Celebrate the Towns Past and Present! Blaenavon World Heritage Day 2016 Visit Blaenavon Heritage Town on Saturday 25 June from 11am-4pm for a fun packed day of family entertainment. - Victorian Fun Fair
- Punch & Judy
- Live Music,
- Craft Stalls
- Special Offers in the town shops
- Craft Fayre and Children’s activities at the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre The Heritage Costume Parade starts at 1.00pm from the top of Broad Street and proceeds through the town. The theme for this year’s parade is ‘Blaenavon Then and Now’, celebrating the town’s industrial past, but also what makes the town unique today. The parade is enjoyed by everyone young and old, come along and join in, everyone welcome! Modern day costumes are encouraged as well as more traditional clothes! Our favourite artists return to work with the local school, producing costumes and banners for the parade.
For more information on World Heritage Day telephone: 01495 742333 www.visitblaenavon.co.uk
Become a Wildlife Warrior! If you love wildlife and enjoy the outdoors then the Wildlife Warriors is the club for you.
The club is open to children aged 7-11 years old. We meet once a month at Blaenavon World Heritage Centre for a range of environmental activities. During 2016 we will be learning forest school skills, birdwatching, tracking and monitoring wildlife, pond dipping and much more!
We will be running taster sessions on Saturday 25th June at Blaenavon World Heritage Centre at 12pm, 2pm and 3pm. Our taster sessions are the perfect opportunity to try out some of the activities on offer and find out how to become a member. The taster sessions are free with no booking necessary. For more information contact Blaenavon World Heritage Centre, telephone 01495 742333 or www.visitblaenavon.co.uk
A celebration of Wales's oral traditions, held across several Cadw sites. Come and discover more as part of Summer of Stories. Blaenavon Ironworks is hosting their event on 3rd June, 11am-4pm – admission free
Wales is renowned worldwide for its literature and poetry, and this summer you will be able to experience the best of Welsh tale spinning. In conjunction with Summer of Stories, Cadw invites you to join a storyteller at a site near you this May and June to celebrate Wales's oral heritage.
Listen to stories based on historical characters, legends and myths from across Wales. Drop in to listen to a story based on Welsh culture and heritage.
Each story can last up to 30 minutes. No booking required. www.summerofstories.org.uk
Blaenavon Heritage Railway in June June brings two popular events to the railway. On 18th June our popular Murder Mystery evening commences at 7pm and includes a bar on the train and a buffet as well as the opportunity to solve the mystery. Booking is essential and costs £20 per person.
From 24th to 26th we have our Steam Gala when guest locos will join our own engines for a cavalcade of steam. No need to book just turn up on the day.
Visit http://pontypool-and-blaenavon.co.uk
Community News
Blaenavon’s Community Museum Achieves Full Accreditation Based in the magnificent Workmen’s Hall and run by a team of friendly volunteers, the Blaenavon Community Museum celebrates the proud cultural heritage of Blaenavon and the south Wales coalfield.
The museum is pleased to announce they have been awarded Full Accredited Museum Status from the Arts Council and the Welsh Government’s Museums, Archives and Libraries Division (MALD). This award recognises adherence to professional museum standards on how they are managed, the services they offer and how they care for their collections.
The volunteers now wish to build on this success by developing educational and tourism opportunities, such as their extensive family and local history archive.
If you would like to join the museum, please e-mail: blaenavonmuseum@outlook.com
Blaenavon community marks 200 year anniversary of St Peter’s School Children from Blaenavon Heritage VC School, and members of local community groups, have come together to mark 200 years since the opening of St Peter’s School in Blaenavon.
The school building, which now forms part of the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre and Library, was established in 1816 by Sarah Hopkins in memory of her brother, the Blaenavon Ironmaster Samuel Hopkins. It was one of the first free schools in Wales to be built by an industrial employer for the benefit of the workers children.
The St. Peter’s School Bicentenary exhibition is open at the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre and Library and will remain on display until 10 June. People with memories of St. Peter’s School are encouraged to come along and share their stories.
For more information, please call 01495 742333 or e-mail blaenavon.tic@torfaen.gov.uk
