Cynon Valley History Society: Publications

PUBLICATIONS

Cynon Valley History Society has, since its inception in 1971, regarded publishing as an integral part of its programmes.

Its main publication has been the highly regarded Journal “Old Aberdare”. Running to eleven volumes the books contain reprints of early parish histories, articles by professional historians and carefully researched original works by local authors.

The Society has been particularly proud to print reproductions of pencil drawings of local views made by Emma and Lucy Bacon of Aberaman House during the years 1827 and 1828. These charming and interesting sketches can be seen on the Rhondda Cynon Tâf Libraries online Digital Archive.

This is a list of our publications:

Society member Rob Jones has written our latest local history book entitled ‘The Cwm: A lost Community’. The Cwm was a small settlement located along the banks of the River Dare accessed by continuing along Glan Road beyond Glandare House—now demolished and where St John Baptist School is presently located. A few small terraces of houses were to be found there stretching as far as Brunel’s wooden viaduct. There was also a small place of worship for the residents. The book has resulted from several years of research using old newspapers, photographs and interviews with the people, or their relatives, who once lived there.
Rob Jones was assisted by society members Alan Abraham, John Davey and Haydn Williams in the preparation of the book, which first went on sale in mid-April 2024.
Copies are obtainable from Haydn Williams, (contact details below), and cost £14 plus p&p.
Old Aberdare Volume XI
In July 2021 the Society published Volume XI of its journal of local history, Old Aberdare.
All the articles in this edition are about events and people in the twentieth century. The topics are,

The Little Theatre: a century of drama.
The Poet Alun Lewis’ background at Cwmaman.
Reuben Silverman, Aberdare Leader Cartoonist.
Dr. Alistair Wilson: The way it used to be in Aberdare.
Aberdare’s Town Plan, 1957–1963.
John Ewington, trade union pioneer and the TVR Dispute.

Volume XI has sold exceptionally well.
It has now sold out, and is therefore no longer available for purchase.
A History of the Aberdare Valley Ironworks by Ken Collins and Steven Graham. This is the work of the late Ken Collins, who was a Vice President of the CVHS, and Steven Graham. Ken sadly died before the book was finished, and Steven completed it by adding an extra 100 pages of text.
It contains very full accounts of the ironworks that existed here: at Cwmaman, Hirwaun, Llwydcoed, Abernant, Gadlys and Aberaman.
There are descriptions of the terrible working conditions that the men, women and children endured. It includes tragedies, relating some of the accidents that occurred. On a happier note, there are articles about some of the presentations to workers, and in a humorous vein, one article describes a bungling robbery of the monthly wages of ironworkers. The lives of local iron masters and famous men involved with the iron industry are also recorded.
As well, there are maps of the ironworks and forges, numerous old newspaper articles from the 1800s on various aspects of this subject. There are over 40 photographs of the ironworks and buildings associated with them and many reproductions of original documents from Aberdare Library, Pembrokeshire Record Office and Glamorgan Archives.
The volume was published in September 2018, contains over 300 pages and costs £16.00. Members of the Society are not required to pay postage and packing.
This book is not just for people interested in this much-neglected subject but for the general reader who will learn much about a forgotten aspect of our valley’s history.*
Geoffrey Evans has written a delightful bi-lingual book Aberdare Park: a guide and short history. It is a short account in both English and Welsh outlining the history of Aberdare Park, which celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019. It is wonderfully designed with numerous colour photographs and is packed with 40 pages of fascinating information about our park. It costs £5.00. Please note, this booklet is published by “The Friends of Aberdare Park,” but can be purchased from Haydn Williams at the CVHS, contact details below.*

