At St Fagans National Museum of History, the rose garden, or Rosery, is full of colour and scent during the summer. But behind the beauty, there is a lot of hard work, and a long and interesting story.

The first Rosery was planned in 1898 by Hugh Pettigrew, the head gardener at the time. It had winding grass paths, trellises with climbing roses, and a canal planted with water lilies and filled with ornamental fish. More than 100 types of roses were planted in the garden.

After the First World War, the Rosery was not looked after. The canal was filled in, and the trellises and pergolas were removed. In the 1940s, after the Plymouth family donated St Fagans Castle and grounds to the Museum, a simpler rose garden was created, with triangular beds.

In 1998, the Museum decided to restore Pettigrew’s original design. The old canal was dug out and replanted with water lilies. The triangular beds were removed, and new curved beds were laid out around the canal, following Pettigrew’s plan. Roses were chosen carefully, based on a list made by Pettigrew in 1904.

However, over time, many of the old roses became unhealthy. They suffered badly from a disease called black spot, which makes the leaves turn yellow, develop black spots and fall off. Before the Clean Air Act of 1956, black spot was rare because the air was full of sulphur from pollution, which helped protect the plants. But when the air became cleaner, black spot became a much bigger problem.

In 2017, the Rosery was replanted again. This time, many modern roses were used, strong, healthy plants that flower for a long time and still have the beauty and scent of traditional roses. Most of the roses are from David Austin, a famous rose breeder. One special rose growing in the garden is called ‘Roald Dahl’, named after the famous author who was born in Cardiff.

We still garden in the spirit of the Edwardian period, because most of the ornamental gardens at St Fagans date back from that time. The Edwardians loved roses - and so do we! But looking after them is not always glamorous. Every January, the gardeners prune the roses hard to keep them healthy. Then the beds are mulched with manure, we add manure to the soil to feed it. Healthy soil helps the roses to grow strong and healthy.

Throughout the summer, the gardeners deadhead the roses to encourage more flowers, but they leave some blooms to make rose hips, which are used to decorate the historic houses in winter. Around the roses, there are also flowering perennial plants like lavender and violas planted to help pollinators like bees and butterflies. 

Some roses, called single roses, have fewer petals and an open centre. These are better for insects because bees can easily reach the nectar and pollen. Some of our favourites include roses called ‘Tottering-by- Gently’ and ‘Starlight Symphony’.

Today, the Rosery is full of colour and scent. The new roses look and feel like old roses, but they flower again and again through the summer. They remind us of the love, care, and hard work that goes into keeping a garden full of life.

Over the last year Amgueddfa Cymru has been running live audio described tours at National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans National History Museum and the National Roman Legion Museum.  These are specially designed for our visually impaired audience and take place on specific advertised dates. Audio descriptions (AD) are additional commentaries and in-depth descriptions led by curatorial and learning department staff. 

At the National Roman Legion Museum, through touching museum objects visitors find out about Romans settling into life in Caerleon. At National Museum Cardiff and St Fagans National History Museum tours are also linked to the museum’s collections and have included ‘Meet the Clog Maker’ and ‘Meet the Dinosaurs’.

The content of the sessions varies depending on the theme but can involve a walking tour, handling specimens or descriptions of paintings, installations, and sculptures.

Audio Described Tours at St Fagans National Museum of History 

At St Fagans the Audio Described tours give participants the opportunity to explore the rich and varied collections at the museum, from the historic buildings to the wonderful galleries delving into over 200 000 years of human history in Wales, to the beautiful gardens, woodlands and natural spaces, through hands on sensory experiences. 

St Fagans is a working museum which showcases traditional crafts and activities, bringing St Fagans alive, in workshops where craftsmen still demonstrate their traditional skills. Recent tours have included visits to the Weaver working in the Woolen Mill, the Clog Maker and the Miller working in the Flour Mill, where the visitors have been able to hear firsthand from the crafts people and experience their different working environments, their tools and the products they make. 

St Fagans is also a working farm, where visitors can encounter native breeds of livestock in the fields and farmyard. Demonstrations of farming tasks take place, so an audio described tour to the farmyard during lambing season was a must! Participants enjoyed the sounds and smells of the farmyard and were able to learn all about the work of the farmers and the animals they care for. 

Visitors enjoyed a guided sensory Mindful Nature Walk through the beautiful gardens and woodland at St Fagans, visiting the Castle Gardens, where they learnt about the trees, plants and wildlife there and took time to pause and enjoy the nature around them.

