Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is pleased to announce that four ongoing heritage focused projects, which will enable the region’s rich heritage to be preserved, celebrated and engaged with, will benefit from funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The Altered Images project has recently started a three-year activity programme with the focus of connecting our communities with their local heritage and history. The project aims to look at how views of the past change over time, and how understanding the past can challenge our assumptions about where we come from and how our communities developed.
The project is working with people of all ages and abilities to record and research the memorials and monuments of our area, and to capture the diverse stories and reminiscences of our communities for a digital archive which will preserve our heritage for future generations. The project has been made possible with £250,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Ynysangharad War Memorial Park is currently undergoing a significant improvement programme since a Parks for People second round application was approved. A combined total of £1.9 million has been awarded to the project, consisting of the Parks for People funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Welsh Government, along with further contributions from the Council.
The project will regenerate the heritage features of the Grade II Listed park, to help develop audiences and provide much-needed opportunities for learning, engagement and participation in the community. Works include:
- A new training/activity centre, called Canolfan Calon Taf.
- Refurbishment of the bandstand area.
- Refurbishment of the sunken garden area.
- New signage and interpretation.
- An activity plan to encourage community involvement during and following works delivery.
The project will complement the remarkable landmark Lido which reopened in 2015 and was partly funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The Local Authority was awarded £51,760 to deliver The Sporting Heroes Past and Present project which is near completion. The project which commemorates historic and contemporary local sporting heroes throughout the Local Authority’s changing rooms with the use of interpretation boards. The sporting heroes were chosen via an online nomination process. All the qualifying nominations were researched and recorded, and the information made accessible to the public via a QR code.
Last voices of the Rhondda is a project led by Vision Fountain, which received £31,500 to deliver, in collaboration, with the Oral History Society, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Art’s council for Wales and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. The project mixes the oral histories of local ex-miners with 3D portraits, involving local school children in the process. The project uses gaming technology to leverage young learners towards heritage and the arts. Working with BAME communities in Cardiff Bay, the project seeks to investigate the historic links between ‘Pit to Port’ and the communities of Tiger Bay and the Rhondda Valleys. School children in both communities listened to the oral histories of local miners for inspiration and utilised 3D technology to create eye catching mixed media portraits. This has culminated in an exhibition at the Rhondda Heritage Park on display until 23rd May 2022
https://www.visionfountain.com/2022/03/01/opening-of-the-last-voices-of-the-rhondda/
Councillor Ann Crimmings, Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Heritage Services said:
“I am extremely pleased that Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has been awarded funding for four heritage focused projects so we can continue the excellent work that has already been undertaken across the County Borough.
“The successful awards for funding highlights how dedicated we are to preserve and promote the rich and unique heritage that has made the communities we live in today.
“This funding will help us to further improve some of the best loved visitor areas at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, and introduce new features such as Canolfan Calon Taf, which will host a range of activities for people to take part in.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the difference this funding will make across our County Borough.”
Posted on 24/03/2022