talking point - Rhondda Cynon Taf

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Two miles further north we come to Nantgarw, once famous for its China works, now commemorated in a museum. The brainchild of William Billingsley who wanted to produce quality, soft-paste China, the Works was established in 1813, but unfortunately the manufacturing process was not perfected, and the high proportion of reject pieces made his venture too costly to sustain. Nantgarw China was produced for only a short period in the early 19th century, but the pretty flower patterns of Nantgarw Ware are highly prized by collectors. The A470 is easily re-joined from here although a short detour along the A468 will take us to Caerphilly Castle, one of the great medieval castles of western Europe and a revolutionary masterpiece of military planning. Pontypridd is then just a few miles further on, and although the valley floor is heavily industrialised all the way, the mountain slopes above are dotted with dairy and sheep farms. A narrow road up to the right at Dynea gives access to the slopes of Mynydd Eglwysilan and Cwrt-y-felin Farm where <strong>Taf</strong>f Valley Quad Bike and Activity Centre offers a wealth of outdoor sporting activities to visitors, including archery, claypigeon shooting and buggy trails. 7 During the19th century, Pontypridd was a boom town, a centre of heavy industry and coal mining, and built an enviable reputation for culture and sport which today is as strong as ever. Pontypridd Rugby Club and the boot of record <strong>point</strong>s scorer Neil Jenkins are famous the world over, and there are excellent indoor and outdoor facilities at the Hawthorn Leisure Centre. Opera stars Stuart Burrows and Sir Geraint Evans and pop star Tom Jones were all born in the surrounding villages, whilst the Welsh National anthem Hen Wlad fy Nhadau (Land of my Fathers) was composed here in 1856 by Evan James and his son James James – there is a fine memorial to them by sculptor Goscombe John in Ynysangaharad Park. The park is only a stones throw away from the busy shopping centre and is a place of gardens, putting greens and a childrens outdoor pool. Green spaces provide fine views of the surrounding mountains and is the location for many major events, including international cricket and pop concerts.
Pottery of a different sort is made at the World of Groggs in Trefforest, just south of the town centre on the A4054. Here, some 40 years ago, craftsmen John Hughes and Richard Hughes began creating caricature figurines called Groggs and now have a studio and business of international repute. Groggs have been made of pop stars, politicians, miners and sheep, but the most famous ones are undoubtedly those which celebrate Rugby players from Wales and around the world: Gareth Edwards, Barry John, Neil Jenkins, Gavin Hastings, Laurence Dallaglio, Philippe Sella, Keith Wood and many, many more! 8
Page 1 and 2: ...TOURING COUNTRY... DISCOVER RHON
Page 3 and 4: STARTING YOUR TOUR 4 We have devise
Page 5: The A470 dual carriageway northward
Page 9 and 10: Tour 2 HERITAGE & HILLSIDE Discover
Page 11 and 12: Our route now enters the Rhondda Fa
Page 13 and 14: The road crosses a desolate moorlan
Page 15 and 16: Taff Trail Stretching from Cardiff,
Page 17 and 18: The A4059 leads us into our second
Page 19 and 20: Tour 4 VALLEYS & VALE The Green Val
Page 21 and 22: Where the A473 meets the A4119, a r
Page 23 and 24: Royal Mint From every street corner
Page 25 and 26: Midway up the Valley, Mountain Ash
Page 27 and 28: At the edge of the town centre, the

talking point - Rhondda Cynon Taf

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