Culture and the arts have always played an important part in Valleys life. And so it goes on. Some of the 19th-century chapels and miners’ institutes nowadays serve as arts and entertainment centres. Along with theatres and modern, purpose-built centres they stage everything from comedy to the classics, pop to opera. They’re all part of a rich and evolving cultural scene that has its roots in those communities of old. But today the Valleys have a new voice. Male voice choirs share the stage with the Manic Street Preachers and the Stereophonics. Exciting contemporary artists and craftspeople are bringing fresh vision and inspiration to the Valleys.
The Welsh National Anthem, sung with pride and passion at many major events, is said to have been written on a Sunday morning in Jan 1856. Evan James from Pontypridd wrote the words to a tune composed by his son James James. The date of the song’s adoption as the National Anthem is unknown but it was given prominence at the National Eisteddfod in 1874. Since then is has been considered the best song that expresses the Welsh national sentiments.
The Bells of Rhymney Revisited
The Bells of Rhymney is perhaps the best known of all the songs to come from the Valleys. You’ve surely heard it. Written in 1957 by folk legend Pete Seeger, the bittersweet ballad was based on lyrics by local poet Idris Davies. It became a folk rock standard recorded by everyone from The Byrds to Cher. There’s now a new version, with words by Patrick Jones, the Valleys’ foremost young poet. It was commissioned by BBC Radio Wales and set to music by Mike Peters of The Alarm.
Here’s a sample:
Now is the time to show our unity
Plead the proud bells of Treorchy
Let us make space to breathe,
breathe, breathe
Say the golden bells of Pontypridd
Let’s all vow to learn and renew
Bleed the blackened bells of Fochriw
We won’t fade into dumb obscurity
Chime the glorious bells of Rhymney.
A Collective Voice
Nothing sums up the Valleys’ strong sense of community better than a male voice choir. A product of the 19th century, they still thrive today. The miner-members of old might have been replaced by doctors and factory workers, teachers and technicians. But catch one of their performances - or midweek rehearsals - and you’ll still hear the same soaring, stirring harmonies that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. Ask locally for details.
Country Classic
The Rape of the Fair Country is the best known of Alexander Cordell’s many novels. He took his inspiration from the people and places of the Valleys, creating a vivid picture of life in industrial South Wales. Follow in his footsteps on a Cordell Country Tour. Free leaflets describe four tours covering Blaenavon, Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda/Caerphilly. There’s an annual Cordell Festival and Literary Competition too - and when you’re in Blaenavon call into the Community Heritage Centre and Cordell Museum.
www.cordellcountry.org
Art and the Antipodes
Why was Rolf Harris recently seen singing with the Dowlais Male Voice choir? Rolf’s close connections with Merthyr Tydfil are revealed at Cyfarthfa Castle’s Art Gallery. Amongst its impressive collection you’ll find works by GF Harris, an eminent local artist who just happened to be Rolf’s grandfather. So now you know where Rolf’s talent came from. Cyfarthfa Castle is a treasure chest of art. Take a look at its paintings by Jack B Yeats and Penry Williams - and, bringing things bang up to date, something by a certain R Harris.
It’s a Model House
Llantrisant is a quaint little town of narrow, steep streets, ranged around an historic Bullring. It’s an individualistic kind of place, quite different to the archetypal Valleys communities further north. There’s lots of individual flair and skill on display too, at Model House Craft and Design Centre. One of Wales’s leading centres for craft and design, it boasts artists’ studios and workshops and a gallery/exhibition space for everything from glass to ceramics, jewellry to textiles.
www.craftgallerywales.com
The World of Groggs in Treforest is world renowned and is famous for its unique hand sculptured figurines ranging from sporting heroes, film stars, humorous animals and mining figures. It is a family run business, spanning 40 years. Despite boasting an excellent world-wide service, the Hughes family love collectors, customers and tourists to visit the shop.
It’s English, Jim, but Not As We Know It
‘Wenglish’ is the language of the Valleys. It’s English spoken through a filter of Welsh linguistic influences, with its own voluminous, humourous dictionary that includes such classics as:
Tidy: One of the most overworked Wenglish words, as the following examples show.
• tidy - fine, splendid
• a tidy spell - quite a long time
• a tidy step - quite a long way
• a tidy fellow - a decent chap, probably ‘good with his hands’
• a tidy bit in the bank - plenty of money
A leading scholar and exponent of the Welsh /English dialect is John Edwards from Abercynon.
According to John we can all Talk Tidy (speak properly). That’s the title of one of his books on
the subject - and there’s CDs too.
Or you can try a bit of Welsh, one of Europe's oldest languages, it's very lyrical and good fun to pronounce.
www.talktidy.com
www.bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk
Number 4 Chapel Row Cyfarthfa is also the birthplace of Dr Joseph Parry, one of Wales’ best known musicians and composers. This marvellously restored miner’s cottage gives you a real glimpse into life in the 1840’s as Dr Parry would have known it.
A Georgian castellated mansion set in 160 acres of beautiful landscaped grounds. In the Museum and Art Gallery of this sumptuous building you will find an amazing collection of fine art, porcelain, costumes, brass instruments, and the famous Egypt Collection.
The 19th century industrial revolution inspired author Alexander Cordell to write a trilogy. Cordell honed his literacy skills by entering a local competition run by the South Wales Argus in 1957. His submission was an extract from ‘Rape of the Fair Country’ the first book which made the little town of Blaenavon famous. Fittingly, to remember Cordell, an annual literary competition has been created. It encourages the new generation of writers to look more closely at this fascinating region. To read some of the inspiring entries, visit www.cordellcountry.org
“There, on the horse-track that will become the Llanover Road, is Capel Newydd, the first of two buildings that Blaenafon will love: chapels and taverns”. An extract from ‘Iestyn’s Ghost’ by John Harrison, winner of the Cordell Literature Competition 2006.
The Gallery @ Rhondda Heritage Park
The Gallery is housed in a converted colliery building which at the turn of the century was the stores of The Lewis Merthyr Colliery in Trehafod.
It hosts a changing programme of exhibitions from artists of national and international acclaim and particularly welcomes welsh art and welsh artists with work connected with the South Wales Valleys, its industries, landscapes, places and people.
It also boasts an impressive permanent collection of welsh artists. Alongside the Gallery is a range of contemporary jewellery, ceramics and turned wood pieces making this an ideal venue to purchase unique gift ideas. All this is complimented by the Valley View Restaurant with breathtaking views of the lower Rhondda Valleys. Admission to the Gallery is free.
www.rhonddaheritagepark.com
The Art of Shopping
There are many excellent town shopping centres dotted throughout the Valleys providing a choice of individual shops like the new courtyard in Pontpool. Or if you like your designer brands but do not want to pay the prices visit the Festival Shopping Centre in Ebbw Vale and get 50% off high street prices.
www.festivalshopping.co.uk
