The report by our Secretary Mrs Ann Doran to our first A.G.M. on 13th March recorded what we’ve achieved in this first year of our existence. The Society was formed at the instigation of Cllr. Martyn Peters following a ‘bring and share’ session of items of local and historical interest at the Longford Memorial Hall where Robert King gave a wide-ranging talk illustrating the wealth of local history which surrounds us.
The first public meeting was held on the 24th April 2017 where one of our Vice-Presidents Mr John Richards spoke on the Ruins of Neath Abbey.
May - Our President the Rev. Canon Brian Lodwick delivered a talk on Henry Hey Knight, Cleric and Antiquary.
June - Barry Evans spoke on Madame Adelina Patti ‘The Queen of Song’.
July - Harriet Eaton, Neath’s Heritage Officer, presented An Oral History of Miners’ Stories.
August saw two meetings, the first with Canon Brian Lodwick speaking about Peter Price and the Quaker Dames. The other was the first meeting held in the evening and at Bryncoch where Glyn Williams spoke on Brunel in Neath.
September - Robert King gave a talk on Joseph Tregelles Price and spoke about his latest book ‘Secret Neath’.
October - John Richards gave a talk on The Romans in Wales.
November - Martyn Griffiths spoke on Court Herbert.
December - A Christmas social with a buffet and entertainment provided by the Neath Ukuleles Band.
In May and July 2017 two walks were organised taking in places of interest at Neath Abbey, Cwm Clydach and Dyffryn.
2018
January - Glyn Williams spoke on Brunel’s Paddington Station.
February - Our second evening meeting held at Bryncoch where Martyn Griffiths gave a talk entitled ‘A Night in the Churchyard’ about Cadoxton Church.
