Mon & Brec celebrated
THE Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal will celebrate the 200th anniversary of its opening and the joining of the Monmouthshire & Brecknock & Abergavenny Canals this month.
The celebrations will be launched on Friday 10th February with the Ringing of the Bells, recreating the canal's opening ceremony 200 years ago.
Named 'Big Ben'
A single bell will be rung by Councillor Bob Wellington, Leader of Torfaen County Borough Council and Robin Herbert, the Great, Great Grandson of Sir Benjamin Hall who gave the name of ‘Big Ben' to the bell of the clock installed in the tower of the Houses of Parliament in 1857.
The opening ceremony will form part of a celebratory event at Pontymoile Basin (pictured) between 11.00am and 2.00pm. The event will include performances by pupils from West Monmouthshire School, Pontymoile Primary School, Accord Singers and St Cadocs Millennium Chimes. Thomas Dadford Junior, Canal Engineer and Councillor Bob Wellington will welcome guests to Pontymoile before both Cllr Bob Wellington and Robin Herbert strike the 200kg bell 12 times.
Starts at noon
The initial bell strike at 12 noon will start the Peal of Church Bells from Pontymoile Basin to Brecon in one direction and Newport and Cwmcarn in the other. Church Bells will also peal from Hay-on-Wye to Brecon.
Project Co-ordinator David Morgan said almost 30 Churches will be creating the rippling effect between 12 noon to 7.00pm, and enthused:
"It is fantastic to see such great community engagement and involvement to help mark this historic occasion."
Members of the public are invited to join in with the celebrations at Pontymoile Basin and are also invited to join the 'Softies' group of the Abergavenny Cycle Group who will lead the cycle ride along the canal from Pontymoile to Llanfoist listening to the bells.
Those interested in the ringing should see Brian Forder's website: