Usk Civic Society

07/11/2026

On this day in 1913

**ALFRED RUSSEL WALLACE — 113 YEARS SINCE HIS DEATH**

On this day, 7 November 1913, Alfred Russel Wallace died at his home, Old Orchard, in Broadstone, Dorset, aged 90.

Wallace was one of the greatest naturalists of the nineteenth century — an intrepid explorer, pioneering biogeographer, co-discoverer with Charles Darwin of evolution by natural selection, and a passionate campaigner for social justice.

Although it was suggested that he should be buried alongside Darwin in Westminster Abbey, his family declined, in accordance with Wallace's own wishes. Instead, on 10 November 1913, he was laid to rest in the little cemetery at Broadstone, where his wife Annie joined him the following year.

*His grave is marked by one of the most extraordinary monuments in any British cemetery.*

Rather than a conventional gravestone, it bears a seven-foot-tall fossilised conifer trunk from the Jurassic rocks of Dorset, mounted on a massive block of Purbeck limestone. The tree lived approximately 145 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.

There is a fascinating possibility that Wallace himself collected the fossil during an expedition to the Isle of Portland with the American palaeontologist Lester Ward in 1894. We cannot prove this, but fragments of similar fossil wood were reportedly found in the garden of Old Orchard after Wallace's death.

When I first visited Wallace's grave in 1998, I was dismayed to find it badly neglected. I subsequently established the A. R. Wallace Memorial Fund, which raised the money to restore the monument in 2000 and secure the grave's long-term protection. It has recently undergone further conservation work.

To my mind, this remarkable fossil tree is a wonderfully appropriate memorial to a man who devoted his life to understanding the natural world, its extraordinary diversity, and its evolutionary history.

113 years after his death, Wallace's scientific achievements remain as important and fascinating as ever.

See the following link for a recent BBC article which mentions the grave: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c674pv2ej29yo

George Beccaloni

02/11/2026

Our next autumn talk

01/11/2026

Dr George Beccaloni has made it his mission to champion and preserve the naturalist's legacy.

21/10/2026

Unravelling the Mystery and Enigma of Stonehenge a Talk by Jeremy Bosanquet as part of the Usk Civic Society Autumn Talks.

Unravelling the Mystery and Enigma of Stonehenge a Talk by Jeremy B...

21/10/2026

Tonight!

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21/09/2026

USK CIVIC SOCIETY GUIDED WALK OF ALFRED RUSSEL WALLACE’S USK.

More than 20 people joined a successful guided walk celebrating the life and legacy of Alfred Russel Wallace as part of CADW Open Doors. Participants followed the trail through Usk, exploring the naturalist’s remarkable links to the town and his contributions to science. The event also served as a fitting tribute to David Collard, who recently passed away. David and his wife Stella were instrumental in designing the walk, creating a lasting heritage resource that continues to educate, inspire and connect people with Wallace’s story. Thanks to Stella, Diane, Tony & Meirion for safely stewarding the walk

19/09/2026

A Guided Walk of Alfred Russel Wallace's Usk
Sunday 20th September 2026 11am for 11.15am

The circular walk will take in the house where Alfred Russel Wallace was born, the church where his sisters are buried, the areas he played as a child including Usk Castle, his Bust in Twyn Square and the Alfred Russel Wallace Arboretum

Printed copies of this leaflet is available in the Sessions House, UsK
For information, visit https://fb.me/e/46ULya8bH

11/09/2026

Dear Members

David Collard's funeral will be at the Tithe Barn at Usk Castle at 2:15pm on Monday 21 September.

Dear Member(s)

Prof David Collard

It is with great regret that we heard of the recent death of Prof David Collard. David was an Emeritus Professor of Economics at the University of Bath, but his range of interests went well beyond his academic discipline.

In particular, he will be remembered locally for his many contributions to Usk and the surrounding community, with an enthusiasm and commitment that seemed bottomless.

His active participation in Usk Civic Society is gratefully remembered, and especially his long association with the drive to have Alfred Russel Wallace appropriately celebrated, not simply in his birthplace but more widely.

Our deepest condolences go to his wife Stella and their family.

Usk Civic Society

27/08/2026

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Fr David Lewis was hanged on this day 1679 for High Treason and canonised a saint in 1970 by Pope Paul VI.

Lewis was born in Abergavenny in 1616, where his father, Morgan Lewis was the headmaster of Abergavenny Grammar School. He was raised as a Protestant but as a young man he spent some time in Paris, and while there, he converted to Catholicism. Subsequently, he went to study at the English College in Rome, where he was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1642. Three years later he became an evangelising Jesuit and returned to Monmouthshire, where he was greatly loved and was known as ‘Tad y Tlodion’ - ‘Father of the Poor’.

In 1678 he became a victim of Titus Oates's Popish Plot (false claims that there was a vast Jesuit conspiracy to assassinate Charles II and bring his Catholic brother, the future James II to the throne). Oates was given the authority to round up the suspects and David Lewis was arrested at Llantarnam and brought for trial at the Lenten Assizes in Monmouth on 16th March 1679. His charge was High Treason for becoming a Catholic priest and remaining in the country. He pleaded not guilty, but several witnesses claimed they had seen him perform priestly duties and he was found guilty and sentenced to death. Lewis was brought to Newgate Prison in London and questioned about the “plot” by Oates and his henchmen but, they were unable to get him to confess.

He was taken to Usk Gaol to await his ex*****on and on 27th August 1679, he was taken from his cell and carried on a hurdle to a place known as the Coniger and there he was hanged. His body was taken in procession to the churchyard of the Priory Church and there it was buried in the grave closest to the main door of the church. Every year on the Sunday nearest to 27th August there is a pilgrimage to this holy site. In October 1970, Fr David Lewis was canonised by Pope Paul VI as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.