"Aberaeron's Bicentenary marks an event which took place on 28 July 1807 when a Private Act of Parliament was passed to construct the harbour at Aberaeron.
The layout of the town which grew around the new harbour was carefully planned in the Georgian style, giving Aberaeron its distinctive architectural character. The names of streets and houses such as Newfoundland Terrace, Milford House and Manchester House indicate Aberaeron's historic importance as a thriving commercial port and shipbuilding town.
The heritage community project complements the Aberaeron 2007 Festival programme of concerts, parties and events by exploring and recording the fascinating heritage of Aberaeron's maritime, social and architectural past.
Working with a number of partners, including Ceredigion Museum and the National Trust Llanerchaeron, the project will seek out and capture people's stories of life in the town, and find out more about the daily lives of Aberaeron's sailors, merchants, shopkeepers and families.
Workshops will revive some of the long-forgotten skills such as rope knotting and navigating by the stars. Aberaeron's schoolchildren will take part in a creative arts project, bringing to life Aberaeron stories, and different generations will come together to use the latest web-based technology for researching family histories.
In addition to workshops and events, the project will leave a lasting record of Aberaeron's heritage. Historic sites and buildings in and around Aberaeron will be identified by bronze plaques in the shape of the unique Aberaeron shovel', forming the basis for a Town Trail.
An Aberaeron 2007 Exhibition will display photographs, pictures and curios associated with Aberaeron's heritage. The Exhibition will be housed in Peniel Chapel vestry throughout the summer of 2007, and a Quilting Exhibition will be held in Aberaeron's Masonic Hall.
Encouraging people of all ages, residents and visitors, to take part in the historic celebrations is a major aim of the project, creating opportunities for learning new skills, taking part in workshops, and volunteering. 2007 is set to be a great year for Aberaeron, with something for everyone, and two hundred years of history to celebrate."
Article written by Mair Lloyd from Aberaeron
More about the Bicentenary...
your comments
Gen and Lowri, Aberaeron
What the bicentenary committee has done for Aberaeron is really wonderful, and the ball on the 4th will be a really lovely way to finish the festivities off. Last summer we were both discussing how there will be so many people disapointed at not getting a ticket, so we have come up with the idea of hosting our own ball in the local Yacht club on the 4th for the younger generations who may not have been able to get a ticket, so we can also celebrate the town we have grown up in and love.
Mon Jun 18 10:32:41 2007
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