There is something very Spencer Tunick about many of the displays at Rheola Market.
Tunick is the American photographer known for his photographs of large numbers of nude people placed closely together. Market stall-holders arrive around four o’clock in the morning and work like fury to present their stalls ready for the public for each Saturday’s weekly show. Whether it is creating an ‘installation’ out of fruit or veg, or arranging secondhand toy figures (as below) it’s a joy to see. And it’s art.
The fuel station in the village of Abergarwed closed a few years ago. The development of a dual-carriageway nearby diverted cars who no longer had to travel via this village to head westwards for Neath, Swansea and the M4.
Nature patiently reclaims the site. It’s a slow process, but the grasses, moss, and other local vegetation will eventually erase man’s marks on this landscape.
Neath was a Cistercian Abbey founded in 1129. Dissolved in 1539.
According to Rod Cooper in his book Abbeys and Priories of Wales (Christopher Davies, Llandybie, 1992) pg. 69-71 : “Neath deserves particular attention because there is some evidence that it was the most noteworthy ecclesiastical building in Wales in terms of architecture. Its origins date from the first Norman invasion of South Wales and in the eyes of the Welsh the foundation was another facet of that invasion.”
“Today the ruins present some of the most complete remains of a Cistercian abbey to be found in Wales. Much, however, is badly ruined.”
The Neath Bookshop in Neath town centre is currently holding a closing down sale.
50% off everything.
Amongst all the usual suspects, there were a couple of Rachel Tresize’s books for sale.
We opted for Cyril Treharne’s ‘Around God’s Acre (in South Western Wales)’ (Llanrwst, Gwasg Carreg Gwalch 2006 – ISBN 1-84527-087-8) : “This book takes us on a journey around some of the most interesting churches and churchyards in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Gower.”
Priceless.
Well worth three pounds fifty.
Nowadays the small independent bookseller faces being crushed between the mighty monopolistic supermarkets and their heavy discounting and fending off global giants like Amazon who announced earlier this year that they were investing in large distribution centre near Neath. It’s no surprise to see so many bookshops closing.
Bethel Church, Neath. Part of the Elim group of Churches. Elim Pentecostal Church was founded in 1915 through the ministry of George Jefferys, a Welshman.
According to Bethel Church website : “Locally in Neath the church was founded at the direct result of an Evangelical Crusade led by Pastor P.S. Brewster at the Gwyn Hall in 1935. Since that time the church has met at the Town Hall, The Moose Hall Water Street, Charles Street and Marshfield Road until its move to its present building Bethel at Britton ferry Road, Melyn in 1949.”
The church building was restored in 1998, there are a few photographs on the above website.
According to Capel, the Chapels Heritage Society newsletter : “The Baptist cause in Neath began as an offshoot of the church at Ilston, meeting in a local inn in Water Street. The church was officially incorporated in 1789. A chapel was built on a nearby site in Water Street in 1804 and enlarged in 1828. After the revival of 1859 the congregation had become too large for the old chapel. A site was purchased for £250, and the present chapel was built there in 1862 by J. C. Rees, at a cost of £2000, and was opened in July 1863.”
