Torfaen at War Exhibition Launch

The 4th August was the centenary of Britain's entry into the First World War.  It was also the launch of a digital exhibition by Torfaen Heritage telling the story of local people who had fought in the war..
Last June I donated my book 'Tell Them of Us' to the exhibition by going along to their van at the Cwmbran Big Event.  I was also interviewed at the time and this interview was recorded for use in the project.
 Over the next few weeks I sent further information to be used in the exhibition, my ancestors service records and any photographs that I had though unfortunately I was later told my recording probably wouldn't be used because of all the background noise from recording outside.

Anyway, I was invited to the launch of the project on 4th August at the Blaenavon Heritage Centre.  It took place in a big old classroom in the former St Peter's School and the place was full of people who had contributed their stories.

The first part of the afternoon was taken up with talks about the project and then our first chance to see the film that had been created from all the stories collected.  I remembered that my recording wasn't going to be used so sat back to watch the dvd, feeling a bit disappointed.  

However this was not to be.  A few minutes in and one of my photographs was on the tv screen, one of my Great Great Uncle William and there was a voice, telling the story of his experience of the Christmas Day Truce, it was me!!  A strange moment, felt a bit shocked at first, but then I glanced around, people were listening, then I felt proud.  There are some moments money cant buy, that was one of them.

When the film ended all the contributors were called up one by one to collect a copy of the dvd.  My name was called out so I got up and went to collect mine, to lots of applause, just like everyone else.  Shook hands with the mayor and had my photograph taken with her.  

Then it was time for tea and cake and a look around at the display boards.  Each board tells the story of someone from Torfaen who took part in World War 1.  Only the story of one of my ancestors has been told at the moment, that of Great Great Uncle William, mainly because he took part in the Christmas Day Truce of 1914.  I believe the exhibition is following the timeline of the war for the next four years, so the book I donated may be referred to in future and other ancestors of mine included in the exhibition.

The Torfaen at War Exhibition is at Blaenavon Heritage Centre until 31 October then it will be travelling around the county for the next four years.

Llantarnam Ghost Story

Following on from the story of the strange lights in Llantarnam in Cwmbran History and Mystery, another ghostly sighting has emerged in the same area.  The story was told to me by a friend and concerns a mysterious figure that stands on the road at Abbey Lane, Llantarnam.  The figure has been seen many times apparently and is that of a man wearing a bowler hat.

If you walk up Abbey Lane you will come to a small row of houses.  The house with the coat of arms above the door used to be the police station and there was also a pub here, the Coopers Arms, where inquests on bodies took place.  Both are now gone and converted into houses.

So who is the mysterious figure?  The Weekly Mail of 1883 might give a clue.

Printed in the February 24th issue was an article concerning a man, Michael Sullivan, who, on a Sunday morning was walking along the canal from Newport to Cwmbran.  At Llantarnam he stopped in his path as he found a set of clothing lying on the ground.  He gathered the items up and took them to the police station, but no one came to claim them nor did anyone report any missing persons.  The police searched the canal but found nothing and as far as is known the case was never solved.  So the owner of the clothes - a pair of boots, two shirts, a jacket, a blue and white handkerchief and a bowler hat - remains a mystery to this day.

Tell Them of Us update

It was a couple of weeks ago I went along to the Torfaen at war roadshow at the Cwmbran Big Event. I asked them if they would like a copy of my book, 'Tell Them of Us', and they said they'd love one.  So to update on what has happened to my book since then, it is going to be used in the Torfaen World War One exhibition during the next four years.  It looks as though the stories of my ancestors will be used at certain points along the timeline of the war.  At the moment it is the story of my great great Uncle William Jones that is being concentrated on as part of the story of the Christmas Truce. A photo of him has been sent to the Torfaen WW1 project plus this morning I have sent over his service records.  The launch of the project is fast approaching and I have been lucky enough to be invited to it, so photos of that when it happens in a few weeks.

Available now from www.amazon.co.uk or download to Kindle

In medieval times you could be burned alive for dreaming of the devil

People have always been fascinated by dreams.  The earliest known recorded dreams were in Mesopotamia about five thousand years ago.

The Egyptians believed a person was blessed if they had vivid dreams.  They believed they were messages from the gods, for example the account of Joseph and his dream of seven fat cows and seven thin ones.  Interpreted to Pharaoh as seven years of plenty then seven years of famine.

