ROYAL INSTITUTION OF SOUTH WALES

The Friends of Swansea Museum

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Early Notice of the Spring into Summer party - June 6th  Details  

What does the RISW do now that the City and County of Swansea runs the Swansea Museum?

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.