Blog

Wales’ Industrial Heritage – W. E. Bowen’s Photographic Collection

Posted by Elena Gruffudd, Wed, 07/08/2020 - 13:21

In August 1981 the British Aluminium Factory at Glynneath rolled out its last week of production and another chapter in Wales’ industrial heritage was closed. We are fortunate to be able to publish the late W. E. Bowen’s collection which documents this last week at Rheola Works. In this blog, his son, Roy Bowen, shares his thoughts on his father’s work and the importance of celebrating the contribution made by the workforce in his community.

Behind the Mask

Posted by Elena Gruffudd, Tue, 06/23/2020 - 13:27

A new normal has formed during COVID-19 lockdown and wearing a mask is something that we are going to need to get used to, especially as restrictions are eased. This blog looks at different kinds of masks worn over the centuries, and their significance in various cultures.

Welsh-Italian Heritage

Posted by Elena Gruffudd, Mon, 05/04/2020 - 12:09

Stories from families who came to Wales from different regions of Italy, passed down from one generation to the next – stories shared with affection and a proud heart

Enriching our Collections – The Martin Ridley Collection

Posted by Elena Gruffudd, Tue, 04/07/2020 - 15:43

National Library of Wales staff share their knowledge and views of Martin Ridley’s photographic collection. The recently uploaded images capture life in Wales in 1905, as seen through the eyes of a commercial photographer from Bournemouth.

Working with the Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales

Posted by Elena Gruffudd, Mon, 02/03/2020 - 15:19

We've been working with the Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales on an exciting new initiative to ensure that new items from museum collections across the country are shared with the public.

Looking down the lens: Ceinws Archives

Posted by Elena Gruffudd, Wed, 12/04/2019 - 13:42

In November, we began to digitize, preserve and publish over a thousand images relating to Corris and the immediate area. This collection, taken over a period of 15 years, records different aspects of the area's history.

Life at Sea

Posted by Elena Gruffudd, Tue, 11/12/2019 - 12:28

Wales’ territorial sea stretches 12 nautical miles from the coastline and is extremely rich wildlife. But these seas – which are almost double the size of Wales – are also rich in their history and legends.

Cofiwch Dryweryn – One hundred and counting!

Posted by Elena Gruffudd, Fri, 08/16/2019 - 11:58

From Garn Fadryn on the Llŷn Peninsula to Bridgend, and from Crwbin to Wrexham, Cwmorthin and Grangetown, there are now over a hundred different ‘Cofiwch Dryweryn’ murals to be seen up on the People’s Collection Wales website.

Cultural Ambition

Posted by Elena Gruffudd, Mon, 07/01/2019 - 12:28

Keir Griffiths is one of the first cohort of trainees across Wales who has been accepted for the Cultural Ambition project – a project which supports young people to develop workplace skills in the heritage sector. At the moment the 23 year old trainee has a placement at the National Library of Wales which contributes to the programme led by Creative & Cultural Skills and Welsh Government through the HLF Skills for the Future grant and recently, Keir has been contributing to the People’s Collection Wales website, by adding content which celebrates the rich history of Wales and its people.

The Story of the Forest

Posted by Elena Gruffudd, Fri, 05/31/2019 - 17:18

The Story of the Forest is one of the Unlocking our Sound Heritage (HLF) projects within the National Library of Wales. Recently, ten MA Archive Administration and MSc Digital Curation students from Aberystwyth University, led by Dr Sarah Higgins, had the opportunity to digitize and to preserve personal stories told by those who have lived and worked in and around the forest – from Anglesey in the north to the Dyfi Valley in mid Wales and the Tywi forest in the south-west.