The Urban Meadow at National Museum Cardiff Sally Whyman, 1 July 2023 This year we’re not only celebrating National Meadow’s Day on 1st July, we’ll also be celebrating ten years of our Urban Meadow at National Museum Cardiff. We are marking the day with the Celebration of Nature event at Saint Fagans National Museum of History. Initial funding from the Cemex Community Fund has allowed the meadow to go from an area of “species poor amenity grassland.” (Biodiversity Survey, AC-MW, 2009) to the creation of an urban meadow with over 56 plant species recorded in the last survey (Biodiversity Survey, AC-MW, 2021). On the Urban Meadow plants such as Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium verum) and Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) add colour to this part of the city every summer. Over the ten years they have been joined by Mallard ducks looking for some shelter, and even a grass snake has been spotted. Exotic looking Bee Orchids (Ophrys apifera) appear in flower in late May/early June every year too. By July the meadow is buzzing with insect life and birds looking to eat those insects and seeds. There are honey bees (Apis mellifera) who live in hives on the Museum roof. It’s only a short flight for them to collect nectar and pollen from the Urban Meadow during the summer months. During the Covid 19 lockdowns, the meadow carried on without many people to see it or staff and volunteers to help maintain it. This has meant that some of the grasses have taken over. Smaller flowering plants can’t compete against the more robust grasses. Meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis), Cock’s-foot (Dactylis glomerata) and Timothy (Phleum pratense) may all be native grasses, but we don’t want too many on the meadow. One corner of the meadow is damper than the other three corners and Yorkshire-fog (Holcus lanatus) has dominated here. Not one of the taller grass species, Yorkshire-fog only usually reaches 1m high, but the other grass species can reach 150cm tall. Grasses are usually wind pollinated and so don’t need to have bright coloured flowers to attract insects for pollination. To let the flowering plants have some space to grow we are going to sow seeds of Yellow-rattle (Rhinanthus minor) this autumn. This annual plant is a parasite on Grasses (Poeaceae) meaning it gets nutrients by penetrating its roots of the grass. Many meadows may need Yellow-rattle seed sowing this autumn because the grasses have coped better with the hot weather than the smaller brightly coloured plants. The seeds are sown in the autumn because they need to sit in the soil during the winter and experience the cold to germinate. The yellow flowers appear in spring, followed by seed pods which ‘rattle’. The Urban Meadow hasn’t just been an opportunity to increase biodiversity at Cathay’s Park by making it a nice place for plants and animals to live, it has helped people too. Staff and volunteers have been joined by many local school and community groups who have visited the meadow to learn about this city habitat. They have helped us to sow seed and plant small plants, mow and generally tidy up. One group even found a horseshoe! Lucky perhaps for the person who found it, but not for the horse who lost it!
