Heritage Strategy 2011-14 - Rhondda Cynon Taf

A group of six former miners from
the Rhondda Fach who sang on the
professional stage around Great
Britain during the 1920’s depression
Pride of Place

CONTENTS
Section
Page
Foreword by Cllr. Robert Bevan...........................................................................4
Strategy Overview ............................................................................................................5
Introduction ......................................................................................................................7
Rhondda Cynon Taf Overview...............................................................................8
Our Historic Legacy........................................................................................................9
Local Heroes, Local Pride...........................................................................................10
Background to Strategy............................................................................................11
Strategic Context – A Better Life .........................................................................12
Vision, Aims and Objectives .......................................................................................14
Heritage Benefits ...............................................................................................................15
Conservation and Planning...................................................................................20
Celebrating Our Heritage..........................................................................................22
Aberdare Townscape Heritage Initiative ......................................................24
What is Our Heritage? ...................................................................................................25
Some of Our Treasures ..................................................................................................26
External Partners .............................................................................................................33
Working with our Communities ........................................................................36
Internal Partnership Working.............................................................................37
Key Partnerships .................................................................................................................38
Monitor, Review and Evaluation ........................................................................40
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................41
Pride of Place

FOREWORD
The heritage of Rhondda Cynon Taf is unique, priceless and inspirational.
It is the foundation of who we are as individuals, as a community and of our identity
within the national picture of Wales.
The heritage of Rhondda Cynon Taf stretches back through thousands of years, encompassing the Iron, Bronze and Stone
Ages. However, it is our industrial heritage that people most associate with life in the Valleys, as it made such an impact
on the area. Add to that the people and events that have shaped the area and the buildings that were erected and our
story is one that is fascinating and engaging.
Our heritage is a major draw for tourists and visitors to the area, and it is envisaged that the heritage tourism sector will
grow significantly over the next few years. However, our heritage is also important to us as communities and to our
children and grandchildren in their education. We should never forget where we came from and use this knowledge to
guide us into the future.
As we regenerate our towns and look towards the future, it is important that we remember our past and celebrate the
best from it to ensure our exceptional heritage and cultural traditions are preserved, enhanced, recognised and explained.
It is also important that we find new ways of making our heritage accessible to as many people as possible in order that it
continues to make a positive contribution to everybody’s life.
I am pleased to be able to report that, since our first strategy document in 2007, significant progress has been made in
the celebration, interpretation and recognition of our heritage. The highly successful Heritage Lottery funded Blue Plaque
Heritage Trails project has enabled 30 Blue Plaques to be placed around the Borough to recognise people, places and
events of note in the area. A scheme we hope to continue into the future.
A number of new heritage trails have been created for both walkers and drivers, interpretation boards have been sited
and a new website created.
As I write, innovative audio trails are being recorded and will be available to download from the web, using the latest
technology to increase access to the stories we have to tell.
We successfully marked the centenary of the Tonypandy Riots with a series of events during 2010 and which included
the restoration of the iconic Lady with the Lamp statue to the town of Tonypandy.
Our museums and our libraries have continued to fascinate and inform enquirers and visitors about our heritage.
We have improved our partnership working with local history societies and with other organisations involved in heritage
and I thank and pay tribute to the work of our partners who work with us, often on a voluntary basis, to help us in our
endeavours.
Whilst these are challenging times for Rhondda Cynon Taf and the public sector in general, it is
essential that we continue to look to the future with an increased awareness of the value of our
heritage. Our continuing partnerships will be critical if we are to help realise the ambition of this
strategy.
Cllr Robert Bevan
Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism
Pride of Place

STRATEGY OVERVIEW
The heritage that we inherit is one of our greatest natural resources.
It is our legacy from the past, what we live with today and what we will pass on to
future generations.
DEFINITION OF HERITAGE
“A broad and comprehensive term that encompasses the
cultural, social and physical environment, which has been or
may be inherited, and which can be experienced to give a
sense of community and an identity to the places in which
we live.”
BACKGROUND TO STRATEGY
The first Heritage Strategy for Rhondda Cynon Taf was
produced for the period 2007 – 2010. This Strategy follows
on from that and reflects the progress that has been made
and the ideas and proposals for the Heritage Strategy for
the next three years 2011 – 2014. A number of the issues
raised in the original Strategy remain pertinent and the
continuing approach to heritage within the Borough
remains ‘work in progress’.
AIM OF STRATEGY
This Strategy outlines our Aim and Objectives.
Our Aim is:
To provide a framework that empowers Rhondda Cynon
Taf County Borough Council to adopt a cohesive and
proactive approach to the promotion, utilisation,
conservation and management of the area’s heritage in
order that it may play an important role in everyday life
today and in the future.
OUR TREASURES INCLUDE
• Museums and Heritage Park
• Galleries and Art Centre
• Libraries
• Local History Collections
• On-line Resources
• Sculptures, Statues, Plaques and Monuments
• Public Art
• Theatres
• Choirs, Bands, Poets and Artists
• Listed Buildings
• Parks
• SSSI’s
• Landscapes
Benefits From our Heritage
• Cultural Benefits
• Social Benefits
• Economics Benefits
• Educational Benefits
• Environmental Benefits
Pride of Place

STRATEGY OVERVIEW
EXTERNAL PARTNERS
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is one of a
number of bodies that actively conserve and promote our
heritage.
Therefore we will establish and maintain good working
relationships with our external partners, including:
INTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS
By its diverse nature, the management and promotion of
our heritage had previously been fragmented in its service
provision within the County Borough.
Through improved internal partnership working Rhondda
Cynon Taf County Borough Council has and will continue
to:
• Raise internal awareness and appreciation for our
heritage.
• Support and enhance the representation of and
contribution from the Council with external
partnerships.
• Share knowledge, expertise and resources where
appropriate to develop and deliver coherent projects.
The following Key Partnerships have been highlighted:
TOURISM
CULTURE
WORKING WITH OUR
COMMUNITIES
Whilst this Strategy provides a framework for the Council’s
heritage service provision, its purpose is ultimately to
benefit our communities.
Therefore Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough
Council will:
• Foster good working relations with appropriate private
sector and voluntary heritage related groups.
• Seek opportunities to support appropriate private
sector and voluntary heritage related groups where
possible.
• Raise awareness of and access to our heritage within
the County Borough to encourage community and
visitor participation in heritage related activities.
REGENERATION
SUSTAINABILITY
MONITOR, EVALUATION
& REVIEW
We will monitor, review and evaluate our service by:
• Relevant Officer(s) will monitor each Council-led
project and feedback to appropriate partners.
• Heritage Action Plan will be continuously reviewed and
updated.
• Completed projects will be evaluated to enable
assessment of impact, benefits and lessons learnt.

INTRODUCTION
The heritage that we inherit is one of our greatest natural
resources. It is our legacy from the past, what we live with
today and what we will pass on to future generations.
Heritage is an integral part of the historic environment but
it can be hard to strictly define as it is never one element,
but the coming together of several. Character, identity,
values and cultural variety are built up in layers of detail
over time and it is the mixture of these layers that helps to
make up the heritage of an area.
Heritage for the purpose of this document is to be taken
as a broad and comprehensive term that encompasses the
cultural, social and physical environment, which has been or
may be inherited, and which can be experienced to give a
sense of community and an identity to the places in which
we live.
In adopting this definition Rhondda Cynon Taf County
Borough Council recognises that heritage is a key element
of the life and culture of the communities of the County
Borough.
Heritage is an evolutionary subject. Our heritage is all
around us: we live our lives, consciously or not, against a
rich backdrop formed by historic buildings,
landscapes, cultural traditions and other survivals from our
past which we add to day by day, creating a sense of place
and local pride, and providing a context for everyday life.
Where it is not pro-actively preserved, there is a genuine
risk of the heritage of yesteryear being lost forever.
For a long time it has widely been accepted that there is a
rich and varied heritage in Rhondda Cynon Taf of which
people of the area are proud, and this is referred to in
both the Community Plan and the Community
Improvement Plan. However, prior to 2007, the County
Borough Council had not adopted a formal, cohesive
approach to recognising and celebrating the full potential
of its heritage internally, its recognition to people from
outside the area had not been optimised. By the
appointment of a Heritage Officer to co-ordinate heritage
projects, the implementation of notably a Blue Plaque
Heritage Trail project and partnership working for the
Tonypandy Riots centenary and the adoption of a strategic
approach, some of this value has started to be realised.
This Strategy is designed to build on the basis of the first
strategy and other strategies such as Rhondda Cynon Taf
Community Plan, A Better Life, the Community
Improvement Plan and the Tourism Strategy. It forms the
framework for co-ordinating the management and
promotion of our heritage within the County Borough
from 2011 until 2014. In this document we will set our
priorities for improvement and demonstrate how,
through working in partnership, different sections
within the Council can draw together and enhance
the contribution that heritage can make over the
next three years and embrace the Council’s message
of “Strong Heritage Strong Future”.
Lewis Merthyr Colliery Pit Head, 1900
Pride of Place

