Special Events - Present |
Special Events - Archive Section
( details of previous events)
Vernon's Van |
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For 34 years, Vernon Evans has travelled the lanes of Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion in his delightful 1972 Bedford mobile shop, carrying groceries and gossip to villages and remote farms. For many elderly people, he is one of the few faces that they will see in the week, and his calls provide a valuable social service. In June 2007, Vernon was told that the chassis was past welding and would not pass another MoT. He knew that we were interested in the van, so he offered it to the museum. We were thrilled to accept a much-loved icon, recognised instantly throughout the neighbourhood. It has also been a television star, having had a whole programme of 'Cefn Gwlad' (Heart of the Country) devoted to it on S4C (the Welsh language channel) in March 2007. Vernon's shop continues - in a converted 1999 Iveco minibus - but his faithful old friend is now resting in the museum's courtyard, awaiting a display of nostalgic shopping to be created for our visitors to enjoy. |
Living History by the American Civil War Society |
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The museum was pleased to host the return visit to Pen-ffynnon of the 69th New York State Volunteers 1st Regiment Irish Brigade. Taking the field at the end of September (Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th September 2007), they welcomed museum visitors to 'living history' when they set up camp at the Museum's camping and caravanning area. The 69th New York are members of the American Civil War Society, the largest American Civil War re-enactment society in the UK. |
Jack Odell co-founder of Matchbox Toys dies |
It is with sorrow that we learn of the death of Jack Odell on 7th July 2007 at the age of 87. He will be sadly missed by many toy collectors. In 1953, he together with Rodney Smith and Leslie Smith (no relation to each other) had issued the first Matchbox toy following a successful run of toy production under the name of Lesney, marketed by the Moko distribution company. His daughter inspired the creation of his most famous invention in 1950 after her school only allowed her to take in an item that would fit into a matchbox. The miniature green and red road roller he developed for her to show off to friends became the forerunner of the Matchbox Toy empire. Among the firm's most famous designs was the miniature Coronation coach, made to commemorate Queen Elizabeth's succession to the throne, which sold about a million copies. At its peak, the business was reported to be selling more than one million cars a day in more than 100 countries as low prices made them affordable to children. He became a legend for the second time in his lifetime when he founded the Lledo company (Odell spelt backwards) having withdrawn from Matchbox in 1982, making Days Gone heritage models for companies such as Cadbury and Ovaltine. 'In my obituary,' he declared in 1969, 'I want it said I was a damn good engineer.' May he long rest in peace. |
Museum of Childhood amongst Business Award Finalists |
Earlier in 2007, the Museum of Childhood was nominated as one of three finalists for a County Business honour, the 'Sense of Place' award. This prize - which is sponsored by Carmarthenshire Tourist Association and Morgans Hotels Group - seeks to recognise tourism businesses of any size that can demonstrate a distinctive Welsh or Carmarthenshire experience to visitors. The award was finally won by Caws Cenarth, famous for its Welsh cheese factory. The other finalist of the three chosen was Gwili Mill, known for its self-catering accommodation. The museum is proud of its achievement which comes after only two years of trading. |
FREE EASTER ATTRACTION AT THE MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD, LLANGELER |
Curators Paul, Hilary and Vic are pleased to announce that the gathering of members of the 69th New York Regiment was once again a successful event bringing an authentic living history encampment to Pen-ffynnon, Llangeler, home of the West Wales museum of Childhood. The "Old 69th" are members of The American Civil War Society, a group of enthusiasts who make this period in history their hobby. About forty members of the regiment attended, this included wives, children, friends and sweethearts, all dressed in period costume and camping in white canvas tents. A grand day out for all the family - which we hope to repeat in the autumn. |
Happy Birthday, Dear Scalextric |
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The West Wales Museum of Childhood was privileged to be asked to make an early morning broadcast for BBC Radio Wales on 24th January as Scalextric on that day were celebrating their 50th anniversary. Our own Hilary Kennelly made the broadcast and confirmed the enduring appeal of this iconic toy and added some historic detail. The company Minimodels was founded by Fred Francis to make small metal cars with ingenious clockwork motors under the name 'Scalex', until later he fitted the cars with electric motors instead and combined the words 'Scalex' and 'electric' to give a new trade name. The track system that he devised for these cars, almost 50 years ago is still compatible with the modern sets. Motorcycle combinations and race horses have been made in the past, and the illustrious Simpson family race on skateboards now, but it is the cars that have held the attention of little boys - and big boys - over the years. All sorts of cars have been produced - from rally, racing and street cars to character machines such as the rare and desirable James Bond Aston Martin DB5 from 1967 which can command a figure of £1,000 in the collectors' market place. A fine 50 years of toys ! And here's to the next 50 years ! |
