"LOOKING AHEAD" by Dr M.R. APTED

LOOKING AHEAD

Conscientious readers of the Archeological Journal will know that our group was foun< in the mid 70's with appropriate ceremonial and a characteristically entertaining speech from Sir Mortimer Wheeler, surely the most renowed archeologist of the 20th century. A decade later we survive as the Archeological and Heritage Group, with about 200 members, a full programme of events, an annual conference, a regular series of outings to a wide variety of places of interest and a Christmas party, ali duly recor~ed in "Proof", the Group's Newsletter. However, in recent months the Group has been criticised for failing to matcti up with the ideals expressed at the inaugural meeting, or to achieve the standards worthy of a learned Society. These criticisms are, of course, of the Group as a. whole, not just of the Group Committee· or of the Editor of Proof, since the Committee's role is to provide the services the Group members require, and likewise the Editor of 'Proof' can only print what material he receives. Are these criticisms justified, and if so, what are we going to do about it? It is firstly worth noting that the Chairman at the inaugural meeting took care to define archeology in the broadest terms. He stated that we had to be clear that "archeological photography" covered the whole range of antiquities, not only excavations, and included the photography of coins, the photography of museums, and the photography of ancient monuments as they stand i_n the fields. Our recent programme, with visits to places as diverse as Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, the home of Charles Darwin and the Photographic Department of the British Museum, fits this pattern well - with one exception. We have not visited a single excavation. The reason for this is quite simple. When visits to excavations have been arranged, and there have been a number in recent years, few if any of the Group members have turned up. If we are honest, we must also admit that the number of Group members who turn up at any of our meetings is small, usually comprising the the Committee and "1-ie'-families. In a sense the same th) g can be said of 'Proof'. This is proi"•Jiced at cost by members of the Group 1n their own time using their own photographic and printing resources and therefore lacks the. polish of a fully professional publication. 'Proof' is certainly not (and was never intended to be) a vehicle for the publication of reports of excavations or similarly scholarly articles. It does however provide a forum which could be used for informal discussion of the methods used in . site photography and the like. But the Editor can· only print what he receives, and this is normally the illustrated accounts of the Group's activities provided by members of the Committee combined with items of interest the Editor himself collects from other publications. We must ther.efore admit we have become largely a Heritage rather than an Archeological Group, and that the numer of Group members who take any active part in our affairs is very small. So where can and do we go from here? In the first instance the Committee has agreed to spend more on the production of 'Proof', and the quality of reproduction should improve accordingly. But that on its own is not enough. Write to the Editor about your archeological interests and experiences, no matter what they may be. Surprisingly, if they interest you they will also interest other like-minded people. Why not come along to one of our meetings where you will find that the Group provides precisely what the Vice-President of the RP WS referred to at the inaugural meeting:"An opportunity for people with photographic interests to gather together for meetings; conversations and exchanges of thoughts to build up and improve the standards of archeological photography". However, the amount of attention devoted to excavations and related subjects will only increase of field archeologists within the Group decide to play a more active role. If this happens then other excavators may also decide to join the Group and this could lead to something really worthwhile. Never forget that the photographic recor of an excavation is the only (nearly) objective record of something that is usual!) to be destroyed, so that any improvemen: in the quality of that record is something to be welcomed. The achievement of such an improvemen· is surely an· objective worthy of an learned Society.

Dr M.R. Apted

"CIVIL ENGINEERING IN WALES" EXHIBITION 19.

