Support our Nation today - please donate here
News

Carpark mural will honour ‘pioneering’ 19th century female seafarer

08 Mar 2023 3 minute read
A portrait of Ellen Edwards and the plaque at the site of her training school

Dale Spridgeon, local democracy reporter

A new mural to honour a 19th Century pioneering female maritime teacher is to be featured on a Caernarfon car park

Cyngor Gwynedd announced that work is underway to celebrate the life and legacy of Ellen Edwards, today International Women’s Day (Wednedsay, March 8).

Born in Amlwch in 1810 Ellen she moved to Caernarfon as a young woman.

The daughter of a sea captain she would become an important figure in the maritime industry.

She taught navigation for over 60 years teaching around 1,000 sailors how to sail at her own sea training school in Caernarfon.

She died at her home on Tithebarn Street, Caernafon, in 1889, aged 79.

A plaque marks the site of her sailing school, at a former mortuary building, close to the dock in Caernarfon.

Canfas

The mural is the first of several art installations to be developed in the town as part of the new Canfas project by Galeri Caernarfon.

Created by Welsh artist Teresa Jenellen, it will be displayed on the wall of Cyngor Gwynedd’s Doc Fictoria car park, with work starting over the next few weeks.

Canfas is a pilot project by Galeri Caernarfon aiming to incorporate the identity of Caernarfon people into empty and forgotten places around the town.

These spaces will become canvases, interpreting stories, memories and legends in a creative way. A series of art activities will also be held throughout Caernarfon.

The project is funded by Galeri Caernarfon and Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig.

Mural artist Teresa Jenellen said: “Ellen Edwards was a pioneer.

“Not only did she succeed in the world of seafaring, which was dominated by men, but she excelled. She was recognised and respected, with many of her students achieving distinguished careers of their own.

“Rather than a portrait, this work is a celebration of Ellen Edwards’ success and the inspiration given, not only to the men who were taught to sail at the time, but also, and perhaps more importantly, to the women who he watched and learned about her through the decades.

The horizon

She added: “I tried to convey the feeling of looking, to the horizon and beyond, with purpose and hope.”

The decision to place a mural of a woman as influential as Ellen Edwards on a council staff car park is appropriate. The authority says it is “committed” to supporting more women to apply for and hold, leadership and management roles in the organisation.

A priority for this aim was set out in the Council’s Plan, approved at the Full Council meeting on March 2.

A Women in Leadership Development Programme has been introduced, with the emphasis on transferring skills, developing confidence and building a professional network.

Twenty two members staff members have completed and benefited from the programme, another 12 started on International Women’s Day.

Chief Executive of Galeri Caernarfon Gwyn Roberts, said: “Recording Ellen Edwards’ contribution with artwork of this quality is a fitting way to start the project in Doc Fictoria.”

Councillor Menna Jones, the Cyngor Gwynedd Cabinet Member for Corporate Support, was “looking forward” to seeing the new mural and “proud” of the council’s Women in Leadership project.

“It seeks to remove any obstacles that may be preventing women from reaching leading positions within the council, ” she said.


Support our Nation today

For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
2 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
White
White
1 year ago

Os ydych yn deisio deall pam bod y nifer o siaradwyr Cymraeg yn lleihau, holwch, pam ar y ddaear bod blaenoriaeth i Saesneg ar arwydd newydd yng Nghaernaefon?

Welsh_Siôn
Welsh_Siôn
1 year ago
Reply to  White

… i ddynes a oedd ym mhob tebyg yn Gymraeg fam-iaith (onid uniaith) a bod ei disgyblion hefyd.

Our Supporters

All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018.