Pupils from Trehopcyn Primary School, Hopkinstown, joined in the celebrations at Barry Sidings Countryside Park to mark the 200th anniversary of the opening of Dr. Richard Griffiths’ tram road through Pontypridd.
The tram road first brought Rhondda coal to the iron-working industries of Pontypridd and Rhondda miners’ wives to Pontypridd Market.
Children join tram road celebrations
Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Mayor, Cllr. Robert Smith, a guest at the anniversary celebrations, arrived at the Country Park in a coal tram drawn by two horses, led by Martin Tapp of Merlin Engineering, Pwllgwaun.
Trehopcyn Primary pupils welcomed the mayoral party with song and helped unveil a short length of the original track, excavated earlier this year, which has been re-laid at the Country Park in Trehafod.
More than 100 guests, including members of three local branches of the WI, then walked the route of the tram road back to Pontypridd.
Cllr Smith said: “It was a very enjoyable afternoon for everyone and a fitting way to remember such a significant part of Pontypridd’s history.”
