"ON TOP OF THE WORLD"

A new chapter will be written literally on Saturday 7th March 2009 for the community of Penrhys as part of the Penrhys Village Open Day from 10.30am - 3.00pm. A new publication "ON TOP OF THE WORLD" will be launched at Llanfair Uniting Church at 12 noon. The publication is the culmination of undertaking over 70 oral history interviews with past and present residents of Penrhys.

In 2008, the first publication of the Penrhys Partnership initiated PENRHYS PILGRIMS Project was Water, Wood and Fire, a new imagined history of Penrhys, written, illustrated and designed by local young people. This book explored the distant past of Penrhys hill based upon its few remaining records, its stories, its myths and its beliefs, in the year of the 470th anniversary of the destruction of the Penrhys Shrine and the confiscation and burning of the statue of the Mother and Child. Water Wood and Fire imaginatively revisited the 'life-giving' waters of the holy well, the 'miraculous' arrival and the violent destruction of the statue, and the important spiritual centre which served both, attracting countless numbers of pilgrims to this site from all parts of Europe.

On Top of the World brings the story right up to date, focussing its attentions upon the more recent history of Penrhys during the forty years of its existence since the estate was opened and its first inhabitants arrived on Friday 13th (!) 1968.

It's a story of both highs and lows, of good times and of bad, but, ultimately, it's a tale of resolution and survival, some might say survival against all the odds. There were times in the history of the estate when it was infamous for its many problems, when burglaries, car thefts, and the tragic and violent effects of drink and drugs were the prominent stories, and when the estate was seriously considered for total demolition. The interviews in On Top of the World reflect these harsher realities, alongside the newly-found confidence which is clear in people's commitments to stay in what is now seen - a little like it was for its first tenants - as a great place to live. The Penrhys estate has now become the Penrhys Village, a proud community, perched peacefully in its fresh mountain air and with its wonderful views, high above the two Rhondda valleys. This new publication in particular and the Project in general, clearly demonstrate the enormous progress Penrhys has made over the past forty years.

Penrhys Partnership gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Welsh Assembly Government Communities First programme and the Arts Council of Wales, which made these oral history interviews, this publication (as well as Water Wood and Fire), and many of the other elements of the PENRHYS PILGRIMS Project possible.

On Top of the World is an important part of the ongoing PENRHYS PILGRIMS Project, which has been initiated and is run by the Penrhys Partnership.

Alongside this will be the unveiling of a new sculpture for Penrhys which was created in 2008 as part of the Penrhys Pilgrims Festival. The sculpture was put on a bonfire in 2008 to recreate the story of the burning of the wooden statue of Our Lady of Penrhys. Carved from a large piece of oak the amazing 6 foot sculpture which has been designed and worked on by local children with the support of sculpture Peter Boyd will be located in the Village Centre after public consultation.

Following this will be the showing of the Penrhys Pilgrims DVD which has been created by local children with the support of Andrew Griffiths, and a film reel of some of Penrhys' history, entitled 40 years in 40 minutes.

Plans are now being developed to share this story throughout Wales and wider throughout 2009 and we welcome any venues that may be interested in hosting the Penrhys Pilgrims. As well as the publications, a major new Touring Exhibition, which will start on 12th March - 2nd April at Treorchy Library followed by a 6 month tour around libraries in Rhondda Cynon Taf. A range of learning materials through different media - film, children’s workbooks, story telling, exhibitions are all available.

What is remarkable is that the history of Penrhys is unique to the Rhondda and a story worth telling. If your group or school is interesting in learning more about the long history of Penrhys, or if you would like to purchase a copy of the new book, please get in touch with the Penrhys Partnership on 01443 755008.
Or Email:-penrhys@penrhyspartnership.co.uk