O.Cs Visit to the Welsh National History Museum – St Fagans 17^th May 2017
 
A small but enthusiastic group of OCs, and ladies, set off from Colston’s in a comfortable motor coach to St Fagan’s, a few miles west of Cardiff.  A chance to catch up with friends, a glance at the newspaper and in well under an hour we arrived at our destination.
 
Interestingly three or four of our party were making a return visit, and their enthusiasm and recommendations proved to be well merited.
 
The museum was initially set up in 1946 following the donation of St Fagan’s Castle by the Earl of Plymouth, and opened to the public in 1948.  Its aim was to depict Welsh rural life, a theme augmented by herds of indigenous cattle and sheep, grazing in the estate fields.
 
Set in around 100 acres of park and woodland, its centre piece being the Castle (a large Elizabethan three storey gabled manor house) with its surrounding gardens, leading down to a series of fish ponds.   Spread appropriately throughout the adjacent parkland, are nearly 50 “exhibits” comprising farmhouses, barns, cottages, mills, a church, chapel, school shops, blacksmiths and a variety of other interesting buildings.  These date from the 16^th to the 20^th century, and were originally located in various parts of Wales.  They have been dismantled, transported, and painstakingly rebuilt at St Fagan’s progressively over the years.  More recently buildings reflecting Wales’ mining heritage have been added.  Work continues today with construction well under way on a medieval court, and plans to add a Victorian Police Station, and an 1860’s hotel from Cardiff.
 
A brand new Main Building and Exhibition Centre is well advanced and will open later in 2017.
 
It would be impossible to list all the attractions, but some of the most popular with our party seemed to be:
 
Rhyd-y-car Terrace – a line of six small cottages, originally used by iron workers in Merthyr Tydfil.  These had been equipped and furnished, to reflect different eras, 1805, 1855, 1895, 1925, 1955 and 1985.  Toilets and the washhouse were at the end of the garden.
 
Gwalia Stores – from Ogmore Vale, north of Bridgend.  This shop was quite expansive by 1920 standards selling a varied range from grocery and bakery, textiles and ironmongery.  Particularly interesting to OCs visitors John and Margaret Harris who ran a similar emporium in Winterbourne – a few decades later!
 
Bryn Eryr – a recreation of two adjoining Iron Age roundhouses based on an archaeological disco very in Anglesey.  Walls are made of compacted clay and straw with an extensive thatched roof.
 
Workmen’s Institute – originally in Oakdale, this invoked memories of rugby trips to small mining towns in the valleys where the Workingmen’s Club often doubled as the rugby/social club.
 
Llawr-y-glyn Smithy – a typical 18^th century village forge, this one from Montgomeryshire.  A blacksmith was actually working during our visit, and displayed a range of items produced such as chain link, door fittings, and railings.
 
Esgair Moel Woollen Mill – From Breconshire (1760).  This was also a working site, processing raw wool through various looms, and weaving machines to produce excellent blankets, and throws for sale in the museum shop.
 
At the mill, and similarly the Smithy, the resident craftsmen were more than happy to discuss their work and its historic background.  There were also helpful and informative volunteers at many of the other sites.
 
The OC customary good luck with the weather went a little awry on the day, and a steady drizzle dominated.  However much of the visitors’ time is spent exploring the interior of buildings, some of which had warm welcoming open fires.  There was also a small café where some of the party took a snack lunch.  Others opted for the Tea Rooms above the Gwalia Stores.
 
St Fagan’s Castle, itself was closed for refurbishment (until later this summer) but this was not overly significant, since one day would not be sufficient to view and examine all of the buildings in any detail.  In fact it was only a perusal of the map and guide during the journey home which revealed some of the sites we had missed.  A return visit is definitely warranted.
 
The weather lifted sufficiently in the afternoon to permit a pleasant and interesting walk to the Woollen Mill, and a return via some of the garden and fishponds.
 
We set off slightly earlier than initially planned, but this proved to be a good move, thereby missing the daily traffic hold ups at the Newport Tunnel, and we were back at school well before 5pm.
 
Once again, many thanks are due to Bob Jennings, and Tracy Mace for a most interesting and enjoyable day, despite the weather and not forgetting Doug Lodge, who managed to keep enough drizzle off his camera lens to produce his customary excellent record of the event.
 
On the trip were:
Bob and Wendy Jennings
Ian and Gale Gunn
Nick and Jane Humphries
Mike and Maureen Wood
John and Margaret Harris
Doug Lodge
Tracy Mace
Dave and Kim Tooze
 
We were also pleased to welcome O.C. Jeremy Reynolds who travelled from his home in mid-Wales.
 
Click below for gallery of Doug Lodge's photos