SIR,

Monmouth Field and History Society are celebrating the anniversary of Keith Kissack's birth in a number of ways.

As many of your readers will be aware, Keith Kissack made a significant contribution to Monmouth and its history. He is remembered as being an inspirational teacher and headmaster at Priory Street Boys' School and also as curator of Monmouth Museum in addition to being involved in the Regimental and Castle Museum as well as the Medieval Garden. He also served as a town councillor and JP.

Born in Clun, Shropshire, Keith Kissack attended Durham School before training as a teacher at St. Mark and St. John's College in Chelsea. He then came to teach in Monmouth after the Second World War and made the town his home.

For historians though, it is his numerous publications on the history of the town and surrounding area for which he will be remembered. Perhaps not so well known is his first publication, The Trivial Round: Life in Monmouth 1830-1840. For many, his most memorable book will be the pink jacketed Monmouth: The Making of a County Town, published in 1975. Throughout the 1970s until 2001 he examined and published his findings on life in Monmouth from its earliest times until the present day.

To mark the centenary of the historian's birth on the 18th November, the society will host a lecture by Jeremy Knight entitled From the Welsh, good Lord deliver me; the Civil War and its aftermath in Monmouthshire. A Keith Kissack Fund is also held by the Society for educational purposes, donations are welcome. This year it will fund a competition for year six pupils in local primary schools to encourage the historians of the future.

For details on membership of the Monmouth Field and History Society or the Keith Kissack Centenary celebrations please contact Mrs S. Miles in the Nelson Museum or telephone 01600 710630

Frances Green

(Monmouth Field and

History Society)