Severnside News
SPECIAL EVENT INFORMATION
Gunpowder, Fire and Sword at Caldicot CastleJoin the English Civil War Society in the magnificent grounds of Caldicot Castle on Sunday 24th and Monday 25th May 2009 and travel back in time to the tumultuous years of the English Civil War! Organised by the Marquess of Winchester's Regiment, this re-enactment weekend is a chance for all the family to watch thrilling battles and get a taste of life during the Civil War. This authentic re-enactment society aim to bring this significant historical period dramatically to life.
The King's Army and Roundhead Association regiments combine to present an exciting and educational day of skirmishes, drill displays and military living history encampment. Set in the years of the English Civil War, this exciting event offers children and adults alike the chance to meet superbly drilled musketeers, pike men, officers and drummers together with civilians and camp followers. Watch drills and firing displays, wander through the garrison's tent lines, see cooking and other aspects of day to day life in a military encampment, try on armour and have a go at handling a pike!
The Marquess of Winchester's Regiment of Foote will be marching to the castle for a fascinating weekend of demonstrations of weaponry and talks about life in this turbulent historical era. Meet pikemen and musketeers, watch match and musket ball making, hear talks about life as seventeenth-century gentry and the Protestant religion, as well as learning about seventeenth century food and cooking and seeing a fife and drum display. These learning stations are designed to help visitors understand this fascinating time.
With music and muskets and authentic historical re-enactment, this event is engaging and educational for children of all ages. Discover why small beer was safer to drink than water, find out what a soldier kept in his snapsack, learn about the life, manners and etiquette of a seventeenth-century gentleman at war, watch a parade and firing display and then children can handle (suitably sized) pikes and muskets for themselves in the Children's Drill! Engaging and informative, this event is a unique and gripping way to spend the weekend.
Admission includes entry to the castle and is £3.75 for adults, £2.50 for all concessions. Monmouthshire Museum Pass holders qualify for reduced entry; £2.50 for adults and £1.50 for MPH-holding concessions. Caldicot Castle is open daily from 1st April to 31st October from 11am to 5pm. Open all year round for pre-booked educational and group visits. Further information about events and activities is available from the castle, by phone on (01291) 420241, by email at caldicotcastle@monmouthshire.gov.uk or by visiting the castle's website at www.caldicotcastle.co.uk.Editorial Information:
The Marquess of Winchester's Regiment of Foote will be on site from Friday 22nd May and we would be happy to arrange photographs and interviews. For more information, please contact Anita Badhan, Castle Development Officer at Caldicot Castle. Detailed information about the English Civil War Society is available from James Churchill on 01446 760770 or by emailing James [jechurchill100@hotmail.com]. The group have a website at www.marquisofwinchesters.co.uk
Severnside Heritage Trail Series
"A successful end to 4 years of perseverance" quote by Sheila Ford of the Caldicot & District U3A Walkers group at the launch of three leaflets at Caldicot Castle titled, Caldicot: Castle and Countryside, Magor & Undy: Monks and Marshes, Rogiet: Around Rogiet and the Railways.
*please click all the images below to access larger photographs
Sheila Ford is seen in the centre of the photo with visiting dignitaries and some of the people associated with the production of the leaflets.
Caldicot U3A have been acknowledged for their part in the production of the leaflets.
Caldicot: Castles and Countryside
Rogiet: Around Rogiet and the Railways
Magor & Undy: Monks and Marshes
THE BLACK ROCK LAVE NET FISHERMAN'S EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS
At The Black Rock Picnic Site Portskewett on Wednesday 30th August
photo: Lave Fisherman in the River Severn east of the new Severn Bridge using the Lave net, The net is still made in the traditional way by means of a "Y" shaped structure consisting of two arms called rimes which are made from locally cut willow that acts as a frame work to the loosely hung net.
Photo's taken by members of the Severnside Area Forum, Tony Easson and Giles Ballisat*please click the above image to access a photo slide show of the exhibition and demonstrations at the Black Rock picnic site on 30th August 2006
The official operational launch date for the Severnside Grass Routes Bus is Monday 14th August 2006. As well as a press release being issued, all members will be notified of the start date by post.
