Rhondda Cynon Taf: Our Heritage
A general lack of maintenance work, and unless rectified these elevations will potentially deteriorate and will considerably detract from the elegance of the street scene. Who would have thought Aberdare Town was in a Conservation Area
Designated in 1989, the Aberdare Conservation Area relates to an order to develop a detailed understanding of the Conservation Area’s quality and character.
The victorian core of the town centre is considered to be: “an area of special architectural / historic interest, the Victorian character and appearance of which is desirable to preserve and enhance”.
Whilst the Council has formulated associated design guidance on conservation matters in the past, eg shop fronts, the documents can be considered in general terms
The fascinating history and heritage of Rhondda Cynon Taf has been captured and celebrated on a brand-new website.
“Rhondda Cynon Taf Our Heritage” was launched thanks to an important partnership which has seen residents of all ages working to research stories, make films, capture interviews, and collate archives.
Using National Lottery Heritage Funding, the research has enabled the development of the website and the wider Rhondda Cynon Taf Heritage Strategy, which underpins activity and action moving forward, to preserve and promote our history and heritage.
The powers available to local authorities include:
Serving repairs, urgent works and Section 215 notices
Taking enforcement action against unauthorised development – planning contravention notices/ breach of condition notices/ enforcement notices/ stop notices/ and injunctions.
Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 can be used for shop fronts. This section gives local planning authorities (LPAs) the power to require the owner of land or buildings to remedy the condition of their property if it’s negatively impacting the area:
Delve deep into days gone by on the website and enjoy historic photographs, interviews with residents and video archives.
Discover the epic international tale of coal mining and industry that unfolded in Rhondda Cynon Taf and helped change the world. See how our communities developed, how people lived in the “olden days” and what life was like through the generations.
Hear from residents who tell their stories; of working in the coal mine, as young children during the war, as migrants to Rhondda Cynon Taf, their links with history and working lives in places such as Polikoff’s.
Meet our historical figures – the boxing legends, the football superstars, the musical sensations – and discover their stories through research into sporting heroes, cultural legends and those honoured with Blue Plaques.
Teachers and home-schoolers alike will love the free educational resources, which have been developed with the support of schools and contain loads of information, plus fun and inspiring activities to deliver.
History-lovers can discover online exhibitions and also ways they can get involved in protecting and celebrating history as volunteers or participants, such as:
The Altered Images Project, which was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to engage people of all ages to research history and tell the stories of the county borough.
The Rhondda Heritage Project, which is being delivered by Rhondda Radio, again using National Lottery Heritage Funding to deliver a Heritage Trail with information stations at historic locations across the Rhondda to bring history to life and connect the community with its past. The programme is coordinated by beloved Rhondda author and director John Geraint.
The War Memorials Project which aims to digitize war memorials and tell the stories of those listed on them. The only project of its kind in the UK, the project is delivered by volunteers – more are welcome!
Cllr Bob Harris, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities, helped to launch the website at a recent event in Pontypridd Library, during which the website was showcased and schoolchildren who had engaged with the Altered Images project shared their experiences.
He said: “Huge congratulations to those involved in Rhondda Cynon Taf: Our Heritage. Their work to research, collate and preserve history has been significant.
“From school children to former soldiers, so many people have contributed to the website, helping to tell stories and bring history alive. There is always room for more volunteers so please get in touch!
“Finally, we have quite the story to tell here in Rhondda Cynon Taf, and we want to share it! Rhondda Cynon Taf: Our Heritage is free to use and ensures the myths, legends and stories of our wonderful county borough are only a click of the mouse away.”
About the National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales
Using money raised by the National Lottery, we inspire, and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future.
https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/in-your-area/wales
Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £30 million goes to good causes across the UK every week.
Follow @HeritageFundCYM on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund