This month sees Abergavenny Museum celebrating its first 50 years.

The popular museum was set up in 1959 by a group of volunteers in response to the destruction of many Tudor buildings in the town during the 1950s.

These dedicated men and women saved many artefacts from destruction and formed the initial Abergavenny Museum collection.

Initially the museum opened in a small part of the current museum building. Over the years it has been possible to open up all of the Regency Hunting Lodge which stands in the grounds of Abergavenny Castle.

A party was held earlier this month for some of those people who have been involved over the years. These include Barbara Jackson whose uncle and father, Alfred and Ernest Jackson were key members of the founding group.

In the picture she can be seen cutting the 'birthday' cake alongside Gwyn Jones a former history teacher and president of Abergavenny Local History Society, which has very strong links with the museum.

This event also saw the launch of a new oral history recording project. To celebrate the 50th anniversary the Museum would like to find out more about life in Abergavenny during the 1950s and 1960s. Many well known events happened at this time such as the visit by HM The Queen and of course The Beatles, both in the early 1960s.

In a joint venture with the Abergavenny Local History Society the museum staff would like to interview local people who have memories of this time, hopefully resulting in an exhibition 2009/2010. If you would like to take part please contact the museum,

"The last few years have seen many changes to the museum," said curator Rachael Rogers.

"In 2006 the shop was extensively refurbished by local architects Morgan and Horowskyj. In 2007 we began a programme of improvement to the lower gallery, the original gallery opened in 1959.

"Both security and environmental improvements were made to this gallery partly thanks to a grant from the Welsh Assembly Government 'Sharing Treasures' scheme.

"The aim of the scheme is to enable local museums to build partnerships with Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, thereby making possible the display of objects in museums which would not otherwise be able to show such treasures," she said.

Until September 27 visitors to Abergavenny Museum can see, A World Untouched: Eric Gill, David Jones and Edgar Holloway at Capel y ffin.

The exhibition includes some of the sculptures Gill created at Capel, alongside examples of his drawings and engravings, as well as works by the other two artists who were influenced by Gill.

There will be a selection of Jones' illustrative work and watercolours on show, and some of Holloway's landscapes of Capel y ffin will be on display together with his etched portraits, the work for which he is best known

"This is a rare chance to view the work of three exceptional artists, who were inspired by the local area," said Rachael. "Material has been borrowed from well known art collections and the opportunity to see them in a local museum should not be missed."

"Many other events are happening in the coming year to celebrate this historic anniversary. On August 1 we will be holding an Antiquities Roadshow as part of the Festival of British Archaeology. Museum experts will be on hand to identify your archaeological finds and there will also be advice on researching and caring for your objects," she said.

This event is being held in partnership with Abergavenny Local History Society.

On August 18 at 3.30 there will be something for all the family when the museum hosts Illyria Theatre who will be performing the Mowgli Stories in the grounds of the castle.

The Museum is open from Monday to Friday 11-1, 2-5 and Sunday 2-5 and entry is free.

For further details please phone 01873 854282 or visit http://www.abergavennymuseum.co.uk">www.abergavennymuseum.co.uk.