Latest news with #PitNationalCoalMuseum
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- South Wales Argus
Is there a charge to visit Big Pit museum in Blaenavon?
Run by ex-miners, the site located in Blaenavon first opened back in 1983 and operated independently until it became part of Amgueddfa Cymru. Its cultural purpose, of course, is to educate visitors about the lives of miners who worked there. Now the museum has started charging people for the famous underground tour. The grounds of Big Pit National Coal Museum (Image: NQ) From April 2025 to Summer 2026, a trial has been launched with tickets at £8 per person. Tickets for the tour also must be booked in advance. However, there is an on the day option which is limited depending on availability for a fee of £5. The controversial idea to start charging people has been met with mixed reviews. Speaking at a Senedd Committee earlier this month (June 6) Delyth Jewell MS, Chair of the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee, said: 'Free entry to national museums has been a successful policy and we want to see it continue – as a matter of principle, no one should have to pay to enjoy collections that belong to the people of Wales. 'As the custodians of our nation's history, the Welsh Government has a responsibility to fund our national institutions adequately.' Inside Big Pit National Coal Museum (Image: NQ) Around 150,000 visitors descend on the location each year to experience the world-famous underground tour. The immersive museum has been a childhood cultural staple for many people in the area and attracts visitors from far and wide. Here's how these visitors on site reacted to the news of increased fees. Teacher Steven Hurst at Big Pit National Coal Museum (Image: NQ) Steven Hurst, 39, is a teacher from Chepstow. He was at the site on a school trip. Steven commented that funding could be an issue. He said: 'A lot of funding has disappeared from these spaces and it's necessary to keep this heritage alive. 'It's a bit disappointing because heritage and history should be free for all. 'Especially people in Wales who have grown up with these things. 'I came here as a kid, and to see these things increasing in price it's quite disappointing.' Visitor David Bernntto at Big Pit National Coal Museum (Image: NQ) David Bernotto, aged 72, was surprised by the fact fees had been introduced. He said: 'I was a little bit surprised, but they've had their funding cut by the Welsh government and if they want to keep going, they've got to do something.' He added: "For children I think it should be free. 'To be fair I think but it's a brilliant day out and there's tonnes here to see so it's really worth a visit.' Last year alone Amgueddfa Cymru's revenue was cut by 6%. This cut was part of broader reductions in public funding for cultural services in Wales. The museum described this as the "biggest cuts to Amgueddfa Cymru's budget ever.' Husband and wife Pat Bradbury and Marie Bradbury at Big Pit National Coal Museum (Image: NQ) Husband and wife Pat Bradbury 84, and Marie Bradbury 74, were on holiday in Wales. Originally from Cornwall the couple argued it was worth the fee. Pat said: 'Compared to some other exhibitions in the UK that you can go around and tends to be much more expensive this seems okay. 'It was very interesting.' Marie added: 'You learn about what a hard life the miners had, and I think it's very reasonable price for the tour we had today.' Visitor Ralph Davey at Big Pit National Coal Museum (Image: NQ) Ralph Davey aged 80, said: 'I think for the tour it's fair because you've got to employ people without it you wouldn't get footfall.' An Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales spokesperson said: 'We look forward to continuing to work with Welsh Government as they consider the findings and recommendations of this report. 'The current trial is likely to run until summer 2026.'
South Wales Argus
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Blaenavon: Bit Pit to host summer party with bars and food
The Big Pit National Coal Museum in Blaeanavon will host Y Parti Mawr or The Big Bash on Saturday, June 21. Entry is free with tonnes of entertainment. The event says it will 'kick off summer' with music, food, family activities and more. Bars and Hot Food will be running from 10am until 6.30pm. Children will also have the opportunity to grab a photo with 'butty bear.' There will also be live performances from Local Rainbow, Miss Jones with many more to come. A craft market will also be there.
Wales Online
04-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Charging for tours at Big Pit National Coal Museum is 'wrong'
Charging for tours at Big Pit National Coal Museum is 'wrong' A report has criticised the new admission fee for underground tours at Big Pit in Blaenavon and calls on the Welsh Government to better fund our museums Amgueddfa Cymru has recently introduced admission fees for underground tours at Big Pit (Image: David Williams/WALES NEWS SERVICE ) It is wrong to charge people to enter the Big Pit National Coal Museum, according to a Senedd committee. A charging trial which began in April set the ticket price for underground tours at £8 per person, with some concessions, until July 2026. However, the culture committee's report on charging for exhibitions asks the Welsh Government to fund Amgueddfa Cymru enough so that underground tours at Big Pit in Blaenavon, Torfaen, can be free of charge. It argues that access should remain free in principle and calls for better government funding for Welsh museums. The committee argued that the underground tours which the fee has been introduced for are not an optional extra or a luxury, but is a fundamental part of the Big Pit museum. It comes after a previous report by the committee which showed that, after a decade of funding cuts, Wales was the second poorest nation in Europe in terms of spending per person on culture. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Delyth Jewell MS, chair of the culture committee said: "Free entry to national museums has been a successful policy and we want to see it continue – as a matter of principle, no one should have to pay to enjoy collections that belong to the people of Wales. "As the custodians of our nation's history, the Welsh Government has a responsibility to fund our national institutions adequately so that they can afford to provide free entry to everyone. But it has not been meeting this responsibility. Article continues below "Over a decade, the Welsh Government has cut public funding for culture in Wales to the extent that it's one of the lowest levels in Europe. Ministers even made suggestions that charging for entry to museums was 'on the table'. "There have been some welcome increases for culture in the latest budget, but it does not obscure the real terms cut in funding the sector has had to endure, and the Welsh Government is yet to find a way to provide sustainable funding that recognises the worth of our culture." Big Pit National Coal Museum in Blaenavon, Torfaen, is one of Amgueddfa Cymru's seven museums. It offers underground tours led by former miners so visitors can explore the original mine shafts and machinery. Article continues below The committee notes that Amgueddfa Cymru said most visitors were happy with the amount they paid – but as a matter of principle, recommend that underground tours should remain free of charge. The report made another four recommendations, including that income from temporary exhibitions should not replace the need for adequate public funding for museums, and that the Welsh Government should explore ways of helping organisations host more temporary exhibitions to improve the range of exhibitions on offer.
