Reports of recent outings
Reports of recent summer outings compiled by the Secretary
2020 St David's Cathedral Library
The 2020 summer outing to St David's Cathedral Library was postponed due to the Covid outbreak and will take place in September 2021. In its place, members were given a virtual tour of the library on 12 December 2020
2019 The Story of Books, Hay-on-Wye
Once again this year the Bibliographical Group’s annual outing was accompanied by hot sunshine. Our trip on Saturday 29th June
was to the most natural destination for bibliophiles – the book town, Hay-on-Wye. After coffee at The Granary we made our way to The Story of Books, a dynamic working museum in Castle Street. We were welcomed by one of the staff, Graeme Hobbs, who told us about the various projects the museum is involved in, including an audio performance in Normandy as part of the commemorations of the 75th anniversary of D-Day. He went on to show us the wide range of beautiful private-press publications for sale in the museum, including
a number of books printed at the Old Stile Press in Monmouthshire, which we visited last year.
Members were then free to explore the many bookshops for which Hay is internationally famous, before re-convening for a delicious lunch at The Swan. There was time after lunch to make some final purchases before leaving the sunshine in Hay and returning to Aberystwyth in the gathering mist.
2018 Old Stile Press, Llandogo
The Bibliographical Group’s annual outing was a trip to Monmouthshire on Friday 6th July. After an excellent lunch at the Wye
Valley Hotel in Tintern, we travelled to nearby Llandogo where our bus driver successfully negotiated the narrow drive to Catchmays Court, home of the Old Stile Press. Founded in London in 1979, the press moved to Catchmays Court in 1986. It is the most active private press in Wales, producing two or three books a year in beautiful limited editions. The owners, Frances and Nicolas McDowall, state that they “look back to the great private presses of the past with respect and for inspiration, and try to carry their standards and their creative spirit forward into this new century”.
Following an introductory talk, Nicolas McDowall showed us the workshop where he prints the books and explained the techniques in more detail. We were then free to explore the house, which is full of art work and books, including many publications of the Old Stile Press, as well as the sculpture garden. Tea was provided on the terrace overlooking the River Wye, where our hosts showed us some of their books in more detail. On departure we stopped briefly for a look at the ruins of Tintern Abbey.
2016 Carmarthenshire County Museum and Cwrt Henri, Dryslwyn
The Bibliographical Group’s annual outing was a trip to Carmarthenshire on Thursday 22nd September, courtesy of Thomas Lloyd, Wales Herald of Arms Extraordinary. In the morning we visited the Carmarthenshire County Museum, housed in the beautiful surroundings of the
former Bishop’s Palace in Abergwili. After coffee, Mr. Lloyd gave us an introductory talk about the Museum’s substantial library, amassed in the nineteenth century by the curator George Eyre Evans, who also donated many books to the National Library in Aberystwyth at its foundation. Members then had time to look at a number of interesting books which had been put out for us to see.
From Abergwili we travelled the short distance to Pontargothi for an excellent lunch in the Cothi Bridge Inn. In the afternoon we visited Cwrt Henri, Mr. Lloyd’s ancestral home near Dryslwyn. After a brief introduction to the history of the house, which dates back to the fifteenth century, our host led us into the dining room where he had put out a selection of antiquarian books for us to see. A keen book collector for many years, Mr. Lloyd takes a particular interest in the former owners of his books, especially those with Welsh connexions. Again, he gave us a talk about the books and their origins before giving us time to browse. The party was then taken upstairs to see our host’s collection of Welsh watercolours, before enjoying a delicious tea.
2015 Cardiff University Special Collections and National Museum of Wales Library
The Bibliographical Group’s annual outing was a trip to Cardiff on Friday 10th July. In the morning we visited the Special Collections and Archives (SCOLAR) at Cardiff University. SCOLAR’s collections include the Salisbury Library of around 70,000 volumes in Welsh or relating to Wales and the Border Counties, and collections of early music, poetry and children’s literature. In 2010 the University obtained a further 14,000 rare and early printed books from Cardiff Public Libraries. Peter Keelan, the Head of Special Collections and Archives, and Alison Harvey, Assistant Archivist, gave the group a tour of the special collections, showed us how they are catalogued on the website, and put some of the treasures and curiosities from the collections on display for us to see in greater detail.
From the University we walked down Park Place to the National Museum of Wales, where we had lunch. In the afternoon Kristine Chapman, the Principal Librarian, and Jennifer Evans, Assistant Librarian, showed the group the library housed in the dome of the Museum. The National Museum library exists primarily to support the work of the curatorial staff, but is also open to external researchers by appointment. It houses several collections of rare books in areas including astronomy, natural history and Welsh topography. Again, our hosts had put a number of treasures on display for us to look at. This was a very enjoyable outing, seeing two of the outstanding bibliographical collections in our capital city.
2014 Gwydir Press, Llanrwst, and Bangor University Library and Archives
The Bibliographical Group’s annual outing took place on Saturday 4th October. In the morning a party of 23 members visited the
newly-established Gwydir Press at Gwydir Castle, Llanrwst. After an introductory talk by the owners, Peter Welford and Judy Corbett, we went in groups of six to visit the press room, where we were given a talk and demonstration by the printer, Ken Burnley. Meanwhile the rest of the party enjoyed coffee in the Lower Hall and had the opportunity to explore the gardens. Following the recent demise of Gwasg Gregynog, the Gwydir Press is believed to be the only press in Wales printing in the traditional way with movable type.
Their first book, Pwyll Prince of Dyved, was completed last year in a limited edition of 140 copies, and it is hoped that this will be the first of many fine publications. On departure we were each given a keepsake from the press.