O.M. Gibbs LRPS

The idea for this exhibition arose from a discussion I had some four years ago with Richard Keen, an Assistant Keeper at the Museum, who recentl y left to join the National Trust. Richard has an extensive knowledge of Industrial Archeology as well as a keen ·nterest in the lives of Welsh people :nvolved in the Industrial Revolution. I had retired somewhat early from a career ·n civil entineering and had been, for several years, representative for South ales in the Institution of Civil Engineer's Panel for Historical Engineering works, whose task it is to record notable works of -he past, and sometimes even the present. e both felt that it was difficult to etermine a date on which to commence a istorical review of the subject, although it · s generally agreed that the term "Civil Engineer" came into use during the 18th Century, and that John Smeaton was the first in this country to call himself thus. evertheless the skills and techniques of ivil engineering clearly go back to earliest times. The Pyramids, and he many Roman aqueducts, harbours and roads all required accurate surveying, pre-planning and the assembly of large labour forces and material resources to overcome atural obstacles. t is sometimes suggested that the term "civil" is used in the sense of being the opposite to "military", and no doubt there is some truth in this. But I suspect that it may also have been related to the increasing extent to which those with the appropriate skills found themselves commissioned by civilians, either private individuals or corporate bodies, and that this helped give rise to the term. In any event, many of the early civil engineers were millwrights, accustomed to harnessing the power of wind and water. Others, such .as Thomas Telford, were skilled stonemasons, turning to architecture before becoming civil engineers. Most of the great early Victorian engineers carried out work in Wales. Brunel engineered the standard gauge Taff Vale Railway in 1841 and the broad gauge South Wales Railway (now the main line), some ten years later, and docks at Briton Ferry. Telford built notable canal aqueducts and improved the Holyhead road, while Robert Stephenson designed the Chester-Holyhead Railway. The Welsh themselves were more prominent on the contracting side. We strove hard to present the exhibition in one historical sequence, but concluded eventually that such a wide variety of work was carried out, particularly in recent years, that adopting this approach would only lead to confusion. We therefore divided the exhibition into four broad categories: Transport: Power and Energy: Public Health and Building. The material for the exhibition was collected almost entirely by the Museum, my role being confined to suggesting possible sources; for the most part Consulting Engineers, Contractors and Public Authorities. , In the later stages we had a great deal of assistance from Mr Stan Salt, who assembled much of the Public Health material; Mr Melfyn Lewis, who prepared the display on weld testing at Port Talbot Steelworks and from Dr Tom Shaw of the Severn Tidial Power Group who prepared the display on that topic. I am not able to give a full list of the sources, although the table of acknowledgements will give a fair indication. I believe that a number of the historical photograps were provided by Gwynedd Record Office. Although it could be argued that some of the works shown are not civil engineering as such, I feel that photographs depicting "the way we were" attract a good deal of public attention and add greatly to the interest of the exhibition. Gwynedd Record Office also loaned plans deposited prior to the Ffestiniog Railway and Telford's reconstruction of the Holyhead Road, now the A5.

"CIVIL ENGINEERING IN WALES"

20.

The Welsh ··office, Transport and Highways Division, produced a photographic _album showing works carried ou~ in the '3~s, in<;luding a number of Opening Ce~em~nies which are full of interest to the h1stor1an. How the hat-making industry must have prospered in those days! The framed engravings came from the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust _and are, I believe, from the Elton Collection. The large oil painting, 'The Conference of

Engineers at Britania Bridge', was loaned by the Institution of Civil Engineers and normally hangs in the entrance hall of the

Institution off Parliament Square.

The copies of portraits of Smeaton and.

James Simpson, the sixth President, came from the same source. The latter, a . Consulting Engineer, designed the first pumped water supply to Cardif and his steam beam pump, near the entrance door, is part of the Museum's permanent display. This gave us an effective introduction to stories of cholera epidemics and the early days of public health engineering. Glamorgan Record · Office and the South Glamorgan Library Service both produced newspaper and other extracts on this topic. The models of Crumlin Viaduct and of the

Melingriffiths Water Pump came from the

Cathays Park headquarters of the museum, as I believe d.q the three photographs by John Dillwyn ~1~wellyn of the building of Brunel's bridge·· at Chepstow. The puUy blocks and wrought iron links from the Menai suspension Bridge have apparently been stored on site since the bridge was built.

Most of the remainder of the matrerial has been loaned by various firms or public bodies. It is common practice to photograph civil engineering works duri.ng construction, as photographs can contribute significantly to the establishment or refuting of claims for additional payment. The quality varies widely, but there are some examples of first-class industrial photography, which firms have used both for advertising and to decorate their offices. Finally I must pay tribute ·to the. Museum staff who worked exceptionally hard to have everything ready in -time for · the opening;· I must also thank the Curator, Dr J. Geraint Jenkins, for his friendly support. References: "Industrial Archeology of Wales" by D. Morgan Rees, first Curator of the WIMM, published by David &: Charles. "Civil Engineering Heritag·~,. Wales & Western England" Thomas Telford Limited "A Glimpse of the. Past" Wales Tourist Board.

EXHIBITION POSTSCRIPT

The term "Civil Engineer" is little more than 200 years old, but engineering skills have been practised for several thousand years. Initially these efforts were devoted to building memorial structures--' such as pyramids, hill forts and castles. In the mid-eighte_enth century the growing need for power and for better transport facilities led to a number of individuals establishing themselvses as civil engineers, able to advise potential clients, to design and executre large-scale works and promote them through Parliamentary and other means. Many of these pioneers carried out work in Wales, and there has been no difficulty in showing examples of their activity, for much as endured to this day. There are also illustrations by contemporary artists, indicating the degree of public interest aroused at the time. In later years many other engineers, rather anonymously, have built the railways, roads, dams, power stations, docks, airfields and factories which have helped Wales to become a modern nation. We still have examples of pioneering works today; the Dinorwic hydro-electric scheme, the Conway submerged tunnels, the Grangetown viaducts, and hopefully soon. the Severn barrage - all notable by international engineering standards. On a more domestic level our ability to travel, to enjoy the amenities provided by electricity, gas and water supplies, the telephone and television, all depend on large-scale civil engineering. Civil engineers therefore play an important part in a very large industry which undertakes work in all parts of the world.