The Men Who Marched Away, by Geoffrey Evans, (CVHS, 2014). A book about the Cynon Valley World War 1 casualties; its war memorials as well as transcripts of contemporary press reports from The Front Line, £14 incl. p&p. *
Hanes DVD Disc. An archive of the society newsletter Hanes, Nos.1 to 56, (July 1984–Autumn 2011), plus four reprints of other CVHS publications, see below for details. The DVD data disc requires a computer to read it, £6 incl. p&p. *
The Land Your Fathers Possessed, (2011), £12.50 incl. p&p. *
2011 CVHS 40^th Anniversary Commemorative Calendar
Old Aberdare Volumes 1–11, (click here for contents)
Old Aberdare Volume 10 (2008), £6 incl. p&p *
Old Aberdare Volume 11 (2021), £7.50 incl. p&p
Portfolios of reproductions of pencil drawings of the Cynon Valley during the period 1827-1828
by Emma and Lucy Bacon.
Aberdare: Pictures from the Past (1986)
Aberdare: Pictures from the Past Vol.2 (1992)
A Facsimile of a Map showing the parish in 1852
Children of the Mines of the Cynon Valley, (1987, Reprinted 1999)
Cynon Coal: History of a Mining Valley, (CVHS 2001)
Chapels of the Cynon Valley, by Alan Vernon Jones, (CVHS 2004). Hardback, 425 pages,
£2 or £5.50 incl. p&p.*

* in print

Further Details of some Publications:

1.

HISTORY SOCIETY REMEMBERS THE VALLEY’S WORLD WAR 1 CASUALTIES

Publication date November 11th, 2014	The Men Who Marched Away by Geoffrey Evans
A beautiful war memorial at St Elvan’s Church, Aberdare was the starting point for a new book about Cynon Valley’s First World War casualties. The memorial lists the names of 222 officers and other ranks, and the 42 different regiments in which they served. Short biographies of nearly all the casualties are recorded and their places of burial are given. During the course of the research letters written home to relatives and the newspaper by many of those killed were discovered in the Aberdare Leader, and these are reproduced in the book. They contain graphic first-hand accounts of life in the front line, and of the fighting, describe the squalid conditions in which the men lived, the hardness they endured, and above all, and pathetically, reveal their thoughts and feelings. The letters record many interesting accounts such as: The delight of the son of Lord Aberdare in firing grenades at the German trenches, and his other exploits at the front. An Aberaman soldier’s desire for Welsh cakes. Descriptions of the first tanks. An Aberdare landowner’s concern for the men from this locality.	An account of Turkish girl snipers, and the story of an Aberdare teacher whose life was saved by a box of tea tablets. How the local MP’s son crossed no man’s land to remove an enemy flag which was annoying his men, and later encouraged them to smoke prior to leaving their trenches to capture Mametz Wood. The letters reveal many interesting accounts and stories of other local heroes, and the publication recalls the Penrhiwceiber miner who won the first Victoria Cross awarded to the Welsh Guards. The book also looks at war memorials in general, describes local movements to have them set up, and records the ceremonies connected with the unveiling of a number of local memorials. In addition an attempt has been made to catalogue and describe every war memorial in the Cynon Valley. The publication entitled The Men Who Marched Away was first made available at St Elvan’s Church, Aberdare on Remembrance Day, November 11th. Price £12 (by post, 1st class: £14.15; 2nd class: £14.00).	The book has been researched and written by Geoffrey Evans, one of the History Society’s regular authors. The Men Who Marched Away was launched and introduced by Pontypridd historian Dr. Anthony Mór-O’Brien. Dr Mór-O’Brien is an expert on the social history, economics and politics of the south Wales valleys, and particularly Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil during the period of the First World War. His doctoral thesis was entitled A Community in Wartime: Aberdare and the First World War, (1986). He has published and edited The Autobiography of Edmund Stonelake for Mid Glamorgan County Council, (1981), and has written a number of articles for The Welsh History Review and other journals.

