Welsh Journals

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Mr. Reg Nicholls would like to hear of any representation of the canal as it passed through the town of Pontypool dating from before 1870. Mrs. M. Bramley would like to know if any reader can explain the runic-type inscription which appears about 20 feet up on the tower of the Church at Llantrissent. (It is not the dated dedication stone of 1593.) Prince of Wales Awards. Gwent did well again this year, winning 6 out of the 24 Awards. Three of these were given to individuals. Stephen Weeks, whose article on Penhow Castle appeared in no. 46 of the Journal, was given an Award for his restoration work on the Castle. Mr. Hubert Jones of Redwick has, over the last 20 years, collected historic items of local interest and incorporated them in the bus shelter which he has built near the church. An interesting and useful project. Andrew Jenkins (aged 16) has restored most of the old roadside walls in the village of Itton with only one helper. The judges felt that this individual effort shows how everyone can play a part in enhancing their environ- ment. Improvements to the environment were also achieved by the other three winners; at Jubilee Gardens in Newport, by the residents and the local authority; the Pond Recreation Area, by British Steel, and waste- land at Penperlleni, by the Goytre Fawr Junior & Infant School. In this issue there are some extracts from the memories of Mr. Stanley J. Bayley who was born in Ewias Harold in 1901, and died last year. He remembered so many little details of the everyday life that has changed completely now, that he really captured the atmosphere of "Village Life in Llanvihangel Crucorney". This is a very worthwhile contribution to our knowledge of the personal side of local history, and I am sure you will enjoy reading it. Jane Pearson.