Excursions – 2015
Saturday May 16th, 12.30pm: Holyhead Maritime Museum and Port
Meet outside the Mairitime Museum at 12.30pm .
Thanks to the kindness of Stena Line and Port Manager, Alan Williams, members of the Society will be allowed into the hallowed regions of Salt Island, Admiralty Pier, the George IV arch and Telford’s elegant Customs House.
We will be transported to the Stena Compound in a bus which will leave the Maritime Museum promptly at 1.00pm (35 seats).
At 4.00-4.30 we will return to the Museum where Peter Scott Roberts will show us artefacts linked to Capt Skinner. If there is then time, the bus will take us to the beginning of the Outer Harbour breakwater.
If you would like to have lunch at 12.00 (or 11.30 if numbers justify) in the Bistro next to the Museum please book individually, and early, with Andy (01407 763433) stating that you are AAS.
You must contact Dr Ken Roberts to book a place on this trip 01407 861036 johnkenmarg@aol.com
Saturday June 6th, 11.00am: Walk Malltraeth Marsh and Cors Ddyga, looking at the history of land improvement, canalisation of river, 17-18 cent. coal mining and old routes and railways.
Leave cars at Farm & Pet Store (far end opposite Ford Garage) at South end of the Bryn Cefni Llangefni Industrial Estate.
Walk down cycle track, turn North along canalised Cefni to Ysceifiog Church where some new early gravestones have come to light, and Tyddyn Mawr farm with coal tips. Take the footpath to Pentre Berw and Tai Gors coal mines then across Pont Bulkeley, passing below Lledwigan, and back to Parc Bryn Cefni.
If time allows we could extend South West to lakes, behind Plas Berw. The walk will be lead by Donald Pritchard who has an unrivalled knowledge of the history and folklore of the marsh, with Frances Lynch and Andrew Davidson. Bring a picnic and binoculars.
Meal afterwards: No meal has been booked, but Tafarn y Gors in Holland Arms has been alerted and those who wish to stay for a communal meal should tell the organisers in the morning.
Enquiries to Donald Pritchard (01248 470579 donaldglyn42@hotmail.co.uk )
Saturday June 20th, 2.00pm: Newborough Forest and Llanddwyn Island 2.00pm
Assemble at 2.00pm in the big car park in Newborough Forest (£3.00 to pay at the barrier).
We will walk West along the path in dunes towards Bryn Llwyd, passing the sites of prehistoric settlement, and along West side of ridge to shore and cross to island.
The Warden, Graham Williams, will lead the walk with Andrew Davidson and will discuss the geology and history and the new conservation work done at the church.
Enquiries to Andrew Davidson (01407 720431 (evening) andrew.davidson@heneb.co.uk)
Saturday July 18th, 2.00pm : Visit to Dronwy and Gronant 16th cent. houses, near Llanfachraeth
Please arrive at 2.00 pm, parking cars in the farm-yard at Dronwy. Turn left off A5025, a few hundred yards N of Llanfachraeth. Follow the signs into the yard.
We will then transfer to a smaller number of cars to drive to Gronant, about 3/4 mile away (parking space there being limited). Both Dronwy and Gronant are associated with the 17th century diarist Robert Bulkeley; Gronant has a complex history, the subject of recent dendro-dating, and has some interesting wall paintings.
The owner, Mrs Catherine Wilson, will greet us. There will then be a tour of the C16 house (Robin Grove-White, with David Longley & Dafydd Wyn Wiliam, to provide commentary). There will also be a cup of tea.
At the end we will drive back to Dronwy for a short look at the C16 house (exterior only) and discussion of its original relationship to Gronant and the Bulkeleys.
For space and tea planning it would be useful to know numbers intending to come.
Please contact Robin Grove White (01407 710245 rgrovewhite@gmail.com )
Saturday September 5th, 2.00pm Beaumaris: Jail, Court House, Tudor Rose, Maes Hyfryd Estate
Assemble outside the jail at 2.00pm
This visit will look at two notable buildings which express the history of local justice in the 17th and 19th centuries and will explore the late mediaeval domestic history hidden behind the 18th cent. facades of Castle Street. The Cost of entrance to the Gaol and Court House is £6.30 per person.
Finally we will visit Maes Hyfryd estate and discuss its political significance in post-war housing with Ralph Colwyn Foulkes, the son of the designer.
Enquiries and cheques for £6.30 each, payable to the Anglesey Antiquarian Society to Frances Llewellyn, Halfway House, Halfway Bridge Bangor LL57 3DG 01248 364865 f.m.lynch@axis-connect.com