ANGLESEY'S MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD CLOSES |
Bob Brown's long-established Museum of Childhood Memories in North Wales closed its doors for the last time in November 2006. Mr Bob Brown - who reaches the notable age of 90 later this year - founded the museum in 1973 at Menai Bridge and in 1985 moved to a prime position opposite Beaumaris Castle. In the last 30 years he and his wife have made a great contribution to toy collecting and to Welsh tourism and they have established a tradition of excellence in serving the public which we at West Wales Museum of Childhood will strive to follow with our well laid out premises, 10,000 exhibits and a total time in excess of 100 years collecting toys between the three of us here at Pen-ffynnon. We wish Bob and his wife all the very best in their well-earned retirement. |
Pen-ffynnon Tea-room wins Welsh Food Hygiene Award |
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After its first official inspection, our own Pen-ffynnon tea-room was awarded a Bronze Award for its high standard of food hygiene. The Welsh Local Authorities' Environmental Health Officers undertake an annual inspection to ensure that safe standards are achieved and awards are made to businesses that exhibit an especially high standard in their food operation. The Welsh Food Hygiene Awards are presented annually following the recommendation of the officers. We were congratulated on gaining the award during our first year of operation. The award was presented to Hilary Kennelly at a ceremony held at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire in December 2006. |
Airfix may come unstuck |
The Museum was invited recently by BBC Radio Wales to give an insight into the history of Airfix, the great plastic kit manufacturer of the twentieth century, who suffers the possibility of being wound up as the current owner - Humbrol Ltd - is put into receivership. The Museum's Hilary Kennelly spoke on the programme 'Good Evening Wales' and reflected on the many kits that had kept youngsters enthralled for ages. The company was formed in 1939 by Hungarian-born Nicholas Kove to make air-filled rubber toys from which arose the name Airfix. Later they diversified into plastic combs and later still produced the famous plastic kits marketed in clear plastic bags with header cards. Probably the rarest toy by Airfix - and one of the earliest - was the large tractor kit made for the Ferguson Company in 1949, and the most prolific the WW2 Spitfire fighter aircraft, first issued in 1953. At its peak, the Airfix group was the owner of Meccano and Triang amongst many other toy-makers. Best wishes to Airfix, who has kept its finger on the pulse by introducing kits such as Wallace and Gromit's aeroplane and motorbike, and who are no stranger to recovering from an adverse market place. 18th November 2006: We have heard today that, in a rescue attempt to save Airfix, the Hornby group has paid £2.6 million to buy the company. So let us hope that this is a happy ending ! |
'Living History' |
The museum is pleased to confirm the successful return visit to Pen-ffynnon of the 69th New York State Volunteers 1st Regiment Irish Brigade. Taking place at the end of September (Friday 29th September, Saturday 30th September and Sunday 1st October), they treated museum visitors to a lesson in 'living history' when they set up camp at the Museum's camping and caravanning field. The 69th New York are members of the American Civil War Society, the largest American Civil War re-enactment society in the UK |
The museum helps Swansea-born toymakers Corgi to celebrate 50 years anniversary |
The Museum of Childhood was proud to be invited by BBC Radio Wales to take part in a broadcast to celebrate the achievement of 50 years of toy-making by Corgi Classics. Hilary Kennelly, one of the three directors and curators, spoke on Good Morning Wales of Corgi Toys inception on the Fforestfach estate, Swansea, in 1956 and of their successes in the mid -1960s onwards. She reminisced about some of the most popular toys including the Batmobile and the Beatles' Yellow Submarine, and the happiness everywhere of children, both big and little, created by the many toys produced. May Corgi continue to be successful for the next 50 years ! |
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Civil War re-enactment camp at Pen-ffynnon, Easter 2006 |
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Paul Kennelly joins in the fun. |
A welcome sight ! | Take aim ! | |||
| The
69th New York State
Volunteers 1st Regiment Irish Brigade treated museum visitors to a
lesson in 'living history' when they set up camp at the Museum's camping
and caravanning site at Pen-ffynnon. The event was organised by the 69th
New York who are members of the American Civil War Society, the largest American Civil War re-enactment society in the UK |
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Pembrokeshire's Car Clubs join forces at Pen-ffynnon, April 2006 |
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| Austin Healey with MG friends | MG TD with pre-war Rover 14 and others |
Ford
Model A with 1928 Rolls Royce |
| The members of Pembrokeshire Classic Car Club and Pembrokeshire Vintage Car Club combined to stage a rally through the leafy lanes of Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, pausing half-way round the course in the car park of the Museum of Childhood at Pen-ffynnon followed by a visit to the museum and refreshments before wending their way back home. |
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West Wales Museum of Childhood