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History was heralded at the Eisteddfod for the first time in 2015. This year it will return and will focus on Monmouthshire’s heritage. Helen Morgan of Abergavenny Local History Society reports.

Youngsters participate in the Lle Hanes at 2015’s National Eisteddfod . Photo courtesy of Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust

Youngsters participate in the Lle Hanes at 2015’s National Eisteddfod . Photo courtesy of Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust

When Caroline Fairclough arrived home from last summer’s Eisteddfod she was buzzing with news of a Lle Hanes (history tent). As a keen supporter of the Women’s Archive of Wales she was intrigued. Could we in Monmouthshire do likewise? Enough local history groups were sufficiently inspired to dip into their meagre funds but this was going to cost thousands of pounds. Eventually  the National Library, Museums, People’s Collection and RCHM offered their support. We we were on our way  —  producing, then reducing, gallons of material to fit a metaphorical pint pot.

In common with Monmouthshire, the eastern half of Montgomeryshire shares a border with England, with Welsh a minority language. Bilingual texts and plenty of pictures to illustrate the stories that each local group wished to tell was the winning formula. After the Eisteddfod had packed up and gone home, those panels were digitised, giving each contributing group a legacy in the form of a virtual exhibition that could be used almost anywhere.

Scan-2During that week in Meifod, 9,000 people visited Lle Hanes and spent £6,000 on books and other publications. “This year we aim to do as well if not better,” says Frank Olding who will be launching his latest book, entitled The Archaeology of Upland Gwent.  Abergavenny History Society will be launching its bilingual booklet,  Abergavenny, A Walk Through  History. A calendar, Celebrating Gwent and Thereabouts featuring photographs by Cath Barton, Chris Evans, Frank Olding and Gill Wakley of historic sites will be on sale. So, too, will a good selection of books about Abergavenny from Roman times until the mid-20th century.

Lady Llanover’s image will be ubiquitous given her influence on Eisteddfodau in the 19th century. Margaret Haig Thomas (2nd Viscountess Rhondda) the prominent suffragette will feature in the Lle Hanes display, as will the Chartist Rising. But so, too, will less iconic subjects — a virtue of involving local societies, however, small. They will offer an eclectic range: river transport in the Bronze Age, Roman and Tudor times; artistic treasures of Llanthony Valley; the 1890 Llannerch Colliery disaster and St Jerome’s Church in Llangwm to name but a few.

Outside the Maes, guided walks through Abergavenny in English will depart the main Eisteddfod gate on July 31, August 1, 3, 4 and 5 at 12.00. For details, visit www.abergavennylocalhistorysociety.org.uk

Helen Morgan

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