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Aberdare tour guides - 13 Ebr 2009
Funding leads the way for local tour guides
Visitors to Aberdare can uncover the hidden history of the town after funding has allowed ten local people to become official tourist guides.
Each is now qualified to lead tours of the town which visits key landmarks including the former Gadlys Ironworks and the site of the first modern Eisteddfod.
They trained for seven months to become members of the Wales Official Tourist Guides Association - the only guides officially recognised by the Welsh Assembly Government to guide in Wales.
The group, known as Real Valley Tours, were able to complete the scheme after funding of £10,000 was awarded from the Heads of the Valleys Programme.
They now offer tours across the region and centre on the towns of Aberdare, Tredegar, Merthyr Tydfil, Bute Town in Rhymney and Blaenavon. Available to individuals and groups alike, the tours will take in the sights of the industrially-rich heritage and look at the changing face of the area.
Welsh Assembly Government Deputy Minister for Regeneration, Leighton Andrews said: "Through our regeneration plans we are committed to helping to improve communities across the Heads of the Valleys area and attracting tourists to visit the area. The Heads of the Valleys programme has provided significant funding to develop key tourism attractions in the region and boost this important growing sector. The region has a fascinating industrial history and heritage which has played an important role in shaping south Wales and beyond and I am very pleased that these trained guides will be able to promote some of these gems."
The Heads of the Valleys Programme is a 15 year regeneration project, led by the Welsh Assembly Government, working to benefit communities in Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen, Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf. Aimed at stimulating regeneration, economic growth, and environmental improvement, the £140 million programme is making the Heads of the Valleys an increasingly successful and attractive area for people to live and work.
Real Valley Tours chairperson, Ruth Taylor-Davies, added: "As local people we are very passionate about the Heads of the Valleys region and keen to share our knowledge with others. We consider it our mission to reveal the hidden history of the area which can’t be found in general guidebooks, whilst exploring the striking landscapes of south Wales. There is something in our tours for everyone."