2. The CVHS 40^th Anniversary Publication.

The Land Your Fathers Possessed

Edited by David Leslie Davies & Geoffrey Evans
Contents:

Foreword by Lord Aberdare, President of The CVHS
Acknowledgements
Cyflwyniad/Introduction D.L. Davies and Geoffrey Evans
List of illustrations
Notes on the cover illustration
From ‘A Luxuriant and Beautiful Vale’ to ‘A trough of Human Beings’ and ‘A Place of Honour’: pen-portraits of the Cynon Valley through the eyes of observers, 1536-1938. Selected and edited by D.L. Davies MA and Geoffrey Evans BA
A Touch of Salt: The Story of Dafydd Williams, 1775-1857, by D.L. Davies MA
Notes Historical by The Rev. Rees Jenkin Jones MA
Cynon Valley History Society: The First Forty Years by Geoffrey Evans BA
A Comprehensive List of the Publications of The CVHS, 1971-2011.

Reviews
“…Last week I bought a fascinating book on the mezzanine of the Gadlys Ironworks. …I’ve never read a history book quite like this. …Instead of engaging a writer to research the facts and weave them into a narrative, the editors have collected eye-witness impressions of Aberdare written by people who visited the place at various periods, starting in 1536, and recorded their personal impressions while they were still fresh in their minds.”

Elaine Morgan in The Western Mail, 10 June 2011.

“…The bringing together of this varied selection of ‘Pen Portraits’ relating to the Cynon Valley gives them a strong collective impact and the reader an enjoyable ‘time travel’ experience.
The editors of the anthology have taken possession of the Cynon Valley’s history with affection, pride and authority to produce an engagingly informative book with a range of well-chosen illustrations. There is much to celebrate in its pages.”

Hilary M. Thomas in ‘Morgannwg’.

The book was formally launched at a function which took place on Friday, 3rd June 2011, in the Parry Suite of the Cynon Valley Museum, Aberdare. The guest speaker was the Society’s new Vice President, Mrs Tydfil Thomas, OBE, JP, MA. The meeting was very well attended, and after the formal part of the meeting, refreshments were served while members had the opportunity to purchase the new volume.

The book may be purchased by post from Mr Haydn Williams - contact details below. Cost £10 plus £2.50 p&p 1st Class, £2.20 p&p 2nd class in the UK.

3. A Digital Archive of Hanes, the newsletter of the Society, plus more!

The Hanes Disc

The disc contains the following:

Copies of Hanes Nos.1 to 56, (July 1984- Autumn 2011)
A reprint of A Descriptive Account of Aberdare, Illustrated. (published in 1892)
Children of the Mines in the Cynon Valley (published in 1987 and 1999)
Two portfolios of Sketches of the Cynon Valley in 1827-1828, (published in 1972 and 1974)
A Timeline of the history of the Cynon Valley, in English and Welsh, (the versions are not identical). The timelines shown are those which were current on the website in 2011.

The disc is supplied in a slim-line DVD case as illustrated. Please note, the disc does not contain any audio or video.

This disc is designed to be used only with a computer equipped to read DVD datadiscs, using Adobe Reader software. Virtually all modern computers will be capable of reading the disc. It will not work with a domestic DVD player designed for use with a TV.

The disc can be purchased for £5 at Society meetings.
It is also available by mail order for £6, including postage and packing from Mr Haydn Williams, contact details below:

4. Churches of the Cynon Valley / Eglwysi Cwm Cynon.

front Cover

Sample Page
(click on page for larger image)

A new book written and published by CVHS member
Alan Vernon Jones
Contents

Foreword — The Most Rev. Dr. Barry Cennydd Morgan, Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Llandaff
Introduction — Rev. Mark J. Rowles (Roman Catholic Churches)
Introduction — Alan Vernon Jones

