1812 - 2012 Bicentenary Celebrations

Ringing the Bells

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:42:32 +0000

Ringing the bells to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the joining of the Monmouthshire Canal with The Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal got off to a great start at Pontymoile Basin at 12 noon on Friday 10th February. Particular thanks go to Richard Dommett MBE for his part in organising the event and for making the framework that held the bell - it was very impressive to say the least.

Speeches by Councillor Bob Wellington, leader of Torfaen CBC and Robin Herbert set the scene for the occasion. Robin Herbert’s connection is especially interesting since he is the great, great grandson of Sir Benjamin Hall - who inspired the naming of ‘Big Ben’, the famous bell of the clock installed in the Houses of Parliament. Performances by the pupils of Pontymoile Primary School and the St. Cadoc’s Millennium Chimes met with loud applause that was justly deserved.

This was a celebration to be remembered and could not have been achieved without partnership between the Canal Trust, British Waterways and Torfaen County Borough Council. There were so many people involved in making this work, indeed the event at Pontymoile was only the start. The ringing of Church bells from Brecon to Newport and Cwmcarn continued well into the afternoon.

Anniversary Dinner

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 12:18:09 +0000

A special year in the history of the Mon and Brec Canal got off to a great start at a special anniversary dinner held at the Angel Hotel, Abergavenny. Why the Angel Hotel? Why this particular date? The answer lies in the minutes of the Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal Navigation:

Meeting of the Committee of the Company of Proprietors of the Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal Navigation
The Angel Inn, Abergavenny, 7th February 1812
The Committee set out to view the Canal towards Pontymoile and at Mr. Waddington’s Boat House in Lanover, met him, and embarked there on board his Boat, and proceeded in the same all the way from thence to, and through, the Stop Lock at the Junction into the Monmouthshire Canal – being the first entrance from this Canal into that – amidst the acclamation of a very numerous body of the inhabitants as a token of their Joy at an Event so very beneficial to this Country – And the Committee have in their progress the satisfaction to find the whole of the Canal in such a state as now to be throughout perfectly Navigable having Three feet and a half of Water, And the Banks, Bridges and Towing Path requiring no very considerable additions to render them compleat.
Transcript by John Norris, kindly donated to the MBACT Archive
Despite the weather there was a goodly turn out by many for a splendid celebration. The evening not only looked back in time, but also provided an opportunity to reflect on how the canal could continue to meet future needs thanks to the speeches of Tony Hales, Chairman of British Waterways and Glenn Millar, BW Econonomic Development Manager. Thanks also go to Phil Hughes for making the occasion go off smoothly.

Mon and Brec 200 Events

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:24:24 +0000

In 2012 the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal celebrates the 200th anniversary of its opening in 1812. The canal winds its way 35 miles from Brecon south to Cwmbran, passing through both scenic countryside and a World Heritage Site that recognises the area’s important industrial past. Originally built as a corridor for the transport of coal and iron, it now supports a thriving leisure industry and is a much-loved haven for people and nature.

Through a series of activities and events, organisations, local groups and national bodies will be celebrating the canal’s history, enjoying its beauty and looking forward to its development beyond 2012 as a cherished asset to the communities through which it passes and connects. For more information go to:

www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/monandbrec200 &

http://www.facebook.com/MonmouthshireAndBreconCanal

Look out for the Mon & Brec 200 Logo for events near you. It promises to be an exciting year beginning with ‘The Ringing of the Church Bells’ along the whole length of the Canal.

1812 – 2012 Bicentenary Events

26th January – Canal Anniversary Talk
Theatre Brechiniog

1st – 27th February – Photography Exhibition ‘Liquid Transport’
By Lesley Lillywhite & Friends – Theatr Brecheiniog Gallery

4th February – Anniversary Dinner – The Angel Hotel, Abergavenny – By Invitation Only

10th February – ‘Ringing Church Bells’ at 12 noon – Pontymoile Basin & Churches along the canal from Brecon to Cwmcarn.

10Th February – Church Events linked to ‘Ringing The Bells’ - Churches along the canal from Brecon to Cwmcarn.

29th February – Canal Talk – Llangattock/Crickhowell as part of Crickhowell Walking Festival

1st March - Canal Walk – Llangattock/ Crickhowell / Crickhowell Walking Festival

12th March – 16thApril – Canal Exhibition at Theatr Brecheiniog Gallery – ‘Reflections and Perceptions’ by Maguel Aliksander

31st March – 1st April – Beacons To The Sea – Beer Launch – Brecon

April - Launch of ‘The Canal and River Trust’ (the new Waterways Charity) – Exact date to be arranged.

28th April – Waterways Festival Day – Pontymoile Basin

5Th & 6th May – Five Locks Rally

21st – 25th May – Brecon Primary Schools Activity Week – Brecon Musuem and Theatr Brecheiniog

29th – 31st May – Primary Schools Activity Days – Goytre Wharf

4th June - Talybont & Llangynidr Canal and Jubilee Event

12th – 15th June – Primary Schools Education Week – Fourteen Locks and Blaenavon Forgotten Landscapes

16th & 17th June – Llanfoist Open Gardens

20th – 30th July - Canal Exhibition at Theatr Brycheiniog: An exhibition of canal related documents, images and exhibits www.theatrbrycheiniog.co.uk