Applications open for schools in Wales Penny Dacey, 1 July 2023 Climate-change study in your own school yard.Practical, scientific investigation aimed at ages 8-11. Make use of your outdoor classroom! Join the 175 schools taking part in this exciting investigation.Spring Bulbs for Schools provides primary school pupils with the opportunity to adopt, study and record the development of spring bulbs as part of a spring watch network. Each pupil will receive a Tenby daffodil, crocus bulb and garden pot to record growth and flowering times. Each school will also receive a rain gauge and thermometer, to record daily weather readings.Through collecting and comparing real data pupils discover how our changing climate is affecting our seasons and what this means for ourselves and the nature around us. Pupils take part in Professor Plant's challenges to receive Super Scientist certificates. Any schools in Wales can take part as results are collected digitally. This is an on-going investigation, meaning schools can take part year after year. You can look at our map to see if your school has taken part before.To apply for Spring Bulbs for Schools 2023-2024 please fill out the online application form by following the link below.Application are now open but numbers are limited so apply soon to ensure your place on the project! Application is only open to schools in Wales. Recruitment for schools in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland has now closed but please contact The Edina Trust for information about taking part in the project next year.Spring Bulbs for Schools - Application formFor enquiries please email SCAN
Fantastic Work Bulb Buddies Penny Dacey, 30 June 2023 Congratulations to all of the schools who successfully completed the Spring Bulbs for Schools Investigation this year. All schools listed below have been sent Super Scientist Certificates and pencils. The standard was extremely high again this year. Professor Plant would like to thank all schools that contributed to making this year’s investigation a success.Enillwyr / Winners:Cymru / Wales: Model Church in Wales Primary SchoolLloegr / England: Roseacre Primary AcademyYr Alban / Scotland: St John Ogilvie Primary SchoolGogledd Iwerddon / Northern Ireland: St Mary's Primary School (Maguiresbridge)Yn Ail / Runners up:Cymru / Wales: Peterston Super Ely Church in Wales PrimaryLloegr / England: Kidgate Primary AcademyYr Alban / Scotland: Gavinburn Primary SchoolGogledd Iwerddon / Northern Ireland: Grange Primary School KilkeelClod Uchel / Highly CommendedCymru / Wales: Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg TonyrefailPil Primary SchoolYGG AberystwythYsgol LlandegfanSt Julian's PrimaryYr Alban / Scotland: Kingcase Primary SchoolDedridge Primary SchoolKincaidston Primary SchoolGogledd Iwerddon / Northern Ireland: St Patrick's Primary School, EskraCydnabyddiaeth Arbennig / Special Recognition:Cymru / Wales: Forden CiW SchoolYsgol Gymraeg Dewi SantYsgol San SiorSt Joseph's RC Primary School (North Road)Alaw PrimaryYsgol Glan ConwyLloegr / England: St Anne's Catholic Primary SchoolStanford in the Vale Primary SchoolAnchorsholme AcademyFleet Wood Lane Primary SchoolSylvester Primary AcademySt Kentigern's Primary SchoolYr Alban / Scotland: Leslie Primary SchoolLivingston Village Primary SchoolSt Anthony's Primary (Saltcoats)Kirkhill Primary SchoolBlacklands Primary SchoolGogledd Iwerddon / Northern Ireland: Clonalig Primary SchoolIrvinestown Primary SchoolSacred Heart Primary - CO. DownSt Mary's Primary School (Newry)St Paul's Primary School (Co Fermanagh)Lisbellaw Primary SchoolGwyddonwyr Gwych / Super ScientistsCymru / Wales: Oystermouth Primary SchoolAbernant PrimaryHigh Cross Primary (Newport)Ysgol Capel GarmonAlbert Primary SchoolLlanbedr Church in WalesNPTC Newtown CollegeGlyncoed Primary SchoolSpittal VC SchoolSt Mary's Church in Wales Primary School St Paul’s CiW PrimaryLloegr / England: Cambridge Park AcademyDevonshire Primary AcademyRowley Hall Primary SchoolSt John's CE Primary SchoolSt Bernadette's Catholic Primary SchoolYr Alban / Scotland: Milton Primary SchoolDarvel Primary SchoolMeldrum Primary SchoolOur Lady of Peace PrimaryUnderbank Primary SchoolMaidens Primary SchoolLogan Primary SchoolGogledd Iwerddon / Northern Ireland: Newtownbutler Primary SchoolSacred Heart Primary School - OmaghGlasswater Primary SchoolCortamlet Primary SchoolNewtownhamilton Primary SchoolTystysgrifau / Certificates:Cymru / Wales: Ysgol Bro Sannan Ysgol BethelBrynford PrimaryMinera Aided Primary SchoolSt Joseph’s Cathedral (Swansea)Ysgol y WernYsgol Cwm BrombilAdamsdown Primary