Audio Described Tours at National Roman Legion Museum

On audio described tours at the National Roman Legion Museum visitors are able to get close to and touch Roman artefacts. These have helped give an impression of life in the Roman settlement. For example, there are roof tiles and bricks that feature the stamp of the legion, and one roof tile actually has a Roman soldier sandal (Caligae) print on it.  Visitors are encouraged to touch this and then handle a pair of replica sandals, and this can give a fuller picture of the original object.

The Romans were known for creating beautiful mosaics. Visitors on the tour are encouraged to touch and trace the patterns on the labyrinth mosaic at the National Legion Museum. This was probably a dining room floor from the Legate’s Residence. It was found in Caerleon Churchyard, 1865 and dates the 1st to 3rd century A.D.

Audio Described Tours at National Museum Cardiff

National Museum Cardiff has one of Europe’s best collections of Impressionist art and the artworks are very popular with all our visitors.  This live audio described talk took place in the gallery space where the audience heard detailed descriptions of selected artworks.  They were able to get closer to the paintings and sculptures, ask questions and engage in discussions.  Afterwards, there was an opportunity to interact with and handle tactile interpretations of the artworks.

An Audio Described Tour can allow time for a more in-depth discussion about a touring exhibition. A tour of the exhibition celebrating 100 years of the BBC was supplemented by a quiz which invited visitors to guess the BBC drama theme tunes and name the famous TV detectives from audio descriptions.

Find more information on our programme of audio described tours, including details of forthcoming tours, on the Audio Described Tours webpage.

Results of the Super Scientist Competition 2025

Congratulations to all the fantastic schools who contributed to this years investigation. All of the schools listed below have been sent Super Scientist certificates and pencils in recognition of the great work they have done. Schools who entered the most data have been sent additional seeds to plant. The runners up received gift vouchers and the winning schools are to be awarded an extra special prize for their class. 

Schools who entered the Bulbcast competition have all been sent a special clapper board, with the winner and runner up receiving equipment to help them with future film projects. A compilation of their fantastic videos can be found at the bottom of this page. 

Professor Plant would like to thank all the schools that contributed to making this year’s investigation a success.

Enillwyr / Winners:

Cymru / Wales: 

Ysgol Tycroes

Lloegr / England: 

Stanford in the Vale Primary

Yr Alban / Scotland: 

Windyknowe Primary

Gogledd Iwerddon / Northern Ireland: 

St Mary’s Marguiresbridge Primary

Yn Ail / Runners up:

Cymru / Wales: 

Pil Primary School

Lloegr / England: 

Our Lady of the Assumption Primary

Yr Alban / Scotland: 

Gavinburn Primary 

Gogledd Iwerddon / Northern Ireland: 

Irvenstown Primary

Cydnabyddiaeth Arbennig / Special Recognition:

Cymru / Wales: 

Forden CiW School

Ysgol Mynydd Bychan

Upper Rhymney Primary

Ysgol Frongoch

Bwlchgwyn School

Cornist Park Primary

Ysgol Gymraeg Morswyn

Blaendulais Primary School

Bryn Deri Primary

Ysgol Porth y Felin

Ysgol Tir Morfa

Rhayader Primary School

Trelai Primary

Plasnewydd Primary School

Henllys Church in Wales School

Ysgol Gymuned Llannerch-y-medd

Marlborough Primary School

Trellech Primary

Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tonyrefail

Lloegr / England: 

Brookhouse Primary School

Cedars Primary School

St Anthony's RC Primary School

Wensley Fold CE Primary Academy

Yr Alban / Scotland: 

Blacklands Primary School

Leslie Primary School

Wellshot Primary School

Gogledd Iwerddon / Northern Ireland: 

St John The Baptist Primary 

St John's Primary School

Clod Uchel / Highly Commended

Cymru / Wales: 

Ysgol Pennant

Ysgol San Sior

Ysgol Llanddulas

Ysgol Penmachno

Ysgol Gynradd Dafen Primary 

Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth

Ysgol Pentreuchaf

Ysgol Gynradd Creigiau

Lloegr / England: 

St John's CE Primary School

St Margaret Mary's RC Primary 

Summerhill Primary Academy

Sylvester Primary Academy

Yr Alban / Scotland: 

Doonfoot Primary School

Langbank Primary School

Livingston Village Primary 

Logan Primary School

Newmains Primary School

St Conval's Primary School

Swinton Primary School

Gogledd Iwerddon / Northern Ireland: 