THE CHURCHES
1.   St. Gwynno, Llanwonno
2.   Christ Church, Ynysybwl
3.   St. Donat, Abercynon
4.   St. Gwynno, Abercynon
5.   All Saints, Ynysboeth
6.   St. Winifred, Penrhiwceiber
7.   St. John the Baptist, Miskin
8.   St. Teilo, Miskin
9.   St. Dyfrig, Newtown
10. St. David, Mountain Ash
11. St. Margaret, Mountain Ash
12. St. Illtyd, Cefnpennar
13. St. Peter, Abercwmboi
14. St. Joseph, Cwmaman
15. St. Margaret, Aberaman
16. St. Barnabas, Aberaman
17. St. Mary Magdalene, Cwmbach
18. St. Elvan, Aberdare
19. St. John The Baptist, Aberdare
20. St. Mair, Aberdare
21. St. Matthew, Abernant
22. St. John The Evangelist, Robertstown
23. St. Fagan, Trecynon
24. St. Luke, Cwmdare
25. St. James, Llwydcoed
26. St. Winifred, Penywaun
27. St. Lleurwg, Hirwaun
28. St. Cynog, Penderyn
29. St. Thomas R.C. Church, Abercynon
30. Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church, Mountain Ash
31. St. Joseph R.C. Church, Aberdare
32. St. Therese of Lisieux R.C. Church, Hirwaun

APPENDICES
A Map of Cynon Valley showing location of the Churches
B List and Summary of the Churches
C The Church Architects. Their Role and Design Work in the Cynon Valley
D Abbreviations and their meanings
Bibliography and further recommended reading
Index

Pages: 279, plus 15 front matter.
Size: 280mm x 210mm (11 x 8 inches).
ISBN: 978 0 9517081 1 8

The book can be purchased for £20 at the Aberdare Central Library,
and at the Cynon Valley Museum & Gallery, Gadlys, Aberdare.
It is available by mail order for £26, including postage and packing, only from the author
Mr A.V. Jones, 3 Holly Drive, Aberdare, CF44 8PB.
Tel: 01685 879731

Dust Jacket Notes
Churches of the Cynon Valley contains the history of thirty two churches in our locality from Llanwonno in the south to Penderyn in the north. The history dates from the founding of the first churches in the sixth century and spans those still in existence between the late twelfth century primarily up to the Victorian period. The book includes church and local history, art, and the architecture of our splendid churches.

Sumptuously illustrated with over three hundred photographs most of them in colour, the author tells the fascinating stories of these familiar and holy places, and of the religious activity and Christian worship faithfully witnessed here over the past fourteen hundred years. Also included is a brief history of the towns and villages from the earliest days up to the opening and consecration of each church

The book is a companion volume and sequel to the author’s book — Chapels of the Cynon Valley — covering one hundred and eighty nonconformist chapels in the locality and published by the Cynon Valley History Society in 2004. It is hoped this new volume, published by the author, will appeal to those living in the district and also to others residing elsewhere who may have roots or connections with the Cynon Valley.

Review:
“…This lavishly illustrated and well prepared book is a comprehensive history of the churches in the Cynon Valley. I would suggest that it should be a must for any residents of the Cynon who have an interest not only in the church buildings themselves but in the local history of the communities which they serve.”
“… It is guaranteed to appeal not just to those who live in or have connections with the valley but to a much wider range of people.”

Nigel Spinks in ‘Croeso’, Petertide 2013

In 1984 the Society introduced a periodical newsletter Hanes. To date, there have been more than 90 editions and it is now published regularly on a quarterly basis. It is free to all members.
Click here for some previous editions.

In addition to the above list individual members of the Society have published various titles.

“The Society is to be congratulated on a book which should be bought by all interested in the history of the South Wales Coalfield” (Welsh History Review of Cynon Coal).

“…..A veritable gem of a book. A treasure trove of detail and analysis” (Morgannwg on Cynon Coal)

“A remarkable book, probably a unique one”, (Capel, Spring 2005, on Chapels of the Cynon Valley)

“A beautiful book…..a model reference work…..reliably informative” (H.G.A.Hughes on Chapels of the Cynon Valley)

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