Rhondda Cynon Taf: Our Heritage

The fascinating history and heritage of Rhondda Cynon Taf has been captured and celebrated in a brand-new website.

"Rhondda Cynon Taf Our Heritage" was launched thanks to an important partnership which has seen residents of all ages working to research stories, make films, capture interviews, and collate archives.

Using National Lottery Heritage Funding, the research has enabled the development of the website and the wider Rhondda Cynon Taf Heritage Strategy, which underpins activity and action moving forward, to preserve and promote our history and heritage.

Delve deep into days gone by on the website and enjoy historic photographs, interviews with residents and video archives.

Discover the epic international tale of coal mining and industry that unfolded in Rhondda Cynon Taf and helped change the world. See how our communities developed, how people lived in the "olden days" and what life was like through the generations.

Hear from residents who tell their stories; of working in the coal mine, as young children during the war, as migrants to Rhondda Cynon Taf, their links with history and working lives in places such as Polikoff's.

Meet our historical figures - the boxing legends, the football superstars, the musical sensations - and discover their stories through research into sporting heroes, cultural legends and those honoured with Blue Plaques.

Teachers and home-schoolers alike will love the free educational resources, which have been developed with the support of schools and contain loads of information, plus fun and inspiring activities to deliver.

History-lovers can discover online exhibitions and also ways they can get involved in protecting and celebrating history as volunteers or participants, such as:

• The Altered Images Project, which was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to engage people of all ages to research history and tell the stories of the county borough.
• The Rhondda Heritage Project, which is being delivered by Rhondda Radio, again using National Lottery Heritage Funding to deliver a Heritage Trail with information stations at historic locations across the Rhondda to bring history to life and connect the community with its past. The programme is coordinated by beloved Rhondda author and director John Geraint.
• The War Memorials Project which aims to digitize war memorials and tell the stories of those listed on them. The only project of its kind in the UK, the project is delivered by volunteers - more are welcome!

Cllr Bob Harris, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities, helped to launch the website at a recent event in Pontypridd Library, during which the website was showcased and schoolchildren who had engaged with the Altered Images project shared their experiences.

He said: "Huge congratulations to those involved in Rhondda Cynon Taf: Our Heritage. Their work to research, collate and preserve history has been significant.

"From school children to former soldiers, so many people have contributed to the website, helping to tell stories and bring history alive. There is always room for more volunteers so please get in touch!

"Finally, we have quite the story to tell here in Rhondda Cynon Taf, and we want to share it! Rhondda Cynon Taf: Our Heritage is free to use and ensures the myths, legends and stories of our wonderful county borough are only a click of the mouse away."

Notes to Editor

About the National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales

Using money raised by the National Lottery, we inspire, and resource the UK's heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future.

https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/in-your-area/wales

Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £30 million goes to good causes across the UK every week.

Follow @HeritageFundCYM on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

Posted on 15/11/2024

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