CIVIL ENGINEERING IN 1J ALES

All sorts of engineers work in the civil field, from the University-trained -Chartered Engineer to the newest "tea-boy" on a small contract. Skilled engineering operatives in various trades as well as highly experienced General Foremen m~ke a vital contribution to all construction work. Those with academic qualifications are divided into Chartered Engineers, Technician Engineers· and Engineering Technicians. Both South Wales University Colleges, UWIST and the Polytechnic of Wales, run degree courses, while the latter, along with the Technical Colleges ~un course for Technician Engineers and Engineering Technicians. All three g~ades require on-the-job training and experience before becoming fully qualified. The Institution of Civil Engineers, founded in the 1820's, is the examining body ~n_d learned society for all Chartered Civil Engineers. The Society's London headquarters are in George Street,. o~f ·Parliament Square, and house the Society s Library. The library contains a collection of the books and papers of the first President, · Thomas Telford, as well as paintings of his two finest engineering works, the Menai

Suspension Bridge and the Pont-y-Scyllte

Canal Aqueduct.

Qualified Civil Engineers have a wide variety of occupations to chose from.

Those with an academic bent may become members of the University teaching staff or work in one of the research establishments.

Those practically minded, and in search of travel and an open-air life will work for contractors on site, while many others become consulting engineers, advising clients ranging from goverments to pri~ate individuals, and designing a great variety of works in every corner of the world.

Civil Engineering earns the U.K. upwards of £500 million per year in foreign currency.

Many Civil Engineers are employed in the various public services, some designing and building works for central and local government, others doing research and, of course, there are many in the Corps of

Royal Engineers. · · Engineering is such a wide field that ere are upwards of a dozen profess1ona institutions to cover such individual activities as Mechanical, Electrical and

Electronic, Chemical, and Mining ~n~ineering etc. etc. All perform similar functions for their members.

Technician Engineers and Engineering

Technicians also have their own specialist institutions and sc:><:ieites.

Within the last few years Government has established the Engineering Coun~i~ ~hose function is to co-ordinate the activities of the various institutions, to maintain a register of qualified engineers ~nd to promote a realisation of the vital importance of engineering to the economy of the country.

As well as a headquarters in Londo~ the

Engineering Council has 19 Regional

Organisations. In South Wales the local "ECRO" promotes the "Openin~ Windows on Engineering" scheme, m ~hich yo':1n_g and recently qualified engineers visit schools to talk about the nature of their work.

ECRO also organises an annual lecture for members of the public and of the engineering profession and arranges an annual lecture in both Cardiff and Swansea for school children.

Several of the larger institutions have careers advisers active locally, and most will provide written information on re9uest regarding career prospects_ and educational requirements for their speciality. 1986 has been designated "Industry Year" with the intention of "Increasing understanding of the role of industry and its service to the Community". Virtually all our industry is based on the work of engineers, and it is now recognised that our future depends on our being able to produce goods and services ·which compete in all respects with those produced elsewhere throughout the world.

Considerable shortages of qualified and trained engineers exist today in several branches of the profession and it is widely . acknowledged that too few of our cleverest young people, male and female> chose engineering as a profession.

Why not give it a thought?

FIN O.M. Gibbs

22. TO DATE •o GRAVES

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CAMPSITES I HAVE KNOWN•

Looking back, it is often the evenings in some local hostelry which stand out in the memory, sometimes more so than the actual excavations! My pictures of these times are regrettably few. Now and then I take them out and wallow in nostalgia, putting a rosy glow on most occasions. We still chuckle about the time our tent was pitched in the corner of a potato field in Northants. , One day the farmer sprayed the field to kill the tops and our tent was invaded by thousands of particularly longlegged spiders. Though f~nny now, this incident nearly caused a divorce. My excuse for having so few eveni pictures is that the size and wei~ht of t_ equipment then needed made 1t part1: ularly hampering to lug about, especial. the big wet-cell battery operated pac :which my electronic flash used in tho days. There is no such excuse today, and I have already made a start recording tl 'sociable' side of local digs. Work furth_ afield will now have to wait till tchildren leave home. If you are just getting into archologic=. photography, do not neglect to take so memory shots. More importantly, you w. be able to write a fully illustrated artic for "PROOF", which I have not been ab to do on this occasion.

-by Rikki

BRITISH MUSEUM VISIT

some of the A&H Group members who attended the GROUP workshop at the special invitation of the Chief Photogrepher,Brien Tremeine FRPS et The .'British Museum.

