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Gilwern, Monmouthshire

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  • December Headstone - Powell Family

    For more than a century and immense social change, the Powell family grocery shops served the people of Clydach. Their story is not merely a family history—it is the story of a community institution woven into village life across generations. This research links with the oral history provided by Jeff Powell and is well worth Read more

  • Visit to Newport Wetlands, Thurs 20th November

    We had a great trip to the wetlands. The Starlings were murmurating in their thousands, sometimes in large groups, sometimes in smaller groups but all in all the display lasted 50 minutes in total. It was well worth the trip down to the coast. Birds Seen: Birds Heard but not seen: Read more

  • Exhibition Success

    The Art group, along with the Crafts4All group, held a very successful exhibition on Sat Nov 8th at the Community Centre. In addition to viewing the wonderful art work and crafts that were on sale and display, visitors had a chance to stop and chat, enjoying delicious refreshments at the bistro tables provided by Roots Read more

  • Celtic Festival 2025

    We were delighted to be asked to set up a display of our Living Stones project at St Elli's Church as part of the Celtic Festival. One of our members, John, went to St Elli's on the Wednesday to greet the 'Pilgrims' who were walking from Brynmawr. Together with Stephen and Gill Maxted from the Read more

  • November Headstone - Percy Hilton Barraud

    The story of Hilton Percy Barraud spans craftsmanship and change — from his Huguenot ancestors who built London’s famed chronometers to his own life as a Victorian solicitor. His final years in Gilwern, Breconshire, add an enduring mystery to a family history already rich with precision and legacy. Read more

  • Visit to Garn Lakes

    We had a very good visit to Garn Lakes on Tuesday 28th October, the weather was kind and we saw twelve different species. Read more

  • Visitors from California

    On Thursday 9th October – a group of visitors from California - Corinne Lesley, her husband, her sister and her brother in law visited St Elli to see one of their ancestor’s graves. John Weekes (a member of u3a and a Churchyard Chum) and Richard Purkiss (also a Churchyard Chum) were able to show them Read more

  • October Headstone - The Davies Family

    The Davies family lived at Gellyfellen, Llanelly Hill during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, their lives closely tied to the coal industry that shaped much of south-east Wales. Read more

  • September Headstone - William & Phyllis Rees

    The Rees family of Llanelly Hill were part of a long tradition of Welsh mining families whose lives were closely tied to the coal industry of the South Wales valleys. This story reflects both the hardships and resilience of a close-knit community and the ever-present dangers of life underground. Read more

  • August Headstone - John & Margaret Michael

    The story of a local family whose son Harry served and died fighting in the Spanish-American War. Initially buried there, his body was later reinterred at Arlington National Cemetery in April 1899 — a poignant tribute to a Welshman who served and died far from home. Read more

Gilwern, Monmouthshire