After an excellent lunch at nearby Maenan Abbey Hotel, we travelled to Bangor to visit the University Archives. Dividing into two groups, we were shown some of the earlier manuscripts and rare books by the University Archivist, Einion Wyn Thomas, and some of the modern records by Assistant Archivist Elen Wyn Simpson. In the late nineteenth century it was thought that the National Library might
be established at Bangor, and so the University College of North Wales built up rich collections of rare books, manuscripts and estate records. The items we were shown ranged from the Bangor Pontifical, an illuminated mediaeval manuscript from the library of Bangor Cathedral, to a surprisingly uncomplimentary report on the novelist Kate Roberts when she was a student at Bangor.
2012 Powis Castle, the Powysland Library and Museum and St. Mary's Church, Welshpool
Despite the floods, the Aberystwyth Bibliographical Group succeeded in having its annual outing on Saturday 9th June. Thanks to our driver Alun from James Brothers, we made our way via an alternative route to Welshpool, where we arrived on time at 11a.m. and were
greeted by our hosts, Mrs. Daphne Woodhouse and Dr. Peter Barton of the Powysland Club. Mrs. Woodhouse and Dr. Barton had been the speakers at our meeting in January. After coffee in the Royal Oak Hotel, where we were formally welcomed by David Hall, Chairman of the Powysland Club, we divided into two groups to visit the Powysland Museum, and the Powysland Library in its new home in Triangle House. Once the two groups had visited both the museum and the library, we reassembled for a visit to St. Mary's Church conducted by the former Vicar, Rev. Roger Brown.
After an excellent lunch at the Corn Store restaurant, we proceeded to Powis Castle, where we were welcomed by the President of the Powysland Club, the Right Honourable the Earl of Powis. Before inheriting the earldom he had lectured in English literature, and gave us a most interesting tour of the library held in various parts of the castle, including the Earl's private apartment. Once the tour had finished, we had time for tea in the castle's tea room and to visit the magnificent terraced garden before setting off on the journey back to Aberystwyth. Our thanks go to all the officers of the Powysland Club for hosting such an enjoyable visit.
2011 Worcester Cathedral library and the Hurd Library, Hartlebury Castle
The Aberystwyth Bibliographical Group waited until summer finally arrived on Saturday 1st October to hold its annual outing.
Having explored the historic libraries of Wales fairly thoroughly in recent years, we ventured further afield this year, to Worcestershire. Our first visit was to Worcester Cathedral Library, reputed to be the second most important cathedral library in the country. David Morrison, the Librarian, showed us some of the treasures from the Cathedral's rich collection of mediaeval manuscripts, including one from which Samuel Pepys had been allowed to cut out some of the illuminated initials as a souvenir! Printed books in the collection ranged from the elaborately illustrated Nuremberg Chronicle, printed in 1493, to a musical score signed by Edward Elgar.
From Worcester we travelled to Hartlebury Castle, residence of the Bishop of Worcester from the early 13th century until 2007. After lunch in the restaurant of the Worcestershire County Museum, we were given a tour of the magnificent Great Hall, Saloon and Chapel by Virginia Wagstaff, Secretary of the Friends of Hartlebury Castle. Christine Penney, the Hurd Librarian, then gave us an illustrated lecture about the library founded in 1783 by Bishop Hurd, which is still on its original shelves in the room built for it at Hartlebury Castle. We then ascended to the Hurd Library to view some of its treasures, which include over forty volumes from the library of Alexander Pope. Our visit concluded with tea and home-made cakes in the Bishop's dining room.
2010 Picton Castle and Ffynone
The annual outing of the Aberystwyth Bibliographical Group took place on Thursday 9th September. 22 members and guests travelled by bus, and another two by car, to Picton Castle near Haverfordwest. After coffee in the restaurant we were given an entertaining introductory talk by the Chairman of the castle's trustees, Thomas Lloyd, who is a long-standing friend of the Group (and has recently been appointed by the Earl Marshal as Wales Herald of Arms Extraordinary). We were interested to hear that the castle had been built in the thirteenth century by an ancestor of Terry Wogan. Mr. Lloyd then took us to the beautiful circular library, where even the glass in the doors of the bookcases is curved, and the pillars open to reveal further hidden bookcases. After showing us a number of the treasures and curiosities in the collection, he set us free to browse for half an hour.
Lunch was a sumptuous buffet in the castle restaurant, supplied by Maria Grimwood whose family also runs Ultracomida in Aberystwyth. After a little time to visit the gardens, we were given a tour of the castle by the Director, Dai Evans.
2009 Erddig Hall
On Thursday 3rd September sixteen members and guests of the Aberystwyth Bibliographical Group visited Erddig Hall, a National
Trust house near Wrexham. We were given a fascinating and detailed tour by the House Manager, Jeremy Cragg. Built in the late seventeenth century and extended several times, the house belonged to the Yorke family until the last member handed it over to the Trust in 1977. One of the distinctive features is a collection of photographs of the servants, who were exceptionally well treated
by the Yorkes, with accompanying poems.
Our tour culminated in a visit to the library and book room, where Mr. Cragg and one of the volunteers had put a number of items of particular interest on display for us, including several copies of The royal tribes of Wales by Philip Yorke of Erddig, first published in Wrexham in 1799. After an introductory talk we were free to browse the shelves and look through the exhibited books.
The visit to Erddig concluded with time to stroll around the restored formal eighteenth-century walled garden in the late-afternoon sunshine. We then made the short journey to Llangollen for an excellent dinner at the Bryn Howel Hotel, Trevor, before returning to Aberystwyth.