ROYAL INSTITUTION OF SOUTH WALES
The Friends of Swansea Museum
Latest News
Early Notice of the Spring into Summer party - June 6th Details
Latest News
Early Notice of the Spring into Summer party - June 6th Details
President - Lyndon Morris
Secretary - Dr Vernon Williams
Treasurer - David Jenkins
The Royal Institution of South Wales is the body which publishes the Swansea History Journal (Minerva). The RISW, fondly known as the 'RI', was founded in 1835 as a philosophical and literary society. In 1841 it opened Swansea Museum, and ran it for more than 100 years. In addition to its original aims. Nowadays, the R.I.S.W. acts as the Friends organisation for Swansea Museum, supporting events and purchasing objects, among which this year have been the 1852 South Dock painting, Swansea ceramics and a photographic glass plate by Calvert Richard Jones showing Mumbles in 1850.
The evening lectures for
2011-2012 included:–
“Personalities and Developments in the Study and Collecting of Welsh Ceramics over the past 25
years” by Mr Oliver Fairclough,
“Restless Planet – Volcanoes and Earthquakes” by Dr Geraint Owen,
“Robert Morris and the First Copper Works (c1722-1730)” by Dr Louise Miskell, (the St.David's Day lecture),
“Art without Artist – Aspects of Images Held in the National Monuments Records, Wales” by Dr Peter Wakelin,
“The Wildlife of Sand Dunes” by Dr Michael Isaac, and
“Swansea 300 years ago” by Gerald Gabb.
The obvious quality of this programme owed everything to the
late Bernard Morris.
The Annual President’s Invitation Lecture was by Professor John Harries, Chief
Scientific Advisor for Wales, who had been recently presented with a
prestigious award by N.A.S.A. and he spoke on “A Forward View of Welsh
Science.”
The Lunch Time Talks, arranged
by the President,marked the Centenary
of the Scott Expedition with a special emphasis on Edgar Evans, with
contributions by Julian Salisbury on “Scott and Cardiff”, Gary Gregor on “Worms
Head to the South Pole – the Welshman with Captain Scott”, Martin Price on “Dr
Edward Wilson and the Antarctic” and Dr Peter Jones on “Coping with illness and
disease during an Expedition”. All these lectures and talks drew large
audiences, many of whom were not members of the RISW. In addition, there was a
Book Launch – Dr Isobel- Captain Scott’s Invaluable Assistant – Edgar Evans as
well as a Civic Service to commemorate Edgar Evans at St. Mary’s Parish Church,
Swansea. The secretary, Dr. Vernon Williams arranged a one day event “An
Introduction to the History and Natural Features of Swansea and Gower” with
contributions by Professor How Bowen, Gerald Gabb, Dr Michael Isaac and himself.