Penrhys Carnival
Saturday 13th September 2008
Penrhys Carnival basked in the blazing sunshine on the 40th Anniversary of the official opening of the Penrhys Estate.
The brought together the work of the local community over the last 18 months in celebrating this 40th Anniversary. The event was part of the Penrhys Pilgrims Festival, and this weekend was the biggest and most spectacular celebration the community has seen.
The Annual Penrhys Carnival started with a colourful community procession, Nine Heavens in One Meadow, with Pavane leading the way. A wide variety of children’s entertainment and live music throughout the day and evening provided a fitting celebration in the community
A range of community stalls, fun and games, live bands such as Pavane and for one night only the local resident band - Penrhys Pilgrims (made up of local people) this was followed by local band Oblivious who had the crowds rocking until late in the evening, with the backdrop of the Rhondda Fach and a spectacular firework display.
Local people were also able to help create a new sculpture for Penrhys with the support of Peter Boyd. The locally established Crafty Pilgrims group also offered a range of memorabilia to commemorate the occasion.
There was also a live performance of the Pilgrim at the Holy Well by Carlton Bunce.
Cllr Margaret Davies and Mayor for Rhondda Cynon Taf who opened the event extended the congratulations "to all those involved in this year's Penrhys Carnival which, thanks to first class organisational skills and the rare sight of some summer sunshine, was an outstandingly successful occasion. Through joint partnership work over a lengthy period, the efforts of so many people culminated in a very memorable day as we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the official opening of Penrhys estate. The colourful carnival atmosphere prevailed throughout and this became an unforgettable occasion for all those fortunate enough to attend. I certainly had a very enjoyable visit and must express my deepest gratitude for the tireless work of all those who made it a success."
Penrhys Partnership, organisers of the event were confident the weather would improve and this proved to be the case. "The event brought the community and sunshine together to what was arguably the best carnival and a fitting way to celebrate the 40th anniversary. It was only made possibly by the tireless work of so many volunteers from the community and staff of the Partnership.
We are also grateful for the support we have received from the Arts Council of Wales, Heritage Lottery Fund, the Creative Communities Programme and the Welsh Assembly Government Communities First Programme. The event surely showed that by working together we can unearth talent that exists in the community and help shape a confident and positive outlook for the future of Penrhys. The annual event is part of the month long Penrhys Festival and on Friday 19th September the world premier of the Penrhys Pilgrims Film is launched at 7.00pm at Canolfan Rhys Arts and Education Centre, along with a series of feature and documentary films shot in and about Penrhys."
The following day brought together an inter-denominational service of commemoration and reconciliation on the following day.
On 14 September 1538, on the orders of Thomas Cromwell, the original statue of the Virgin and Child was removed from Penrhys shrine and taken to London where it was burnt with statues from other major shrines in Wales and England on 26 September.
470 years later pilgrims gathered on Sunday 14th September 2008 to commemorate this event in order to pledge themselves to work for reconciliation in Christ and the good of humanity. Led by Cannon Griffiths, the inter-denominational service of commemoration and reconciliation at the Our Lady of Penrhys statue was supported by the Pendyrus Male Choir.
To mark the event and as part of the Penrhys Pilgrims Project, here was also the presentation of a painting of the Our Lady of Penrhys Statue, created by local artist Lee Williams and commissioned by Penrhys Partnership to the Our Lady of Penrhys Church in Ferndale.
For further details on further Penrhys Pilgrims events please contact Penrhys Partnership on 01443 755008