TO DATE •o GRAVES

cont. from p. 15

1 appeared to be most welcome in that role and for three days 'covered' the excavation of dozens, or so it seemed to me, of graves. In addition to my photography I helped with other such menial tasks as stripping the top-soil-chalk to expose the outlines of the graves and treating the whole area preparatory to the more detailed and plan-of-site photography. The skeletons were subsequently exhumed and I reverted to the task of photographing them as they became visible. I humbly submit some samples of the hundred or so photograhs, as yet unsorted. I have been advised that I must declare my ownership of the copyright of all my photographs of this 'find', but would hope that the Archeology and Heritage Group and the R P S would graciously consider using copies of your chosing for publication or display and _ I await your in_structions. I enclose a few 'samples' and a copy of the local paper report. The site is believed to be Saxon.

Yours sincerely,

Ron Alexander

p.s. John Adams also became involved.

24. REAI)ERS LETTERS

tiers "1.ews oear !,\r \-1.... r appeal tor me~ t Journal. 1 note you l.n the curren years ,._,.\-1 GrOUP ed tor 2 0 t the ha"e be 1on9 to attend -Although 1 1 t,a'l/8 t,ei,n unable a result noW,so tar ihl.S is not as because · anY tune tl.on. dl.sl.nteres t bUt • factor, · ot athY ap or ·& l.n"ol'lfed, the tl.!118 I. ding accot11· of di.stance~ n the cost ot t n bOUt tnl.s· not to ment io not bleat l.n9 a to tind -odetl.on. 1 .""' 1.s 1.111p0ssibl8 1 tllfl -ob"1.ous "8nues ly to it . t 8"ery00sui ad eccounts 8• t O for . the I. now ••\-1 GrOUP ,... h 1 1)81009 t,apPY to re t the dol.ngs-o teal t110st 1 d one :; Groups to wh c nd look l ne A&H a a1<in to t l to tel<e I oein9 ab 8 t daY to I oncroft 1.s no forwar re a tll0 ti'lle ac part. J nerl "" nd a t 1as p..utu111n 1 . _ hibition t<X> ter frOIII ea the. p..&H 8)( doWn 11 ed in to s ! b88" ta1<en call find it ~ad l onlY to Journal was wron9• d dont despair nne RPS the good worl< en ood 111anY ot KeaP up nee~ t rOIII a 9 1.nterests if you don't blY he'l/8 your ,._,.H GrOUP '!le pr.oba t of the JS• rt and teal par 3t nea 1espi te ·necti"l.ty. 1 s you I< as tor l.ndl.'llid• 1.s "dentallY• a archeeol09Y 1nc1 ces-whilst ues l ua preferen IIIY rea l interest I< · 1y pr1.111arl fascl.nat 1.ng • aspect. 1 wor h '1/8 tiec· nerl.tage st and a nd the Nat 1.ona l i ru c I.dent a tor the l" bY ac "protess 1.one bY a111bl. t 1.on Ofll8 a tner then ,P6 interest ra GL20 d Se 1.gn. ~ours . etc.Ell.1\~\" ... st1.rlin°ish to pUb• . b8 prac f 1118111b8rs. p S '!lould it d addresses o a. {1.st of na111es an Dear Victor

Enclosed ;Y . of Offic ers of nominations the A&H G for the electi·on

Liv in roup. g so fer eway from of activities and not h the centre contact with othe aving any personal . r members make -1ng anyone rether difficult s nominathave nominated • I therefore h w o heve run the members show of th e Group so far. Quite successfuly

In order• for mem erent regions to ~rs living in diffacquainted be possibl e w"th i to eech issue ome aware of oth er• WOUld e or it complete with membership list . pinpoint ereas addresses out id • Thi s should where membershi s e The London Region

It may then is Pl!rticulerly strong meeting. Even if possible it to arrange • a the help of the r . meens enlisting of the R.P.s. egionel organizers the

I em elso enclosing . u.c ..., motorway to a route map from Hoping that it will Stefford castle. find it. help members to

Looking forward to day soon. meeting you one

G,Sittig,ARPS.

ST17 9YH

Letter from overseas member "Leo Ireland"

Leo & your ed 1 tor keep in touch during the yeer,

Leo by 11Bssage tepe which seems a nice friendly way to interchange ideas and thoughts, A good idea recently suggested by Leo was that Metnbers , might like to undertake a project, between ourselves. that of going forth with camera & recording the imtnidiate surroundings where we live. Be it Metropolis or out of Town. Thet we make the effort to mount an exhibition of these photographs and what a worthwhile project this would be.

It we determined a certain size or number of ; mounted prints, these might be exhibited for . other photographers to enjoy,even the public at large and who knows the interest roused could increase membership significantly.

A number of say 16xl2inch photographs tightly mounted on lightweight card would make a handy package to be exchanged between counties and COUNTRIES, We must ell know OF someone going abroad who would not object too much to taking e small package abroad & posting it in that Country

Come on members. let Leo see thet his Idee bears fruit this year ......... .. Kenses 66102 USA.