic History Society, Cardiff.

McInnes, Robin, 2013, Defnyddio celfyddyd yn gymorth i ddeall newid artfordirol yng Nghymru : adroddiad ymchwil forol / Art as a tool in support of the understanding of coastal change in Wales : marine research report, The Crown Estate, London.

Mercer, S.,1948, Trevithick and the Merthyr Tramroad, Newcomen Society, London.

Meller, Harald, 2005, Geisteskraft : Alt- und Mittelpaläolithikum / Mind power : Early and middle Palaeolithic, Landesmuseum für Vorgeschichte, Halle.

Meller, Harald, 2011, Menschenwechsel : Jungpaläolithikum und Mesolithikum / Human Evolution : Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic, Landesmuseum für Vorgeschichte, Halle.

Meller, Harald, 2011, Bronzerausch : Spätneolithikum und Frühbronzezeit / Bronze noise : Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, Landesamt f. Denkmalpflege, Halle.

Meller, Harald, 2012, LebensWandel : Früh- und Mittelneolithikum / Lifestyle : Early and Middle Neolithic, Landesmuseum für Vorgeschichte, Halle.

Meller, Harald, 2015, Glutgeboren : Mittelbronzezeit bis Eisenzeit / Ember-born : Middle Bronze Age to the Iron Age, Landesamt für Denkmalpflege, Halle.

Mentor Mon, 2001, Historic Anglesey, W. O. Jones, Llangefni.

O'Keeffe, Madge Cusack, 1970, Four martyrs of South Wales and the marches, Allens, Wales.

Ollington, Robin, 1981, Save Britain's heritage West Midlands: historic buildings at risk, SAVE Britain's Heritage, London.

O'Reilly, Emma, 1985, Save Britain's heritage Trowbridge: the fastest disappearing mill town in the West!, SAVE Britain's Heritage, London.

Oswald, Adrian, Observation on the constructions of the by-pass road at Wall, Staffs., Lichfield and South Staffordshire Archaeological and Historical Society.

Powell, Ken, 1980, Save Britain's heritage Burnley: mill-town image: Burden or asset?, SAVE Britain's Heritage, London.

Powell, Ken, 1981, Save Britain's heritage Hull: gateway to the north, or end of the line?, SAVE Britain's Heritage, London.

Powell, Ken, 1981, Save Britain's heritage Leeds: must old still mean bad?, SAVE Britain's Heritage, London.

RCAHMS, 2011, Scotland's rural past : community archaeology in action, RCAHMS, Edinburgh.

Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, 2008, The Antonine Wall : 1:25 000 map, RCAHMS, Edinburgh.

SAVE, 1980, Save Billingsgate, SAVE Britain's Heritage, London.

Severn Estuary Partnership, 2001, Strategy for the Severn Estuary, Severn Estuary Partnership Dept. of Earth Sciences, Cardiff.

Shaffrey, Ruth, 2006, Grinding and milling: A study of Romano-British Rotary Querns and Millstones made from Old Red Sandstone, Archaeopress, Oxford.

Sims-Williams, Patrick, 2011, Irish Influence on Medieval Welsh Literature, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Smith, Bernard & Geroge, T. Neville, 1948, British regional geology / North Wales, HMSO, London.

St. Joseph, J. K., 1958, The Roman site near Stretton Bridge, the Ancient Pennocrucium, Charles Batey at the University Press, Oxford.

Story, James Ambrose, 2001, The life and legends of St. David, Wales and the Marches Catholic History Society, Cardiff.

Stout, Geraldine,1993, Archaeology in County Dublin, Office of Public Works, Dublin.

Taff-Ely Borough Council, 1985, The Railway and Industrial Heritage of Pontypridd & District, Taff-Ely Borough Council, Taff-Ely.

Thomas, Charles & Howlett, David, 2003, Vita sancti paterni / the life of Saint Padarn and the original "Miniu", Trivium Publications, Lampeter.

Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1993, Buildings at risk : a catalogue of historic buildings at risk in Northern Ireland, Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, Belfast.

Warner, Philip, 1977, Famous Welsh Battles, Fontana.

Webster, Graham, 1958, Road-widening at Pennocrucium in 1956; a note, Charles Batey at the University Press, Oxford.

Webster, Graham, 1959, A Section through the Romano-British Defences at Wall, Staffordshire, Vivian Ridler at the University Press, Oxford.

Webster, Graham, 1965, The Roman Forts at Greensforge, Vivian Ridler at the University Press, Oxford.

Webster, Graham, 1974, The West Midlands in the Roman period: a brief survey, Vivian Ridler at the University Press, Oxford.

1857-1864,Yr Annibynwr, Thomas Roberts, Llanfyllin.

1882, Y Drysorfa, Evans and Son, Treffynnon.



Journals:

Capel Local Information Leaflet 77: Bridgend

Casemate no. 103 (May 2015)

Current Archaeology no. 303 (June 2015)

Institute of Historic Building Conservation Yearbook (2015) [shelved in Library for 1 year, B8.IHBC]

Jahresschrift für mitteldeutsche Vorgeschichte vol. 94 (2014)

Journal of the Mining Heritage Trust of Ireland no. 14 (December 2014)

Maplines vol. 23 no. 1 (Spring 2015)

Mine d’histoires no. 3 (May 2015) [electronic only]

Monmouthshire Antiquary vol. 31 (2015)

Pembrokeshire Life (May 2015)

Planet no. 218 (Summer 2015)

Welsh Mines Society Newsletter no. 72 (Spring 2015)


Journals Current Awareness:

Casemate no. 103, p. 5: ‘WW1 Home Front Legacy’ – on the UK-wide project, illustrated with photographs from RCAHMW

Current Archaeology no. 303, p. 10: ‘Rare cist burial found in Nefyn’ [during excavations at St. Mary’s Church]; p. 28: ‘Dwelling in the past: Discovering the historic houses of Snowdonia’ by Chris Catling

Journal of the Mining Heritage Trust of Ireland no. 14, p. 103: ‘Bronze age copper mines in Wales, and a brief comparison with the evidence from Ireland’ by Simon Timberlake



Contact us:     

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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Thursday, 4 June 2015

Roman Life in Abermagwr: Villa finds go on display in Ceredigion Museum





 A new exhibition of Roman finds from Abermagwr villa has opened to the public at Ceredigion Museum in Aberystwyth.   The discovery, including part of the earliest known slate roof in Ceredigion, has radically altered archaeologist’s understanding of Romano-British life in the region.
Reconstruction of Abermagwr Roman Villa by Toby Driver. The coins discovered at the site of the late – Roman villa near Aberystwyth date from the fourth century AD. NPRN: 405315.

Until quite recently no Romano-British villas were known in Mid and West Wales, and the only archaeological evidence for Roman activity in the area came from military sites such as forts and encampments.  However all that changed during summer  2006 when aerial survey work by the Royal Commission identified a potential Romano-British villa from cropmarks in a field near Abermagwr.  Geophysical survey followed by excavations in 2010 and 2011 confirmed what the archaeologists had suspected— that a previously unknown villa lay under the fields of Abermagwr.

The excavation in 2011 of the newly-discovered Roman villa at Abermagwr. NPRN: 405315.

Roman villas were the high-status homes of wealthy landowners and the centre of, controlling a farmland estate.  Situated within a large rectangular enclosure with a neatly cobbled yard, the villa at Abermagwr is relatively modest in size.  The building had a main block, the domus, with three main rooms measuring 22m east-west and 8m north-south, a verandah, and two projecting alae or wings on the southern side.  A small room measuring 5m x 4m was added later to the rear of the building.  However it is the villa’s unusual location that makes it so important for our understanding of Romano-British Wales.   Most villas in Wales are concentrated in the south-east, with a few outliers in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire and one in the middle reaches of the Usk Valley.  The discovery of a villa in Ceredigion demonstrates that the favourable social and economic conditions must have existed that were necessary to support the construction of such a large estate.

