Gardening in schools - a vital tool for children's learning

New research published by the RHS today shows gardening helps children acquire the essential skills they need to fulfill their potential and make a positive contribution to society as a whole.

The report found that gardening helped children to:

• Become stronger, more active learners capable of thinking independently
• Adapt their skills and knowledge to new challenges
• Gain a more resilient, confident and responsible approach to life
• Learn vital job skills such as presentation skills, communication and team work

Roderic Bowen Library & Archives @ Lampeter

The Special Collections comprise the University's oldest printed books (1470-1850) and manuscripts (the earliest from the thirteenth century), given to Lampeter from 1822 onwards. The subject coverage is very wide. In addition to major collections of the classics, theology and philosophy, there is much history, literature, politics, archaeology, architecture and travel, as well as fine illustrated books and a substantial collection of Wales-associated material from the former Welsh Library and the Cenarth Collection (acquired in 1904). Early Welsh bibles, prayer books, hymnals, catechisms, sermons and ballads, as well as Welsh translations of religious classics such as John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress are well represented.

Imaging the Bible in Wales

Biblical Artwork from Wales 1825–1975

The images included in this on-line collection have been collected as a research database for the Imaging the Bible in Wales Project (2005-8). For more about the project please visit the project website. Many of the images were photographed specifically for the project and include artworks from places of worship in Wales. In addition, further images have been included from public and private collections. Links to other online resources and references for further reading have also been included. Although this database is not a complete inventory of such material, it is hoped that these artworks will form the basis for further investigation and research

Newton’s lost theological works

The Newton research project has made all the ‘lost’ theological writings of Sir Isaac Newton available for free online; this is now one of the largest online collections of writings of any individual. The website includes a tour where visitors can read short summaries on Newton’s views on religion and science, his character and troubled mind, his life and character and his views on Biblical prophecy.

Gathering the jewels / Casglu'r tlysau

Gathering the Jewels features over 30,000 images of objects, books, letters, aerial photographs and other items from museums, archives and libraries throughout Wales

Mae Casglu'r Tlysau yn cynnwys dros 30,000 o ddelweddau o wrthrychau, llyfrau, llythyrau, awyrluniau ac eitemau eraill o amgueddfeydd, archifdai a llyfrgelloedd ledled Cymru.

Britain's only Prime Ministerial Library

St Deiniol's Library has been recognised as the most important research library and collection in Wales after the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth. The Library boasts an outstanding collection of more than 250,000 books, journals and pamphlets on a wide range of subjects but specialising in our core subject areas of Theology and Victorian Studies. This unique collection is kept up-to-date with the latest publications which readers can browse on the open shelves.

The heart of the Library is Gladstone’s own collection of over 32,000 items. Many of his books contain his annotations, some of which are extremely detailed. In addition to his books, the Library houses most of Gladstone’s non-political correspondence, speeches and papers which are administered by the Flintshire Record Office.

St. Deiniol's Libray was founded by William Ewart Gladstone, arguably Britains' greatest Prime Minister, in 1894. It is the only Prime Miniterial Library in the UK and is unique in being a residential library with facilities for overnight stays or retreats for some personal study time.

Cardiff Central Library

The Sunday Times Travel magazine has named Cardiff Central Library as one of the six best libraries in the world. It is the only library in the UK to feature on the list and only one of two from Europe. The city library joins an elite list of six, which The Times have called the 'six of the best', they include:

Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt
Stephen A Schwarzman Building, New York
Customs House, Sydney
Kyoto International Manga Museum, Japan
Denmark's National Library, Copenhagen