Rhondda Civic Society - News                                

Rhondda Civic Society - May 2002

The Society has now been in existence for about seventeen years and perhaps it is time to take stock of how we have lived up to our objectives.

We are a registered Charity and as such have a Constitution in which a number of objectives are set out. I’m not sure if we have promoted high standards of architecture or educated people in the natural history and geography of the area enough. However, with our plans to run a series of “Sponsored Walks” in Rhondda, as long as we choose our venues well we could start to meet this particular aim.

Our walk at Rhigos led by Tony Melville was very well received on all fronts – even the healthy exercise! We will endeavour to improve our record by more walks and occasional talks. Our A.G.M. Speakers have been magnificent and we must strive to obtain greater numbers at these meetings as much light is thrown on all aspects, historical and geographical, of Rhondda.

I think we can claim some success in securing the preservation of features of historic and public interest and would cite St. Peter’s Church Fountain and St. Mary’s Well as prime examples of this. More needs to be done and we must be careful to maintain a balance between preserving the old and promoting the new.

Civic pride is a critical objective. I would hope that our constant campaign in respect of litter, the erection of the Miner’s Statue and the presentation of Awards for Excellence of building design and restoration have gone some way in this direction.

I feel our biggest failure has been in the involvement of Members. We have not got out to them enough or given them much say in our activities. I hate to excuse this by pleading lack of resources, but this is part of the problem. Nevertheless, we are trying to address this gap by publication of this newsletter and proving a hint of our activities throughout the year so that Members can plan which of these they can or would like to attend.

There have been some notable triumphs however. The Miner’s Statue is surely now established as the Rhondda Insignia. The Avenue of Trees leading to the Statue becomes ever more impressive and if I can be allowed an indulgence, I would love to see more tress right up to the roundabout. Our efforts to mark the birth-places of Rhondda notables have been very successful and must be a rolling programme over the years as there are so many still to be honoured.

Therefore, to sum up, have we met our objectives? I believe like the school report, we could say, “Good progress, but more effort needed”.  I know that we have a hard-working and visionary Executive Committee and we will all do our very best to promote the Civic Society now and in the future.

Finally, I’ll always remember some doubters at the original meeting to form the Society. I believe we can safely say to them that we are still here and as the man said when he passed the thirteenth floor having fallen from the twentieth floor of a skyscraper, “So far so good!”

Wayne Thomas, Chairman Spring 2002

Social Functions

On the social side of the Society we have held fund raising functions such as an enjoyable bus trip to Bath, a successful quiz and a sponsored walk led by Tony Melville.

We sincerely hope that all members and friends will support us in any future event that we hold and look forward to seeing you.

Myra Phillips, Social Secretary.