Storytelling

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Historical Characters at Blaenavon World Heritage Centre

Storytelling

We offer storytelling sessions provided by costumed interpreters of a wide selection of historic
characters who have worked and lived in Blaenavon. These sessions would be suitable for
Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2. Please note that a fee will be payable which will be confirmed
at the time of booking. The 12 characters available include:

 

Abraham Harry (18th century collier and small-holder before the establishment of the Blaenavon Ironworks)Abraham Harry (18th century collier and small-holder before the establishment of the Blaenavon Ironworks) William Boswell (from Staffordshire; worked and lived at Garnddyrys Forge for a period of some 40 years and was still employed as a puddler in 1861 aged 70)William Boswell (from Staffordshire; worked and lived at Garnddyrys Forge for a period of some 40 years and was still employed as a puddler in 1861 aged 70)
 
Thomas Deakin (from Shropshire, worked underground as a boy before arriving at Blaenavon. He became manager of the company’s iron-ore mines.)Thomas Deakin (from Shropshire, worked underground as a boy before arriving at Blaenavon. He became manager of the company’s iron-ore mines.) Sidney Gilchrist Thomas (selftaught chemist who carried out experiments at Blaenavon which would eventually revolutionise steelmaking and had worldwide implications)Sidney Gilchrist Thomas (selftaught chemist who carried out experiments at Blaenavon which would eventually revolutionise steelmaking and had worldwide implications)
 
‘Commander’ John Evans (a shadowy figure and leader of the ‘scotch-cattle’ / illegal worker’s union at Blaenavon; actively hostile to the company’s use of blackleg labour)‘Commander’ John Evans (a shadowy figure and leader of the ‘scotch-cattle’ / illegal worker’s union at Blaenavon; actively hostile to the company’s use of blackleg labour) Mary Ann Caddick (accompanied her father, Charles Taylor to Russia as an emigrant worker at Hughesovka but eventually returned to Blaenavon following her parents’ death)Mary Ann Caddick (accompanied her father, Charles Taylor to Russia as an emigrant worker at Hughesovka but eventually returned to Blaenavon following her parents’ death)
 
Margaret Thomas (interviewed in 1842 by Children’s employment commissioner whilst at work as a child. She had previously worked as a drammer underground)Margaret Thomas (interviewed in 1842 by Children’s employment commissioner whilst at work as a child. She had previously worked as a drammer underground) Lewis Browning (a collier and laypreacher born 1828. He attended St. Peter’s school and wrote the first history of Blaenavon)Lewis Browning (a collier and laypreacher born 1828. He attended St. Peter’s school and wrote the first history of Blaenavon)
 
Timothy McCarthy (from Ireland, interviewed in 1842 by Children’s employment commissioner whilst at work filling the iron furnaces with his two sons – all lied about their ages in order to conceal the children’s ages)Timothy McCarthy (from Ireland, interviewed in 1842 by Children’s employment commissioner whilst at work filling the iron furnaces with his two sons – all lied about their ages in order to conceal the children’s ages) Elizabeth Jones (a brick-maker in1863 at Blaenavon – underground work had by this time been denied to women, so many found employment at the local brickworks)Elizabeth Jones (a brick-maker in1863 at Blaenavon – underground work had by this time been denied to women, so many found employment at the local brickworks)
 
Ann Carpenter (originally from West country but in 1863 worked on the iron-ore patches on the mountain above Blaenavon)Ann Carpenter (originally from West country but in 1863 worked on the iron-ore patches on the mountain above Blaenavon) Sarah Hopkins (from Staffordshire and sister to the ironmaster Samuel Hopkins. Sarah had St. Peter’s school built and endowed as a free-school for the workers’ children following her brother’s death)Sarah Hopkins (from Staffordshire and sister to the ironmaster Samuel Hopkins. Sarah had St. Peter’s school built and endowed as a free-school for the workers’ children following her brother’s death)


 
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