quote:

Originally posted by Owain G:
Caerleon dig.

Thanks for posting this Owain! I don't live in the Caerleon Area at the moment, so appreciate it.

quote:

Originally posted by Benedictine:
Replying to Notoclart's riddle about the earthworks north of Malpas- Do you mean travelling through what is now Bettws-i.e. Newport-north of Malpas, left at Bassaleg, down to what is the mountain road from Henllys to Rogerstone, past 14 Locks and down towards Bassaleg,crossing at a small wooden bridge called 'Pont Ebbwy' in the old documents?

No I dont mean there, look at the huge lump of earth to the east of malpas and you will see why they avoided that, remember that there is a severe dip in the ground north of Bettws. So you have to look further north again.

quote:

Originally posted by Benedictine:
Quite a lot of twists for a Roman road, but I guess the terrain warrants it. I have travelled on that mountain road a lot and it is the only one that makes sense.

It isnt a road anymore. If your really interested in Roman roads in this area a meal in the Greenhouse pub may suit you. They have old maps in there and just north east from the pub you can see a pile of earthworks that are shown on the maps as pathways.

quote:

Originally posted by Benedictine:
There was a ridgeway track from Caerleon right up the Ridge to Bedwellty I learned yesterday. I might ask at the university if they don't know on here.It is very old stuff and they have more resources at the university and are very keen to help so we'll get there. Not got a lot of faith in the archeologists either.

May I ask for source for that ridgeway track? I would only want to know from Bassaleg upwards.

Just passed a TT vehicle on the A470 at Radyr....hhmmm

See? Even they can't find the Roman's route....

Now now, I wouldnt say that...

EXA couldn't find the slipway at Beachley,so there is a precedent.

quote:

Originally posted by notaclart:

quote:

Originally posted by Benedictine:
There was a ridgeway track from Caerleon right up the Ridge to Bedwellty I learned yesterday. I might ask at the university if they don't know on here.It is very old stuff and they have more resources at the university and are very keen to help so we'll get there. Not got a lot of faith in the archeologists either.

May I ask for source for that ridgeway track? I would only want to know from Bassaleg upwards.

I heard about it from the guide book at Bedwellty church .Mynyddislwyn seems to be a Roman burial site by all accounts.It was a good guide book but have no time to hunt at the mo.When I get time I will find it.
It would be worth contactin Frank Olding Heritage Officer for Blaenau Gwent at the counil.Nice approachable normal person with enthusiasm for local history.

Ha ha! Thanks for the tip about 'The Greenhouse'.

I wanted to ask for some further information on here about two things, which you sleuths may know.

1)Has anyone got any information about St Bride'sChurch at Wentloog?(Llansantffraed Gwynllwg)?
I know:
a)Originally Celtic llan ded to St Brigid of Kildare-if so is there a well locally?
b)Became a British stone church and then given by Robert de la Haye as Lord of Manor by Roger Fitzhamon who gave it to the Benedictine Cell at Bassaleg Priory, itself the cell of the Great Cluniac Abbey of Glastonbury. The tithes went from St Brides and Coedkernew via Bassaleg to Glastonbury.
c) Retained the earlier St Brigid dedication-
d)First Norman church burned down by Owain Glyndwr in 14th century
e)Rebuilt in 15th century as an exact copy-even to the carved oak leaves and acorns in the arches of the Lady Chapel which are emblems of st Bridget.
f)Rood loft torn down in Elizabethan times -steps exposed in recent refurbishment by CADW
g) 17,18 centuries-no history around it seems.
h) Oxford Movement in 19th cent brought it to prominence as a very original catholic style church.
i)Closed for a while from ? to ?
j)Millenium grant opens it again. Very very ancient inside. Altar with relic of saint buried under the presnt table there. Cadw wanted too much money to raise it they said when I visited.Amazing place.

Has anyone anywhere news about this for my maryinmonmouth blog? Amazing place this and HUGE

I have some good photos-but very thin facts and they want to produce a guide book. Church in Wales don't know have already been there.

Anybody??

Before taking an early bath himself, I see that Rhodri Glyn Thomas helped pave the way for free entry to the Legionary Baths at Caerleon. Well done, give the man a cigar!!!

Ooops!