Ballyholland Primary School

Clonalig Primary School

Dromore Central Primary School

Grange Primary School 

Lisbellaw Primary School

Our Lady's & St. Mochuas Primary 

Scarva Primary School

St Mary's Primary School - Newry

St Teresa's Primary School

Gwyddonwyr Gwych / Super Scientists

Cymru / Wales: 

St. Michael's RC Primary School

Ysgol Pen y Fro

St Mary's Church In Wales School

Blackwood Pimary 

Bryn Celyn Primary

Ysgol Ffordd Dyffryn

St Joseph's Cathedral Primary 

Peterston super Ely CiW Primary 

Sketty Primary School

Alway Primary School

Ysgol Gynradd Llandegfan

Archbishop Rowan Williams Church in Wales Primary 

Mountain Lane Primary

NPTC Newtown College

Danygraig Primary School

Lloegr / England: 

Didsbury CE Primary School

Gorton Primary School

Grange Primary School

Griffin Park Primary School

Holy Souls RC Primary School

St Alban's RC Primary School

St Mary's RC Primary- Manchester

St Stephen's CE Primary School

Temple Meadow Primary School

Yr Alban / Scotland: 

Alloway Primary School

Meldrum Primary School

Our Lady and St Francis Primary 

Our Lady of the Annunciation Primary 

Our Lady's RC Primary School

St Brendan's Primary School

St Mary's Primary School

Underbank Primary School

Gogledd Iwerddon / Northern Ireland: 

Cortamlet Primary School

Mullavilly Primary School

St John's Eglish Primary School

St Patrick's Primary -Eskra

Cyfranwyr / Contributors

Cymru / Wales: 

Langstone Primary School

Ysgol Llanychllwydog

Carreghofa School

Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary 

Eveswell Primary School

Ysgol Y Berllan Deg

Montgomery Church in Wales School

Ysgol Gynradd Cwrt Henri

St Cadoc's R C Primary School

Bodnant Community School 

Ysgol Bryn Pennant

Lloegr / England: 

Anchorsholme Academy

Daisyfield Primary School

Eaton Valley Primary School

Eden Primary School

Ferndale Primary School

Heald Place Primary School

St Anne's Catholic Primary 

St Anne's RC Primary School

St Barnabas C of E Primary Academy

St Bernadette's Catholic Primary 

St Johns C of E Primary 

St Kentigern's RC Primary 

Yr Alban / Scotland: 

Our Lady of Peace Primary

Scotstoun Primary School

Straiton Primary School

Gogledd Iwerddon / Northern Ireland: 

Mountnorris Primary School

St Anthony's Primary

St Mary's Primary - Derrytrasna

St Mary's Primary School - Dungannon

St Oliver Plunkett's Primary School

Tandragee Primary School

Bulbcast:

Enillwyr/Winners: 

Langbank Primary

Yn Ail / Runners-up: 

St Mary’s Maghery

Cyfranwyr / Contributors: 

Cortamlet Primary

Our Lady of the Assumption

Our Lady & St Mochua

Livingston Primary

Windyknowe Primary

Ysgol Pentre Uchaf

Thanks again Bulb Buddies,                                                      

Professor Plant

One of the first and largest parts of our redevelopment project has been the work of moving most of our collections off site to a nearby collections centre. This was necessary in order to ensure their safety whilst renovation and building work are carried out on site.

Work began back in July 2024 with the appointment of 2 new Collections Assistants - Osian Thomas and Mathew Williams - who joined Curator Cadi Iolen, to begin the enormous task of itemising, labelling and packing up each object in the Museum. 

Here they tell us a bit more about what was involved in 'moving a museum'. 

"There are over 8,000 objects in our collection ...this was an enormous task!" Cadi Iolen, Curator

The National Slate Museum is housed in the original engineering  workshops at Gilfach Ddu, and was opened in 1972 following a dedicated campaign by the community to keep it in tact as a Museum. Although the majority of our collection was documented, quite a large amount wasn't and so we've had to go back to basics and document and tag everything in the Museum so that everything's recorded. 

"It's a process that has never been done in the Slate Museum before, When the museum opened in 1972 it wasn't in a new building with white walls, and people bringing things in to display. It was sometimes difficult to know what was here originally and what has been transported here by the museum staff over all the years. But of course that has also given us a different kind of museum which is so unique and beautiful."      Cadi Iolen, Curator

From Slate dressing tables to bellows, blocks and tackles to dressing machines, the sheer scale of the project has been immense and surprising at times. From the smallest wooden pattern to our much-loved locomotive, UNA, the Gilfach Ddu workshops are now a very different place to what people are used to seeing during a normal visit. As we’ve moved through the Museum we’ve made some surprising discoveries. 