The Greeks also studied dreams.  They built dream temples, often on hillsides.  They believed the gods took an interest in the everyday life of mortals and would contact them through dreams.  Hippocrates supported a theory that dreams reflected a persons bodily health.

The Romans also placed great significance on dreams as did the native American Indians.  They believed it was the ancestors who communicated through dreams

Unfortunately with the coming of Christianity a negative attitude evolved towards dreams.  Instead of a tool for receiving messages from God, they were seen as proof of worshipping the devil.  Dreams were even used as evidence in court to convict witches.  If there was any suggestion a person had met with the devil or evil spirits in a dream, they could be burned alive.

And so it became, people disregarded their dreams and stayed quiet about them. They also forgot how to interpret them.  It wasn't until the 19th century that  theories of the unconscious started to emerge, most famously with Sigmund Freud that an interest in dreams started to re emerge.

You can read more about the history of dreams and how to interpret your own in my new book 'Dreams - The Forgotten Craft'  available now from Amazon or as a download to Kindle.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dreams-Forgotten-Craft-carol-lewis-ebook/dp/B00KVXD9D6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402467423&sr=8-1&keywords=dreams+the+forgotten+craft+kindle

The Ghosts of Llanyrafon Manor

Llanyrafon Manor, set in its peaceful garden is something of a haven in the busy town of Cwmbran.  Originally owned by the Griffiths family from the 1600's to the end of the 19th century it is now a heritage centre.  It is also perhaps, one of the most haunted places in Cwmbran.

Being a volunteer at the Manor, I've got to hear many stories from other volunteers, staff and visitors.  Some of them Ive already written about in my book 'Cwmbran History and Mystery' but the Manor just keeps on producing more.  Read on and find out more.

Entrance -  Even before you get into the house ghost stories abound here.  Some people have reported being drawn to the window above the porch without knowing why.  Some visitors will walk around the grounds quite happily but refuse to enter the house.  There have also been sightings of a tall figure by the stables and a monk.

The Kitchen -  A medium picked up on the spirit of a woman drying herbs and a visitor claimed to have felt the presence of a spirit here.

The Study - Here the sound of rustling dried flowers has been heard.

The original staircase - can be accessed downstairs in the parlour.  Visitors on the ghost tours have reported the smell of bacon in this spot.

Hallway leading from Tudor Hall to the Great Chamber - a very eerie spot, lights are known to flicker for no reason.  Also during a ghost tour the word 'no' was heard in answer to the question of whether the group could enter one of the rooms.

The Attic -  Its very creepy, not many like being up here.  It is supposedly haunted by the ghosts of two children, one of whom drowned.  Beyond the door is another part of the attic, here cold spots are felt and a general feeling of uneasiness.  Footsteps have been heard on the stairs when no one is there.  I know this, I was there!

2nd floor corridor - This leads to the room that  overlooks the porch.  Here the ghost of a boy called James looks out of the window waiting for his mother.  She left the manor one day and never returned, so he watches for her return.  In this room another volunteer felt a child tug at them as if to get attention.  

Other reports of ghostly goings on at the Manor include mysterious puddles of water appearing over night and cakes being thrown off the counter!  Don't be put off though, it really is a great place:)

You can read more about the ghosts of Cwmbran in 'Cwmbran History and Mystery' available now from Amazon

Victorian Cwmbran - Some extracts from my book

These are some extracts from Victorian Cwmbran and relate to Forge Hammer and the Cwmbran Works which was on the site of the retail park and stretching up through Springvale.

17 May 1856

“On Tuesday week, a lad named David Davies, while engaged near the rolls at Cwmbran Works, was accidentally drawn into a portion of the machinery called 'the box' and received such serious injuries that he died the following morning. An inquest was held on the body Thursday last and a verdict of accidental death returned”

7 May 1859

“An inquest was held on Saturday at the Bridge End Inn before Mr W H Brewer deputy coroner, on the body of Isaac James, age 17 years who came by his death under the following painful circumstances. The deceased was a haulier on the incline tramway between the iron works and the colliery. On Wednesday, the 27^th while bringing down some coal trams, the gradient being heavy and the brakes insufficient, the tram obtained too much momentum which placed the horses in danger. Deceased, in order it is thought, to rescue them, attempted to uncouple their chain from the tram, when he fell across the road the trucks passing on, his legs, body and head were frightfully broken, bruised and lacerated. Surgical skill was of no avail and the unfortunate youth died on Friday. Verdict 'Accidental death'”

