The Welsh radio museum
Gwefr Heb Wifrau - Wireless in Wales, a charitable trust, is a small radio museum with a difference. With its emphasis on the history of broadcasting in Wales, the influence of broadcasting on our national identity and the contribution of the Welsh to the development of wireless technology it is unique. We have an interesting collection of old radio equipment and books, as well as educational and informative displays. The Museum is based around the collection of the late David Evan Jones and was opened just a few weeks after his death in 2008.
We were officially re-accredited by the Museums, Archives and Libraries Division of the Welsh Government in May 2018.
The museum is open on Mondays, 11.00 - 15.00, with the exception of bank holidays. Group and private visits are welcome at any other time, by appointment, throughout the year.
Wireless in Wales provides a safe and secure environment for volunteers and visitors, including wheelchair access throughout the building, a hearing loop and exhibits for safe handling. Our staff are trained and experienced in looking after visitors with disabilities.
Monthly update, November 2018
The highlight of the month's events was the Celebration Week for Wireless in Wales's Tenth Anniversary and Popeth Cymraeg's Thirtieth Anniversary. Thanks to everyone who supported us during the week, and who have supported us since the beginning in 2008!
Among the other events we had another successful Quiz Evening under Martyn's direction and the busiest weekend ever during Denbigh Open Doors. People enjoyed touring the exhibits and listening to the 'Voigt Corner Horn', while others experimented with Encaustic Art. The Radio Amateurs succeeded in contacting other Amateurs in New York and Eastern Europe.
John Clark returned to us to continue his talk about his interest in jewellery. His topic this time was Gold and we were given an insight into how gold was extracted from the earth over the centuries and how it was used. He talked about the Dolau Cothi mines in Carmarthenshire and about an area in Spain where the Romans excavated for gold on a massive scale. He explained how gold was used as coins in the sixth century BC and the problems associated with this as people cut off pieces and kept them.
He particularly referred to the Mold Gold Cape from 1900-1600 BC, in the Bronze Age
which was discovered near Mold in 1833. It may have been part of a ceremonial costume.
We have received two exhibits recently - which caused quite a stir at the Museum! Pictured are two
ladies from Lostock Hall, near Preston, presenting an Osram Music Magnet 4 Radio from 1929, containing four valves, and Gecophone Corner Horn to David. The radio was owned originally by a relative of the ladies, Thomas Halliday who was a very enthusiastic Radio Amateur. It is hoped that the radio can be repaired.
The second donation to the Museum was an Ediswan Radiophone, for sale in 1925 for £27. Thanks to Ann and Ifor John for transporting it from Cardiff.
A warm welcome to everyone to our next events:
November 16th, Richard Vernon talking on "In the Recording Studio", at 19.00.
November 30th, Curator's Evening, David Crawford talking about "Thomas Edison: The Man who Almost Invented Radio" at 19.00.
December 1st, 10.00-12.00, a Christmas Coffee Morning at Eirianfa, in association with Vale of Clwyd Mind and the Soroptimists.
Monthly Update, October 2018
In October this year, we are celebrating the tenth anniversary of Wireless in Wales Museum and the thirtieth anniversary of the establishment of Popeth Cymraeg. David Jones, founder of these organsations, will be remembered for his contribution to the continuing success of both. The occasion is marked with a series of events for the public:
Monday, October 8th :11.00-15.00 : Radio Amateurs Open Day : Museum Tours.
Tuesday, October 9th : 11.00-15.00 : Museum tours.
Wednesday, October 10th :19.00-21.00 : Demonstration by Angela and Mark from 'Studio MADE'.
Thursday, October 11th :18.00-19.00 : Craft Evening for families :19.00-20.00 : Craft Evening for adults
Friday, October 12th : 11.00-14.00 : Reception for friends, supporters and the media, by invitation only.
Saturday, October 13th : 9.30-15.30 : Welsh course and celebration.
