Aberdare

[leese]

Anyone help? My mum had always wanted to return to Aberdare for 'old times sake', as she was shipped off there to stay with her granny during the war - wants to wander round and reminisce. My Auntie, who lives in Blackwood has told her not to go, as it's changed too much and mum won't like it, but mum is adamant.
Anyway, for her b'day this yr, my sis and I plan to take her away, and thought that somewhere within this region would be a good idea. So, question is - does anyone know of any good hotels around and about (don't mind a drive to Aberdare, as long as it's not TOO far). any insight greatly appreciated - thanks.

Suedonem,
I understant what you have said about not understanding how people could want their sons to be miners. My grandfather was a miner and he broke his back in an accident when the roof fell in on him. Thankfully he was not paralised by it. His proudest boast was that neither of his sons was a miner.....my father did work in the pit, but he was conscripted to do it during the war as a Bevin Boy. There were other moners in the family, and none of them wanted their son to follow them.

The trouble is that there is nothing to replace the jobs that have gone, and the vallys are in a worse state now than they were when the men were miners. The community spirit, political radicalism, and deep spirituality of the region has faded away. It is very sad to go back and visit, which i do about one every 6 weeks.

So, in summary, we should stay somewhere more picturesque (as I sort've hoped we would!), and visit:

Big Pit at Blaenavon
St Fagans (whereabaouts is this?)
Rhondda Heritage museum (in Rhondda?!)

Have I covered it all? Hopefully won't be too far to travel between each. My mums dad was a miner in the Valleys for years, so she'll get a lot from that I think.

Places to stay:
Llechwen Hall - Abercynon
De Vere - Hensol
Heritage Park Hotel - Rhondda heritage site
Bear Hotel - Crickhowell
Penpont - nr Brecon

Have I missed any out? I'll get the map out, and note where the 'attractions' are, then find a place to stay from the list which serves them all quite easily. Thanks ever so much - feel like mum will be so pleased because it will all be well planned, not just a case of 'Lets go for a cup of tea in Aberdare....'!!

PS. jac34 - I remember travelling on the train from Blackwood to Cardiff as a child from my Aunties house, and I'm sure Ystrad Mynach was a stop before Blackwood, as I remember being told to look out for it!

St Fagan's is not far off the M4, near to Cardiff, between J32 and 33 IIRC and if well sign posted. It has a web site www.nmgw.ac.uk/mwl/
Hope you have a good trip. Everything is quite close to the valley, so you might be able to get away with a quick drive through, on the way to somewhere else (and I am a vallys girl!)

Iswym, Hmb and yes, you're right of course, that working in a mine is better than not working at all. You comment about the political radicalism is very interesting as my grandfather (he worked for the Coal Board but not mining) was a very political man, a Liberal through and through. My mum, although not politically wedded to any party, goes on and on about politics until I'm about ready to fall off my perch with boredom! Both she and her grandad are/were extremely well up on politics and very well read.

Re the spirituality, mum tells me all sorts of tales that she remembers. Her grandfather was a lay preacher in the chapel for years and a very religious man. Thus, she was astounded, some years after he died, to be introduced to his illegitimate son and to be told there was another illegitimate child of his living in the area!! But my favourte story, which mum swears is true, is of a married couple who had two religious texts above their bed. His said "Lord, I need thee every hour." and hers said "God, give me strength."

Another vote from me for St Fagans - as has been said, there's loads to see and do, and all for £0.00. Which has got to be a bonus. When we went there in the Feb 1/2 term, there were activities for the kids - my 2 made a leather purse each. And that was free, too.
What a great place to live. (Wales in general, I mean, not St Fagans)

I wish I was rich enough to live in the village of St Fagan's

Thanks Bron - mum doesn't talk much about Cardiff, so I'm not sure if she would've been there or not. The family were pretty poor back then. Still, it may have been done for a treat at some point, so I'll do a little sneaky investigating - thanks.
PS Does anyone know if the attractions you've suggested are year round, or seasonal? Mum's b'day is in Oct - if we wait til then, will lots of places be closed?

Leese - other places to visit:
Castell Coch - a 19th century mock mediaeval castle, beautifully decorated with murals. Just off the A470, north of Cardiff

Caerphilly Castle - a real castle, complete with tilting outer wall damaged by Cromwell

Brecon-Monmouth Canal. Towpath walks through pretty scenery. Towpath near Llangynidr and Llangattock is particularly nice.

jac34 - my mother grew up in Ystrad Mynach. The family used to laugh about a letter they once received, addressed to Yestrod Mynch.

Leese,
The site I mentioned www.outandabout.com will have info. on seasonal opening times. I think most heritage attractions are open all year round.
Don't think your Mum will have gone to Cardiff much, my Mum used to be told, you'd get captured by white slave traders, if you went "all the way to Cardiff",( it's only about 20 miles at the most).

Leese, Did you go, and how did things go?

Hi hmb - thanks for asking. Haven't been yet, as mums b'day isn't til Oct, but like to plan ahead! Have discussed it all with my sister - will post when we've been to let you know how it all went

Just an update for Bron, hmb, XHausted, jac34, suedonim and emsiewill:

Took mum to Aberdare this weekend for her birthday, and good time had by all. Stayed at Llechwen Hall Hotel (thanks Bron), and it was lovely. Very relaxing, great rooms and great food - mum was thoroughly pampered. Went to St Fagans on Saturday as advised by most, and I was so impressed - one of the best museums I've been too - and all for free. It was vast, and just so interesting. Mum especially enjoyed the row of miners cottages, as she'd spent early childhood in one very similar. Drove to Aberdare, and more importantly Hirwaun where mum grew up today, and had a look down memory lane. Though lots had changed beyond recognition, some things remained, and it was very poignant.
Went to Big Pit then this afternoon - very humbling experience that. Again, fantastic experience - all for free. So much respect for those men - and now the poor buggers taking time to show people like me around!
Also currently reading 'October Sky' - thanks suedonim - a great read.
So thanks again everyone - mumsnet scores again!

Not forgetting thanks for Oldiemum for recommending Big Pit!

Glad that you all had a good time. Dd loves St Fagans and still talks about our last visit there even though it was 2 years ago. Might visit when we next go down to the Rhondda

I'm pleased you both had such a great time, Leese! I hope you're getting plenty of time to read, as well.

Glad you had a good time. Makes me nostalgic to hear about this. Adds to the 'hiraeth' I feel after hearing Morriston Orpheus Choir in a concert last night (ask your mother what 'hiraeth' is if you don't know!).

Now you've lost me..........

Leese, Cymru am Byth translates as Wales Forever

HTH!

Thanks cerys!

Thanks cerys!

Thanks cerys!

Ooops - very appreciative of me.......