Editor

My name is John Weston and I am a ‘newcomer’ to Aberystwyth with a keen interest in local history. Currently I am involved with a project organised by Ceredigion Museum which is being funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project is called “It happened in Aber” and the output will be a virtual walking tour of Aberystwyth, featuring places/buildings that are no more than 15 minutes away from the front door of the museum.

The project looks at the historical aspects of five buildings/locations in the town and also intends to record local people’s memories and recollections.

One of the buildings included in the project is the former Wesleyan Methodist Chapel - St Pauls’ - on Great Dark Gate Street. It was chosen both as a significant building with architectural merit but also through having a rich history. The chapel closed in the early 1990s and was then opened as The Academy public house.

It would be a great boost to the project if people would be willing to have a chat about the building in its time either as The Academy or who remembers it as a working Chapel.

With regards to The Academy we are looking for any recollections but also some particular themes have emerged, so does anyone have memories of, for example:

• The Round Pool Table

• Memories of watching rugby/ football etc.

Does anyone remember drinking “Awkward Giraffes”!

If you are interested in local history and would like to get in touch to share your memories of St Paul’s/The Academy I would love to hear from you.

The project officer is Sarah Morton at Ceredigion Museum and she can be contacted via email at: sarah.morton@ ceredigion.gov.uk

John Weston

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