We are also celebrating the establishment of a Radio Amateur Club which meets at the Museum every Monday, and which has recently become affiliated to the Radio Society of Great Britain. The Amateurs established a station here on April 28th, 2014, after creating an antenna and feeder, and they succeeded in contacting 5 other Amateurs in the UK and 1 in the USA. On June 13th, 2014, they obtained a special callsign from Ofcom,"GB0WIW", and they succeeded in contacting 24 other Amateurs on that day. By now, the Club has 11 members and the Callsign has been heard over Europe and even as far as South America. Pictured are some of the members with John Pritchard, North Wales representative of the Radio Society of Great Britain.
We look forward to other events in the autumn also:
October 19th, Professor Dyfrig Hughes talking on 'New Medicines and the National Health Service' at 19.00.
November 30th, Curator's Evening, David Crawford talking on "Thomas Edison: The Man Who Almost Invented Radio" at 19.00.
1st December, 10.00-12.00, Christmas Coffee Morning at Eirianfa, in association with Vale of Clwyd Mind and the Soroptimists.
Thanks to Professor Dyfrig Hughes for his lecture on "The Effectiveness and Safety of Medication" earlier in the year. He talked about
the history of medication development from the Egyptian period to today and the different types of medication which exist. He noted the need to regulate medicines to ensure that they are of high quality, and safe and effective. He described the process of developing new medications starting by detecting a chemical, carrying out tests in healthy volunteers and then carrying out tests on patients, focusing on safety throughout the process.
Wireless in Wales is always eager to send speakers to societies, schools and colleges who contact us. Recently, David, our Curator, has been giving talks to Ruthin U3A, Ruthin Probus, North Wales Radio Amateur Club in Llandudno, Dragon Radio Amateur Club in LlanfairPG and the Anglesey Society of Vintage Machinery.
It is sad to record the death of one of the Museum's loyal supporters, Alun Rawson Williams. A quiet gentleman who showed his knowledge and interest in the wireless field by leading visitors around the Museum. We send our sympathies to his family.
A SERIES OF TALKS AND EVENTS AT WIRELESS IN WALES RADIO MUSEUM DENBIGH 2018 – 2019
SEPTEMBER 2018
Friday 21st September 7pm - 9pm "Your Ring-The Human Cost". Speaker: John Clark
OCTOBER 2018
Friday 19th October 7pm - 9pm "New Medicines and the NHS": Speaker: Professor Dyfrig Hughes
NOVEMBER 2018
Friday 16th November 7pm - 9pm “In the Recording Studio”. Speaker: Richard Vernon
NOVEMBER 2018
Friday 30th November 7pm - 9pm : Curators Evening:
"Thomas Edison: The Man who nearly invented Radio": Speaker David Crawford
DECEMBER 2018
JANUARY 2019
Friday 18th January 7pm - 9pm "Community Digital Radio": Speaker Dr Selwyn Williams
FEBRUARY 2019
Friday February 15th 7pm - 9pm : "Geography, Geology and Gemstones": Speaker Tony Vine
MARCH 2019
Friday March 15th 7pm - 9pm "David Edward Hughes Annual Lecture": "MADE Studio: Carriageworks Denbigh : Art in Science and Technology". Speakers: Studio Artists
APRIL 2019
Friday 5th April 7pm - 9pm: "Heading for the City : Following the story of a Wireless Operator and a German WW1 Cruiser": Speaker: Christopher Lees
MAY 2019
Friday 17th May 7pm - 9pm : "The Editing and Manipulation of Photography": Speaker: Sue Clark
JUNE 2019
Friday 21st June 7pm - 9pm: "The Welsh in Liverpool": Speaker : Mike Farnworth
PLEASE KEEP REFERRING TO THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Events
The museum organises regular monthly talks in English or Bilingual. We also organise several talks in Welsh annually. The talks are usually on a Friday and start at 7pm. Upcoming Events are listed below with the talks emphasized.
Latest news
HLF Project
The 2 year project to develop our learning provision came to an end in April 2013. It was funded by the Heritage Lotetry Fund and enabled us to have 3 part time members of staff to develop learning resources, improve learning displays, organise events, visits to the museum etc. Further details available by clicking on Projects in the main menu above or by clicking here.