To Neath Great Fair on Wednesday. Soft, almost wistful, sunshine and the streets of the town centre full of stalls and people. The founding charter was granted in 1280 by Gilbert De Clare, making the oldest Charter Fair in Wales. At one point it was one of nine fairs held in the town annually. As you might have guessed it is the sort of event I approve of, however it has, perhaps, seen better days. We went home after an hour
It was my first visit to the town and I must say I was pleasantly surprised though the place is in need of some tlc. Its bones, however, are good, and it is certainly pleasanter than the centre of Swansea. There is enough to draw me back. Nestling in the quiet enclave of Church Place we found this rather fine example of Victorian Classicism: The Mechanics Institution of 1847. Alfred Russell Wallace was the architect. It is still in the Georgian tradition, yet the detailing, which has a curious flatness to it, has a freedom that would have not been tolerated back in the day. Interesting play between textured wall and smooth mouldings. It is now the office of the local civic society.
No comments:
Post a Comment