Following years of planning by Gelligaer & Penybryn Communities First, Gelligaer Historical Society, Gelligaer Community Council and Caerphilly County Borough Council, work is now well advanced on a range of projects to enhance the profile of the Gelligaer Roman Fort.
This includes the production of a new, updated guidebook on the historic Roman Fort, which will also tell the story of Gelligaer before and after the Romans.
The guidebook is being updated in conjunction with National Museum Wales, and a new complete timeline is being added. The new guidebook aims to highlight the key events in the area – if you know something that you feel should be included then we’d love to hear from you.
As well as stories, the Gelligaer Partnership are also looking for unpublished images or even Roman finds that can add to the unique story of the town. We are specifically looking for images of:
- Hope chapel
- Any early agriculture images
- Anything related to the original Lewis Boys school
- The building of the ‘new’ council housing in the 1960’s
- Penallta Colliery in full swing
- Anything re the earlier collieries
- The public houses (Harp/Cross)
- The Church (although we have a few of it from different periods
Wynne David, Chair of the Partnership said “We are really excited to see our plans coming to fruition, and we are eager to ensure that the new guidebook adds to the knowledge and pride of those of us who live in the area, as well as visitors to the community. We would really like to include your stories, pictures or finds. We aim to launch this new guidebook during a weeklong celebration of our Roman Heritage at the end of November.”
Funding for this whole project has been secured from the EU via the Rural Development Plan and also from The Heritage Lottery Fund. The Community Council are also providing funding.
The next meeting of the Partnership will be at The Gelligaer Community Council Offices on 6th October at the Gelligaer Community Council Office – call in between 12noon and 2pm if you’d like to find out more about the project. If you have images that you’d like to contribute then please contact Kim Colebrook who is working on the project on 07852 210106.
