Information of our next meeting of Caerleon Civic Society can be found on our Facebook page
ELECTED OFFICERS
Copyright James A Sullivan 2018
© James A Sullivan 2018
The PRESIDENT
Jonathan Adams, architect of the Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay grew up in Caerleon and attended Caerleon Comprehensive School.
The influence of the town’s environment and Wales has been very large on him and his work, whether it was the unique stonework of the Roman Amphitheater or the slate quarries of North Wales.
His early years as an architect saw him involved with both experimental and practical projects, such as the initial visitors’ and interpretation centre in Cardiff Bay.
In 1998 he began working on the Millennium Center, being inspired by cliff faces, rock formation, wood, slate and the Welsh industrial landscape. He returned to Caerleon’s Roman stone remains when he was considering the style of lettering to be used on the theatre’s facade. The words of poet Gwyneth Lewis, Greu Gwir Fel Gwydr O Ffwrnais, In These Stones Horizons Sing sum up this ‘iconic’ building, a word now being used of his Millennium Centre.
Since that project Mr. Adams has worked on the University of Cornwall campus, the Sherman Theatre, the new WJEC building on Western Avenue and a Dementia Care residential village in Carmarthenshire.
Caerleon Civic Society Elected Officers 2026
Chair: Chris Thomas
Vice Chair:
Minute secretary: Sheila Basford
Treasurer: Richard Martin
Planning: Sheila Basford
Membership: Chris Thomas
Website editors: Chris Thomas
Facebook editor: Chris Thomas
Introducing new Chair Chris Thomas.
Chris has lived in the Caerleon area, with his family, for over 35 years.
His working career was in town planning and housing for local government, in London and Newport.
After early retirement from full-time work, he has enjoyed a number of voluntary opportunities including serving as a Community Councillor and being a Board Member of Bron Afon Community Mutual Housing Association for 7 years, and, more recently, being involved with the Caerleon Arts Festival and Friends of Newport Museum and Art Gallery.
His recent involvement with Caerleon Civic Society has focussed on helping to develop the Society’s response to the Campus planning application.
Chris’s interests include watching rugby, reading biographies and memoirs, politics and history and being a grandparent.
In memory of Catherine Philpott
Catherine was one of those people who made a significant contribution to the community in which they lived, but, perhaps, in a largely unnoticed way. In Catherine’s case she was committed, as a volunteer, to preserving and enhancing the environment of Caerleon.
Catherine’s name first appears in the Civic Society’s archive in 1977 when she was elected to the ‘executive committee’. Catherine became interested in planning and environmental issues and did not hold back from expressing her views in a forthright manner. As well as presenting regular reports on these subjects to the Society, she was prepared to be an active and vocal member.
In later years, and on the basis of work that she had done with the Newport-Kutaisi Twinning Association (of which she was the Chair from 2006 until 2010), her role for the Civic Society was one related to publicity and, more recently, helping to establish and maintain the Society’s website
and social media presence.
Catherine remained involved in the Civic Society up until the time of her death – in recent years not attending all our meetings but always available in the background for advice and support.
She will be greatly missed.
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In memory of Mike Singleton 1950-2018
Having been a member of Caerleon Civic Society for some years Mike was elected as Chair in 2013 following on from John Daniels.
He cared greatly for Caerleon and all it stood for both historically & geographically. Mike was most concerned with how growth and development impacted on the town and was ever energetic in keeping a watchful eye on these matters.
Will be sadly missed.
In memory of Norman Stevens 1933-2016
One of Caerleon Civic Society’s founder members who was always present to guide and advise with his vast background knowledge of all things ‘Caerleon’ and even generously gave financial support when needed. .
His knowledge of Caerleon, as an historical Roman town, was unsurpassed, demonstrated by his many books on the town. These form a major part of his legacy to the residents of Caerleon and the Civic Society.
To sum up – an author, raconteur and highly regarded within the local community and known for having a wonderful sense of humour.