RHONDDA CYNON TAF
Rhondda Cynon Taf is the 2nd largest
local authority in Wales, covering 424
square kilometres and with a population
of 232,000.
It embraces an upland plateau and three
valleys in the north, with rolling farmland
and woods in the south, and lies at the
heart of South Wales in central proximity
to the catchment areas of Cardiff,
Swansea and the Brecon Beacons.
Rhondda Cynon Taf has an outstanding
natural environment and a unique cultural
heritage of which we are justly proud.
Pride of Place

OUR HISTORIC LEGACY
The heritage of Rhondda Cynon Taf is both unique and
diverse ranging from evidence of our prehistoric forebears
to the industrial changes of the 18th, 19th and 20th
centuries.
Winding Gear,
Ferndale Number 2 Pit, 1911
There is evidence to demonstrate human inhabitation in
Rhondda Cynon Taf stretching back for over 10,000 years,
from the hunter-gatherer generations of the Mesolithic
Period, and the semi-nomadic tribes of the Bronze and Iron
Ages who established their communities on mountain tops
above the densely wooded Valleys.
Throughout succeeding centuries the area remained
relatively peaceful and small rural communities flourished.
From the Middle Ages, forestry and the rearing of cattle
and sheep were principal occupations in the region, whilst
crops were grown in areas that had been cleared of the
dense woodland.
The landscape of our Valleys changed little until discovery
of natural resources within the area encouraged early
industrial activity. The beginnings of the iron industry were
evident as early as the 16th century and later iron became
the first major industry of the area followed by tin plate
and china works in the south of the region.
The decline of the area’s iron industry from the 1840’s
coincided with the rapid and relentless development of
coal mining, as hungry entrepreneurs rapidly sank pits
across the Valleys. Rhondda Cynon Taf was at the heart of
the world’s first industrial nation and, as a result, the
landscape quickly changed out of all recognition, leaving a
tangible legacy of structures and changes to the natural
landscape, as hillsides were quarried away and new artificial
ones created from waste products. Industrial activity was
also responsible for bringing the area’s additional
infrastructure required to support such heavy industry,
including canals, viaducts, railways and roads.
The Industrial Revolution also had a major impact on the
settlement and movement of people into, within and out
of the area. As the population soared from around 5,712
in 1801 to in excess of 235,000 in 1901, new villages and
communities grew to house the workforces that drove the
industries forward, creating the rows upon rows of terrace
housing that are characteristic of the Valleys.
Since the decline of mining over the past 25 years our
landscape has changed again, and local regeneration
projects continue to play a key role in the shaping of our
areas. Human nature dictates that we will continue to
impact upon and evolve our surrounding areas, and
therefore local communities will be central to shaping the
future history of Rhondda Cynon Taf ensuring that it
remains a dynamic cultural centre within the wider context
of Wales.
Sketch of Aberaman
by one of the
Bacon Sisters, 1827
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LOCAL HEROES, LOCAL PRIDE
A J Cook addressing miners on Cilfynydd
Common during 1926 General Strike
‘Spirit of Rhondda’ Statue in
Tonypandy, erected by the
Rhondda Civic Society
Miners of Cwmneol Pit, 1905
Miners at the Aberaman Colliery,
year unknown
Street Party in Gadlys Street,
1969
Plaque to commemorate Richard
Trevithick,constructor of the first
steam locomotive, which arrived
in Abercynon in 1804 on its
maiden voyage
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BACKGROUND TO STRATEGY
This is the second Heritage Strategy to be produced by Rhondda Cynon Taf County
Borough Council and represents the Council’s ongoing strong commitment to our
invaluable heritage.
HERITAGE WEBSITES
Since the Library and Museum Service developed specialist
Heritage Websites, local history resources have been
available to a wider audience. The development of the online
Photographic Archive and Heritage Trail , met with a
very positive response from people researching their family
history. This was added to by a collaboration with the
Glamorgan Archives to create
www.routetoyourroots.co.uk website.
The interest in heritage in the local area was confirmed by
the highly popular Blue Plaque Heritage Trail project that
was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. In addition to 30
Blue Plaques being placed, trails being created and
information boards being placed, a new website featuring
the new trails and other information
www.heritagetrailsrct.co.uk has been a step forward again
from the Library Services websites that have proved so
popular. Development of these web facilities is likely to play
a key role in the Strategy for the next three years.
HERITAGE OFFICER
The creation of a Heritage Officer post and production of
a Heritage Strategy in 2007 that aimed to:
• Raise awareness and understanding of our heritage and
the contribution it can make to everyone’s life
• Strengthen the partnerships and resources that support
heritage
• Ensure that heritage plays a full role in strengthening
our communities
TOURISM AND HERITAGE
Two reports by Atkins and Hyder Consulting in 2005 and
2006 recognised the importance that heritage plays as an
attraction for Tourism in both Rhondda Cynon Taf and the
Valleys of South Wales. This has been further supported by
strategies by Visit Wales, the Heads of the Valleys and
Capital Region Tourism. The Borough’s own Tourism
Strategy also recognises the important role that heritage
has to play in this regard and sets out to support key
attractions like the Rhondda Heritage Park with the
marketing and development of the park as the hub for
history, heritage and genealogy. Many of the tourism
attractions within the Bourough are heritage related.
WIDER CONTEXT WORKING
In 2003 PLB Projects Ltd were commissioned by the South
Wales Industrial Heritage Initiative to produce an
interpretative heritage plan for the area of industrial South
Wales. This led to the development of Herian, - a
partnership of local authorities and other organisations
across the Valleys.
This organisation was dissolved in March 2009 and its
activities subsumed into the Valleys Regional Park project
which is an EU Convergence funded project supported by
Wales Assembly Government.
In addition a web based project,- ‘The People’s Collection’,
again led by the Assembly through the offices of the
National Library of Wales is an underlying resource that
must be taken into account when planning interpretive
activity.
• Ensure our heritage is conserved for the benefit for
future generations
• Link in with tourism and economic regeneration
Has proved to be successful and to achieve in broad terms
the objectives set. It is therefore proposed that the delivery
of this Strategy will need to be underpinned by the
Heritage officer in its delivery and by continuing to build
upon the internal and external partnerships that have
proved so fruitful in the last three years.
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STRATEGIC CONTEXT
COMMUNITY PLAN
The Rhondda Cynon Taf Local Strategic Partnership agreed
the Community Plan 2004-14: A Better Life, in 2004. The
Shared Vision of the Community Plan is that “Rhondda
Cynon Taf will be a community where everyone who lives,
works in or visits the area will enjoy the benefits of a
better quality of life, achieving their potential, while helping
to develop and protect the area for the benefit of others.”
The Community Plan is organised around five key Themes
for Action in order for the County Borough to achieve its
Vision, and the five Themes have been developed into
strategies for improving the quality of life in Rhondda
Cynon Taf. These Themes are:
• Our Living Space
• Learning for Growth
• Our Health and Well Being
• Safer Communities
• Boosting Our Local Economy
In producing the Community Plan the Council consulted
with a wide range of groups and individuals across
Rhondda Cynon Taf. These groups and individuals fed back
to the Council that they liked:
LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
In addition, the Council is currently in the process of
finalising its Local Development Plan (LDP), which will
shape planning within the County Borough until 2021. Two
Strategic Policies within the LDP are of particular relevance
with regards to this Heritage Strategy:
SP10 – Built Heritage: The rich heritage and identity of
Rhondda Cynon Taf will be preserved and enhanced by the
protection and enhancement of the historic environment.
SP11 – Protection of the Natural Environment: Rhondda
Cynon Taf’s distinctive rural character will be preserved
and enhanced by the protection and improvement of the
natural environment, countryside and landscape from
inappropriate development.
Rhondda Cynon Taf has experienced a period of major
change over recent years following the decline of heavy
industrial activity in the area. This Heritage Strategy aims to
support the implementation of the LDP in helping us to
achieve the Vision laid out in A Better Life, creating a
modern and vibrant community and improving the quality
of life for everyone who lives, works in and visits Rhondda
Cynon Taf.
“living in an area with a strong historic and cultural
tradition” and “natural beauty and historic heritage”
The Council’s Community Improvement Plan breaks down
the above action themes into specific targets and reports
on the Council’s performance each year in achieving those
objectives, thus providing strategic direction for the
Council.
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A BETTER LIFE
The table below demonstrates some of the ways in which our Heritage service
provision integrates into each of the Themes for Action highlighted in A Better Life,
therefore supporting the Council’s overall objectives:
Our Living
Space
Conserving and promoting our heritage relates directly to the Council’s overall objectives of Our
Living Space “protecting and improving our local environment” and “making Rhondda Cynon Taf a
place where people want to live in the 21st Century.” By celebrating the area’s identity and our
cultural and historical tradition, the Council will encourage civic pride and maintain the best
elements of our past for future generations to enjoy.
Learning For
Growth
Through a well designed and well resourced heritage service provision, the Council is able to offer
a wide variety of formal and informal learning opportunities and activities to the communities and
visitors of Rhondda Cynon Taf. A well educated and well informed community is likely to take great
pride in its surroundings, and can use stories and lessons of our past to help shape an exciting
future for the area.
Our Health
and Well Being
A strong commitment to our heritage will benefit our cultural, social and physical environment,
promoting healthy living, happiness and well being. For example, we are able to utilise our heritage
to broaden the appeal of active pastimes, such as walks and trails, thereby encouraging increased
participation. In addition, through enabling otherwise excluded individuals to access and appreciate
their heritage, it is possible to contribute towards their overall standards of life.
Safer
Communities
By celebrating a community’s shared heritage and joint future, the Council can promote a sense of
community ownership, collective appreciation and citizenship within the area which may, in turn,
lead to a reduction in anti-social behaviour and crime. By encouraging this type of communitystrengthening,
areas are likely to be more friendly by nature, helping to make our areas safer and
more pleasant places to live, work, study and visit.
Boosting Our
Local Economy
Through contributing towards improvements in the areas highlighted above, an enhanced heritage
service will help in raising the profile of Rhondda Cynon Taf as an attractive area to visit and invest
in. Tourism has been highlighted as a likely area for potential growth in the County over future
years and, through celebrating and educating people about our heritage, we can help maximise the
opportunities and benefits that this offers.
“Rhondda Cynon Taf:
Strong Heritage, Strong Future”
Pride of Place

