Launch update Michael Houlihan, 13 October 2009 Well, the launch took place this morning and there was a fantastic turn out. The response was encouraging (not just because we served bacon sandwiches and coffee!), and our recession messages certainly seemed to resonate. Media interest was great, with live radio broadcasting as well as filming for the news this evening. In my speech, I posed the question - 'can we afford culture during a recession?' Certainly, it's difficult in economic terms to measure the impact culture has on a nation. Yes, we can list some key facts and figures, but the truth is, culture has a tremendous role to play in underpinning everything a small nation such as Wales does. In conclusion, therefore, I argued that we can't afford not to have culture as it's a vital part of our identity.The Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, also said a few words and congratulated us on an interesting paper that gives a flavour of the excitement we bring through our work across Wales. He stated that our economic message was timely, and agreed that we cannot measure the value of culture in solely economic terms. We were lucky to have his presence and support, and the interviews he gave certainly reflected his respect for our work.Over the coming weeks, we will be developing many of the themes raised in the paper and pursuing opportunities to develop our volunteering and apprenticeship schemes. We need to keep the momentum going, and remind everyone in Wales how integral culture is to the nation. And how important it is to continue to fund it! I'll update you on our progress on this blog.
Big Draw Sian Lile-Pastore, 12 October 2009 Here are some photos from the big draw on the 10th where we carried on with our amazing map! Thank you to everyone who took part, the pictures were wonderful. I'm sorry that my photos are of poor quality but it was a little dark in the gallery and I'll add some better photos as soon as I can!
Big Draw Pictures Sian Lile-Pastore, 6 October 2009 So there they are! Pictures from the big draw so far... as I've already mentioned we've been creating a large map of St Fagans: National History Museum, and we'll be finishing it this Saturday (10th) from 11am until 1pm and 2pm until 4pm in Oriel 1. The plan is for vistiors to draw their favourite thing in the museum - it might be a building, an animal or even cheesy buns from the bakery! Come by on Saturday to help! This picture shows the beginning of the map... sorry it's not a great shot! Another slightly blurry picture sorry, but you can still see the fantastic horse and cart and the sun shining! A fantastic drawing of the castle!It looks exactly like it! It seems we have sharks in St Fagans:National Museum of History now! This is a lovely picture of our landtrain - the colours are great! I love this picture of the Celtic Village too. Kennixton, The Pottery and Nantwallter
Big Draw Sian Lile-Pastore, 5 October 2009 Thank you to everyone who came to Oriel 1 at St Fagans:National History Museum to take part in the big draw. We made a great start on our giant map of the museum and I hope we'll be able to finish it next Saturday Oct 10th (11-1 and 2-4.) I'll post some pictures of our work so far tomorrow!
Welsh miners digging for victory on the Western Front Edward Besly, 1 October 2009 Artists' impression of Edwards' mining exploits. From Deeds that Thrill the Empire, by courtesy of Dix Noonan Webb. Military Cross (1915), 1914 Star, British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal awarded to Captain (later Major) Arthur Edwards. Many recipients of the Military Cross arranged to have details of the award engraved on its back. The trenches of World War 1 Captain Arthur Edwards from Blaenafon in south Wales oversaw the explosion of the first British mine on the Western Front in March 1915. The First World War (1914-18) is famous for the trench warfare of the Western Front in France and Flanders. Huge armies faced each other in horrible conditions, preparing for the next big battle intended to break the stalemate. Tunnelling and mining on both sides formed a significant part of this trench warfare, as each side tried to gain an advantage. Tunnels were dug underneath "no man's land" and under the enemy's trenches. They were then packed with explosives and detonated. The dry chalk of the Somme was especially suited to mining, but it was also possible to mine in the sodden clay of Flanders. The experience and skills of Welsh miners played an important part in the construction of these mines. Fighting the war underground It was all started by Captain Arthur Edwards, a mining engineer who served in the 2nd Battalion of the Monmouthshire Regiment. In December 1914 the 4th Divisional Mining Party was formed, under Edwards' command. In March 1915, after two months of tunnelling under enemy lines, the tunnels were evacuated, packed with explosives and detonated. The huge explosion caused buildings above ground to be destroyed — the tunnels were under buildings that were being used by enemy snipers. On another occasion, German miners, tunnelling in one direction, broke into allied tunnels being dug in the opposite direction, resulting in fierce hand-to-hand fighting underground. A Badge of Honour In June 1915 Captain Arthur Edwards was awarded the Military Cross, a newly introduced decoration for captains and junior officers. He was also twice mentioned in despatches for gallant and distinguished service. He served through the War, including the first day of the Battle of the Somme (1 July 1916) before being badly wounded by a gas shell in June 1918. His medals were acquired by Amgueddfa Cymru in 2006.
