Building a Modern Community: AD1500-Present

Digital Museum
Ely Brewery Prize Medal - Found in the attic of a local resident, this is a brass ‘prize medal’ awarded to the Ely Brewery, possibly by Wells Hotel, Canton, Cardiff. Ely Brewery was established in 1887 and located near to Ely Bridge. The company was

Ely Brewery Prize Medal - Found in the attic of a local resident, this is a brass ‘prize medal’ awarded to the Ely Brewery, possibly by Wells Hotel, Canton, Cardiff. Ely Brewery was established in 1887 and located near to Ely Bridge. The company was acquired by Rhymney Breweries in 1959, and Whitbreads in 1966, but closed in 1978. (Photo copyright CAER Heritage).

Toy Solider - This was found in a garden in north Ely during the CAER Big Dig. It is a toy soldier infantryman, missing his gun, made by Dinky Toys. The finder remembers playing with his Dinky Toys vehicles and soldiers in the 1960s when this one was

Toy Solider - This was found in a garden in north Ely during the CAER Big Dig. It is a toy soldier infantryman, missing his gun, made by Dinky Toys. The finder remembers playing with his Dinky Toys vehicles and soldiers in the 1960s when this one was lost. (Photo copyright CAER Heritage).

Drop Handle - Found by a keen young volunteer during the CAER Big Dig this is a brass drop handle from a cabinet or dresser. The finder describes the moment they found it in their garden: “I really like the mystery of it – at first it was covered in

Drop Handle - Found by a keen young volunteer during the CAER Big Dig this is a brass drop handle from a cabinet or dresser. The finder describes the moment they found it in their garden: “I really like the mystery of it – at first it was covered in mud and I could feel it was very heavy. Once I’d washed it, I saw a glimmer of green, which made me think it was bronze. My first idea was that it was a chess piece, then we thought it might be a weight, but now we think it is a small doorknob for some sort of cupboard. I don’t know how old it is, but our house was built around 1910, and before that this area was farmland. I think there would have been some sort of enamel decoration on the front, and the brass part that would have been visible is nicely made, so I think it would have been from quite posh furniture. Whoever owned this must have had some nice things to look after”. (Photo copyright CAER Heritage).

Lowes Bottle - This Lowes pop bottle was found in the earth of an upturned Second World War Anderson shelter in north Ely during the CAER Big Dig. Lowes were a local pop company, with a factory in what is now Argyle Way at bottom of Heol Trelai. The

Lowes Bottle - This Lowes pop bottle was found in the earth of an upturned Second World War Anderson shelter in north Ely during the CAER Big Dig. Lowes were a local pop company, with a factory in what is now Argyle Way at bottom of Heol Trelai. The finder remembers the bottles well, as the Pop-man did home deliveries. Usually, the finder would return the empty bottles to the Pop-man the next week for a halfpenny, so how this one escaped, he doesn’t know! (Photo copyright CAER Heritage).

First World War Victory Mug - This First World War victory mug was hidden in the attic of a local resident. Mr Edgar Edwards of Highmead House paid for victory celebrations at Ely racecourse in 1918, where children were presented with these mugs. Hig

First World War Victory Mug - This First World War victory mug was hidden in the attic of a local resident. Mr Edgar Edwards of Highmead House paid for victory celebrations at Ely racecourse in 1918, where children were presented with these mugs. Highmead house was once a lavish house off Cowbridge Road, but has now been demolished. (Photo copyright CAER Heritage).

St Mary's Cross - St Mary’s was the parish church of Caerau until the 1960s. It’s now a ruin, but the old altar cross now resides in the attic of a local resident. The inscription reads “St Mary’s Church, Caerau, Cardiff, 1914-1918” and is clearly a

St Mary's Cross - St Mary’s was the parish church of Caerau until the 1960s. It’s now a ruin, but the old altar cross now resides in the attic of a local resident. The inscription reads “St Mary’s Church, Caerau, Cardiff, 1914-1918” and is clearly a memorial to the war dead of the First World War. (Photo copyright CAER Heritage).