A spectacular fun-filled family day is being held in Tonypandy shortly to commemorate the centenary of the famous riots which occurred in the town.
Tonypandy 2010 is a series of activities held throughout the year to mark the historic events of a century ago, culminating in an unforgettable free day of activities.
On Sunday November 7th a whole series of events will take place in Tonypandy town centre from 3pm to 8pm. Run by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council in partnership with organisations from throughout the locality, activities will include lantern making, miners helmet making, family history tasters and street entertainment for all ages.
At 3pm there will be the unveiling off the refurbished Lady With The Lamp statue at the De Winton Street Car Park. The iconic image stood in the town for over 60 years, and was paid for by the miners of the local “Scotch” Colliery. It has now been refurbished and is ready for display again thanks to the Council who worked with Rhondda Civic Society, Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Arts and The Civic Trust for Wales to create a community garden where the statue will be situated.
This fountain and statue was erected in 1909 with money left over from the memorial statue paid for by the miners to Archibald Hood the well-known Scottish engineer and local mine owner.
From 4pm the prize-giving of the Cordell Mini Saga Competition will be held at Tonypandy Library. The competition was launched at the Cordell Festival in Rhondda Heritage Park last month to write a mini-sage in 50 words or less. With over 700 entries, the competition has certainly been fierce!
From 5pm you can follow the lantern parade past the Power House – the main activity of the 1910 riots – to Asda car park where there will be live music and entertainment from local choirs – including Cambrian Male Voice Choir, bands and dance groups.
At the top of the bill is Pontypridd’s Tom Richards – fresh from his X Factor experience and Tonypandy’s very own “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” star, Sophie Evans. The day will all finish off with an amazing laser show and fireworks display. – the main activity of the 1910 riots – to where there will be live music and entertainment from local choirs – including Cambrian Male Voice Choir, bands and dance groups.At the top of the bill is Pontypridd’s Tom Richards – fresh from his X Factor experience – and Tonypandy’s very own “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” star, The day will all finish off with an amazing
The Council is also introducing a regular Park & Ride scheme for motorists from the Council’s offices at Ty Elai, Williamstown from 2.30pm to 8.30pm.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism Cllr Robert Bevan said: “This promises to be a significant milestone event in the history of the South Wales valleys as we commemorate the centenary of the Tonypandy Riots with a series of events for everyone to enjoy.
“It was thanks to events such as the Riots that we saw the establishment of the minimum wage, so the wider effects of the incidents in Tonypandy in 1910 cannot be underestimated.
“Together I’m sure we will have a day to remember as there are plenty of activities taking place to suit all tastes and ages. I hope residents and visitors to Rhondda Cynon Taf have a wonderful time.”
Tonypandy 2010 is a series of activities financially supported by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. With funding from the European Regional Development Fund and The Valleys Heart and Soul, a three year campaign led by partnership organisations from the Western Valleys, Heads of the Valleys and The Valleys Partnership. The aim is to change perceptions of The Valleys, attract more tourists and bring long-term economic benefits to the area. The area has undergone major transformation with a total investment of £42 million and is now a flourishing tourism destination waiting to be explored.
The Tonypandy Riots were the culmination of an industrial dispute between workers and the mine owners who went on strike for a year in an effort to fight for a living wage. As the days grew into weeks, the long period of striking culminated in a bitter struggle to halt the operation at Llwynypia’s iconic Powerhouse – a centre of activity that ensured work could continue in the nearby Glamorganshire Colliery.
In November 1910 strikers, impassioned by extended hand-to-hand fighting with the Glamorgan Constabulary smashed windows of mining officials’ homes and many of the shops in the town. Today it is recognised as one of the most fierce encounters in the coal mining history of Wales.
