2010 is in the International Year of Biodiversity and Big Pit is taking part in this initiative to raise awareness of the local landscape. The museum is hosting a series of events throughout the summer, in partnership with Forgotten Landscapes, to show families how accessible activities such as pond dipping and fossil hunting can be. Other events, including bat walks and landscape detective events, are taking place through July and August, where you can discover how nature has reclaimed the Coity Tips, located alongside the main Big Pit site.

During the summer we are also hosting our ‘Music on the Patio’ series, which has been very successful in previous years. Throughout July, a number of local bands and choirs will be giving free open-air concerts on the patio outside the Pithead Baths, for both visitors and local people to enjoy. The line up this year includes Blaenavon Town Band, Risca Salvation Army Band, CJ Singers, Llwydcoed Brass Band and Blaenavon Concert Band. What better way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon than sat out enjoying tea and cake and listening to good music?

Events and Activities

Music on the Patio - Sundays throughout July - 2.30pm

Enjoy a feast of local music on Sunday afternoons throughout July. Come along and listen to local bands and choirs performing in a series of free open-air concerts.

• 4 July – Blaenavon Town Band
• 11 July – Risca Salvation Army Band
• 18 July – CJ Singers
• 25 July – Llwydcoed Brass Band
• 1 August – Blaenavon Concert Band

Family Activities - 26 - 30 July - Miners Fortnight

Miners’ Galas and family holidays to Porthcawl and Barry were highlights of the summer for coalfield communities. Bring along your memories of these events and help us tell the stories of high days and holidays when coal was king. Tell us how holidays have changed since you were a child, Activities include design a seaside postcard and dressing up as bathing belles and beaus from days gone by.

Big Pit at the National Eisteddfod - 3 August

Find out more about Big Pit’s collections and community work in a day of activities on our stand at the National Eisteddfod in Ebbw Vale.

Biodiversity Landscape Detectives - 10 & 12 August

Look at the landscape around Big Pit and Coity Tip and find clues which tell us about the natural and man-made environment around us, including pond dipping and landscape walks. Pre-booking required: (01495) 790311.

Pond Conservation - Wednesday 27 October

Come and find out about the many types of plant and animal living in the Coity Tip pond. Join members of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers in a hands-on pond conservation activity which will make a real difference to the environment and landscape. Pre-booking required: (01495) 790311.

Tunnelling and Mine Warfare - Exhibition - 12 September-21 November

Find out about how miners from Wales helped with the war effort by tunnelling beneath the ground in France during WW1, and how the Durand Group is researching this effort.

Call Mr Robeson – Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall - 23 October at 7.30pm

Paul Robeson was a great actor, singer and civil rights campaigner. He had an affinity with Wales, and fought for the rights of miners, recognising similarities between Welsh workers and the civil rights movement in America. Tayo Aluko brings Robeson’s story to life in a moving and inspiring play, featuring some of Robeson’s famous songs and speeches, including the iconic ‘ Ol’ Man River ’. Tickets £10, available from 1 July. Call (01495) 742333.

The Proud Valley - 26 October & 28 October at 1.30pm

Big Pit will be hosting special screenings of Paul Robeson’s film about life in a Welsh mining community. The screening will be introduced by Curator, Ceri Thompson.

Talks: Autumn Lecture Series

Tunnelling and Mine Warfare – Durand Group Investigation of WW1 Sites - Saturday 18 September at 2.30pm

Mick Hibberd will be giving a short outline of the formation of the British Tunnelling Companies and a description of the main areas of activity in France & Belgium during WW1 followed by an explanation of the creation of the Durand Group and descriptions of major projects and their results.

Mines and Medals - Saturday 16 October at 2.30pm

The stories behind the medals awarded to miners in Wales for their bravery during accidents and disasters by Edward Besly Department of Archaeology, Amgueddfa Cymru.

‘When we were Miners’ - Saturday 13 November at 2.30pm

Ian Issac a former NUM official talks about his role as a trade unionist between 1974 and 1991 - one of the most turbulent periods in the history of the south Wales coalfield.

For further details about these events, please visit www.museumwales.ac.uk|