If you think you know Pontypridd, think again! This bustling Valleys town is steeped in history and now, thanks to some clever technology, everyone can discover the hidden heritage of one of the Valleys' most interesting towns.
WALK THE TALK
Approaching fifty, I must confess that my enthusiasm and interest in history has grown significantly and I enjoy many programs on the History channels. Alongside this has grown an interest in local history so I was delighted to discover that Rhondda Cynon Taf had created a set of heritage trails and a website to support them.
There are currently three Heritage Trails; Aberdare, Llantrisant and Pontypridd. I decided to give the Pontypridd Trail a try as I felt I knew less about the area and was intrigued to find out more.
The website is an excellent starting point as you can download an audio guide and there are tons of back-up resources. Additionally, if you have a smart phone (in my case an iPhone), you can access the website on the move and that's what I did, streaming the audio trail directly to my phone.
What I really liked was the fact that the experience wasn't overwhelming. There's not a vast amount of information to absorb - just enough to make an hour and a half pass by at a nice, easy stroll.
I learned a lot about Pontypridd - facts I genuinely wasn't aware of and I honestly found the whole experience fascinating.
The highlights, for me, were Pontypridd Museum - a building packed with history, Ynysangharad War Memorial Park and the Memorial which commemorates Evan and James James, composers of our Welsh National Anthem 'Hen Wlad fy Nhadau'.
I'm a big boxing fan but was unaware of Freddie Welsh's achievements - that was a real treat for me. Freddie was world lightweight boxing champion from 1914 - 1917. He was born Frederick Hall Thomas in Morgan St., Pontypridd, in 1886 and took up boxing after emigrating to the USA at the age of sixteen. During his career he fought 168 times, losing only five bouts. He was awarded the first ever Lonsdale belt after winning the British Lightweight title.
St. Catherine's Church is magnificent and I really like the architecture of the Muni Arts Centre and the Municipal Offices. All in all, the Pontypridd audio trail is an excellent experience and, based on this, I'll try the Aberdare, Llantrisant, Cwm Hafod and Hirwaun Trails.
The new developments planned for the next few years will bring Pontypridd well and truly into the twenty-first century and the development of these excellent Heritage and Audio Trails will ensure that the area's fascinating heritage will be part of that.
