Last Friday evening, a rapt audience at Tenby Museum and Art Gallery enjoyed a pilgrimage through history with Father Gildas, of the cistercian community of Caldey Island, as our guide. Father Gildas began his personal pilgrimage on the Isle of Wight where as a school student he studied art, history and drama. The secondary modern school he attended overlooked Carisbrooke Castle where he found himself attracted to one specific room where the daughter of Charles I was imprisoned. Gildas explained that history had played a large part in his life and asked the question what is history? This was a question that Gildas returned to throughout the evening, drawing on examples from across the world, including the Masai people of Africa and the aboriginal people of Australia. Gildas explained that the past is best defined as looking back on our human journey. History is here and now, with us and a part of us. History is part of who we are. Gildas suggested that 'History cannot be taught. History is caught'. In primitive tribes, Gildas explained that the most important person is the keeper of the tribes traditions - the storyteller. In Christianity, God is seen as the Lord of History. The Bible is pure history. The concept of time as a straight line going from A to B was questioned. Gildas noted that Australian aboriginal people see time as two parallel lines. Gildas then posed the question what motivates our interest in history? Does it have a deeper meaning? He declared that in his opinion history is a spiritual journey, a pilgrimage. The study of history is looking at ourselves and our inherited memory. History is who we are, why we are and the choices we make. Gildas went on to explain that being a monk is a spiritual journey, a discovery of who you are and what you are. Ending with a quote from John Dunn, 'No man is an island... everyman is a piece of the continent,' Gildas affirmed that we are all a part of the pilgrimage. Gildas then kindly thanked the staff and curators, past and present, of Tenby Museum, stating that the museum was one of the great gems of Tenby where history is seen. He declared that the museum is very important for all of us and asserted that we should all support the work of the museum. Sue Baldwin, the honorary librarian of Tenby Museum and Art Gallery, thanked Father Gildas for these kind words and for a fascinating and thought-provoking talk. The next talk in the museum's series of lectures is on Friday, June 13, when Professor Wainwright will explain the latest theories concerning the connection between the blue stones of the Preselis and Stonehenge. For further information, please contact the museum on (01834) 842809. N.W.