VISION, AIM & OBJECTIVES
OUR VISION
To celebrate and take pride in our unique historic cultural,
social and physical environment, making Rhondda Cynon
Taf a better place to live, study and work and an
inspirational place to visit.
OUR AIM
The aim of this Strategy is to provide a framework that
empowers Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
to adopt a cohesive and proactive approach to the
promotion, utilisation, conservation and management of
the area’s heritage in order that it may play an important
role in everyday life today and in the future.
OUR OBJECTIVES
• Conserve, protect and sustain the heritage of Rhondda
Cynon Taf for the benefit of people today and for future
generations.
• Raise awareness and understanding of our heritage in
order to deliver cultural, social, environmental, and
educational benefits for the communities and people of
Rhondda Cynon Taf that derive from a sense of place
and pride in local identity.
• Forge links with the private sector and our communities
to develop, support and sustain a culture of active
participation in heritage to ensure the full potential of
our heritage is fulfilled.
• Broaden and promote the accessibility of Rhondda
Cynon Taf’s heritage, including virtual access, proactively
removing social, physical and mental barriers wherever
possible.
• Establish and maintain effective internal and external
partnership working in order that coherent coordinated
heritage projects can be designed, developed
and delivered.
• Promote and enhance the contribution of our heritage
as an important economic asset, with particular
reference to Tourism, and encourage public investment
in the heritage sector.
• Research and secure sources of external funding for
heritage related initiatives.
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council will achieve
the above Objectives by breaking them down into specific
tasks, projects and initiatives, as detailed in the Heritage
Action Plan that supports this Strategy.
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HERITAGE BENEFITS
The heritage of Rhondda Cynon Taf is central to all of us and is fundamental for the
future of the area. It is integral to how we perceive ourselves and to our identity as
individuals, as a County Borough and our contribution within the national picture of
Wales. Taking pride in, and celebrating our region’s unique identity can contribute
towards the creation of a bright future for our communities and our visitors.
CULTURAL BENEFITS
A well resourced, proactive and cohesive approach to
heritage within Rhondda Cynon Taf will enhance a
positively distinct and motivating identity that the County
Borough and its residents can take great pride in, and will
contribute towards an increased sense of place for the
area.
Through formal appreciation and recognition of our
heritage, its richness and diversity can be highlighted for the
initial benefit of our communities, subsequently spreading
out to build a better awareness of our character and
identity to people from outside of the County.
Heritage enriches and colours our contemporary culture,
and the Council takes seriously its responsibility for
ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to
benefit from this cultural inheritance. By making a lasting
impact on the lives of those within Rhondda Cynon Taf
through heritage projects, it is perceived that there will be
an increased sense of collective appreciation of what we
have inherited, and a joint desire to conserve and
remember the best parts from our history. Engendering an
improved appreciation for our historic background,
surroundings and traditions through celebrating our
heritage, can contribute towards the Council achieving
some of its wider goals, such as the promotion and
realisation of a greater sense of citizenship and civic pride.
There is evidence to suggest that common mis-perception
of the South Wales Valleys from those outside of the area
may be that the area is dowdy with much focus remaining
around industrial activities such as coal mining, or that the
area is simply being left to ‘green over’. Through an
increased commitment to celebrating our heritage, the
people of Rhondda Cynon Taf have the opportunity to tell
the real and full story of our past and present. A successful
approach to our varied heritage will help improve the
perception and the realities of visiting Rhondda Cynon Taf,
and will help promote the Council’s image of being a
forward-thinking and proactive organisation both locally
and nationally.
Encourage residents and
visitors to value our heritage
more highly
Heighten awareness of the
cultural traditions and
heritage of the area
Highlight the diverse culture of
RCT to residents & visitors
Sense of place
Contributes to increased
pride in identity
Cultural
BENEFITS
Tell the true stories of RCT
Challenge the perception and
present the realities of RCT
Sense of citizenship
Demonstrate the Council’s
commitment to our heritage
Promote sense of
community ownership
Improved internal appreciation
leads to improved external
appreciation
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HERITAGE BENEFITS
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
The possible economic benefits from successful
management and promotion of our heritage are clear and
significant. An increase in public involvement in heritage
related activities can translate directly into additional jobs
being created within the industry, and safeguard existing
jobs. Companies with an involvement in heritage, history,
arts, culture, leisure and so forth contribute significantly to
our local economy across the public, private and voluntary
sectors.
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is committed
to developing its Tourism industry, and it is also one of the
aims of the Welsh Assembly Government Heads of the
Valleys strategy to offer “an appealing and coherent
tourism and leisure experience”1. The Tourism industry
will draw much of its strength from having strong heritage
and cultural attractions and will also benefit from increased
interaction with external heritage bodies.
Heritage plays a key role within the regeneration of our
town centres and improving the quality of the physical
environment. This, in turn, contributes towards attracting
private sector investment and increasing footfall, potentially
creating jobs and more prosperous communities. Positive
regeneration will enable Rhondda Cynon Taf to continue to
build for the future with a sympathetic appreciation for our
heritage and continued conservation of our important
historical assets.
Encourage more jobs and
greater job retention
A cohesive approach to our heritage across the Council
will result in ensuring that maximum efficiency of joint
resources is achieved. The purpose of this strategy is not
to change ownership of projects relating to our heritage,
but to ensure that these projects are available to the
widest audience appropriate, and are not duplicated
unnecessarily. Through working in partnership Rhondda
Cynon Taf County Borough Council will also be able to
maximise opportunities for external funding, and make
best use of these additional resources.
The strategy also aims to address the issue of improved
sustainability of projects and initiatives. In order to provide
services at a consistently high level it is important that the
Council considers whether best use is made of existing
resources before looking at investing in new ventures, and
also considers the longevity of new initiatives to make sure
they are not simply a ‘flash in the pan’ that exhaust a large
financial investment and send out the wrong signals about
the commitment of the Council towards its heritage.
Economic regeneration
More attractive area can build
desire to invest in the area
Improved sustainability
Make best use of existing
resources before investing in
new ventures
Economic
BENEFITS
Utlilise external funding
opportunities
Maximise efficiency of
resources through
partnership working
Utilise Valleys Regional Park
& ERIH etc. to bring in
additional visitors
Maximise contribution to
tourism
Capitalise on significant contribution made by
private/public/voluntary organisations
involved with Heritage, Culture etc.
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HERITAGE BENEFITS
EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS
Our heritage is all around us and offers lifelong learning
opportunities to people from all sections of the
community. Through developing and delivering an
illuminating heritage service, Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC will
