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Welcome to the Blog of the Friends of Newport Museum and Art Gallery. We are aware that not everyone uses social media and so, although we have an active social media presence we have decided to produce a blog.
We would like any members who feel inclined to write items for this blog. If you want to highlight a favourite exhbit we might be able to obtain a picture that you can use. 

 To make contact:

 email, membership@fonmag.org.uk 
For the webpage see  https://fonmag.org.uk/contact-us.html

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A Roman Soldier Visits Newport Museum and Art Gallery

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  A Roman Soldier Visits Newport Museum and Art Gallery On Thursday Verdun Howells the Education Officer at the National Roman Legion Museum visited Newport Museum and Art Gallery. Many children came to see him and talk about his life as a Roman Soldier - something about which he knew a great deal having worked at the National Roman Legion Museum at Caerleon for many years. But he was also there to talk about the Roman collection in the museum and as he was in that section of the museum he was drawing attention to the excellent collection of artefacts. It is never easy to take photographs in the Museum because of the lighting which is designed to protect the exhibits. Here is Verdun dressed as a Roman Legionary and as there was no one in this section of the gallery at the time I asked him to draw his sword. This was something he had not been able to do when other people were in the gallery for health and safety reasons, but when I visited there was no one around.   Behind Verdun is a d
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Musket Balls and Misconceptions

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Musket balls and misconceptions by Ray Stroud Artist unknown ©  Newport Museum and Art Gallery         Many youngsters through the years have found it difficult to resist the temptation of squeezing their fingers into the holes in the pillars of the Westgate Hotel.   We had all, probably, been regaled with stories of the Chartist attack on the Westgate, and of the musket balls that had penetrated the building during the battle.   But were these tales based on truth or myth?   In recent years, many in Newport have adopted the ‘myth’ position, arguing that they had been drilled into the pillars at a later date, possibly to attach gates or some other structure.   But does that theory line up with the historical evidence? The holes found in the pillars as they look today.  © Ray Stroud         The portico, which today sadly stands concealed behind sheets of chipboard, is the only remaining feature of a building that was constructed in 1799.   Interestingly, it is actual
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Alex Jarvis and her family photographs of the 75th Anniversary of Newport Transporter Bridge in 1981

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  Alex Jarvis and her family photographs of the 75th Anniversary of Newport Transporter Bridge in 1981 Stunt Biplanes pass under Newport's Transporter Bridge to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the bridge. Newport Borough Council, as it was known in 1981, planned a 75th Anniversary of the opening of the Transporter Bridge which had taken place on September 12th 1906. They had several events planned. There was a horse and carriage procession from the Mansion House to the bridge carrying mayor Les Knight and other dignitaries. They travelled through Newport to the Bridge where a re-enactment of the opening was provided by Newport Playgoers. Trevor Jones played the part of Lord Tredegar who had switched on the current for the electrically operated bridge on the opening day. But something that really excited the public in 1981 was a dare devil birthday salute via aeroplane. Two stunt pilots made aviation history by swooping under the supports of the Transporter Bridge and thousands of
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