CARDIFF

The City of Cardiff rose to prominence in the United Kingdom from the middle of the 19th century to become the busiest coal exporting port in the world. It was during this period of affluence that Lt ‘Teddy’ Evans, second in command of Scott’s Expedition and later to become Admiral Lord Evans, exploited his connections with the City as part of a fund raising exercise. His efforts were so well supported that the expedition vessel, the RYS Terra Nova, was moved from London to Cardiff for her provisioning, loading and coaling before her departure South. Though the Cardiff docks declined after the Second World War, the City has since assumed significance as the Capital City of the Principality of Wales wherein is housed its administrative centre, the National Assembly of Wales. The savagely tidal Cardiff Bay, together with the rivers Taff and Ely, which flow into it, accommodated the haven of wharves that were used by the early coal trade. This led to the development, in the middle of the 19th century, of the Cardiff Docks. The area has undergone extensive redevelopment including an ambitious barrage across the bay which isolates an area of water that is being developed as a fresh water recreational amenity. The bay side and dockside housing developments are being distinguished by the inclusion of a number of works of sculptural art. The little Norwegian Church has been relocated to a place of prominence adjacent to the old Docks entrance lock and the Society’s ‘Antarctic 100 Memorial’ stands nearby.