be able realise many of these educational benefits that have
the potential to reach everyone who lives, works in or
visits the area.
We all benefit from learning about our local environment.
Educated communities are more likely to value their
historical assets, and therefore care for their surroundings,
leading to improved conservation. Informal educational
opportunities offer subconscious learning, create enjoyable
and interactive activities, and encourage participation from
all sections of society.
Education is not simply an experience that we undertake
up until a certain age. Through the Council’s commitment
to lifelong learning, formal and informal education plays a
key part of our everyday lives. Our heritage is an
invaluable educational tool, informing us of our local
history, culture and environment.
As we can learn from our heritage in a wide variety of
ways, it allows everyone to draw from the benefits of this
lifelong learning opportunity in the manner that they find
most interesting and inspiring. Some of the channels
through which we absorb our heritage include:
• Schools
• Libraries
• Talks & Presentations
• Libraries
• Museums
• Historical Buildings
• Monuments
• Plaques
• Statues & Sculptures
• Countryside
• Organised Walks
• Parks
• Art & Crafts
• Drama, Music & Dance
• Art Galleries and
Public Art
Outreach of
heritage services
This strategy is published at a time when public enthusiasm
for the past is increasingly evident with ever more
television programmes relating to our heritage and the
adoption of modern, creative approaches to historical
buildings and museums across the UK.
This strategy aims to tap into this interest and offer people
within Rhondda Cynon Taf the opportunity to celebrate its
great historical diversity, educate those from outside of the
area the significance and identity of our past and
demonstrate there is much to learn much about the
national picture of Wales here within our own County. It
also aims to act as an educational tool for politicians
internally and externally of Rhondda Cynon Taf, so that it
may have a positive influence on regional and national
policies and priorities.
Opportunitities for
training in specific skills
(Arts/Culture etc.)
Informal learning can be
interactive fun
Increased Lifelong Learning
opportunities for people from all
sections of the community
Heritage services are
educational assets
Education
BENEFITS
Enjoyable experiences
can create thirst to
learn more
Make history
come alive
Extra curricular
opportunities
WAG Aim: “A well
educated and skilled
population”
Embrace online
technology to
provide 24/7 access
to our heritage
Formal and
informal learning
Better understanding of our
heritage both locally and
from those outside of RCT
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HERITAGE BENEFITS
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Rhondda Cynon Taf boasts large areas of important natural
habitats, landscape which tells the story of our industrial
past and towns and villages rich in history. The
environment is all around us and is one of our most
significant assets that we have relating to our heritage.
There is often a common mis-perception that
conservation and access are mutually exclusive goals, but
this is not necessarily the case. Indeed it is more likely that
an empowered and informed community will be more
protective of its heritage assets. It is important that we
appreciate and utilise our rich natural, historic and built
landscape, and this strategy aims to work alongside the
Council’s Environmental Strategy to ensure that we benefit
from the educational and cultural opportunities it presents,
whilst ensuring that the beauty and biodiversity of our
countryside is maintained and improved upon.
Surveys of local residents have helped demonstrate the
importance of an attractive local environment to those
who live and work in Rhondda Cynon Taf1, and it is vital
that we protect and conserve our heritage for future
generations to enjoy. The cost of managing our heritage
assets is significantly reduced if regularly maintained, whilst
the long term implications of not preserving our heritage
and environment now are potentially severe in relation to
the future overall quality of life of our communities.
Environmental benefits do not simply relate to the
landscape and buildings. There are strong links between
our environment and health, regeneration and safety within
our communities. A strong heritage service provision will
contribute towards the Council maximising the positive
effects on these wide-ranging areas.
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council aims to
“protect and improve our local environment, which we
value because of the growing quality of its biodiversity,
natural beauty, heritage, parks and open spaces, streetscape
and architecture”2. It also embraces another of the
themes of the Welsh Assembly Government Heads of the
Valleys strategy to provide and maintain “an attractive and
well-used natural, historic and built environment”3.
Protection, conservation
and promotion of local
environment
Combining conservation
appropriately with access
WAG Aim: “An attractive and
well-used natural, historic and
built environment.”
Links to activity,
involvement & health
Environmental
BENEFITS
Improved landscape
Long term cost of not
maintaining and
enhancing our
environment is great
(not just financial)
Links to RCT
Environmental Strategy
Appreciation of RCT
areas: limit need for
people to venture out to
experience history
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HERITAGE BENEFITS
SOCIAL BENEFITS
A commitment to our heritage and cultural background is
key to provoking a strong sense of self worth within local
communities, especially those under economic pressure,
and plays a significant role within social regeneration and
supporting local partnerships.
Through encouraging our communities to celebrate their
sense of common past and shared present, the Council
aims to embrace the traditional spirit of togetherness and
comradeship that characterises the South Wales Valleys,
whilst also providing increased opportunities for social
inclusion and participation. As heritage is a very wide and
open subject it offers a variety of ways for people to get
involved, and reaches out to people from all backgrounds
and of all abilities.
Undertaking heritage related activities offers enjoyable
participation as well as the opportunity to interact with
other members of the community whom share specific
interests. Successful service provision will result in an
increased number of local people and visitors engaging in
and celebrating their shared interests in the heritage of
Rhondda Cynon Taf.
communities. Through achieving this goal, the Council will
be helping to maximise the involvement from the
communities of Rhondda Cynon Taf towards the local
agenda, which, in turn, contributes towards the national
picture of Wales, and helps in changing the perception of
the South Wales Valleys to the rest of the country.
There are also potential health benefits from an improved
service provision that should also not be ignored. Access
to an increased heritage service provision will help
encourage activity and participation, and will promote
enjoyment of our outdoor spaces and landscape. The
Council also has the opportunity to take the service out to
people who are otherwise unlikely to access it, thus
offering potential opportunities to improve the standard of
life for a wider audience. One good example of this would
be the possibility of taking heritage services into care
centres for elderly people, which could encourage people
to revisit their memories of the past for both their own
enjoyment, and to ensure that these memories are not
simply lost to the passage of time.
By removing many of the social barriers to community
participation, as well as any physical ones, Rhondda Cynon
Taf County Borough Council seeks to engender a greater
sense of confidence, energy and empowerment within its
Sense of self
worth
Enjoyment gained through
learning and doing
Social inclusion: sense of
common past and
present
Social regeneration
Social cohesion
through involvement
Health benefits
through participation
SOCIAL
BENEFITS
Heritage is an
interactive and wideranging
subject -
involve many people
Social variety
Shared interests:
family & group
activities
Through participation you
can build knowledge, skillls
and understanding
Engender confidence,
energy and
empowerment
Improved access to all.
Remove social barriers as
well as physical ones.

