JOINT EVENTS
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
21st to 24th August 2006
Annual Seminar of the Science, Technology & Society Network at Abergavenny
Two members of Spire U3A (Chris Penfold & Peter Read) and one from Sarum U3A (David Whetton) attended this seminar. In fact there were 43 U3A members from all over the UK attended the seminar. From Mansfield, Horsham, Wokingham, Rugby, Bexley and Sarum and Spire U3As they came. Chris Penfold and I travelled together to Abergavenny, a charming town, and the venue that was complete with a fruiting Mulberry tree. There were two lectures every day that had a scientific or technological flavour – but nothing too heavy. The programme looked at Mediaeval Military Architecture, Diesel Engine Development, Wind, Water and Steam Power, Road Development, Transport in the Future, Ancient Woodworking Tools and Marc and Isambard Brunel. In addition there were trips to two places. Firstly we had a coach to the Museum of Welsh Life at St Fagans. Secondly on the Wednesday to the nearby Big Pit at Blaenavon, a living museum to the Welsh Mining Industry, and had the opportunity to go down the pit. This was an experience well worth while and it was free! The coach then took us to Blaenavon Iron Works for a conducted tour after which there was a short time to explore the ‘book village’ of Blaenavon. We left with some wonderful memories and we even learnt a bit about swirl and squish in diesel engines! |
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View of an old Toll Gate in Abergavenny |
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Abergavenny High Street |
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Another street in Abergavenny |
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The Market Hall |
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The Keep |
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Medieaval Scene |
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Abergavenny Castle |
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More Castle |
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Abergavenny Keep and Museum |
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St Mary's Church |
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The Tithe Barn |
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Plaque |
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Pigeon Holes |
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Street in Abergavenny |
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Where we had our social evening |
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Members enjoying a chat |
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More chatting |
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On the coach to St Fagans Cardiff |
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Bee Skeps at St Fagans |
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Kitchen tools at St Fagans |
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Iron age round house |
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Iron age round house bread oven |
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Carving |
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Store house |
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Iron age round house interior |
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Leather workers tools |
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Leather workers tools |
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Tin Baths for sale |
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Pots for sale too! |
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And spades. |
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In the Gwalia Stores |
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Small house at St Fagans |
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Barn |
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Barn detail |
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Coracle |
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The Gardens |
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Horse powered cider press |
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Old Mulberry Trees |
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The woollen mill |
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St Teilo's church just being completeed |
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The Rood Screen and the painter |
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The bRead shop. |
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Toll charges. |
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Stooks |
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Stooks and a slate fence. |
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Waiting to go down the Big Pit |
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A dead engine |
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Still waiting. |
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Kitting up. |
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Getting the gen |
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Yet more gen |
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Coal wagon |
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Tag bays |
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Yard |
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The pithead |
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The winding shop |
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The water controlled lift |
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The Shower rooms |
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General view of Big Pit |
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The iron works |
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The furnaces |
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View back to Big Pit |
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Model of the Iron Works |
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Another view |
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The casting shops |
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Blaenavon street |
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One of the book shops |
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The working mens institute |
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The working mens institute side view |
