Penrhys Pilgrims
A local oral history group has been set up in Penrhys to begin to record
the memories and experiences of people who live or have lived/worked in Penrhys
and we are seeking people to come forward to share their stories photographs, important
documents relating to Penrhys etc., which will be published in a new book.
Local resident Christine Phythian "hopes that the project will help us to share
our real stories and images of Penrhys and portray the area as a positive place to live,
and not just the negative image that has been portrayed in the past.
Our oral history group are keen to interview people who live or have lived in Penrhys
to enable us to develop a book which will be published to celebrate the 40th Anniversary
of the opening of Penrhys in September this year."
The PENRHYS PILGRIMS is a major fully-bilingual community heritage, education and arts
project for Penrhys, the Valleys and Wales. It will use as its focus the rich layers of history
that Penrhys offers (including its evidence of pre-historic, Roman and Norman sites of occupation;
its holy well; monastic chapel; Virgin and Child statue; its part in the birth and death of the
coal industry; its smallpox isolation hospital; and the fascinating story of the estate itself),
at the time of the four hundred and seventieth anniversary of the destruction of the Penrhys Shrine
and the confiscation and burning of the 'miraculous' statue of the Mother and Child; and the
fortieth anniversary of the completion and occupation of the Penrhys Village both occurring during
one weekend this September.
The PENRHYS PILGRIMS Project aims to restore Penrhys' place in the contemporary life of Wales
through a diverse range of imaginative, sustainable initiatives based upon this rich heritage.
Councillor Graham Thomas - Lead Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism at Rhondda Cynon
Taf County Borough Council applauds the imaginative approach to capturing the richness of the heritage
of the community of Penrhys, whilst also developing the social, cultural and economic regeneration of the area.
He states "as a Council we are keen to celebrate the diversity of our heritage and cultural traditions and
recognise the importance that they have in enriching individual lives and sense of place."
The Penrhys Partnership is working with residents, and various local organisations and partners
in developing the Penrhys Pilgrims project. It has secured Heritage Lottery Funding and Communities
First funding through its cultural and diversity programme, to develop phase one of the project which will
create a Penrhys Peoples' History publication - with local people sharing their memories and experiences of
living in Penrhys. A children's book will also be published which will explore the telling of the story of the
holy well, the shrine and statue - through poetry, drawings and photography. This will be accompanied by the
development of a children's workbook, DVD and Exhibition.
This ambitious project will culminate in a festival of events to launch the new publications and celebrate
the anniversaries on the 13th and 14th September 2008.
The group have uncovered the attached photograph which they believe was taken in 1975 and is of the Penrhys Junior Sports Team. Do you know any of the successful team, or if you have any stories/photographs. You can contact Penrhys Partnership on 01443 755008 or email them at penrhys@penrhyspartnership.co.uk
If you would like to read more about the Penrhys Pilgrims project click here
