Paul Busby explores the rise and fall of one of Wales's most durable and storied dynasties: the Morgans of Tredegar.
For over 500 years their influence dominated the political, industrial and commercial life of the region. We follow their journey, from being rebellious thorns in the king's side in the 13th century, right up to their disposal of the once mighty Tredegar Estate (one of the richest and most powerful agricultural and industrial estates in Wales) in the mid-twentieth century, and to the death of the last Lord Tredegar.
How did the family rise to prominence? How did they overcome the dangerous setbacks of civil war, crippling debt, and possibly even a family curse? And how did it all end so quickly?
There will be piracy, heroism, eccentricity and the dynasty's most formidable enemy - taxes.
Damon Bridge, former Project Manager for The Great Crane Project, shares his insights and knowledge of one of this ground-breaking project to reintroduce an iconic wetland bird.
Dr Mark Lewis, curator of the National Roman Legion Museum, Amgueddfa Cymru, presents ‘The Roman Caldicot Level and Roman Caerleon’.
Dr Toby Jones, curator of the Newport Medieval Ship Project, presents “The Newport Medieval Ship: The Fascinating Journey from Discovery to Future”.
A talk with a difference combining musical folk history and live performance in the company of folk fiddle player, Katie Batchelor.
Tony Hopkins, former County Archivist at Gwent Archives, presents ‘After the Monks: The Tudor Levels’.
Professor Martin Bell presents ‘Hunter Gatherers in the Severn Estuary: Ice Age to 4000BC’.
Jeremy White, volunteer at Newport Wetlands, delves into the history of the East Usk Lighthouse and Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve.
Historian Paul Busby explores the rise and fall of one of Wales's most durable and storied dynasties: the Morgans of Tredegar.
Dr Mark Lewis presents “Roman Saturnalia and our Christmas and its customs”.
Dr Toby Jones presents ‘The Newport Medieval Ship: Challenges of conservation, re-assembly and display’.
Dr Mark Lewis presents ‘On the Front Line: The Gwent Levels, Sea Level Rise and a Roman Wharf at Caerleon’.
John Burrows explores The ‘mega-tides’ of the Severn Estuary, which has one of the World’s most extreme tidal ranges.
Professor Martin Bell presents a virtual archaeological field trip to Goldcliff.
Professor Stephen Rippon presents ‘The Origins of the Gwent Levels drainage system in the medieval period’.