SchoolFranksbridge CP SchoolGors Community SchoolMontgomeryPenrhiwceibr PrimaryRhydri Primary SchoolSt Athan Primary School St. Michael's RC Primary SchoolTrellech Primary School Twyn SchoolYsgol Gymraeg MornantYsgol LlanilarYsgol PontrobertLloegr / England: St Teresa's Catholic Primary SchoolHamstead Junior SchoolHarvills Hawthorn Primary SchoolGrange Primary SchoolMarton Primary Academy and NurseryYr Alban / Scotland: Forehill Primary SchoolGartcosh Primary SchoolNewton Primary SchoolSt Joseph's RC Primary School (Kelty)Whitdale Primary SchoolWindyknowe Primary SchoolGogledd Iwerddon / Northern Ireland: St Patrick's LegamaddyEnniskillen Integrated Primary SchoolSt Mary's Primary School (Killesher)Hardgate Primary SchoolThanks again Bulb Buddies,Professor Plant
Rebuilding The Vulcan Hotel Dafydd Wiliam, 15 June 2023 Support the Vulcan Hotel project. Please Donate The Vulcan façade, labelled 'At present' in 1914. The Vulcan façade labelled 'Proposed' in 1914. The façadeThe Vulcan Hotel was first registered as an ‘ale house’ in 1853. By the time it was dismantled by the Museum in 2012 it had seen several phases of alterations. The scale of the 1901 and 1914 alterations required approval by the County Planning Authority and these plans are held today by the Glamorgan Archives. Further work was undertaken in 1925 and 1941.The planning application from 1914 features two drawings of the façade (the 1901 application doesn’t show the façade). A drawing in black and white was labelled ‘Present’ while a drawing in colour was labelled ‘Proposed’. No written text survives to accompany the drawings, but careful study can shed more light on the proposed changes. The most obvious alteration was the number of windows on the first floor was increased from two to four, which were flanked by new, raised pilasters of red brick. The parapet fronting the roof, depicted as a series of horizontal lines above the windows was removed, the chimneys were altered, and the roof was tiled in new, grey slate. Another change - which is quite subtle on these drawings - is the most dramatic in The Vulcan’s history. The whole building was increased in height. The ‘at present’ drawing shows a roof of the same height as its neighbours, while the ‘proposed’ drawing shows The Vulcan being taller than those either side of it.The configuration of the ground floor façade remained unchanged – two doorways and two windows, each divided into two large panes with fanlights above. Looking closely, however, there are several key differences which suggest that they are in fact, two different facades. The ‘at present’ drawing depicts two fielded panels under each window, while the ‘proposed’ drawing has only one. The number of door panels are different. The pilasters on either side of the windows, depicted in the ‘at present’ drawing, are fluted and stop short of the frieze, while the pilasters in the ‘proposed’ drawing aren’t fluted and continue through the frieze to the cornice above. There are seven fanlights above each windowpane in the ‘at present’ drawing, while the ‘proposed’ drawing shows only three. The decorative finial above the cornice was removed and last but not least, only the ‘proposed’ drawing features the inscriptions THE VULCAN HOTEL, WINES & SPIRITS and ALES & STOUT. Although not made clear by the plans, we assume that the drawing labelled ‘Present’ depicts a ground floor façade made of timber, and that the façade proposed in 1914 was of glazed earthenware tiles - which remained in place until 2012. The tilesBy the time the Museum dismantled The Vulcan in 2012, the colourful brown and green tiles of the façade had had been in place for 97 years, and as a result many were so damaged that they could not be reused. Many more wouldn’t separate from the cement that was used to bond them in place. The tiles bearing the Vulcan’s name fared much better as they were higher up the building, and they will be kept for future display. The tiles were manufactured by Craven Dunnill, of Ironbridge, Shropshire – fortunately, their name was stamped on the back of the tiles. As the company is still going, we decided to commission a whole new set of tiles for the rebuilt Vulcan – and these were cast from the very same wooden moulds that were used to cast the originals.The windowsThe leaded windows of The Vulcan were installed at the same time as the tiles – as part of the major refurbishment completed in 1915. Looking closely, they are to be seen in a photograph depicting the Vulcan that was taken in 1919. An article published in The Western Mail on 16 December, 1914 stated:‘Broke Public House WindowPaul