The Welsh Heritage Festival for Service Children was successfully held at Rhondda Heritage Park in April as part of Month of the Military Child, welcoming children of those serving in the Armed Forces for a day designed to celebrate identity, build connection and explore heritage through creativity.
Made possible through funding from SSCE Cymru, the festival brought service children together in one of Rhondda Cynon Taf’s most important heritage locations for a full day of rotating creative workshops that moved between local history, hands-on art and shared music making. The programme created a space for the young people to express how it feels to be part of the service child community, while also enjoying a memorable day with others who understand that experience.
Pupils began by stepping into history through an underground tour to learn about Rhondda Cynon Taf’s mining heritage. For many, it was an exciting first encounter with the underground mines and a powerful way to connect with history that shaped the communities around them.
They were also invited to a banner-making workshop, where the children explored the tradition of banners as a way for communities to be seen and recognised, especially those whose voices are not always heard. Each child designed an individual-sized banner to take home, capturing personal thoughts and feelings through artistic expression. Additionally, each school group worked together on a larger collaborative banner, bringing their individual ideas into a shared piece that was taken back to the school to be displayed.
The theme of self-expression continued through music, as the children worked with Otto Aday from Never Such Innocence to write a song based on their own experiences of being a service child. The workshop encouraged pupils to shape lyrics collectively based on the theme of change, turning everyday feelings into something powerful and meaningful. The song will be recorded and played of BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Services) in the coming weeks, and the music and lyrics will also be made available for choirs who may wish to perform it.
The Army’s Regional Engagement Team were also in attendance, running activities for the students alongside Rhondda Heritage Park’s new interactive equipment – giving pupils the chance to explore kit up close, ask questions and enjoy a more hands-on element to the day.
As the festival continued into the afternoon, students and other members of the Armed Forces community enjoyed a small ensemble from the Royal Welsh Band, adding a celebratory atmosphere to the event. The day also included a special debut from Valley Veterans, who premiered their music video as part of the programme.
With refreshments provided by Bakehouse Brew, the festival offered time for pupils and guests to relax, talk and reflect between activities. Together, the workshops, performances and shared moments contributed towards a thoughtful and uplifting event that recognised the voices and experiences of service children in a meaningful way.
Councillor Maureen Webber BEM, Deputy Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Armed Forces Champion, said: “Service children can face unique challenges and pressures, often undergoing frequent changes, and it is important that they feel recognised and supported.
“This Welsh Heritage Festival for Service Children offered a wonderful mix of heritage and creativity, from learning underground about our mining history to creating banners and music that reflect their own voices. The creativity on show was inspiring, and the fact that their song will be recorded and shared more widely is a brilliant way to amplify those voices beyond the day itself.
“It was a genuinely uplifting day; I’m grateful to all partners who helped make it so special, and a special thanks to SSCE Cymru for funding the event and creating such a positive experience for our service children.”
Never Such Innocence is a charity that provides tools for children and young people (9-18) to reflect on the realities of war and conflict. More information: www.neversuchinnocence.com
Rhondda Heritage Park was established in 1986 when a group of local people decided to preserve the recently closed Lewis Merthyr Colliery as a memorial to the individuals and communities who worked and lived with the mining industry. Today, Rhondda Heritage Park Museum is a thriving tourist attraction visited by people from all over the world.
To find out more about tours, exhibitions, educational visits and more, please visit: www.rhonddaheritagepark.com
Posted on 01/06/2026