Club contact: Andrew Grant
andygrantrwg@yahoo.co.uk
The meetings in April and May 2025 were held as normal with the following talks:
May 2025 – update
Dr. Rhian Morgan “Use of DNA in Forensics”
Dr. Rhian explained that this talk was part 3 of her DNA talks and addressed other cases where DNA analysis had been a significant tool in bringing to justice offenders who otherwise would have escaped being caught. She started with a basic review of DNA, its occurrence in all living cells and its unique Genetic Code with 3.2 billion bases shaped in a double helix and comprising Sugars, Phosphates and Amino acids ATCG. As these are unique to individuals, with the exception of identical twins/triplets it provides opportunities in forensics to identify individuals even when only the slightest trace at a crime scene.
The first case using DNA sequencing developed by Alec Jefferys was Colin Pitchfork who is an English child-murderer and child-rapist. He was the first person convicted of rape and murder using DNA profiling after he murdered two girls in neighbouring Leicestershire villages: Lynda Mann in Narborough in November 1983 and Dawn Ashworth in Enderby in July 1986. He was arrested on 19 September 1987 and sentenced to life imprisonment on 22 January 1988 after pleading guilty to both murders. The sentencing judge gave him a 30-year minimum term (reduced to 28 years on appeal).
In 2019 39 victims of suffocation were found in a lorry and DNA was used to prove they were all illegal immigrants from Vietnam.
In 1939 Salvador Dali died and was buried. In 2017 Maria Matisse claimed she was the daughter and therefore his heir. DNA obtained from the grave did not agree and her claim was dismissed.
In 2019 3 men who were triplets were linked to a crime involving the use of a UZI machine gun. They claimed they had not been involved but DNA showed that they were all to blame and were all convicted
In 1920 an 8 year old girl was murdered and Harold James, from Abertillery, was arrested but he had to be released due to lack of evidence. Two days later there was another murder and Harold was arrested again, convicted and served 20 years in prison. In 1941 he went to Libya returning to the UK in 1946. Shortly after his return Muriel Drinkwater, known as Little Red Riding Hood, was found murdered in Swansea and he was thought to be responsible for this and another 6 related murders found in London. In 2003 the Red coat was found in the Police evidence stores and DNA proved that James was not responsible for this particular murder.
In 1962 James Hanratty stopped a car with a couple in it, shot the man dead but only wounded the woman. Hanratty was hanged and buried in Bedford jail, even though he claimed he was innocent. Later his family appealed and the DNA samples taken from them showed there was a partial match to the murder so then the body of Hanratty was exhumed in 2002 and his DNA showed the conviction was justified.
The Russian royal family, the Romanovs, were murdered in 1918 and their bodies hidden. Some bodies were found in an unmarked grave in 1989 and claimed to be the Romanovs. It contained 2 adults and only 3 out of the 5 children. Later in another grave another 2 children were found and all linked by DNA samples to the royal family and proved by showing links to other royals in Europe.
Note: At this point one of our members collapsed and an ambulance was called. The individual regained consciousness and another member took him to hospital when he was checked and is now recovering at home.
With a reduced time available the talk was terminated early.
April 2025 – update
Gavin Jones – “ Newport Transporter Bridge”
The Newport Transporter Bridge is a transporter bridge that crosses the River Usk in Newport, South East Wales. The bridge is the lowest crossing on the River Usk. It is a Grade I listed structure and is one of fewer than 10 transporter bridges that remain in use worldwide; only a few dozen were ever built. It is one of only two operational transporter bridges in Britain, the other being the Tees Transporter Bridge. The bridge was designed by French engineer Ferdinand Arnodin. It was built in 1906 and opened by Godfrey Charles Morgan, 1st Viscount Tredegar, on 12 September 1906. The design was chosen because the river banks are very low at the desired crossing point where an ordinary bridge would need a very long approach ramp to attain sufficient height to allow ships to pass under, and a ferry could not be used during low tide at the site The river is too narrow for a swing bridge or a drawbridge. A Corporation of Newport drawing dated December 1902 is calibrated in metres. The height of the towers is 73.6 metres, and the height to the underside of the main girder truss above the road level is 49.97 m. The span between the centres of the towers is 196.56 m, and the clearance between the towers is quoted as being 180.44 m; however, including the cantilevered sections, the main girder truss gives the bridge an overall length of 236 m. The distance between the centres of the anchorage caissons is 471.06 m. Power to propel the transporter platform or gondola is provided by two 35 hp (26.1 kW) electric motors, which in turn drive a large winch, situated in an elevated winding house at the eastern end of the bridge. This winch is sufficient to drive the gondola through its 196.56 m total travel at a speed of 3 metres per second. Today, the bridge is considered an “iconic symbol” of the city of Newport, particularly as a mark of its industrial heritage particularly with its connection with the Lysaghts Steel Works. As well as a working transport link, the bridge is also open as a tourist attraction – visitors can climb the towers (278steps) and walk across the upper deck for a small charge. The bridge was shut down in 1985 because of wear and tear. Following £3 million refurbishment, it reopened in 1995. Service was suspended again in December 2008 with the bridge facing a £2 million repair bill. £1.225 million was spent on refurbishment, financed by grants from the Welsh Government, Newport City Council and Cadw. It re-opened on 30 July 2010. The bridge was closed in February 2011, because of operational problems, but re-opened again on 4 June. Further closures took place and in 2021 funding was provided by the Lottery Fund which allowed opening in 2024 after an extensive restoration of the bridge structure was performed and the new Visitor Centre was constructed. The original Visitor Centre was located on the west bank and featured exhibits on the history of the bridge, its construction and other transporter bridges around the world. The centre had a painting of David Pearce, the former undefeated Welsh and British Heavyweight Boxing Champion 1983–1985. Pearce used to run up the steps of the Transporter Bridge during his training.
The Bridge and new Visitor Centre is now generally open at weekends.
Please contact me for any further information at the e-mail address above or on 02920252422.
Although our membership is growing, we still have room for new people and I would be glad to hear from any interested parties. We meet on the second Thursday of each month at the Llanishen Golf Club in Cardiff at 10am for coffee before starting the meeting proper at 10.30am. Lunch is available at the club and the great majority of the members stay for this excellent value meal.
Please note the e-mail address above is not hyperlinked so please enter my address manually.
Andrew Grant (Secretary)