Llanelly House 'Blog

Call for Information

What do you remember about Llanelly House and/or those who lived there?
The Community team of Llanelly House are waiting in anticipation for your memories and stories of Llanelly House and of the Llanelli area.  There is so much knowledge already out in the Llanelli area and further afield that the Community team wish to capture this knowledge for future generations.

What are we looking for?
Estelle Evans, Community Development Officer explained that, 'we are seeking artefacts, photographs, documents, personalities, other buildings and even school memories. Any suggestions would be great, as this would give the Community team and the volunteers time to undertake research into these people.

I want to keep the inherited artefacts?
Don't worry, we won't take your artefacts etc away, but we would like to log them and maybe photograph them, if we may. They will be used to build up an on-line resource for the local community.

Would my memories be relevant?
In a word, 'Yes'. All the information, memories and artefacts collected during this time will be collated and added to the in-house exhibition/interpretation and as a research tool will be on the Llanelly House website as well,' Estelle continued.  Llanelli town is undergoing redevelopment and the revival of Llanelly House has acted as a stimulus for gathering memorabilia from its colourful past. Many inhabitants have memories of the town as a lively and exciting venue from their youth.

How do I get involved?
If you'd like to share your memories and information, contact Estelle Evans on 01554 772857 or email: estelle.evans@chrt.org.uk. The community team will be developing many ways in recording this information from personal interviews to Oral History workshops. 'The workshops will give residents past and present the opportunity to tell their stories of how life in Llanelli has changed.

Want to Volunteer?
Llanelly House project offers a many opportunities for volunteering from undertaking research, working and developing on project to those who wish to be trained as guides once the House has been opened to the public.   If you are interested in volunteering but not sure as to what you want to do, then contact Estelle Evans and discuss.   Estelle did say that, 'all those wishing to volunteer will have to complete a CRB form and an informal chat with myself just to discuss what area interests yourself'. Volunteering is a great way in which to gain new skills and friends.

Want to know more about the Llanelly House restoration?
If you would like to keep up to date with the restoration progress of Llanelly House you can do so by visiting their website at www.llanelly-house.org.uk. Or, if you would like the Community Team to come and give a presentation to your group/society/school/ college about the process of restoring a Grade 1 listed building, Llanelly House and its future uses contact them on 01554 772857 or email: estelle.evans@chrt.org.uk. The Community team deliver the talks any time of day and do not charge. Also, the Community team are keen to talk to any groups who would like to work in partnership on this project.

Open Doors

Llanelly House opened its doors to the public during September originally providing 2 tours per day on the weekend of 11th & 12th September.  Due to the demand for places the original weekend of 11th & 12th September became fully booked within hours.   Overwhelmed by the public support to view Llanelly House Lisa Bancroft, Development Manager, took the decision to add a midweek tour 23rd & a further weekend of tours on 25th & 26th September.

 
(Lisa Bancroft & Estelle Evans delivering tour of Llanelly House) Image courtesy of BBC History website.

With over 80 visitors enjoying the walking tours given by Lisa Bancroft & Estelle Evans, Community Development Officer, there was much information given from the public regarding the history and memories of Llanelly House during the ages.  Lisa Bancroft showed areas of the property that were only recently discovered, exciting times ahead!

European Heritage Days is an initiative of the Council of Europe supported by the European Union. In Wales European Heritage Days are organised on behalf of Cadw and the Welsh Assembly Government.

 

Archiving & Digitalising course

 

In September, the volunteers & members of staff, undertook an Archiving and Digitalising training programme which was delivered by CultureNet Cymru.

The People’s Collection Wales is a contemporary, interactive and bilingual online experience dedicated to the history of Wales and its people.

Funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, the collection provides a unique platform for content from national institutions to sit alongside items from museums, archives and libraries, as well as community histories and items from individuals across Wales and the world.

www.peoplescollectionwales.com Culturenet Cymru provides training and support to community groups and heritage organisations throughout Wales to create digital copies of their valuable collections and make them accessible to others through the People’s Collection Wales website.

Objectives:
The training provides a basic introduction to digitisation and making content available
on the People’s Collection website.

Content:
Topics covered included:

• Introduction to People’s Collection Wales website
• Digitisation workflow
• Introduction to copyright
• Writing descriptive text for displaying on the web
• Scanner preparation
• Scanning photographs, documents and slides
• Preparing images for web display
• Creating an account and uploading onto the People's Collection website
• Introduction to digital archiving

Duration:
One full day

We are hoping to host another training session in the future, if you and your organisation is interested in attending, please contact Estelle Evans on 01554 772857 or email estelle.evans@chrt.org.



Felinfoel Carnival

There’s no need to be bored this weekend, visit the Felinfoel Carnival on Saturday 7^th August.  The day will be full of fun and games including a parade that will start from Felinfoel Brewery at 12.15pm to arrive at the Felinfoel Recreation Ground at 1pm.

