CWMBRAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY: The society have had a number of visits to places of historical interest over the past year, starting in the spring with a visit to Ironbridge in Shropshire, and culminating in a visit in November to the Swansea Maritime Museum.

Most of our visits seem to have had a naval theme, including Weymouth and Portsmouth, and her is one to Plymouth at the end of October.

Dawn, our treasurer, must have forgotten to say her usual prayers because unusually it was wet as we set out for the West Country.

However, the CHS are a doughty lot and we were determined to make the most of the day and to show off some of our heritage to two American guests who were with us.

Arriving in Plymouth, we found that the weather had not improved so some of us stayed undercover in the plentiful shops, while others ventured further afield to investigate Plymouth's abundant historical sites.

Unfortunately, the Merchant's House was closed for the season but the Mayflower Exhibition was fascinating and gave an overview of the town's history. We also spotted a well known actor in a dramatisation of a Plymouth historical figure!

The aquarium beckoned across the harbour and although not a fan of such places, I was very impressed. It featured a floor to ceiling tank containing sharks, a huge turtle, and an equally large wrasse which will grow to the size of a mini car.

There was also a lovely collection of sea horses and their straighter cousins, pipe fish.

A special feature was a beautiful creature called a "sea hare". Its appearance was striking, like a black, rounded vase with a red edged ruffle. It kept moving and was rather like a flamenco dancer's dress. It had only been caught a few days earlier off Plymouth. A rare find indeed.

With a whole floor devoted to activities for the younger generation, I would recommend a visit. Even though the entry fee was a bit pricey, you could spend a whole afternoon there.

The Barbican area also features lots of pubs and restaurants, and after a nice lunch we walked up to the citadel, which is currently used by the MoD and highly protected, then we wandered through the historic back streets to rejoin our coach.

On Sunday, November 10, the old order was restored as it was another fine day and another 8.30am start for our last trip of the year, to Swansea Maritime Museum.

The coach dropped us in the car park of the museum, and having seen this attraction previously, I headed over to the nearby original museum of Swansea, which was the first in Wales.

Founded in 1841, Dylan Thomas called it "a museum that should be in a museum". It is worth going along there just to see the building itself which is neo-classical, Grade II Star Listed.

When we were there it housed a touring exhibition on the Titanic, its only appearance in Wales. The exhibition featured three costumes and china specially produced for the film Titanic.

It also had original artefacts and other materials, and was displayed to great effect. I was very tempted by some of the reproduction china on sale.

The museum also had its regular displays: an Egyptian mummy and the Victorian Cabinet of Curiosities, among others, and a large display of Swansea porcelain.

While wandering around we were treated to the beautiful sound of the Swansea Philharmonic Choir rehearsing.

Did you know that the Mumbles railway started 200 years ago, and that it was the first passenger railway service in the world? You do now!

After a satisfactory morning we repaired to Wetherspoons in Wynd Street, where our chairman was, as usual, found to be relaxing.

We were able to organise these visits because of an Award For All Wales Lottery Grant. The trips were all very well attended at very little cost to the society.

We will not be able to obtain another grant in 2008, but we hope that more visits will be organised for the spring and summer. Watch this space!

Judy Phipps