Conservation and Planning
Conservation and Planning
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Planning Department are
continually working towards the conservation of the
historic environment, in particular in its built form. The
County Borough has approximately 370 Listed Buildings
and 16 Conservation Areas, as well as approximately 80
Scheduled Monuments.
Any works which affect a Scheduled Monument will
normally require Scheduled Monument Consent, and this
process is administered by Cadw.
Works of alteration to a Listed Building which would affect
its character require Listed Building Consent, and works to
unlisted buildings in Conservation Areas may require
Conservation Area Consent or Planning Permission. Where
this is the case, such applications will come through the
Planning Department and specifically the Conservation
Officer. The Council will give due regard to the desirability
to preserve or enhance the character of a Conservation
Area, and also the need to preserve the special
architectural or historic interest of any Listed Building, with
– The Council’s Perspective
the ultimate aim of conserving the historic environment of
Rhondda Cynon Taf for future enjoyment and
understanding.
In addition to the daily planning functions performed in
relation to the historic environment, the Special Projects
Team within the Planning Department are working
towards a number of longer term, strategic projects which
aim to conserve the historic environment for the future
and to raise awareness and understanding.
These longer terms projects include:
• Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans
for all of Rhondda Cynon Taf’s 16 Conservation Areas.
• Monitoring and Photographic records of Listed
Buildings within the County Borough and also of some
of the Conservation Areas.
• Awareness Raising – working towards raising awareness
with regard to designated historic assets amongst
property owners, the general public and the Council’s
own officers and councillors.
• Building Relationships with external bodies such as
Cadw, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and
Historic Monuments of Wales, the Glamorgan and
Gwent Archaeological Trust and the national amenity
societies.
• A ‘Local List’ of heritage assets that are not nationally
designated but are nonetheless of value and worthy of
recognition is being considered. Although a Local List
would bring no formal protection over assets, it would
be a useful tool in raising awareness and understanding,
and in the conservation of Rhondda Cynon Taf’s rich
historical legacy.
The Planning Department aims to work closely with other
Council departments in order to ensure a consistent and
beneficial approach to the management of the historic
environment.
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Celebrating Our HeriTage
Pride of Place

