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The Official Launch of the Swansea Branch
While a steering committee had been in existence for some months, the official launch of the HA’s Swansea Branch took place on Friday 23 October 2009 at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, and was attended by the city’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Alan Lloyd. In his opening remarks, the Lord Mayor spoke of the importance of history and reminded those present of the city’s former Industrial and Maritime Museum, which previously occupied the site of the present Waterfront Museum, which struck chords of memory and nostalgia among many of those present.
Dr John Law, chairman of the branch, introduced the guest speaker, Professor Chris Williams of Swansea University, who gave an illustrated talk on J M Staniforth, a political cartoonist of the late-19th and early-20th centuries, who has been described as ‘the most important visual commentator on Welsh affairs’.
After the inaugural talk, there was a small reception for those who attended. According to Colin Wheldon James, vice-chairman of the branch, ‘The launch of this new branch has been very successful. We are particularly encouraged by the response to our membership
drive and we believe that this branch will be a vibrant organisation that will greatly contribute to the enjoyment of history.’
The Historical Association is the national voice for history and the Swansea branch intends taking on that role at a local level. The branch’s catchment area is south-west Wales, which will complement the Association’s other Welsh branches in Cardiff and Gwent. It is foreseen that talks will take place on a monthly basis, which will include speakers from the forefront of historical study in the UK. The local branch’s aim is to bring together people who share an interest in, and love for the past, and to further the study, teaching and enjoyment of history in all guises and forms: professional, public and popular.
The HA is the leading national charity supporting the study and enjoyment of history and believes that an historical awareness is essential for the 21st-century citizen. It wishes to cater for all who share an interest in history and celebrate historical understanding. The Swansea branch is fully committed to pursuing this role in south-west Wales.
J M Staniforth: ‘The most important visual commentator on Welsh affairs.’
The Inaugural Lecture by Professor Chris Williams
The guest speaker at the launch of the Swansea Branch was Professor Chris Williams
(pictured right) of Swansea University’s department of History and Classics, who
gave an illustrated talk on J M Staniforth.
Staniforth has been termed the most important visual commentator ever to work
in Wales. From 1893 until his death in 1921 he was cartoonist for the Western Mail
and was the principal cartoonist of the News of the World, which had a circulation
of over 1 million by 1900, the most popular Sunday newspaper in Britain.
The talk helped rescue from neglect the cultural resonance of one of the most
influential popular commentators of the time, and was very well received by the audience
who were fascinated by the character that was little known to many of them.
Following his talk, Professor Williams answered questions on his topic.
Photograph by Claire Vivian
