‘We are sorry to announce that the Society is closed. Following Covid we have suffered a decrease in numbers attending our talks and it has also become increasingly difficult to find members who can devote time to running the Society. We are very grateful for the support of the membership and to the speakers who have entertained us over the last twenty five years of the Society’s existence.’
15th. June – The Trial of George Watkins
Our programme for this year begins on Wednesday 16 February with a talk by Ryland Wallace in the Clarence Hall at 7.30. Ryland’s talk is called ‘Churchmen, Sportsmen and Women Musicians’ and is the story of the Reverend Thomas Jones and his family of Llanbedr.
There will be an opportunity for those who wish to rejoin the Society for 2022 to do so on the evening. Annual membership remains unchanged for this year at £7 and entry to each talk is £3 for members or £4 for non-members. The details of our programme for this year are on our website.
Ryland’s talk will be preceeded by a brief Annual General Meeting when participants can raise any issues they may have about the running of the Society. The agenda for this meeting, the Chairman’s Report and the minutes of the last AGM are attached.
May I also draw your attention to the 24th Annual Sir John Lloyd Lecture arranged by the Brecknock Society. This will take place in Theatre Brycheiniog on 1 April at 7pm. The lecture will be given by Dr David Robinson and is titled ‘Tretower, A Pretty Castle and a Fair Place’ Tickets are free and can be obtained from the Theatre.
We hope you can join us next Wednesday.
Clive Ralph
Secretary
18 November 2021
Eric Gower:’The Right Notes at the Right Time-the Story of the Sweetland Organ’
(In collaboration with The Friends of St. Edmunds)
Please note the change of our usual venue for this event.
There are several events in this month’s Crickhowell Literary Festival that may appeal to those who are particularly interested in the history of our town
For information on how to book tickets, please visit the “Info” section on the Crickhowell Literary Festival website.
Elizabeth Siberry talks about “Social Circles in the late 18th and early 19th century in Crickhowell”AT THE CLARENCE HALLWednesday, 22 September, 7.30pmTickets: £3 members of Crickhowell History Society. £4 non-members.
Wednesday 25 August
2 August 2021
I am writing with some information about Dr Bowman’s talk ‘From Lucknow to Llangattock’ in the Clarence Hall at 7.30 on 25 August. Dr Bowman’s book ‘The Indian Contingent’ which tells the story of the of Muslim soldiers in the Second World War was published earlier this year. His illustrated talk will recall the time that the soldiers spent in the Llangattock area, which many local residents still remember.
If you want to get a flavour of Dr Bowman’s style he has several features on YouTube and a website www.forcek6.org.uk
Although the arrangements may change before 25 August, under the existing requirements set by the Hall Committee we are restricted to a maximum of fifty people. We have a current membership of thirty so there will be limited availability for non members to attend. We have already received considerable interest from non members who wish to attend. We want to maximise attendance for the talk and it would be helpful if you do not wish to attend or are unable to do so if you would let me know in advance so that we can then offer a place to a non member. If you know of any non members who would like to hear Dr Bowman please let me know as soon as possible. Any places not taken by members will be filled on a first come first served basis.
We will be reverting to our normal entrance charges for this talk, namely, £3 for members and £4 for non members. I regret we are still unable to offer refreshments because of covid restrictions.
If anyone has any queries about the talk or the arrangements please contact me.
Clive Ralph
Secretary
Tel 01873-810262
e-mail ralphancl@btinternet.com
Talk on Wednesday 23 June, Mrs Jennifer Moody:Clarence Hall
Further to my letter of 16 April I am very pleased to confirm that the talk by Mrs Jennifer Moody on Joseph Harris 1703-1764 will go ahead at 7.30 pm in the Clarence Hall as planned.
Joseph Harris was a local man, baptised in Talgarth and multi talented. At various times he was a blacksmith, economist, government adviser and King’s Assay Master at the Royal Mint.
We are subject to covid restrictions and although we do not want to be too prescriptive the following will apply:-
-seating will be socially distanced and we understand that masks must be worn,
-entrance will be restricted to current members and there will be no charge,
-refreshments will not be available,
-hand sanitiser will be available on arrival.
Free car parking is available from 6pm in the car park behind the Hall
Local History Books
Roger Austin, a long standing member of the Society, has moved with his wife Lynn to live in Fochabers in north east Scotland. He has kindly donated to the Society a number of his books on local history. These will be available free of charge at our meeting for anyone who is interested in having them.
The Committee looks forward to seeing you at the talk next week.
Hopefully, we intend to start on June 23 with Mrs Jennifer Moody and we have reinstated Ghee Bowman on 25 August (from 24 March).
Programme of Talks for 2021
This is just to confirm, as I am sure you will have expected, that because of the continuing restrictions resulting from Covid 19 we have reluctantly cancelled the talks by Brian Davis on 21 April and Dr Naylor Firth on 19 May. We hope to start our programme on 23 June with a talk by Mrs Jennifer Moody on Joseph Harris 1703-1764.
Dr Firth has told us that he would be prepared to deliver his talk which is on the history of the different ways of crossing the Severn Estuary over the centuries through the medium of Zoom if there is sufficient interest. If you would like to hear his talk via Zoom please let me know by 23 April.
Every year The Brecknock Society hosts the Sir John Lloyd Memorial Lecture in Theatre Brycheiniog. This year the lecture will be given by Professor Janet Burton of Trinity St David’s University of Wales and her subject is ‘The monastic prescence in medieaval Brecknock. The lecture takes place on Friday 23 April at 7.30 and it will be delivered virtually from the Theatre. If you would like to hear the lecture you should go to the ‘Whats on’ page on the Theatre website and register your interest. You will be sent a link to the lecture by e-mail. There will be an opportunity to make a donation to the Society. If there are any problems in registering for this event you should speak to the box office on 01874-611622.
Clive Ralph
Secretary
Crickhowell History Society