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The event was an undeniable triumph, with the audience being treated to a wide array of fascinating, innovative, and thought-provoking papers that showcased the excellent work being conducted by ISWE and its partners in contributing to the historiographical debate on the Landed Estates in Wales, and demonstrating the historical, and indeed continuing importance of the Country House to Welsh culture, society, and politics.

Ranging from introductions and theoretical overviews, to detailed case studies of near-complete theses, the ISWE Symposium was an opportunity for its doctoral cohort to discuss the thoughts and ideas that were at the heart of their projects, and to share the exciting work they had undertaken in the past year. This was done in an intellectually stimulating and academically encouraging environment, with vital and vibrant contributions from the audience that provided interesting and significant discussions on each topic that was raised.

This interactive and collaborative format had the desired effect of demonstrating the multi-disciplinary nature of the research being conducted by ISWE’s doctoral students. Focusing on topics such as women’s and feminist history, landscape research, geography and the natural sciences, English literature, Architectural history, and Law, these papers displayed the sheer breadth and wide range of the work being done by the cohort, on projects that come from all over the map of Wales. ISWE President Robin Grove-White exclaimed at its conclusion that the event was “a celebration of the diversity” of the research being conducted by the Institute, and he congratulated every speaker for their excellent work throughout the year.

The Symposium was also an opportunity to meet and chat with old friends, while also introducing a few new faces to the group, all in good-natured and friendly surroundings that has come to characterize the way ISWE operates. Indeed, amongst the pressure cooker of presentations, rigorous intellectual analysis and discussion, and copious ingestion of caffeine, there were moments of light-hearted brevity, a particular highlight of which was the beautiful serenading of the audience by Vic Tyler-Jones, who gave his own unique rendition of the song Somewhere over the Rainbow!

Special thanks must go to the Institute’s Director, Dr Shaun Evans, and Dr Lowri Ann Rees, for their efforts in organising the event, the various individuals and friends of ISWE who gave their time to attend and contributed so decisively to the discussions, and of course, the speakers themselves, who shared their ideas and work with the audience. Let us hope that the next symposium will live up to this year’s resounding success!

Llongyfarchiadau i chi gyd!

(Authored by Sean Martin)