8 March 1879

“John Lyons, landlord of the Moon Public House was charged with keeping his house open during prohibited hours on 15^th. A police officer said that he was passing near the house at 11.5 pm and heard some conversation. On going into the premises he saw a man named Crine there. He asked him what he had got under his coat, which he declined to show. He afterwards threw something into the canal which witness believed to be a jar. He asked the landlord what Crine wanted at his house and he replied that he had some beer. Mr David who appeared for the defendant said, Crine was on the premises at work at the time. Crine was then charged with being in the house during illegal hours which he admitted but said he staying to supper after work. The Bench dismissed the case.

15 December 1883

“An inquest on the body of Mr Joseph Williams, a fireman aged 59 years, who was killed on 3^rd December by an explosion of gas at the Cwmbran Colliery, belonging to the Patent Nut and Bolt Company, was held on Monday at the Pontnewydd Inn before Mr Martin Edwards. A verdict of 'Accidental Death by an explosion of gas underground' was given Mr Bain, Government Inspector attended to watch the inquiry”

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Victorian-Cwmbran-Carol-Ann-Lewis/dp/1490970177/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401220382&sr=8-1&keywords=victorian+cwmbran

Paranormal Evening at the Horse & Jockey

     I was invited to go along to a paranormal evening at the Horse and Jockey pub in Pontymoile on 12 May 2014.  I've always wanted to go on a ghost hunt but wasn't sure if I should or whether I'd like it, but this one was different.
     I've already written about the ghostly goings on at the pub in my book Gwent History and Mystery, its the place where my great great grandfather was killed in 1902.  So I decided to go out of curiosity, see if any of the mediums would pick anything up!
     There were about twenty of us at the pub. We sat in the oldest part, what used to be the coaching inn, dating from around the 15th century. We had a meal first, it being only seven o clock and still light outside.  It was planned then to go into the churchyard next door and have a look around once dark enough.  As the night progressed I mentioned to the host that my ancestor had been killed in the area in which we were eating and she suggested I should tell the story to the group before we went out.  I didn't say how he had been killed but at the end of the story one lady said that she had felt the sensation of being hit in the back of the head as she walked through the entrance.  She had described exactly how he was killed, from behind.
     The current landlord also related a spooky experience he had had one night.  He was sat downstairs in the bar with another person and they heard footsteps running upstairs when there was no one up there!
     Once it was dark, about 10 pm, we went out into the churchyard and had a look around, quite a few said they could sense figures but I couldn't see anything.  At the top of the church tower I thought I saw a figure looking down on us, so did a few of the others but on shining a torch up there the windows were boarded up!.
     Back in the pub, the lights were off and we held a group seance.  Plenty of cold spots and a woman close to me describing the feeling of having a very upset stomach.  This made me think of the landlord Isaac Walford who had died in 1862.  One night he had been drinking heavily and had suffered from diarrhoea, weakness and trembling.  He had to be assisted to bed and died a few hours later. The ghost of a vicar with a round hat was mentioned next, the building having been a vicarage in the 17th century. The ghosts of two women also came through.  One was described as being very short and the other as quite large.  I know of three landladies, Martha, Elizabeth Walford, wife of Isaac and Elizabeth Jeremiah who was landlady by 1875. There could of course have been more.
     Around 11ish, seances and and divination was in full swing.  The ghost of a little boy came through to some, dressed in scruffy clothes and dirty, why he was there couldn't be ascertained but maybe the fact the pub was used for the inquest on the body of a baby boy found dumped in the woods in the 1850's might be the answer!
     At 12.30 the evening came to a close.  All in all, a really interesting, sometimes freaky but never scary night!  The Horse and Jockey is a lovely pub, especially the 15th century part which is very cosy with its big fireplace.  I would definitely go on another paranormal evening there, though not alone!




The 15th century part of the pub

The 15th century part with original staircase to the right of the fireplace

The church tower

Scene of the crime !!!

Looking into the newer part of the pub

Read more of Gwent's ghost stories in my book ...



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gwent-History-Mystery-Carol-Lewis/dp/1492171395/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420997432&sr=1-1&keywords=gwent+history+and+mystery