RECENT RESEARCH ON ST KITTS

ONE DAY SCHOOL
SATURDAY JANUARY 24th 2004
at the Drill Hall, Chepstow

The day will bring together a number of speakers from around the country, involved in archaeological excavation and historical research, on and about St Kitts.

Dr Mark Horton, Head of Dept & Reader in Archaeology at University of Bristol
Archaeological fieldwork at Wingfield Estate sugar plantation,

Dr Dan Hicks, Lecturer in Archaeology, University of Bristol
Caribbean Historical Archaeology

Simon Spooner, PhD Candidate, University of Bristol, Centre for Historical and Maritime Archaeology –
Maritime Archaeology at White House Bay, (director of the first ever maritime archaeological project on St Kitts - a pre 1760s probable English troop ship)

Edward Rutherfoord, architect, with diploma from the Architectural Association on Caribbean built heritage –
“Invisible Assets – the built heritage of the Caribbean with particular reference to St Kitts and Nevis”

Alex Robinson, currently working on Understanding Slavery Initiative at Merseyside Maritime Museum –
“Wishful Thinking – The Oral Tradition and St Kitts’ First Black Advocate – James Stephen 1758 – 1832”

John Evans, who did the original research on Nathaniel Wells resulting in the BBC Radio Programme, Blacker than Black, first broadcast on Radio 4 two years ago in Black History month, and who published an article on Nathaniel Wells in 2002, will tell the story with some recent updates

It’s the last chance to see the special exhibition that has attracted visitors from all over the UK
“From Son of Slave to Sheriff of Monmouthshire,
Nathaniel Wells of Piercefield and St Kitts (1779 –1852)”
CHEPSTOW MUSEUM
Bridge Street, Chepstow, Monmouthshire
UNTIL JANUARY 31 2004
Open: Mon-Sat: 11am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm

The astonishing story of Britain’s first black sheriff…….
The exhibition focuses on the extraordinary life of Nathaniel Wells, son of a Cardiff sugar plantation owner on St Kitts and one of his slaves. Nathaniel was educated in England, inherited his father’s estates and so became a slave owner himself. He soon purchased, in 1802, Piercefield in Monmouthshire with its splendid house (that had lately been transformed by architects John Soane and Joseph Bonomi) and already famous for its winding walks high above the Wye Valley with viewpoints opening onto breathtaking vistas. Much visited, and written about, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, it is also contemporary diaries that reveal that Nathaniel was black, making his rise to Sheriff of the County in 1818, and eventually deputy lieutenant, extraordinary for that era.
The exhibition explores the two worlds of Piercefield and a Caribbean sugar plantation, and brings together important original material, including plans by Sir John Soane and Joseph Bonomi made in the 1790s, on Nathaniel’s impressive Monmouthshire estate - a not to be missed opportunity to find out what the romantic ruin was originally like.
Due to the huge amount of interest that the exhibition has raised, bringing visitors from all over the country, Chepstow Museum was able extend the period of its showing. The extension also gives us the opportunity to provide the popular workshops for schools. There are different workshops available, including day long sessions on Slavery in the West Indies, or Discovering the Caribbean (for more details contact Chepstow Education Resource Centre on 01291 628552).

CHEPSTOW MUSEUM IS NOW FREE FOR ALL VISITORS
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HOW TO FIND THE DRILL HALL
- access by car from Lower Church Street

Also at the Drill Hall, Thursday 22nd January, 7.30pm. Experience the sounds of the Caribbean. Laker’s School Steel Band bring the magical sunshine sound of the steel pans to Chepstow. With some tastes of the Caribbean in the interval! Tickets available from Chepstow Museum 01291 625981
In association with Macmillan Caribbean, the world’s leading publisher for the Caribbean, we will have available for sale at the day school venue a wide range of books on the islands and their history, their wildlife and their gardens, food and drink, railways, reefs and shipwrecks, pirates and pelicans, as well as alphabets, stories and colouring books for children.
Macmillan Caribbean have been specialising in the publication of books for and about the Caribbean, for over thirty years. With their co-operation Chepstow Museum is able to offer a large and comprehensive selection of books that will appeal to the prospective traveller, serious students and historians, and anyone with a love and interest in the Caribbean. Many of the authors live and work in the Caribbean, or have spent much of their lives there.

The day starts with Registration at 10am. The first talk will begin at 10.30am.
The programme of short presentations is expected to end at about 5pm.
Coffee and tea will be provided but the day’s fee does not include lunch, which can be taken at one of the several local hostelries, hotels and restaurants, all in easy walking distance.

FEE FOR THE DAY IS £8.50, £6 concession (senior citizens, students, unwaged and disabled)

To book a place please complete the tear off form below and return to:
Chepstow Museum, Bridge Street, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 5EZ
(telephone enquiries to: 01291 625981)
Please make cheques payable to Monmouthshire County Council
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RECENT RESEARCH ON ST KITTS – ONE DAY SCHOOL

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I WISH TO BOOK …… NUMBER OF PLACES @ £8.50 / £6 conc

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Marika Sherwood, 13 Church Road, Oare, Kent ME13 0QA