Celebrating Our HeriTage

Aberdare Townscape
Heritage Initiative
The central Aberdare Conservation area is ‘an area of
special architectural/historic interest of predominantly
Victorian character’. The town centre contains 33 listed
buildings considered to be of outstanding historic merit.
Preservation and restoration of these fine buildings will
help to drive the town forward, making it more attractive
for visitors, vibrant for residents and prosperous for
business owners, creating job opportunities for local
people.
To make the restoration of historic properties a reality,
Rhondda Cynon Taf along with partners the Heritage
Lottery Fund, Welsh Assembly Government Heads of the
Valleys Programme and CADW are making £1.9m
available to building owners/leaseholders over a five year
period.
Complimented by community and educational initiatives,
and training opportunities for local contractors, Aberdare
Townscape Heritage Initiative aims towards defining an
affluent and thriving town centre.
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WHAT IS OUR HERITAGE?
DEFINITION OF HERITAGE
It can be hard to strictly define what our heritage is as it combines many different elements that are created over a huge
period of time. For the purposes of clarity, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council will adopt the following
definition of Heritage:
“Heritage is a broad and comprehensive term that encompasses the cultural, social and
physical environment, which has been or may be inherited, and which can be experienced
to give a sense of community and an identity to the places in which we live.”
CATEGORIES OF HERITAGE
It can be hard to strictly define what our heritage is as it combines many different elements that are created over a huge
period of time. For the purposes of clarity, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council will adopt the following
definition of Heritage:
• Historic environment
• Physical environment
• Social environment
• Buildings
• Monuments and Sculptures
• Landmarks
• Landscapes
• Sites and Spaces
• Archaeology
• Nature / biodiversity / habitats
• Artefacts
• Archives
• Local History Collections
• Oral history (Language, dialect etc)
• Memories
• Cultural identity
• Character
• Values
• Traditions and customs
• Arts and traditional crafts
• Public art
• Music, drama and dance
• Literature and poetry
• Movement of people into, within and out of the area
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SOME OF OUR TREASURES
Within Rhondda Cynon Taf we are fortunate to live our lives against a rich backdrop
reflecting our strong and diverse heritage. Whilst, inevitably, a certain amount of our
heritage has been lost to the passage of time, much remains in forms such as historic
buildings, landscapes, monuments and historical records.
The purpose of this document is not to list each and every heritage asset within the
County Borough, although a small selection of our Treasures are explained below:
The Rhondda Heritage Park is based at
the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery in Trehafod where the
pits were sunk in the late nineteenth century. Today it is a
living testament to the mining communities of Rhondda
Cynon Taf, and has been one of the top heritage and
cultural visitor attractions in South Wales since it opened in
1989. As well as offering audio-visual presentations on
“Black Gold – The Story of Coal,” ex-miners provide
authentic tours through the underground workings of the
Colliery, contributing their own anecdotes of life
underground along the way.
Above ground, the Heritage Park offers an indoor
reconstruction of a period Village Street displaying the
domestic and commercial life of the Valleys.
Throughout the year the Park houses a range of events,
such as the annual Transport Festival, a Family History
Weekend and Santa’s Toy Mine, catering for a wide range
of audiences.
The Cynon Valley Museum & Gallery is
situated in the Grade II Listed Gadlys Iron Works building
in Aberdare. The main museum focuses on the Social
History within the
Cynon Valley over the
past 250 years from
the birth of the
Hirwaun iron industry
to the present day,
covering issues such as
health, religion, popular
culture, costume, sport
and war.
The Art Gallery houses
a programme of
contemporary art and
design bringing works
and exhibitions from all
over the world.
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The Pontypridd Museumis housed in a
Grade II Listed converted Tabernacl Chapel, built in 1861,
and tells the story of the town and it’s people. The varied
exhibition programme illustrates elements of social, military,
sporting and cultural history, as well as industry and
transport.
The Museum is situated adjacent to the Old Bridge, built
by William Edwards, which was the longest single-spanning
bridge in Europe when completed at the third attempt in
1756. The Bridge is today both a Scheduled Ancient
Monument and is Grade I Listed.
Nantgarw China Works is housed in a mideighteenth
century farmhouse, which is today both a
Scheduled Ancient Monument and is Grade II Listed.
Whilst the paste used to make the porcelain here in the
early nineteenth century was so difficult to fire that many
articles cracked in the process, what is now regarded as
some of the finest porcelain in Europe was produced here
in 1818 and 1819.
The site was purchased by Taff Ely Borough Council in
1990 and is supported by the ‘Friends of Nantgarw’, who
have around 150 members dedicated to preserving this
historically important site for future generations.
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The Hetty is a Grade 1 listed pit head building that
can be seen between Hopkinstown and Porth in the
Rhondda. Whilst this building is not accessible to the
general public at present, it has been the subject of
restoration to the steam Winding Engine that it houses
which can be seen working on special occasions
Reference Librariesat Aberdare, Pontypridd and
Treorchy and the jointly funded Glamorgan Archives based
in Cardiff collect a wealth of material relating to the history
of the County and hold family history resources, such as
census returns. Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough
Council has used these resources to create inviting
opportunities to discover our heritage through a range of
On-line Experiences.
Available via the Library Service, the Our Past and Digital
Photographic Archive provide tools for exploring our past,
and the Council’s Libraries and Museums Service has
worked in partnership with the Glamorgan Archives to
document our area’s history on the innovative and
groundbreaking website www.routetoyourroots.co.uk A
new web facility featuring the Blue Plaques that have
recently been placed throughout the borough and a range
of walking and driving trails are available through a new
website www.heritagetrailsrct.co.uk
The National Assembly for Wales has a statutory duty to
compile lists of buildings of special architectural or historic
interest, which it arranges through Cadw. These lists are
used to help planning authorities make decisions with the
interests of the historic environment clearly identified.
Listed buildings are classified in grades to indicate their
relative importance. The grades, as defined by Cadw, also
relate to the permitted level of alteration without requiring
listed building consent:
Grade I – Buildings of exceptional, usually national interest.
Grade II* – Particularly important buildings of more than
special interest.
Grade II – Buildings of special interest that warrant
preserving.
In addition, local Councils have the authority to designate
Conservation Area status, defined under the Civic
Amenities Act 1967 as “areas of special architectural or
historic importance, the character or appearance of which
it is desirable to preserve or enhance”. Conservation
Areas are able to give broader protection than listing
individual buildings and all features within that area.
There are currently 369 Listed Buildings within Rhondda
Cynon Taf, serving as a physical and precious record
of our social history and our heritage. Such
buildings both enrich the appearance of
an area and add a sense of
individuality and identity to our
communities.
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Throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf there are a number of
Statues, Sculptures, Plaques and other Historic Monuments,
opening a window into another time, reminding us of some
of the characters and moments that have shaped our
heritage.
Statues of The Lady of Penrhys in the
Rhondda (pictured below), Dr. William Price in
Llantrisant and ‘Caradog’ Griffith Rhys
JoneS in Aberdare are one example from each Valley,
although there are over 100 statues, sculptures, plaques
and monuments in the County commemorating authors,
poets, musicians, sportsmen, politicians, innovators, collieries
and colliery disasters. In addition, there are a considerable
number of Public Artworks within the area to be found in
our town centres and communities, reflecting our heritage
and aspects of life within Rhondda Cynon Taf, for example
artwork celebrating musicians from Rhondda
Cynon Taf in a subway under Catherine Street
in Pontypridd.
Built from Miner’s subscriptions, the ‘New
Welfare Hall’ opened its doors in
September 1938 and was named The
Coliseum Theatre in
October of that year. Built with the
original intention that the venue
would “contribute materially to the
happiness, recreation and
enjoyment of the mining
community of Trecynon”, the
Coliseum became widely regarded
as the capital of Welsh amateur
theatre by the late 1950’s.
Following a steady period of
decline the Theatre was purchased
by the Cynon Valley Borough
Council in 1989 and underwent a
programme of refurbishment and
renovation.
Today, the building has many unique features, including
distinct acoustic nodules and intriguing wall friezes in the
auditorium, and the venue develops a diverse programme
of events including drama, ballet, opera, comedy, music,
children’s events, educational events and productions by
local community groups.
The Grade II Listed Muni Arts Centre is a
beautiful converted church with a distinct spire and rose
window, situated in the centre of the Pontypridd.
Converted from a Church into a Dance Hall in 1961, the
Muni underwent a major refurbishment programme in
1990 to form a multi-functional Arts Centre.
Just like the Coliseum Theatre, the venue offers a wide
ranging programme of events to suit a variety of tastes
and, upstairs, the Circle Gallery is a bright and airy gallery
by day that turns in to an atmospheric music performance
space by night, with musicians playing under the stunning
rose window.
The Park & Dare Theatre in Treorchy was
built in 1913 through money raised from ‘Penny in the
Pound’ contributions from the Dare Collieries. Initially built
as a Concert Hall, the venue was adapted in the 1920’s to
cater for the increased demand for moving pictures.
Although the Theatre had been very popular through until
the 1960’s, competition from television coupled with the
1966 closure of the collieries accelerated the decline of
the building and it’s income. Faced with closure, the venue
was donated to Rhondda Borough Council in 1975, since
when it has received refurbishment and redevelopment.
Today, the Grade II* Listed building is home to the
Treorchy Male Choir and the Parc & Dare Band.
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As a nation, Wales has a rich Musical Heritage that enriches
our distinctive culture. Within Rhondda Cynon Taf, music
has traditionally been important to our communities, both
during the era of mining, and even more so during its
decline.
There are a great number of operatic and choral societies,
including male voice choirs, within Rhondda Cynon Taf,
along with other musical societies such as bands. Some
points of note with regard to our musical heritage are:
• The Cory Band is one of the most prominent
and successful brass bands in Great Britain, originally
formed as the Ton Temperance band in 1884 it changed
its name in 1895 when it was sponsored by local
entrepreneur Sir Clifford Cory.