The finds from the villa paint a vivid picture of Romano-British life in Abermagwr.  Although no mosaics have been discovered at the villa, the building had an elaborate decorative slate roof – the earliest known slate roof in the county.  As well as locally produced pots, bowls and platters, the villa had used Roman vessels from production centres across England including the Malvern Hills, Poole Harbour, Dorset, and Oxfordshire.  There were also fragments of fine red Samian ware from Gaul (southern France) and sherds from a southern Spanish amphorae used to transport olive oil.  Coinage included a Roman bronze coin of Emperor Constantine I minted in Lyon, France, in AD 314-5, and a denarius of Severus Alexander minted in Rome c.AD 224.  These finds demonstrate the thriving trade links that must have existed between Ceredigion and the rest of the Roman world during the 2nd to 4th centuries AD.  There are also finds of a more personal nature, including a fragment of a fine glass drinking vessel, probable gaming counters, and a brick with a dog paw print, evidently made whilst the brick was still drying out.  The unexpected discovery of the Abermagwr villa also raises the tantalising question: are there more Romano-British villas waiting to be found in the region?


The new Abermagwr villa exhibition at Ceredigion Museum, Aberystwyth.
  


Some of the Abermagwr villa artefacts, including part of the earliest known slate roof in the county, on display at Ceredigion Museum, Aberystwyth.
Dr Toby Driver will be leading a talk entitled ‘Druids, Romans and Death: Exploring the Treasures of the Bowen Gallery at Ceredigion Museum’ on Thursday 23 July at 11am, as part of the Festival of British Archaeology. Contact the Royal Commission on 01970 621200 for more details or to book a place.


Further information and contact details:

The Abermagwr villa  can be found on the Royal Commissions’ online database, www.coflein.gov.uk . The Internet can be searched for ‘Abermagwr villa’.

Alternatively, contact one of the discoverers and excavators, Toby Driver on 01970 621207 or toby.driver@rcahmw.gov.uk


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Wednesday, 3 June 2015

Jobs Opportunities at the Royal Commission






 
 
The Royal Commission is seeking to fill three important roles to support development into the next chapter of its 106 year history.
 
 
Based in Aberystwyth, The Royal Commission is the investigation body and national archive for the historic environment of Wales. We have the lead role in ensuring that Wales’s archaeological, built and maritime heritage is authoritatively recorded, and seek to promote the understanding and appreciation of this heritage nationally and internationally. One of the three ‘national collections’, the National Monuments Record of Wales is our principal asset, which contains over 1.25 million images of the historic environment of Wales, as well as text documents, artworks and other records numbering to the hundreds of thousands.
 
 
These three posts are fundamental to ensuring that we fulfil our responsibilities to the people of Wales, our Royal Warrant and the Welsh Government, in making the National Monuments Record for Wales as widely accessible as we can. The ideal candidates will have a passion for the history of Wales, and will delight in contributing to our public service work.
 
 


Salary Range £22,400 - £25,750

37 hours per week – permanent appointment

 


Salary Range £22,400 - £25,750

37 hours per week – permanent appointment

 


Salary Range £17,200 - £20,950

37 hours per week – permanent appointment

 

(All appointments will be at or near the minimum of the pay band)

 

An application form and further details are available from:-

 
Mr S Bailey John                           
Royal Commission                         
Plas Crug  
Aberystwyth                                     
Ceredigion
SY23 1NJ

Tel: 01970 621230
Fax: 01970 621246
email: stephen.bailey-john@rcahmw.gov.uk       

                                               
Closing date for applications is 16:00 on 19 June 2015.

 

The Royal Commission is an equal opportunities employer

 



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