Ringing went well

THE launch of the the Mon & Brec Canal 200 celebrations, recreating the original opening ceremony of 200 years ago went very well.

The celebrations were launched on Friday (10th February) with the Ringing of the Bells, recreating the canal's opening ceremony, with a single bell rung by Councillor Bob Wellington, Leader of Torfaen County Borough Council and Robin Herbert, (pictured left to right) 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.

Joining of canals

This special event marks the joining of the Brecknock & Abergavenny Canals with the Monmouthshire Canal.

Over 100 people attended the opening ceremony, which was part of a celebratory event at Pontymoile Basin. The event saw performances by pupils from Pontymoile Primary School, Accord Singers and St Cadocs Millennium Chimes. Thomas Dadford Jnr Canal Engineer and Cllr Bob Wellington welcomed guests to Pontymoile before the 200kg bell was struck 12 times.

Started the peal

The initial bell strike at 12 noon started the Peal of Church Bells from Pontymoile Basin to Brecon in one direction and Newport and Cwmcarn in the other. Church Bells also pealed from Hay-on-Wye to Brecon.

Project Co-ordinator David Morgan stated almost 30 Churches helped create the rippling effect between 12 noon and 7.00pm.