• One of the best known male voice choirs in Wales is
the Treorchy Male Choir. The Choir has
achieved a record number of Eisteddfod wins, produced
a number of commercial albums and successfully toured
the USA, Canada and Australia, serving as a wonderful
ambassador for Wales and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
• Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers),
by tradition the National Anthem for Wales, was
written by Pontypridd residents Evan James (music) and
his son James James (lyrics) in January 1856.
• Another song steeped in Welsh Culture is Cwm
Rhondda, written by John Hughes. Rugby fans
watching the Welsh national team regularly sing the
popular hymn, first heard in 1907 in Capel Rhondda,
Hopkinstown.
• Music legend Sir Tom Jones (birth name
Thomas Jones Woodward) was born in Treforest near
Pontypridd, and has been an international superstar
since the mid-1960’s. Winner of a Grammy Award in
1965, his hits include Green Green Grass of Home, It’s
Not Unusual, What’s New Pussycat and Delilah.
• The Stereophonics were formed in 1992 in
the village of Cwmaman near Aberdare and have
become a world famous rock band. This relatively
recent addition to our ‘hall of fame’ reminds us that
today’s events become tomorrow’s heritage.
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Dare Valley Country Park is spread over
500 acres of countryside and offers people the
opportunity to stay and to explore our local environment.
Formerly home to 19 coal pits and drift mines, Dare Valley
was the first Country Park in Britain to be developed on
reclaimed, former industrialised land and was opened in
1974. The Park offers accommodation facilities for
caravans and tents, and also has a Residential Centre,
popular with Environmental Education groups. The Park’s
Inheritance Centre offers an insight to the area’s history,
whilst waymarked trails and orienteering courses lead
alongside streams and lakes, and climb to provide
panoramic views of the Cynon Valley.
Within Rhondda Cynon Taf we have excellent examples of
Neolithic, pre-industrial, industrial and post-industrial
Landscapes. These include evidence of Neolithic hunters in
the Cwmbach area, the Bronze Age landscape of Llyn Fawr,
‘Old Smokey’ in Tylorstown, Hirwaun Iron Works, old parish
roads and traditional rural farms. The South Wales Valleys
landscapes are also characterised by rows upon rows of
terrace housing that were quickly erected to
accommodate the huge number of workers that swarmed
to the area in search of jobs down the mines.
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Rhondda Cynon Taf has many parks within the County
Borough, each possessing interesting historical links to the
industrial heritage of our local communities. The parks are
traditional parks incorporating seasonal bedding displays,
floral features and trees, and sporting facilities.
The premier park in the County Borough is
Ynysangharad War Memorial Park in
Pontypridd. Ynysangharad Park was opened in 1923 as a
Memorial to those killed during the Great War, and is laid
out in traditional 1920’s Edwardian style. The site formerly
gave home to a huge pavilion, erected in 1893 for the
National Eisteddfod of that year, and a 1930’s built lido,
affectionately known to locals as ‘The Puddle’, the shell of
which remains today.
In addition to the lido, the Park includes many notable
features, including the Band Stand and a number of statues
and memorials, including a statue dedicated to Evan and
James James, composers of the Welsh National Anthem
who lived in Pontypridd. The Park is also the holder of the
Green Flag Award, the national standard for Parks and
green spaces in England and Wales.
Possibly the finest example of a Victorian Park within
Rhondda Cynon Taf is Aberdare Park, which
opened in 1869. As well as the picturesque lake, the Parks
boasts an elaborate cast iron fountain commemorating the
coronation of King George V and Mary in 1911, one of
only three fountains of its type and period in the country,
as well as other notable monuments. The National
Eisteddfod was held in the Park in 1956 and a fine
Gorsedd Circle was erected to commemorate this event.
Bronwydd Park is the only public Park in Porth
and was gifted to Rhondda District Council in 1921 by
William Evans, founding director of the Porth based
industrial and commercial
giant Thomas & Evans Ltd.
The Park was opened in
1924 after money had been
raised from the Miner’s
Welfare Fund providing two
ornate entrances to the
Park, pathways, benches and
shrubbery.
In addition to the colourful
floral displays, a Grade II
Listed bronze bust of
William Evans can be seen in
the Park.
Some sites in our communities are considered so
important the nation’s natural heritage they are notified as
Sites of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI’s) under the Wildlife
and Countryside Act 1981. The legislation protects SSSI’s
from operations that may cause damage to the sites,
thereby conserving the best examples of wildlife habitats,
geological features, flora, fauna and landforms for the
future.
Within Rhondda Cynon Taf our working around for wildlife
is guided by ‘Action for Nature: The Local Biodiversity
Action Plan’, which includes actions to raise awareness and
appreciation of local wildlife, and protect and manage our
natural environment, including our SSSI’s.
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EXTERNAL PARTNERS
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is one of a number of bodies that play an
active role in the conservation and promotion of our heritage. In order to succeed in
capturing interest in the heritage of Rhondda Cynon Taf, as well as raising the profile of
the County Borough within the wider community, it is vital that we establish and
maintain healthy and productive working relationships with our external partners,
some of whom are listed below:
Valleys Regional Park – which is the EU Convergence funded programme is supporting a range of
environmental, tourism, heritage and infrastructure projects across the valleys area.
Rhondda Cynon Taf has received funding for the Tonypandy Centenary and Cordell Festival and for
the Audio trails project that is currently in production.
A range of community Tourism initiatives are also likely to be relevant to the Borough.
This scheme has taken over some of the responsibilities and co-ordinating tasks previously
undertaken by HERIAN, a partnership that was disbanded in 2009.
Cadw – the Welsh for “to keep” – is the Welsh Assembly Government’s historic environment
division, and is the Welsh equivalent of English Heritage or Historic Scotland.
Although not necessarily within their ownership, a great number of Welsh castles, historic houses
and monuments are in Cadw's care, meaning they are responsible for the sites’ upkeep and for
making them accessible to the public. In addition, Cadw are responsible for maintaining Listed
Buildings records, ensuring the preservation of historic buildings and archaeological sites, and
producing a number of publications to educate visitors and owners of historic buildings and
monuments alike.
The European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) is a network linking and promoting the most
significant industrial heritage sites in Europe, the former heartland of the industrial revolution.
ERIH identified the Rhondda Heritage Park as an “Anchor Point” in January 2007. These Anchor
Points form “Regional Routes” that link sites and landscapes that have left their mark on European
industrial heritage.
The Glamorgan Archives collect, preserve and make accessible documents relating to the history of
our local area. Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council has worked in partnership with the
Glamorgan Record Office to produce a website documenting family and local history on
www.routetoyourroots.co.uk
The Countryside Council for Wales works alongside English Nature and Scottish Natural Heritage
as a statutory advisor to the government on preserving and promoting natural beauty, wildlife and
the opportunity for outdoor enjoyment.
In addition to their responsibility for designating Sites of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI’s), the
Countryside Council for Wales undertakes research, administers environmental grants and
proactively promotes enjoyment and appreciation of the 22 percent of Welsh countryside that is
open to the public through initiatives such as “Discovering Wales’ Natural Heritage”.
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EXTERNAL PARTNERS
Sustrans is a UK sustainable transport charity, whose vision is a world in which people can choose
to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment.
Through initiatives such as the “Valleys Cycle Network”, Sustrans create walking and cycle routes
that open up the natural beauty of our communities by leading people through heritage sites, green
spaces and river corridors. In addition to promoting healthy living and contributing towards
tourism, the Networks serve to improve public appreciation for the environment all around us, and
improving perceptions of life in the Valleys.
Groundwork Wales is an environmental regeneration charity that aims to achieve sustainable
communities through joint action, combining environmental, social and economic programmes in a
holistic approach to regeneration.
Groundwork Merthyr & Rhondda Cynon Taff are the local Trust who work towards improving the
quality of the local environment, the lives of local communities and the sustainability of local
business, involving local people in practical projects and encouraging community action.
Groundwork’s ‘Loops & Links’ project is a leading initiative contributing to the development of the
South Wales Valleys as a tourism and visitor destination, creating exciting routes for walkers,
mountain bikers and horse riders, and linking communities with the countryside
VISIT Network was set up to bring together, develop and support communities throughout
Rhondda Cynon Taf and the surrounding areas, to link up and promote their green tourism
opportunities and businesses and amenities in their area. This can be achieved through partnership
working, organizing events or promoting areas of interest on your doorstep.
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) is funded
by the Welsh Assembly Government and surveys, interprets and records the built heritage of
Wales, either directly or through grant aid and partnership working and makes information available
to the public through the “National Monuments Record of Wales”.
The Civic Trust movement works on the principle that it is our societies that make the places we
live and work special, supporting over 1,000 Civic Societies across Britain. Since its foundation, the
Trust has been concerned that local people should have a voice in the development of their
community.
The Civic Trust for Wales is active in developing, supporting and advising the network of Civic
Societies throughout Wales, helping Societies with their planning casework and assisting them get
projects up and running.
The Civic Trust for Wales produce the publication About Wales three times per year, containing
articles examining topics such as heritage, conservation, regeneration and sustainable development.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) was set up by parliament in 1994 to give grants to a wide range
of projects that relate to local, regional and national heritage within the UK. Through distributing a
share of the money raised by the National Lottery, the HLF enables communities to celebrate, look
after and learn more about our heritage, and offer funding opportunities for the entire spread of
heritage, including buildings, museums, natural heritage, cultural traditions and language.
Since 1994 the HLF have awarded £3.97 billion to over 26,000 projects across the UK and will
fund another £1.9 billion over the next 12 years
The HLF is considered as a key partner organisation, offering potential funding opportunities both
for Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and for heritage interest groups within our
communities.

