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The Cynon Valley History Society was founded in Aberdare in 1971. Our objects are to promote, encourage and maintain an active interest in the history of the district in all its aspects; to arrange talks and lectures; to undertake original research and assist in the collection of local material such as manuscripts, books, artefacts and photographs, and to publish titles on local history.
The Society presents a programme of 10 lectures each season and publishes a quarterly newsletter HANES (The Welsh word for History).
Please click on the links above to find out more about us, our publications and programme of lectures.
New Publication: The CVHS 40th Anniversary Publication.
The Land Your Fathers Possessed
Edited by David Leslie Davies & Geoffrey Evans
Contents:
- Foreword by Lord Aberdare, President of 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.
Commercial Place, Aberdare
Aberdare village according to the
Tithe map of 1847
Cynon Valley history Society is a Registered Charity. Charity No. 51014.
All information Copyright Cynon Valley History Society