Hello and welcome…
The investments in Llanelli’s town centre are moving at an exciting pace and The Hub, a feature that aims to show off the ‘Big 5′ projects, will be opening next to ‘Boots the Chemist’ in Llanelli town centre on November 17th. Llanelly House has a ‘pod’ featuring details about the restoration and opportunities for public participation, with an interactive display and a chance to sign up for voluntary activities at the House. Find out more at www.trefllanellitown.co.uk
Later this month, informative and trend-setting banners and hoarding boards will be going up at Llanelly House, showing characters being featured in exhibits and the new branding for the project.
BBC Production
The hour-long BBC documentary about Llanelly House will air during the Spring of 2013, following the public opening of the Llanelli landmark. Filming is taking place throughout the restoration and recently, Laurence Llewellyn Bowen has been confirmed as the presenter for the film. Laurence will be filming at the House this month.
Website Coming of Age
The latest update to the project’s website will go live later this month, with the new branding showing off the breadth and scope of the restoration and development of Llanelly House as a tourist attraction. The site will feature live updates of the project’s progress with a Twitter feed and up-to-date photographs. This will be followed by a visitor website next year as we approach the public opening. Also included is a community journal, a newsletter page and Youtube-linked videos of the House’s restoration.
Character Development
Work is continuing to finalise the list of characters featured at Llanelly House and local historian, David Mathias, has been carrying out research on historic figures from the town. With the 11-11-11-11 date approaching (11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month in the year 2011) we have been looking at local war heroes.
Spitfire pilot, Lewis Reginald Isaac, was born in Llanelli in 1916, The RAF fighter was a member of a squadron that supported the British Expeditionary Force’s retreat from France and evacuation from Dunkirk, in 1940. Shot down on 5th August that same year, the pilot’s body was never found but he is remembered as a WW2 hero.
The Victoria Cross was earned by Llanelli-born Ivor Rees, for his bravery in the midst of an attack by the 38th Welsh Division on Pilckem Ridge, during the 3rd Battle of Ypres. David Mathias gave a presentation, last month, about his Ivor Rees artefacts and information at an ‘Open Doors’ meeting organised by the Llanelly House team.
More Character Development
A ‘new’ character to be featured on the list of Llanelli notables, for the project’s genealogy feature, is Francis Dunn – an explorer on the Franklin Expedition. A ‘caulker’s mate’ in the Royal Navy, Francis sailed in the 1845 expedition in search of the Northwest Passage. It is thought that he may still be perfectly preserved in the Arctic permafrost.
We are also researching a gunner from the Battle of Trafalgar who is to be researched by local historian, David Davies and his information about civil war skirmishes is to be handed over to the House team.
Meet the Team – Catherine Stewart
Catherine is a lifelong resident of Swiss Valley, Llanelli, growing up with an awareness of the House and its history. Having an historical background and earning a BA in History from Cardiff University, Catherine has a keen interest in Victorian and women’s studies. “I’d really like to get involved in the project because it is an issue that is close to my heart – Llanelli is my home town and I’m delighted to see one of its most historic buildings being restored to its former glory,” she says.
Catherine would like to gain a greater understanding of heritage management and develop her skills in content development, archiving and practical historical skills. “I’m particularly interested in exploring the day to day dynamics of life in Llanelly House, such as the personal relationships between master and servant and I’d also like to explore the function of the House in the social life of Llanelli.”
Workshops at the House
What better way of storing your images than sharing them with the Community Team who will be able to scan photographs and illustrations to compile a time-line history of Llanelli. We are inviting everyone in or from Llanelli to take a look in the attic or under the stairs and search for some old images or newspaper clippings of the town’s past or present, so that the Community Team can save them for future generations. Contact the Team on 01554 772857 or email estelle.evans@chrt.org.uk to book a workshop place during November. Alternatively, if you or anyone you know wants to learn how to digitise yourself, why not attend one our free Digitisation workshops on 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd or 30th November?
Memory Box/Reminiscence workshops at Ty Bryngwyn Hospice continued last month with the topic of ‘Playtime and Games’, which provoked much debate regarding boys’ and girls’ playtime activity – and who had the best time! Anyone wishing to involve a Nursing/Care Home or Group in this workshop should contact the Community Team on 01554 772857 or email estelle.evans@chrt.org.uk.
What’s Going On at Llanelly House?
Due to the demand and success of this year’s Open Doors days, the Community Team is pleased to announce that it will be delivering presentations to the public at the Llanelly House offices in West End, Llanelli at 7pm on the last Thursday of each month. The next presentation will be on Thursday 24th November, and with space limited, all spaces must be pre-booked on 01554 772857 or email estelle.evans@chrt.org.uk.
Latest Imagery
Llanelly House is currently being worked on in almost every room and in every aspect of the restoration. Construction work, rebuilding and repairs to the building fabric, roof replacement and restoration, woodworking, painting, concreting, plastering, flooring… it’s all happening during this busy and critical phase.
The latest images featuring work at the house can be found online on flickr and you can ‘like’ our pictures and the latest news on our Facebook site or sign up to receive our Twitter feed.