Begley (46), a cripple, was fined 10s and costs at Cardiff on Tuesday…for disorderly conduct in Adam Street and for wilfully breaking two panes of plate glass in the bar window of The Vulcan Inn. Although the damage amounted to £3, the landlord…made no claim.’The pre-refurbishment façade featured two large windows with two large panes in each. If we presume that this article relates to one of those, then perhaps the Landlord ‘made a claim’ as he knew the windows were due to get replaced within the coming weeks or months. The switch from plate glass to small-paned leaded glass may have also been an attempt to lessen the impact of such damage in the future. It appears that the window frames fared better, as one was re-used as the rear bar window – the old opening being enlarged to fit. When Brains Brewery bought the pub in the 1950s, they renovated the windows and installed their Red Dragon logo in a roundel in the centre of each of the four large panes. By 2012, only one of these remained. As the rebuilt Vulcan will be set in 1915, it isn’t appropriate to include the Brains logo as they didn’t own the pub at that time. It was owned by William Walter Nell and supplied by his Eagle Brewery, based in St John’s Square, The Hayes, in Cardiff City Centre. As his W.W.N. monogram survives on a building in Merthyr Tydfil, we were able to replicate it to replace the Red Dragon. The work of reconditioning these leaded windows was undertaken by specialists from the Swansea College of Art, in the Centre for Architectural Glass. They sourced the correct glass to replace damaged panes, cleaned each individual pane of glass before putting them back in their original position, and re-leaded the windows ready for the next 97 years. Support the Vulcan Hotel projectPlease Donate
Spring Bulbs for Schools - engaging with 175 schools Penny Dacey, 17 May 2023 Penny Dacey, Spring Bulbs Project Coordinator, has been busy helping young budding scientists get outside and investigate the impact of climate change in an engaging and creative way! Many of you may have heard of this Spring Bulbs project, as it’s been running since 2005! For those of you who aren’t familiar with it, here’s an overview. Pupils are asked to help Professor Plant, a friendly cartoon scientist, to explore the impact of a changing climate on the flowering dates of spring bulbs. Pupils do this by taking part in an annual study that involves documenting and submitting weather and flower data.How it started and how it’s going…The project began in Wales, under Danielle Cowell, Digital Learning Program Manager at Amgueddfa Cymru, but through funding from the Edina Trust has expanded to be UK wide. Amgueddfa Cymru now engages 175 schools each year through the Spring Bulbs for Schools Investigation! That’s a lot of bulbs!Let’s talk science!Schools that participate in the investigation take part for a full academic year. They receive their resource packs in late September, plant their bulbs on 20 October, and begin taking weather records on 1 November through to 31 March.Schools are asked to take weather records (temperature and rainfall readings) for every day that they are in school, and to upload this data to the Amgueddfa Cymru website at the end of each week. They are also asked to monitor their plants and to document the flowering date and the height of their plants on that date to the website. The result is that we can now compare the flowering dates for spring bulbs in Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland to those of previous years and look at how changing weather patterns may have impacted on these dates. Isn’t that amazing? Making a difference - from scientific skills to well-beingThe investigation supports the development of scientific knowledge and skills, including an understanding of plant growth, the impact of climate change on the environment, and data collection and analysis. Students are able to apply scientific methods and concepts to a real-world scenario, which helps them to understand the importance and relevance of science in their lives. The process of caring for their plants, getting outdoors (in all weather) and working together to collect the data has numerous benefits, both for well-being and in developing lifelong connections to nature. Do you know of any schools that would like to take part?Applications open on a first come first serve basis to primary schools in Wales in late April. If you know of any schools that would like to take part, please ask them to checkout the following pages for more information:Spring Bulbs WebsiteSpring Bulbs BlogSpring Bulbs Twitter