The fun will include competitions, Fancy Dress loads of sporting activities and much, much more.  For further details contact Cllr John Evans on 01554 757302 or click on the poster!

Open Doors – September 2010

European Heritage Days is an initiative of the Council of Europe supported by the European Union. In Wales European Heritage Days are organised on behalf of Cadw and the Welsh Assembly Government.

On 11 & 12, 25 & 26 September, as part of the restoration process, Llanelly House will be accessible as part of Open Doors so that local residents and visitors have an opportunity to see inside this fascinating property before major refurbishment starts. Guided tours last approximately 1.5 hours and will run at 10.30am and 1.30pm. 12 places available per tour. Visitors must pre-book a place for tours on 01554 772 857 or email estelle.evans@chrt.org.uk.   As the property is currently in a poor state of repair visitors should wear suitable footwear.  At present there is no disabled access to the upper floors. Ground floor is uneven and visitors will need to be able to negotiate steps.

 

The 2010 Open Doors programme is now online www.civictrustwales.org. The programme takes place throughout September in a number of locations throughout Wales. On the Civic Trust Wales website, you'll find details of nearly three hundred opportunities to visit heritage sites and take part in other friendly activities to explore the history and architecture of Wales. All events are free. However, some events require you to book in advance.

We hope you enjoy exploring Llanelly House and other buildings on the Open Doors programme.  Open Doors is part of European Heritage Days. There are partner programmes in Scotland, Northern Ireland and England, as well as across the continent.

So don’t forget, contact Estelle Evans on 01554 772857 or email estelle.evans@chrt.org.uk to reserve your place. 

Volunteering Awards

Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS) Volunteering Awards Scheme is to celebrate and recognise volunteers that make a difference to both their communities and themselves across Carmarthenshire.  Winners of the awards will be contacted by CAVS and invited to attend the 2010 Awards Evening in the autumn.

Here are the winners of 2009:

• Volunteer of the Year - Liam Brace, Air Training Corps
• Young Volunteer of the Year - Charlene Davies, Carmarthenshire Youth Council
• Green Volunteer of the Year - Glyn and Lynn Jones, The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales
• Organisation of the Year - Carmarthen Youth Project DR Mz & Carmarthenshire Youth Council
• Outstanding Achievement - Dorothy McDonald, Hafan Gobaith Day Care Centre

For more information or would like to nominate someone please contact Fflur Hughes on 01267 245 555 or email Fflur@cavs.org.uk for a nomination form.

Closing date for entry of nominations is Friday September 24^th 2010.

Multi-Cultural Newsletter

Paola Piana and Laura Hancock have been in their posts as Multicultural Officers for nearly 2months and have just launched their first Quarterly Newsletter.

As with any job, the last few months have been an exciting and very busy time as there have been a number of social events and other activities that have been hosted since the end of May this year.  Both Paola and Laura would love to hear from you and your community.

For more information please contact:

Paolo Piana or Laura Hancock

Multicultural Network Project Workers

Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS)

10 John Street, Llanelli SA15 1UH

Tel. 01554 785954/ 785952,

Email paolo.piana@cavs.org.uk

Please click here for link to the Newsletter http://www.cavs.org.uk/llanelli-multicultural-network-news-july10

Introducing another new member of staff!

The Llanelly House team really is growing fast.

In June, Kristian Brittain, joined the Llanelly House as the new Finance Manager for the project.  Kristian brings with him many years of Finance and Accountancy knowledge from various sectors including being part of the Fraud Detection section in banking!

Being locally educated at St Michaels school, Bryn, Kristian has developed an impressive career within the Finance and Accountancy world.  Kristian believes in the continuous improvement of customer service and retention of clients. He continued, ‘as an experienced negotiator I am keen to always develop myself further this is why I’m preparing to start studying for my CIMA qualification’.

‘The restoration of Llanelly House, will, I’m sure, be of benefit of not only the local community but of the county too.   I’m very excited and privileged to be involved in this project,’ said Kristian.

If you would like to contact Kristian for any finance issues relating to the Llanelly House project please contact him on 01554 772857 ext 102 or kristian.brittain@chrt.org.uk

Llwynhendy Carnival

Download Carnival poster 2010

Why not enjoy a fun day on Saturday 17th July at Llwynhendy Carnival and visit Estelle on the Llanelly House stand in Trallwm Hall?

The fun of the day will start at 12 noon outside Llwynhendy Library and follow the parade up to Trallwm Hall where there will be plenty to keep you entertained from Bouncy Castles, Craft workshops to a Dog show.  So why not enjoy an eventful Saturday afternoon and have chat with Estelle about the progress of Llanelly House.

I’ll look forward to seeing you there.

Llanelly House – Heard the latest news?

Want to know the latest news about Llanelly House?

Llanelli Historical Society have kindly invited the CHRT team to deliver an update as to the progress of Llanelly House at the Selwyn Samuel Centre on Monday 5^th July at 7.30pm.  Non-members are welcome to attend.