Following our visit to Ysgol y Graig in the morning, for our afternoon session, I had organised a visit for the group to Oriel Ynys Môn. This was in order for them to have the opportunity to view the special exhibition that was on tour from The National Museum in Cardiff called “The Tomb Builders of Wales 4,000 – 3,000 BC”
------- I had invited Mr. George Smith from the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust to give us the introductory talk. Pat West, the Oriel’s Principal, made an appeal to our age group for any memorabilia or written memories they could provide about their life on Anglesey during the Second World War years. These will be included in the Oriel’s next exhibition “Anglesey 1939 -1945 “ that begins on July 3rd.
--------------------- In one corner of the History Gallery are the original artefacts that I have loaned to the Oriel for its lifetime. These had been given originally by my father to the Wigwam Museum in Rhosneigr and then returned to the family when Miss Manning, the curator died. For many years they laid in a biscuit tin at the bottom of my wardrobe before I realised their significance!
Friday, 26 March 2010
I have been a member of the Anglesey Ynys Môn U3A 9 University of the Third Age ) for the last 14 years. This is a society for retired people who wish to keep learning for pleasure. During that period I have given numerous presentations and also organised visits to interesting sites. By now, I hardly think that there isn’t a mansion house on Anglesey that we haven’t visited, also historical churches, archaeological sites and small businesses on our island.
Today’s visit was to a completely different venue. We visited a newly built primary school in Llangefni. Ysgol y Graig is an entirely eco-friendly school.
The school has been built from sustainable timber and local stone. It includes a host of energy saving features, including solar photovoltaic roof tiles, a wind turbine and a green seeded roof, which provides a natural habitat for plants and insects.
The architects also designed the school with skylights that flood the classrooms and corridors with daylight, cutting lighting bills. They also specified super-thick, highly insulated exterior walls, solid wood window frames and thick window glass to reduce heat loss.
All internal lighting is provided by movement activated energy-efficient lamps. It is estimated that the power generated by the photovoltaic roof tiles and the wind turbine will reduce the school's power requirement by approx. 45%, based on average consumption. All excess energy produced during school closure days is directed to the National Grid, which they in turn pay the school for, thus generating funds. Also all the latest technological equipment has been implemented thus creating a model school of the future. Throughout their time in school, pupils to learn to understand how their environment is being regulated by eco-friendly materials, and solar powered lighting, heating and ventilation. Their understanding of this knowledge, they will take with them into their adulthood.
I had thirty U3A members in all who attended and we were warmly welcomed by the acting Head, Mrs Eiriannwen Williams. Mr. Owain Gwilym, the Deputy Head then showed us an explanatory presentation about the school and answered the many enquiring questions from a captive audience.
I was invited to visit MorswynPrimary School in Holyhead on the 8th.of this month to give a talk on Llyn Cerrig Bach to the older children. This is a Welsh medium school. Luckily, when I was invited to Bethesda Historical Society last year, I had prepared my Powerpoint in Welsh then, as time was a premium this month for me.
The children were studying the Celts and had produced a variety of excellent project books. They asked well-prepared sensible questions in an orderly manner. It was really a pleasure for me to be back again in a school environment. Naturally, they enjoyed handling the large replica gang chain which I had borrowed from Oriel Ynys Môn.
Sadly, I won’t have the access to this for very long again, as it is needed for a permanent display that is to be set up in the History Gallery alongside the three original artefacts which have been on loan to the Oriel from me for the last fifteen years. Hopefully, very soon, the replica of the lighter gang chain will have been produced for transit educational purposes by then.
Here is a picture of me examining the lighter gang chain with Evan Chapman in the research lab. of the National Museum Cardiff last summer.
Here I am again, writing for February, having missed a month !
During February, I decided to put into print, the story of my life and got as far as the age of 22. This is mainly for the benefit of my children and grandchildren so that they can have an insight into how it was when I was I was growing up during the war. It has been quite time consuming, but the family are very appreciative of what I have achieved. I have tried to include photographs on each page and a few anecdotes here and there. I also went to our local Archive office in Llangefni and gleaned a wealth of info. from Rhosneigr Primary School Log book, where I was a pupil.
It has certainly been a worthwhile activity to get engrossed in during the very cold weather. I was lucky not to have to go out and battle the elements like the younger generations in my family –one of the many benefits of being retired!
This is a picture of my cousin, Ken and myself, with out Aunty Vera and Susie, the dog, at our grandparents' house, Cae Gwyn, Llanfaelog around 1938. I hope I didn't managed to strangle the cat whilst I was so engrossed in what Ken was studing!
Rhosneigr Primary School 1947.
We were well trained in those days - feet and arms crossed front row, other rows, hands behind your backs, including the Headmaster Mr.Ifor.H.Roberts!
I am centre front, with Cassie, my best friend in childhood to the left.
( each row – read left to right, starting at the top )
Idwal Parry, Gwyfa. Llanfaelog. Gordon Owen, Galtymor, Rehoboth. Raymond Morris, The Bungalow, Llanfaelog. Henry Roberts, Crossing.
Hywel Williams, Trewyn Bach. Griffith Roberts, Station House. Tommy Rowlands,
Ynys Fôr, High St. Rhosneigr.
David Owen, Bodelwa. Tŷ Croes. Iola Price, Hafodol. Pat Pritchard. Hillcrest. Marie Burgess, Dune Edge Warren Rd. Dilys Creely, Lucerne, Station Rd.Enid Rees, Penmorfa. John Jenkins, Crafnant – all from Rhosneigr
Evelyn Roberts, 5 Rehoboth Terrace, Beryl Williams, Rockfield, Rehoboth. Ann Owen, Bodelwa. Betty Parry, Gwyfa. – all from Llanfaelog area.
A year ago, I did produce a similar folder for Rhosneigr Primary School's centenary, about my childhood during the war. Rhosneigr school has been given a copy as has The Holyhead Maritime Museum for their Air Raid Shelter, also Oriel Ynys Môn. My copy will be on display and for perusal in Oriel Ynys Môn at their next exhibition, from 3 July - 24 Decemberunder the title of " Anglesey 1939 -1945.
As you can see, I've been much to busy printing all these, so haven't had time to write a blog also - excuse again!.