*Please click "here" to down load information and timetable
The Microsoft Word document is rather large so please allow time for downloadPLEASE NOTE - As the Grass Routes Bus is a flexible demand responsive scheme, the timetable is only to be used as a guideline only - it's not set in stone !!! Anyone wanting to use the bus must pre book a seat on the bus with Jacqui Hathaway, Community Transport Coordinator, on 0800 0858015. Jacqui will then tell them the availability and time of pick up when they pre book the bus.
The Grass Routes Bus Has Arrived
photo: Mrs Doyle with the party from Belarus with the new Severnside Grass Routes Bus
The Severnside Grass Routes Bus has arrived and hired to the Victims of Chernobyl Children's Fund for it first outing. The bus will start scheduled routes at the beginning of August, each day between the hours of 08.00hrs and 18.00hrs, Monday to Friday serving Magor, Undy, Rogiet, Caldicot, Portskewett and Sudbrook, which are flexible depending on demand.
At a recent meeting of the Severnside Forum in which Mr & Mrs Doyle representing Victims of Chernobyl Children's Fund attended, asked how the Forum could help Belarusian children that suffer with severer health conditions that will visit the area for a short holiday.
Mr & Mrs Doyle was told that the new Grass Routes bus would be available in July to hire for the purpose of collecting the Belarusian party for London Gatwick airport.
Paul Tidmarsh Chairman of the Forum volunteered to drive the new bus to collect the party after being trained in the ROSPA MiDAS "minibus driver awareness scheme"
On 26th April 1986 a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl in Ukraine exploded causing 70% of radioactive dust from the power station to fall on nearby country of Belarus severely contaminating all the area. Ironically Belarus doesn't have a single nuclear power plant on its territory.
The consequence of this disaster even now after 20 years, nuclear contamination still exists in Belarus causing all sorts of severe life threatening health problems, especially the children.
Mrs. Marcia Doyle conveyed her gratitude for the use of the new Grass Routes Bus to members of the Severnside Area Forum at its meeting in Portskewett on Wednesday 5th July.
Portskewett Community Council
And
Severnside Area Forum (Heritage Sub Group )
Invites you to the launch of The Portskewett phase of
"A WALK BACK IN TIME"
On Saturday 29th April at 11 am at The Portskewett Inn. This follows on from the Sudbrook walk which was the first in a series of Heritage Trail walks around the Severnside Area
We will walk the Portskewett trail (all welcome to join us) and return to the Portskewett Inn
Suitable clothing and footwear should be worn
*Please note THIS WALK IS NOT SUITABLE FOR PUSHCHAIRS ETC.
For further information, please contact
Mrs Rachal Collins 07745 041424.
email: portskewett@hotmail.com
The Wheels on the Severnside Grass Routes Bus is gaining momentum.
Pictured above are the Grass Routes Bus Board Members. Left to right are Deserie Mansfield - Rural Community Action , County Councillor James Harris, Town Councillor Dave Evans (Chairperson) Pauline Watts (Vice Chairperson) - Portskewett CC, Mike Jones Severnside - Area Services Officer, Joyce Facey -local resident and Richard Cope - Community Transport Officer.
The photograph was taken after the Members held a meeting to discuss the fantastic response from the public when the bus was on show in Caldicot Market 2 weeks ago, and to take the project forward. Over 150 passenger membership forms and over 15 volunteer driver forms was handed out by the Board members on the day with more being issued from the Severnside One Stop Shop after the event.
At the meeting confirmation was given to the members that the bus should be delivered within the first 2 weeks of May.
Between now and May the Board will be placing passenger membership and volunteer driver forms at various locations through out Severnside, to hopefully increase the membership and the use of the bus. It is also programmed to have the bus back in Caldicot Market on Tuesday 25th April to allow those who have not yet seen the bus the opportunity to have a look around it. If however in the meantime you would like more information or a membership/volunteer driver application form sent to you,please contact Mike Jones on 01291 426499,
email mikejones@monmouthshire.gov.uk
or Richard Cope Community Transport officer.