"I found a box of tools owned by the Pattern family who exclusively worked up in the Pattern Loft. The box had been hidden underneath bag of patterns for years. We’re so happy that we came across them as they – like many items at the Museum – seem to have been left as they were when the workshops complex was closed in 1969!" Mathew Williams, Collections Assistant

The Foundry was another room which needed to be recorded before items being moved. The massive sand area in the middle of the room was once filled with casting boxes and metal equipment and the walls were adorned with wooden patterns so big that it is difficult to grasp their size until they eventually came off the wall – each one revealing their legacy imprint on the paintwork behind them.

"While examining the building, we uncovered several hidden graffiti pieces. In the Volunteers’ Loft, we found WW2-era drawings of war leaders, previously hidden behind storage racks. I made a personal discovery while tagging tools on the crane in the Foundry. My grandfather, Gwynfryn Thomas, worked there as a Moulder, and I noticed “GT” etched into the woodwork. To my surprise, I counted nine of hiinitials on the crane—a touching connection to my family history." Osian Thomas, Curatorial Assistant

We closed the Museum at the end of October 2024 and in November the removals began! This was challenging on many levels, from huge items which needed their very own transport to moving all the tiny items in storage boxes. Working with Restore Harrow Green – an expert removals company specializing in large scale library, museum and office moves – things were relocated very quickly and efficiently. 

One of the first rooms to be emptied was the  Volunteers Loft (the last room in the pattern loft) which was full of Conserved Collections of wooden patterns and other objects. The Foundry, Smithy, Caban all followed and room by room, the museum slowly transformed from a place full of objects where space was at a premium, to suddenly feeling eerily empty.

Then it was time to move the larger objects on the Museum’s main yard. Who would’ve thought at the beginning of this redevelopment journey that we’d see one of our locomotive boilers suspended over the museum yard by a crane on a Thursday morning? 

"It’s been a real learning journey for us, one which has made us realize and appreciate the sheer scale and variety of the Museum’s collections. It’s also been an incredibly rewarding journey, handling objects that were last held by the workmen here and now seeing them all neatly organised and stored in the new collections Store."   Osian Thomas, Curatorial Assistant.

This is just the end of the first chapter of this large redevelopment project.  

The objects have now found a new temporary home at our new Collections centre in Llandegai near Bangor. 

We're planning open days there soon ...but we'll tell you all about that amazing space in the next blog! 

After a year (2024) of creating incredible St Fagan’s inspired textile and mixed media art Cutting Edge members gathered at the Gweithdy Gallery, St Fagans National Museum of History on 25th & 26th April to exhibit their work and to provide craft and sewing activities for visitors in celebration of Global Intergenerational Week. And what an awesome two days it was!

Visitors were delighted to be able to view the exhibits close up and to read the workbooks describing how the project developed over time. They were also delighted that they could join in the various activities and we received lots of feedback over the two days, both in conversation and the Visitors Book. Here's a taste of what people said:

“As a fellow quilter and textile artist it is lovely to go out and see everyone’s work. Congratulations." Lesley , Higham Quilters, Gloucester
“Very impressive to see such a stunning piece of local inspiration and imaginative work” Byron family
“Fabulous exhibition. Well done all. Thank you for making us feel so welcome“ Sue & Vicki
 
The children tried out most things from colouring to stamping and sewing, which seemed to be a crowd pleaser. After colouring a picture on fabric many were eager to have a go at sewing and soon became hooked!
One little girl drew a large letter E on a textile square and began sewing it. She was disappointed to be dragged away half way though, but took some threads to finish it at home. However, later in the day she reappeared to pick up some more thread as she had run out of one of the colours. She must have found a little corner on her travels around the grounds to continue her sewing!
The adults enjoyed the sewing too!
The group from Pontadawe stitch group thoroughly enjoyed making brooches and owls:
“What a wonderful exhibition, so inspiring. Thank you for my owl/penguin. I love him! You are all a lovely bunch. Diolch yn fawr I chi gyd“!" Glenda , Stitch Pontadawe. 
“What a lovely event. Thanks for the brooch kit. I really enjoyed making it. All lovely friendly people” Dawn

Plenty of owls appeared thanks to Carol. They were so popular that she had to go home on Friday evening to prepare more!
“Thank you Carol for helping me make my owl!.

