Neath Antiquarian Society

www.neathantiquariansociety.co.uk

neathhistory.co.uk

NEATH ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY

PRESERVING OUR LOCAL HISTORICAL HERITAGE

FOR OVER A CENTURY

The latest NAS publication is a fascinating description of what existed at Aberdulais Falls before the days of the iron and tinplate works, described by an art expert. A full colour quality production of 55 pages, it is on sale at £12 a copy.

PROFILE OF AN INNKEEPER

SUE WARE TELLS US ABOUT JENKIN SAVOURS

HER MAIDEN ARTICLE FOR THIS WEBSITE

SEE

News & Members Articles

If you have a possible article to offer, get in touch

MEMBERS QUARTERLY RAFFLE

THE WINNER IS

MRS LYNETTE CARR

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THIS MONTH'S MYSTERY IMAGES

Where was this rural cottage?

Where is the location of this industrial site?

What is so special about this plaid outfit?

Submit your answers/suggestions using the CONTACT US tab or through our Facebook page.

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Answers to the previous mystery image

Many of you correctly identified the three attractive and evocative signs revealed when modern signage was removed. They are a good example of the local signwriter's art and skill. A glimpse of an era now long past, they help tell the story of a family business that probably lasted for more than a century.

The first mention of the business is for a newsagent popularly known by his nickname “Richards, Daily Leader” referring to a newspaper then in circulation, the South Wales Daily Leader. His business in the market Hall was taken over by his son Herbert Henry Richards in 1914 who later opened an additional shop in Orchard Street.

Herbert lived at 7 Victoria Gardens in 1939 when he described himself as newsagent and bookseller. His wife, Catherine D Richards appears on the signs as the proprietor of the business possibly following Herbert’s death in 1959 when the couple lived at Brynteg, Dwryfelin.

We find the couple’s daughter Mary Matilda Richards living with them in 1939 but she seems to have preferred the name Matilda. She was to marry later during the war and was known as Matilda Rees. To those older residents the newspaper stall was known as Tilly’s or Rees’s. In the list of stallholders in Neath Market from 1965 to 1970 the stall, number 27 in prime position facing one of the Green Street entrances, is shown as occupied by Mrs MM Rees.

Thanks to NAS member David Michael for the above information

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Please be aware that our days of opening are

Monday and Thursday

Mondays - For the public & NAS members - (09:30 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:45) providing access to the NAS archive and access to computer resources for Family History researchers. This service is supervised by staff of the West Glamorgan Archive Service.

Thursdays - For the public & NAS members (09:30 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:45) providing access to the NAS archive with access to computer resources for Family History researchers with assistance/guidance available from a dedicated staff member of the West Glamorgan Archive Service.

PLEASE BE ADVISED - IF YOU KNOW WHAT ITEMS YOU WISH TO VIEW AND HAVE THE CATALOGUE NUMBER(S), THEN TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS YOU CAN PRE-ORDER (EIGHT DAYS IN ADVANCE) USING THE CONTACT US FORM.

NOTE - For researchers requiring access to the NAS Archive ONLY and who are unable to attend on the days above (e.g. distance/foreign visitors) then it may be possible to arrange a personal appointment. Please apply through the CONTACT US button.

Neath Mechanics' Institute, Church Place, Neath, home of the Society

Formed in 1923 (from the earlier Neath Philosophical Society of 1834), the Neath Antiquarian Society has taken a leading role in recording, preserving and safeguarding Neath's historical heritage. Therefore, the Society began to collect archives relating to the local area and further afield.

Over the decades a considerable amount of material was amassed, dating from the 15th to the 20th centuries, but this was not available to the general public and lacked a proper catalogue. The year 2001 saw the launch of the project 'Unlocking Neath's Archival Heritage', a joint venture between the Neath Antiquarian Society and the West Glamorgan Archive Service: with Heritage Lottery Funding, the entire archive collection was catalogued in detail by staff from the West Glamorgan Archive Service to make it fully available to the public for the first time in 2003.

Where can the documents be seen?

The Neath Antiquarian Society archive collections are held at the Neath Mechanics' Institute. Click here for details of opening hours.

What archives are available?

Records of the Neath Antiquarian Society

Research papers of prominent local historians connected with the Society.

Borough of Neath & Neath Corporation records.

Records of manors and estates, including Gnoll, Eaglesbush, Briton Ferry, Bach-y-gwreiddyn, Little Hill, etc.

Coytrahen and Neath Abbey Estate records.

Collections of documents regarding local events, businesses, chapels and industry.

Maps and plans of the local area.

Advertising material & other related ephemera.

The Neath Antiquarian Society claims overall copyright on material posted on this website under the Copyright Acts and the restrictions imposed by those Acts. The copyright of certain articles on this website remains the exclusive property of the individual authors. If in doubt, please ask. Ignorance of copyright rules is no excuse for violation.

All information is presented in good faith and no responsibility can be accepted for any omissions or errors that may occur from time to time.

Aknowledgements

1. Thanks to the County & City of Swansea and their officials for providing information pages relating to the Neath Antiquarian Society within their website and for their continued support of the Society's objectives.

2. Additionally, a thank you to all of our fellow Societies and individuals who have linked our website into their domains and social media outlets.

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