EXTERNAL PARTNERS
The Arts Council for Wales is the national body for the arts in Wales. It distributes public money
from the Welsh Assembly Government and the National Lottery to artists and art organisations.
The Arts Council Wales also commission new work, research, provides advise and information and
develops awareness and support for the arts.
The Arts Council Wales funded a site specific dance event at the Rhondda Heritage park in 2005
titled Fragments and Echoes. With a theme of ‘Spirit of the Valleys’ this event celebrated the social
and cultural heritage of the area.
Visit Wales is the Wales Assembly Government Tourism Team and operates the functions previously
undertaken by the Wales Tourist Board, listing, promoting and developing Tourism in Wales.
The Tourism industry is able to utilise the appealing history and heritage of the South Wales Valleys
to attract additional visitors to the area and elongate the periods of time that people are likely to
spend visiting. A regional partnership organisation that also has a role to play in the promotion of
heritage in the local area is Capital Region Tourism and the local tourism business organisation
Valleys Tourism.
As Tourists rarely recognise any significance of regional boundaries, it is important that Rhondda
Cynon Taf County Borough Council works in partnership with Neighbouring Authorities and Visit
Wales in attracting people to the area.
Pride of Place

WORKING WITH OUR COMMUNITIES
Whilst this Strategy is designed to give a framework for the
Council’s heritage service provision, its purpose is
ultimately to benefit members of our communities.
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council already
benefits greatly from the dedication of an active heritage
community, consisting of private sector businesses,
voluntary organisations and individuals with an interest in
particular areas of the County’s historic environment and
heritage. In particular, it should be noted that a number of
Local Historical Societies have undertaken a vast array of
heritage projects and initiatives in the past, and their ongoing
dedication is likely to prove an invaluable asset to the
County Borough.
Community participation and involvement in our heritage
increases the sense of social cohesion which can, in turn,
inspire local confidence and energy. Through supporting
and empowering participation in and enjoyment of our
heritage, the Council can encourage a strong sense of
positive identity, civic pride and ownership within our local
communities, particularly those under economic pressure
or undergoing regeneration.
The Library, Museum and Heritage Service manages and
services the formal consultative processes involving
community groups, professional bodies and elected
members. This is undertaken through regular meetings
involving stakeholders from across the heritage field.
In order to capitalise on and enhance the contribution that
these groups offer the County Borough, Rhondda Cynon
Taf County Borough Council will seek to:
• Foster good working relations with appropriate private
sector and voluntary heritage related groups.
• Seek opportunities to support appropriate private
sector and voluntary heritage related groups where
possible.
• Raise awareness of and access to our heritage within
the County Borough to encourage community and
visitor participation in heritage related activities.
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INTERNAL PARTNERSHIP WORKING
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council has always
taken great pride in its rich heritage, and has invested
resources in promoting, conserving and improving the
heritage offer for its communities and visitors. However, by
its nature as a wide and diverse subject matter, the
management and promotion of our heritage has
traditionally been fragmented within the County Borough.
It is without doubt that we have achieved more by
combining resources and working together than was the
case before the first heritage strategy was formed.
Therefore drawing internal partnerships together and
working towards co-ordinated action, is one of the key
priorities of this Strategy.
Through internal partnership working Rhondda Cynon Taf
County Borough Council will:
• Raise internal awareness and understanding of our
heritage.
• Support and enhance the representation of and
contribution from the Council with external
partnerships.
• Share knowledge, expertise and resources where
appropriate to develop and deliver coherent and coordinated
heritage projects.
The creation of a Heritage Strategy is simply the first step
in achieving a cohesive approach as it presents the
framework for service provision over the next three years.
The successful implementation of the Strategy is heavily
reliant on effective partnership working and mutual
understanding across different departments of the Council.
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KEY PARTNERSHIPS
Within all the important cross-departmental networks that are vital to achieving a
cohesive and productive heritage service provision, the following links have been
identified as the key partnerships for the success of this Strategy.
Tourism
Heritage is perceived by society as having a quality or
significance that makes it worth preserving for its own sake
and for the appreciation of current and future generations.
As such, the heritage of Rhondda Cynon Taf is central to
the county’s tourism industry, acting as a major draw for
visitors and providing the opportunity to discover our
historic cultural, social and physical environment.
The Rhondda Cynon Taf Draft Tourism Strategy 2007 –
2013 defines tourism as “the temporary short-term
movement of people to destinations outside the places
where they normally live and work and the activities during
the stay at these destinations”. All tourists, whatever the
reason for their visit, will experience an impression of our
cultural heritage during their time in the County, and may
also indulge in additional heritage activities unrelated to the
‘primary purpose’ of their visit.
In addition to the links of heritage related attractions and
activities for visitors to undertake, the issue of local pride
and identity is hugely significant to our potential tourism
market. Without local appreciation and respect for our
surroundings, the County is not able to attract and sustain
high levels of tourism and public expenditure. Increasing
civic pride is a huge challenge that faces the Council as a
whole and, through its contribution towards Our Living
Space, a strong commitment to our heritage helps to play a
significant role towards the Council meeting this challenge.
Many issues surrounding the promotion and management
of our heritage are also prominent to Tourism provision
and are addressed in the Tourism Strategy 2007 – 13 and
will be tackled by the cross-departmental Tourism and
Heritage Forum.
Heritage is a key asset of the area an is associated with
niche markets such genealogy. On the internet and in the
media with websites like ancestry.com and tv programmes
like Who Do You Think You Are? further promote this
market. As people establish family links to Wales a visit to
their birth place is often associated, bringing benefits to the
local economy. The Rough Guide views genealogy as one
of the fastest growing sectors in the travel industry.
Rhondda Cynon Taff has a unique place in the history of
South Wales and as such this is an important factor when
marketing the area for tourism.
CULTURE
The wide ranging cultural benefits of adopting a proactive
and positive approach to the management and celebration
of our heritage have already been highlighted within this
Strategy.
As with tourism, many initiatives and projects are able to
bring mutual benefit to both our heritage and cultural
services. Therefore, heritage will play a key role within the
Council’s Cultural Plan, Arts Strategy and Public Art Policy.
REGENERATION
In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s our forefathers were
great builders of civic landmarks and understood the
importance of establishing strong local identity in an era of
competition between emerging towns and valleys. These
buildings projected their area’s identity and prominence
and also demonstrated their high regard for culture.
Although much has changed since these times, the issue of
local identity continues to take a high priority in the
regeneration and economic development of our local
communities, and is important in empowering local
confidence and civic pride.
Since the decline of heavy industry in the area, Rhondda
Cynon Taf has been experiencing a period of major
regeneration, which has been supported by the Welsh
Assembly Government’s commitment to the regeneration
of the Heads of the Valleys. Substantial investment has also
taken place through Objective 1 and the Welsh
Development Agency and further investment is being
made as a result of the 2007 – 13 EU Convergence
Programme.
Our heritage services must interact with regeneration
plans and projects to capitalise on additional funding
opportunities and ensure heritage continues to bring value
to our communities in the future.
At times where we are encouraging communities to look
forward to an improved future, it is vital that we do not
dismiss and lose our heritage. The value that the sense of
place, pride and identity brings to our communities is as
irreplaceable as the historical content itself.
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KEY PARTNERSHIPS
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainable Development is about making better long-term
decisions and links strongly to our heritage. It is about
improving people's well-being and quality of life, thinking
about the impacts of today's actions on future generations
and protecting and enhancing the natural environment in
which we live.
A sustainable approach to our heritage will encourage the
use or re-use derelict land or buildings as well as the
conservation, protection and enhancement of our local
environment, including locally valued cultural or heritage
assets. As with all Council service areas there must be an
emphasis on consistent levels of investment and long-term
sustainability to ensure that new ventures are not simply a
‘flash in the pan’. Decisions regarding this can only
properly made if we have considered the economic
sustainability and environmental impact of any project or
initiative, along with the effect on local communities that
they are likely to have.
Through adopting a sustainable approach to our actions,
we will be able to safeguard the quality and variety of our
heritage for the benefit of future generations, and
contribute actively towards the Council’s commitment to
achieving a sustainable future.
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MONITOR, REVIEW & EVALUATION
This Strategy provides a framework approach to our
heritage and will be supported by Heritage Action Plan
detailing specific tasks that will enable us to achieve our
strategic objectives.
The Action Plan will be created in consultation with
internal, external and community partnerships to ensure
that the wide range of priorities are considered and
addressed.
The Heritage Strategy Action Plan, which will be used as a
‘working document’ by Rhondda Cynon Taf County
Borough Council, will be continuously reviewed and
updated as a result of the monitoring process. The Action
Plan will be reviewed regularly with relevant project
partners, where Actions will be updated accordingly.
One key tool for future success will be the evaluation of
completed projects and Action Points, informed by the
monitoring and review process. This will enable us to
assess the impact and benefits achieved and provide an
understanding of ‘lessons learnt’ from the past to help
towards planning of our future work. These evaluations
may be carried out by an evaluation task group or by
individuals who were involved in the projects or Action
Points.
CONTINUOUS
MONITORING
FUTURE
PLANNING
REVIEW
EVALUATION

Conclusion
Our heritage is hugely important to all of us. It demonstrates the character, identity,
values and cultural variety that have built up in our region over thousands of years.
This Strategy aims to encourage more local people and visitors to take an active
interest in our heritage. Many people within Rhondda Cynon Taf are already proud of
our history and, as a County Borough, we will be even prouder when our exceptional
heritage is better understood and more widely appreciated.
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council recognises
that a long-term vision towards heritage can be viewed as
an evolving process, as the present becomes history and
history shapes our cultural future. Therefore by creating an
improved awareness and understanding of our heritage, it
will be valued and respected more by both the local and
wider communities, ensuring that local residents and
decision makers retain the ongoing desire to continue to
enjoy and shape the regional landscape, driving Rhondda
Cynon Taf forward whilst still taking pride in the areas
historic identity.
??? is the second Heritage Strategy to be produced by
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council. It
represents the continuation of our future progress, whilst
formally demonstrating our dedication to the preservation
and enhancement our historic cultural, social and physical
environment for future generations.
This Strategy has the potential to play a supportive role to
each of the five ‘Themes for Action’ as identified in the
Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Plan, A Better Life. More
specifically, it has a direct effect on how we “protect and
improve our local environment” and contributes towards
making Rhondda Cynon Taf a more attractive area, and
therefore “a place where people want to live in the 21st
Century”; key priorities of Our Living Space Action Theme
within A Better Life.
Our heritage is a significant asset to our tourism offer and,
as such, plays an important role in bringing potential
economic benefit to the area. It also provides us with
lifelong learning opportunities and, not least, an invaluable
sense of shared past and collective belonging.
Our communities have undergone a period of major
change following the decline of the industrial activities that
were once a catalyst for so much of the area’s
infrastructure and characteristics that surround us today.
As we regenerate our towns and look forward to an
exciting future, we can do so with an increased
understanding, appreciation and feeling of pride for our
unique and inspirational heritage.
Pride of Place