Mapping a World of Change

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As a group we have had talks from the Royal Commission on the fascinating work that they are doing digitising many old maps. Here is news of a conference they are hosting in May which may be of interest:

We are pleased to announce that tickets are now available for:

Mapping a World of Change: Carto-Cymru – The Wales Map Symposium 2026

which this year marks its tenth anniversary.

The 2026 symposium will take place as a hybrid event, both online and in person, at the Drwm, The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, on Friday 15 May, 10:00am–3:30pm.

This year’s theme, Mapping a World of Change, explores how maps help us understand our changing environment– past, present and future – and how they inform decision-making about the world around us.

The programme will include presentations on the Welsh Enclosure Maps Project, a significant collaboration between the Royal Commission and the National Library of Wales, funded by the Welsh Government. This project is improving access to an important collection of historic maps by digitising and georeferencing them.

Freya Canham and Bethan Evans, the Commission’s Georeferencing Assistants, will present two complementary talks:

  • An engaging introduction to the enclosure maps and the challenges of bringing them into the digital age
  • A  behind-the-scenes look at the innovative techniques used to align historic maps with modern geographic systems—and what this means for research, planning, and the future

The programme also features a range of  talks, including:

  • Using historic maps and artificial intelligence (AI) to identify areas of ancient woodland in Wales
  • Mining, Maps & Legacy: the role of historic mapping in monitoring disused coal tips today
  • Land Use and Wildscapes of Mid-20th Century Britain: digitising the Second Land Utilisation Survey
  • Environmental mapping: looking backwards, looking forwards

During the lunch break, in-person attendees are invited to view a selection of exhibits drawn from the archives of the Royal Commission and the National Library of Wales. These will be displayed in the RCAHMW Reading and Search Room and the National Library’s Summers Room, and will feature cartographic and photographic collections, with a particular emphasis on aerial photographs.

 Whether you attend in person or join us online, this is an excellent opportunity to connect with researchers, professionals, and enthusiasts passionate about maps, landscapes, and environmental change.

This free event is open to all–everyone is warmly welcome.

For full details and to book your place, please visit: https://ti.to/digital-past/carto-cymru-2026