The Mon & Brec 200 celebrations were launched earlier this month (Friday 10th February) with the Ringing of the Bells, recreating the canal’s opening ceremony 200 years ago.  A single bell was rung by Cllr Bob Wellington, Leader of Torfaen County Borough Council and Robin Herbert, the Great, Great Grandson of Sir Benjamin Hall who gave the name of ‘Big Ben’ to the bell of the clock installed in the tower of the Houses of Parliament in 1857.�

This special event marks the joining of the Brecknock & Abergavenny Canals with the Monmouthshire Canal.�

Over 100 people attended the opening ceremony, which was part of a celebratory event at Pontymoile Basin.  The event saw performances by pupils from Pontymoile Primary School, Accord Singers and St Cadocs Millennium Chimes.  Thomas Dadford Jnr Canal Engineer and Cllr Bob Wellington welcomed guests to Pontymoile before the 200kg bell was struck 12 times.�

The initial bell strike at 12 noon started the Peal of Church Bells from Pontymoile Basin to Brecon in one direction and Newport and Cwmcarn in the other.  Church Bells also pealed from Hay-on-Wye to Brecon. �

Project Co-ordinator David Morgan said almost 30 Church’s helped create the rippling effect between 12 noon and 7.00pm.

“We would like to take this opportunity to say a special thank you to Richard Dommett MBE from the Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canals Trust for bringing the Churches into our celebrations and for sourcing a remarkable bell to be struck to mark the start of the 200th anniversary,” David said.�

For more information about future events and the Mon & Brec bicentenary celebrations, please visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/monandbrec200