Hand written extract from 1861

Hand written extract from

Free Press of Monmouthshire

Saturday 17 August 1861

Reporting opening of Wern National School on 12 August 1861

"At half past nine o'clock on Monday morning August 12th 1861 the village of Sebastopol in the parish of Panteg presented an animated scene. A large concourse of the parishioners had assembled for the purpose of witnessing the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of a:

National School and Master's Residence

"The devotional part of the proceedings being concluded, the Rector addressed Mrs Hanbury-Leigh of Pontypool Park, 'Mrs Hanbury-Leigh, in the name of the Rector and Church Wardens of this parish and in the name of the gentlemen who comprised the building committee and of the inhabitants of the locality, I have to request that you will do them the favour of laying the first stone of the Wern National School, and for that purpose I beg to hand you a trowel and a mallet.'

"As soon as the beautiful block was lowered to its place she used the mallet and encouraged her children to do likewise, this initiating them from an early age to deeds of benevolence and charity.

"The Rector then pointed out the necessity there was for an efficient school in that section of his parish, and congratulated the inhabitants on the auspicious proceedings of that morning.

"The Doxology was then sung by the whole audience, who throughout had observed the greatest order and decorum without the assistance or presence of a policeman.

"Before dispersing the Rector called upon them to give three hearty cheers for Mrs Hanbury-Leigh, the Lord Lieutenant of the County (whom Mrs Hanbury-Leigh loved most dearly) and for the young squire who was present on that occasion - a noble boy, that would in the future, if spared, well represent his father and ancestors in connection with every good work.

"Two bottles hermetically sealed, containing a copy of the Times, the Star of Gwent, and the Pontypool Free Press and also well selected specimens of the silver and copper coinage of the present reign were deposited in a cavity in the foundation stone accompanied by a statement of the proceedings of that morning.

The Free Press of Monmouthshire

Saturday, 17 August 1861."