Since the growth of the earliest suburbs, the town’s streets have witnessed countless changes. Helen Morgan from Abergavenny Local History Society reports The castle and church may have heralded the importance of Burgavenny as the Gateway to Wales, but it was its street markets that were its heart from Norman times. In the 13th century […]
Focus Magazines
The local magazines for Abergavenny, Crickhowell, Brecon & Talgarth – Events, News and Advertising
Category Archives: Local History
Men who knew their onions
It is nearly 200 years since Shonis from Brittany started hawking their wares. Helen Morgan from Abergavenny Local History Society wonders why It was 1828 when Henri Olivier, a Breton peasant, set sail from Roscoff for Plymouth with a boatload of onions. He sold them in next to no time and within a couple of […]
A Tale of Two Canals
Before the railways, barges carried coal and iron down to Newport and Cardiff, but some ventures were more successful than others. Helen Morgan from Abergavenny Local History Society reports As the Industrial Revolution built up steam, so did the clamour grew for better transport from the mines and foundries in the Eastern Valleys. By the […]
Medieval Mystery
Cosmeston survived the Black Death yet a century later most of its population left. Six centuries later this deserted village was uncovered. Helen Morgan from Abergavenny Local History Society reports When Cosmeston Lakes Country Park was being carved out of the landscape near Sully, the diggers discovered the remains of a deserted village. That was […]
Secret of the Enchanted Valley
Artists have been drawn to Llantony since medieval times. Helen Morgan from Abergavenny Local History Society reports When Eric Gill moved to Capel-y-Ffin in the 1920s, the Vale of Ewyas was even more remote than it is today. He had to hire a lorry at Pandy (the nearest railway station) and arrived at the Chapel […]
Abergavenny Museum is Collecting Volunteers
Abergavenny Museum is looking for volunteers to take part in a project starting shortly to improve the records held on its fascinating collection of historic objects from the local area. Activities will include creating and editing computer records for objects and photographing or scanning them to provide a digital image. Morning or afternoon slots will […]
Keeping the home fires burning
Away from the battlefields of WW2, everyday folk were tightening their belts but looking ahead to a frugal but festive Christmas. Helen Morgan from Abergavenny Local History Society Reports Butter, bacon and sugar had been rationed since 1940 but the list grew longer as German U-boats stepped up their offensive in the Atlantic in 1942. […]
Transported to a higher level
The aerial bridge over the river Usk linked the steelworks to the docks when down-to-earth solutions simply did not work. Helen Morgan from Abergavenny Local History Society reports Thousands of pounds are periodically being raised for charity as sponsored abseilers give a new purpose to Newport’s iconic Transporter Bridge. The aerial ferry — the largest […]
Riots sweep the Rhondda
Hundreds hurt as police clash with striking miners. Helen Morgan from Abergavenny Local History Society reports Few people outside of Wales would have heard of Tonypandy before 1910. But it was known across the world after the bloodshed and violence on November 7 and 8 made front-page headlines. Two months earlier, owners at Ely Pit […]
How Cymry changed the world
The Welsh have been exporting their talents and culture to England and beyond since the 5th century. Helen Morgan from Abergavenny Local History Society reports. First it was the Celtic saints who carried their Christian faith to new territories in the centuries that followed the Romans’ departure. Then, in the early 15th century when Henry […]
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