NEWPORT

1. NEWPORT in 1800

2. Newport in 1800 About how many streets did Newport have in 1800? What were the main features of the town? How many ‘slips’ can you find near the river? Can you find out what a ‘slip’ was? Can you find out if this street is still called Church Street today? What do you think was on THIS side of the river?

3. Click on a photo to see a larger image… Newport Bridge, circa 1800 Newport Castle, circa 1800 You are here!

4. What do you think may be happening on the boats? What have the men being doing? What types of transport can you see? What can’t you see? Do you recognise Newport Castle and nearby buildings from this photograph? How does this scene look the same / different to today? What do you think this man could be thinking? Newport Castle, circa 1800

5. Does the bridge in this picture look the same as the bridge in the other picture? Why do you think this is? What can you see on the river? What does this tell you about Newport in 1800? Newport Bridge, circa 1800

6. Then and Now – Newport Castle What’s stayed the same? What’s changed? Why?

7. Then and Now – Newport Bridge What’s stayed the same? What’s changed? Why?

8. Newport Remembered – 1800 The environs of Newport are delightful, and compensate for its gloomy appearance. I was particularly struck with the beauty of the scenery in a meadow to the north-west of town..… This meadow is surrounded by a circular range of hills, richly clothed with an intermixture of wood and pasture; and at a distance is seen the strait ridge of mountains, which stretch from Risca towards Pontypool, and present a beautiful appearance when purpled with the rays of the setting sun. (Coxe, A historical Tour Through Monmouthshire, 1801.) The melancholy and dirty appearance of this town will not long detain the tourist; he will see the ruins of the castle on entering the town, and on leaving it he will see St Woolos Church, then he is on his way to Cardiff without a stop! (Sir Richard Colt Hoare) From Tredegar Park we immediately crossed the Ebwy by a long narrow bridge, and presently entered Newport, a dirty ill-built town nearly comprised in one long street winding down a bank of the River Usk. (J T Barber, A Tour Through South Wales and Monmouthshire, 1803.) This place (Newport)… though it is not of large extent, contains several good houses, principally about the market place; the main street is extremely steep, and the inhabitants on one side are considerably elevated above the road, where the pavement is not only rough, but in many respects dangerous, continuing to St Woolos Church, on the top of the hill. (Manby, Historic and Picturesque Guide. 1802) It is a long, narrow, and straggling town, built partly on a flat on the banks of the Usk, and partly on a declivity. The streets are dirty and ill paved; the houses in general wear a gloomy appearance. (Coxe, A historical Tour Through Monmouthshire, 1801.)

9. What you need to do… 1)This slide has four pieces written about Newport in the early 1800s. Read each piece and decide whether the person writing it is FOR or AGAINST the changes witnessed. Click ONCE on a statement to turn it GREY (against). Click AGAIN on a statement to turn it YELLOW (for). Click AGAIN on a statement to return it to WHITE (undecided). You can repeat the above as often as you like until you decide on a choice. 2) Read the pieces again. Can you find which comments could be FACT and which sound like the author’s OPINION? Use your whiteboard highlighter tool to mark your findings!