Mid Rhondda has a rich heritage shaped by coal mining, community activism, sport, music and chapel life. The area played an important role in British labour history through the Cambrian Combine Strike and the Tonypandy Riots, while generations of local people helped build strong traditions of solidarity, resilience and creativity.
Striking Back: The Mid Rhondda Rebellion project will work with, schools and volunteers to explore these stories through research and an oral history collection. Creative workshops and public events will also offer opportunities for local people to get involved. The project will highlight both well-known stories and those from under-served communities, including the experiences of women, people who have migrated to the area and local families.
The programme will include theatre, music, visual arts and heritage activities inspired by Mid Rhondda's history. A commemorative procession marking the anniversary of the Tonypandy Riots and a Miners' Gala-inspired heritage festival will bring communities together to celebrate the area's unique identity.
A permanent Heritage Hub at the Lakeside Visitor Centre and digital archives will make sure Mid Rhondda’s heritage remains accessible. Meanwhile, recorded stories and community-created resources will help inspire future generations.
