Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Wales

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Pillgwenlly Library

Following on from the above, this is another puzzle. It is the former Pillgwenlly Library on Temple Street in Newport. It has a certain fame as the inscription in the pediment, "Knowledge is power" inspired the opening line of the Manic Street Preachers' song, A Design for Life. It is frequently described as a Carnegie library. But there are some questions:

  • This, and other sources, suggest the building dates from 1889. That would make it a very early UK Carnegie - only six years after Dunfermline, the first in the UK, and more than a decade before the next in Wales;
  • It doesn't appear to be recorded in Oriel Prizeman's, The Carnegie Libraries of Britain;
  • It doesn't appear to be recorded in the digital catalogue of the Cardiff University Carnegie project.
  • It's not listed by Cadw, or recorded in the RCAHMW Coflein database, so they give no information.

Does anyone have any sourcing on the building's origins? KJP1 (talk) 12:48, 6 July 2025 (UTC)

The news coverage of the library's closure give snippets of background information, such as in Wales Online (though it doesn't mention Carnegie unfortunately). It certainly seems worthy of a Wikipedia article. Sionk (talk) 11:49, 23 July 2025 (UTC)
And if not here, then certainly on cywiki. I've looked on the Peoples Collection Wales website and I haven't found anything specifically about the library.I'm fairly sure that the saying "Knowledge is power" is very very old, but it could be that the Manics saw it there for the first time. Merits further research. Deb (talk) 15:32, 23 July 2025 (UTC)
I found something in an 1888 issue of Building News that says there was a plan for a new Free Reading Room in Pillgwenlly around that time, so it would make sense for that plan to have developed into a library. Deb (talk) 15:38, 23 July 2025 (UTC)
Thanks both - very helpful. Interestingly, Brodie's Directory of British Architects does have an entry for an Alfred Swash, of Midland Bank Chambers, Newport, who was articled to Habershon and Fawckner before setting up on his own. Unfortunately, it doesn't mention the library. I agree an article would be good, but the sources will be a struggle. No Cadw/Coflein/Pevsner and, as I don't think it's a Carnegie, neither of the Carnegie sources either. Which leaves us rather light. The problem with the modern newspapers is that they focus heavily on the Manic Street Preachers connection, and rather less on details about the building. But Deb's finding Swash is a very good start - let's see what else can be unearthed. KJP1 (talk) 16:33, 23 July 2025 (UTC)
Has anyone had a close look at the foundation stone? Deb (talk) 17:23, 23 July 2025 (UTC)
While Newport was a great stomping ground when I was young, I am now located rather a long way away. But it’s a good idea, and I think a few of the Wales contributors are closer. KJP1 (talk) 17:40, 23 July 2025 (UTC)
There should be some sources here at NLW, if anyone has the time. Tony Holkham (Talk) 19:41, 23 July 2025 (UTC)
Or in NLW journals. Tony Holkham (Talk) 19:47, 23 July 2025 (UTC)
Good Lord, Tony, that's a lot of mentions of Pill! I shall see whether I can find any relating to the library. Many thanks. KJP1 (talk) 07:31, 24 July 2025 (UTC)
I know this is an old discussion, but in interesting one, so I just had a look myself on the NLW newspaper archive and found this article (which you may have already seen) about a competition for architects to design the library/reading room, and another just after opening, which has a lot details, such as the different areas inside and the cost etc, plus a nice sketch of the front. Rhyswynne (talk) 17:21, 8 October 2025 (UTC)
Rhyswynne - sincere apologies for the delay in replying, and sincere thanks for the link. There’s some useful info. there. I’ll see if we have enough for a stub/start. KJP1 (talk) 06:56, 9 November 2025 (UTC)

With thanks for the suggestions and support, we now have a Start article, Pillgwenlly Library. I'd very much appreciate it if anyone has a source for its current use, if any. Some of the newspaper reports suggest that it became a community hub in 2014, e.g. , on closure as a library. But confusingly, the images appear to show a different building, and the texts locate it on Commercial Road, rather than Temple Street. To complicate matters, that building also appears to have been closed by the council in 2024. If any editor is aware of an up-to-date RS detailing its current function, it would be good to add it in. Thanks again. KJP1 (talk) 10:23, 9 November 2025 (UTC)

Facebook groups for local history societies and the like are places you can sometimes find an answer. I mean, you can't use Facebook as a source, but once you have some kind of up-to-date knowledge, it's easier to find mentions in newspapers, etc. Deb (talk) 10:43, 9 November 2025 (UTC)

Moved comment to Talk:Pillgwenlly Library and replied. KJP1 (talk) 06:59, 14 January 2026 (UTC)

Discussion at Talk:Wales Green Party § Welsh independence in the infobox (again)

 You are invited to join the discussion at Talk:Wales Green Party § Welsh independence in the infobox (again), which is within the scope of this WikiProject. DankJae 08:25, 19 October 2025 (UTC)

Discussion at Wikipedia:Templates for discussion/Log/2025 November 6 § Culture sidebars part 10

 You are invited to join the discussion at Wikipedia:Templates for discussion/Log/2025 November 6 § Culture sidebars part 10, which is within the scope of this WikiProject. For the deletion of {{Culture of Wales}} to merge into {{Wales topics}}. DankJae 19:34, 6 November 2025 (UTC)

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Cardiff Meet up on 22nd January (and offer of help to set up any others!)

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Also whilst I'm personally based in Cardiff, my role responsibilities are to all of Wales (and I enjoy a good work trip!) so if you're interested in running an in person event or Meet Up in another part of Wales or you have a project idea you'd like help from Wikimedia UK then I'd love to hear from you. You can leave me a message or my email is gemma.coleman@wikimedia.org.uk (feel free to contact me in Welsh or English) Gemma Coleman (WMUK) (talk) 10:34, 7 January 2026 (UTC)

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I'm the Wales programme coordinator at Wikimedia UK. I've been in post almost a year now and I'm planning my work for 2026. I'd love to know what sorts of events / activities / projects or other ideas editors based in Wales, who edit in Welsh or who regularly edit about topics related to Wales might like to see (or might like some help from Wikimedia UK with).

I've made a (brief!) survey in English or Welsh which is probably the easiest way to input however if surveys don't work for you for any reason you're welcome to message me via Wiki or email me (gemma.coleman@wikimedia.org.uk) to let me know your ideas or to arrange a chat about an idea you'd like Wikimedia UK's help with. Gemma Coleman (WMUK) (talk) 17:06, 14 January 2026 (UTC)