There was some great colouring and sketching going on. Pat's little leather bound sketch books were as popular as Carol’s owls. Not surprising as they were a fabulous little gift to take home.
“Lovely day out with lots of great crafts, the children really enjoyed themselves. Thank you so much"

The Cutting Edge members weren’t shy of immersing themselves in the activities either. They thoroughly enjoyed chatting to visitors too as it was an opportunity to pass on tips, advise and direct them to resources. One visitor was planning to repair altar cloths and was delighted to be introduced to another visitor who could help her find the braids that she needed.
Some feedback from the Cutting Edge group members: 
“I enjoyed the afternoon. A lovely way to spend it. I loved looking at the exhibits again and had fun stamping!” Sally
“It was a fun day with so much interest and appreciation… met some lovely people, some commenting that they were inspired to try something creative themselves and very polite children who all said thank you for helping them. Loved it” Ella.
“What a lovely time spent today meeting visitors who were so interested in our groups work. So many were amazed at the range of different textile / art skills exhibited.  My favourite moment though is the young boy in the photo above who was determined to stitch around his daffodils before leaving . So good to have had the opportunity to encourage the youngsters."  Liz
“Such a great couple of days and so many people leaving inspired to carry on stitching." Eleri

The Monopoly quilt was popular and a number of suggestions were made for a permanent home for it, though many were of the view that it should stay at St Fagans.
“Fantastic range of work and skills. Really enjoyed the whole exhibition especially the Monopoly quilt." Lesley, Rhoose
Carol’s stitched family tree project was also popular. Carol was overwhelmed by the repose she received. As a result the seeds of a workshop are now forming!

Over the two days we welcomed over 650 visitors who came from near and far, some as far as the Netherlands!
Two Dutch ladies who visited wanted to buy pieces of our art work. When we asked what they were interested in they pointed to Dianne’s postcard and Monica’s Thomas the Taylor post card. The cards were gifted to the ladies and addresses were swapped with a promise from Monica and Dianne that they would post them a fabric postcard too!
A brilliant two days enjoyed by both visitors and Cutting Edge members alike. 

A huge thank you to:
St Fagan’s staff member Loveday who went above and beyond to make sure that we had everything we needed. She even joined in and helped when we were very busy, which was really appreciated!
Jan’s husband Alan for taking photos for us. They are a fabulous addition to our album!
And an enormous thank you to all our amazing Cutting Edge members for their inspired pieces of work and dedication to make the two day event at St Fagans such a memorable occasion. You are all stars!

We held the event during Global Intergenerational Week which fell at the end of the Easter holiday. It certainly ticked all the boxes for intergenerational engagement as both children and adults went away happy and more confident with the new skills they had acquired.

“Fabulous exhibition and lovely to see the skills on show. Lovely initiative and great for children of all ages to experience”!
"Fantastisch!" Lia, the Netherlands
“Superb inspiring exhibition. I enjoyed the diversity too – patterns, stitch, water colours. Also enjoyed the hands-on activities. Relaxing and fun.” Gwynedd
“Such an excellent event, with wonderful pieces of work to admire and inspire! So kind and generous to supply everything for the intergenerational projects we did” Caroline
“Excellent exhibition. Lovely talented ladies”

Following the event, we were delighted to receive the image of the event sent by Mike who is a member of the St Fagans Sketching Group. He visited on the Saturday and sat quietly in the corner sketching the scene before him. He thought our work, like his, was amazing:
“I had the opportunity to visit the exhibition of members work from the Cutting Edge Textile Group at St Fagans. It was a beautiful day, and the event was very popular with families enjoying the last of the Easter holidays. There were lots of fun activities for children and adults. I was encouraged to visit the Cutting Edge Textile group exhibition to see what they do by a member of the CE group who attends the St Fagans Sketching Group. The answer is a lot and to a very high standard too! Everyone was so kind in sharing their work. I have got loads of ideas and tried to capture the event in my sketchbook” Instagram @mikelinewalker

End note:
Monica posted a fabric postcard to one of the Dutch women who visited our exhibition and surprisingly it arrived before she returned home to the Netherlands! This is the email Monica received from Thea:
“Dear Monica,
It was a surprise to find that the card you sent me has arrived already when I came home from my holiday tour through Wales. 
It was very nice to meet you at the exhibition and that I was allowed to make a choice out of the cards you had made. All in all it was a very inspiring exhibition and I enjoyed it very much.
The cards I will show tomorrow to the members of the quilt club I join and I am sure they will love them as well. I still have to find a nice place to put them. It will be in my house or in my school where I will enjoy looking at them, but I am not sure yet.
Best wishes, also to the other members of the Cutting Edge Textile Group
Thea“

To find out more about the Cutting Edge Group please visit: Cutting Edge | Sharing textiles knowledge, ideas and skills