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After several months construction work the new buildings
at the museum have been completed by our contractors
‘Bolter’s Contractors Ltd’. The new facilities greatly
improve those available to visitors. Beyond the new
stone-faced perimeter wall we now have a new wide-span
display barn, a room to entertain school parties and small
groups of visitors and new toilet facilities.
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The buildings have been funded through the Rural Development
Plan for Wales, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly and
the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. We are
already using the meeting room and this is also available
for hire (for details please contact Rita at the museum on
01291 673777). The display barn will be fitted out with
existing and new displays over the next few months but will
not be fully accessible to visitors until the spring of
2011. |
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A Friesian cow halted traffic in Usk recently as it arrived
on a large lorry following its long journey from Cornwall.
The cow is the newest arrival at the Usk Rural Life Museum.
It is a life-size milkable Friesian which will form part of
a new display on dairying.
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The picture shows the animal being
welcomed to the museum in New Market Street by its new
President, David Morgan, who has a large dairy herd near Usk.
The model cow will be named in a
competition during its tour of local agricultural shows
during the summer. Personal appearances have already been
booked at Monmouth, Chepstow and Usk Shows.
The cow will help children learn about the
way in which milk and other dairy products are produced.
Its purchase was funded by a grant from
CyMAL, which is an agency of the Welsh Assembly Government
responsible for museums, archives and libraries in Wales. |
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Usk Rural Life Museum is embarking on a
major re-development. When its doors closed on
31 October 09, building work begun to construct a new display
barn, community room and improved toilet facilities. This project has
received funding through the Rural Development Plan for
Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Assembly
Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural
Development.
The museum, which is run by volunteers, is
in its 43rd year and has been located in Usk since 1982. The
new display barn will provide a protected environment to
preserve and display some of the larger farm implements and
rural artefacts in the museum’s extensive collection and for
educational displays on local and rural history. The
community room will be used to host visits from school
parties and other groups.
The project has been developed with the
assistance of staff of the Monmouthshire County Council
Economic Development Department. The museum’s chairman.
Nicholas Bomford said ‘This is a very important development
for us. We have been working towards it for the last seven
years and it is most exciting that the lengthy process of
planning and fund raising have now come together to enable
construction to start. Our ability to display our
fascinating collection to best advantage will be much
enhanced and facilities for visitors greatly improved.'
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Do come and see for yourselves next year!
Or better still, join our team of dedicated volunteers who
help keep the show on the road’. If you are interested
in becoming a volunteer, please contact Angela Bowyer at Usk
Rural Life Museum, The Malt Barn, Newmarket Street, Usk,
NP15 1AU (tel: 01291 673777).
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Japanware Fun at Usk Rural Life Museum
Children and adults enjoyed the Museums
Japanware Fun Session. Japanware plates were painted and
plaques created. All had chance to see the exhibition, which
has been on loan from Pontypool Museum, as part of a CyMAL
funded project.
A new exhibit is a
restored general
purpose, light,
two wheeled cart painted in traditional red
and blue colours. It is about 100 years old. |
Download the
museum's Annual Report for 2009.
The museum has recently been awarded
Museum Accreditation by the Museums, Libraries and Archives
Council (MLA). The MLA’s Accreditation Scheme sets
nationally agreed standards for all museums in the U.K.
Those which receive Accreditation prove that they have
measured up, meeting guidelines on how they are run, how
they look after collections and the services that they
provide to visitors. |
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We are always seeking new
volunteers prepared to assist e.g. with manning our box
office and greeting visitors, updating records, preparing
displays, conservation or routine maintenance.
If you are interested in joining our team and are able to
spare a few hours each month to help, please telephone our
administrator Angela Bowyer on 01291 673777 or John Evans on
01291 671277.
No previous knowledge or
experience is required, at first, a new recruit usually
shares duty with an experienced volunteer.
Alternatively e-mail us on uskrurallife.museum@virgin.net.
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The Society is grateful for recent
donations from the following organisations.
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The Friends of Usk Rural Life Museum
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Llangattock-Vibon-Avel & District
Ploughing and Agricultural Society
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CyMAL: Museums,
Archives and Libraries Wales.
The funds will be used to maintain our
education programme. |
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A newcomer to the museum made his first public
appearance at a reception for ‘The Friends of Usk Rural Life
Museum’ on 11 April 06. The new addition, a life-sized
mannequin of a cobbler enhances the recreation of a mid-20th
Century cobblery in the gallery area of the museum. The
mannequin is affectionately known to volunteers as ‘Dai the
Last’.
His appearance in the museum has been generously
funded by ‘The Friends’ and he was unveiled at the reception
by past chairman of the Rural Crafts Preservation Society Euphan Tennison.
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A craft fair and display
was held in May 2006. |
School
children interview older Usk residents. |
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The Malt Barn, New Market Street, Usk,
Monmouthshire, NP15 1AU. |
Telephone 01291 673777
E-mail uskrurallife.museum@virgin.net |
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