Past History Group Events
A summary of 2025's History Group Meetings is below:
December 2025 - Potpourri meeting
A social evening for the group to look at information and photographs pertaining to earlier meetings.
November 2025 - Henry Davies
On Remembrance Day, Tuesday 11 November 2025, we honoured and remembered Henry Davies, Redwick's Crimean War veteran and distinguished soldier, who had been buried in the churchyard of St Thomas' Church, Redwick, in 1907.
After tolling the church bell, a short service was held in the churchyard, led by Rev. Sarah Rosser, and a grave marker was unveiled by a member of The Rifles, with a two-minute silence broken by a bugler from The Rifles.
We were joined by the Mayor of Newport, Cllr Kate Thomas, Cllr Mark Spencer, Armed Forces and Veterans Champion for Newport, and Cllr William Routley, plus family members of Henry Davies including the widow of Ray Davies, Henry's great grandson, and Henry's great, great grandson.
After the service, in Redwick Village Hall, Chris Leighton, our local resident archivist, gave a talk about the life and military career of Henry Davies. Henry's great, great grandson then spoke about aspects of Henry’s personality which were inherited by several of his descendants. Lastly, Cor Cochion Caerdydd, the choir, co-founded by Ray Davies during the miner's strike, ended the commemorations by singing, in Welsh, one of their songs in support of peace, justice and freedom.
Our local MP for Newport East, Jessica Morden, had visited Redwick and the grave the previous week and, when attending in the Houses of Parliament on Remembrance Day itself, gave a speech and referenced 'the Redwick History Group, who along with community members and representatives of The Rifles, unveiled a grave marker for Crimean War veteran, Henry Davies, who has lain for 118 years in an unmarked grave in the churchyard of St Thomas' Church, Redwick'. Fame indeed!
Thanks to everyone who made the event a success but particularly to Barbara Ward and Chris Leighton whose hard work and coordination with Henry Davies' family, the military, and local officials meant we finally honoured a local Redwick war veteran and distinguished soldier.
October 2025 - Looking back and looking forward
AGM followed by a meeting looking at the 1921 census for Redwick.
September 2025 - Underwood Prisoner of War Camp
Stephen Hill gave an illustrated talk on the Underwood Prisoner of War Camp.
August 2025 - Newport Transporter Bridge Visitor Centre
The group were given the opportunity to visit the new Transporter Bridge Visitor Centre prior to opening.
July 2025 - Lady Rhondda
Julie Nicholas, member of the Monumental Welsh Women Group, gave a talk on Lady Rhondda.
June 2025 - Lord Rhondda
Pete Strong gave a talk on Lord Rhondda and his contribution to World War I.
May 2025 - War 2 Peace exhibition
An exhibition on how World War II affected Redwick families and the local area.
April 2025 - Secret Army
Member Barbara gave a talk on the Secret Army, and the local Jonah patrol.
March 2025 - Newport: from the castle to St. Woolos
Stella Evans gave a walking history of Newport, and the evidence of the past that can still be seen today.
February 2025 - Thomas Andrew Walker
Richard Clammer came to talk about the civil engineering contractor Thomas Andrew Walker and his ship building yard in Sudbrook.
