Blue Plaque Scheme

Blue Plaque Scheme Announced

A proud tradition of world-famous famous events, people, places, music and culture is being celebrated in Rhondda Cynon Taf with the introduction of a major new Blue Plaque Heritage Trail.

For almost two years Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Libraries & Museums Service has been working closely with various voluntary organisations and individuals to determine 30 sites in the county borough as yet unrecognized for their historical background.

Due to £49,200 of Heritage Lottery funding, the project has set out to identify icons, events and buildings, culminating in the placing of blue plaques to commemorate their history and achievements. A series of articles appeared in the local and national press along with television and radio coverage to encourage people to nominate their own site.

Following consultation with community representatives and historical societies, an audit was carried out to catalogue all existing memorials, statues and plaques in Rhondda Cynon Taf. People, places or events that already have a plaque commemorating them are ineligible for a Blue Plaque, as are anyone who died less than 10 years ago.

More than 180 nominations were received and representatives of historical societies in each area met with Council officers to undertake the unenviable task of deciding which areas will receive the Blue Plaques.

With so many historical buildings and events from colliery strikes, riots and even pioneering cremations in the county borough’s history, coupled with being the birthplace of a vast array of celebrities from the worlds of music, sport, cinema, literature and the political arena, the decisions were taken after a lengthy consultation process.

From the world of music and culture some of the successful sites include the birthplace of the world-famous opera singer Sir Geraint Evans from William Street, Cilfynydd and screen and stage actor Donald Houston of Thomas Street, Tonypandy.

In Gilfach Goch a plaque will be placed to remember author Richard Llewellyn who was said to have used the village as the basis for his best-loved novel, How Green Was My Valley.

Internationally-famous musical organisations like Pendyrus Male Choir will have a plaque on the site of their first rehearsal and the Cory Band are also being recognised at their current rehearsal room.

It is also a special occasion for the renowned Treorchy Male Choir who are celebrating the 125th anniversary since they were first formed at the Red Cow Hotel, Treorchy where they won £1 for singing Myfanwy in a local eisteddfod. A Blue Plaque will be placed on the pub itself and a celebratory evening will take place with performances inside and outside of the building.

For further information about the choirs and bands of Rhondda Cynon Taf, click here.

Major events such as the first National Eisteddfod being held in Market Hall, Aberdare and the Tonypandy Riots which centred around its famous Powerhouse are also being commemorated.

From the world of sport, world-champion cyclist Arthur Linton from Aberaman, rugby international Dr Teddy Morgan of Abernant, Pontypridd boxer Freddie Welsh and international footballer and Manager of Manchester Utd Jimmy Murphy of Pentre are all being recognised.

Historical figures include the Rhondda MP and Miner’s Agent William "Mabon" Abraham from Pentre, Tonyrefail preacher Rev William Evans, better known as the "Silver Bell of Tonyrefail" and social reformer and the Labour Party’s first woman organizer Elizabeth Andrews from Ton Pentre.

A Blue Plaque will also be placed on Pontypridd’s famous Round Houses to remember chartist, surgeon, druid and pioneer of cremation Dr William Price and another will be placed on Gelliwasated Institute to remember its former owner Dr Richard Griffiths who built the tramroad that helped begin the Rhondda coal trade.

Historic buildings are also to received Blue Plaques, including Nantgarw China Works, Gadlys Ironworks in Aberdare (the site of the current Cynon Valley Museum and Gallery), Cymmer Independent Chapel in Porth when revivalist Evan Roberts once preached, Navigation Inn, Abercynon where the officers of the Glamorganshire Canal Company were located and Hirwaun Ironworks.

As the oldest community in the county borough, Llantrisant will receive three Blue Plaques to remember its original Parish Workhouse in four properties along Swan Street, the Guildhall where the ancient borough was governed and the weigh house where the borough market was regulated at a house now known as Y Pwysty.

The placing of the Blue Plaques over the coming months will allow residents and visitors a clear understanding of the sheer wealth of culture and heritage on offer in the county borough. Individuals will be able to follow a heritage trail through Rhondda Cynon Taf, following sites that many local and wider communities are unaware of.

Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation, Cllr Robert Bevan said: "This is an exciting scheme and one which will raise the profile of the county borough to both local and wider communities.

"The support from community organisations, especially historical societies in offering advice on the merits of each nomination has been massive and together we have managed to decide on 30 locations evenly spread throughout the whole of county borough to receive one of the Blue Plaques.

"With the development of a Blue Plaque Heritage Trail visitors will be enthralled by the sheer wealth of history we have to offer, while many long-time residents will also be surprised at the importance of buildings near their own homes.

"We have an incredible heritage in Rhondda Cynon Taf and one which we remain justifiably proud of. This is our opportunity to showcase the people, the places and the events of our county borough to all those individuals who live in, work in or visit Rhondda Cynon Taf."

The complete list of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Blue Plaques are:

Rhondda

Cynon

Taf

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