2024 at Calon Taf
We at Calon Taf would like to thank all of our visitors for a fantastic 2024. Last year saw many new ventures for Canolfan Calon Taf; and all of these were made possible thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Below is a brief glimpse of what occurred in each month of 2024, followed by a sneak peek of what’s to come!
January
January 2024 started with the placement of new interpretation panels around the park. Have you taken a moment to read through our boards? The boards are Lives from WWI (next to the Silhouettes), The Bandstand, Evan James & James James Memorial, Sporting History (situated next to the cricket pavilion), The Lido, and Ynysangharad House (situated within Calon Taf).
We also started our Instagram page in January- please do consider following us to see some charming photos of the park and our activities.
February
In February, Calon Taf had a very expressive month where we held both a Valentines Craft day and several Ceramic Coaster Workshops. If you were one of the members of the public or school groups that came to the coaster workshop- we hope your coaster was put to good use!
March
In March we received a thrilling history talk by Peter Walker about the unique character of Empire Jack. It’s possible to watch a recording of this video on the resources page. We also celebrated St David’s Day in style as YGG Evan James, Ysgol Heol-y-Celyn, YGG Pont Sion Norton, YGG Castellau, Star Factor Choir, Pontypridd Community Choir, Drive Wales Choir, Ble Ydyn Ni, Catrin Herbert, Lucy Chivers and Dadleoli all performed on the Bandstand. We thank our partners Menter Iaith Rhondda Cynon Taf and Clwb y Bont for collaborating on what was such a momentous day, and we are grateful for Merched y Wawr for volunteering and running a marvelous cake and coffee shop to fundraise on the day!
April
In April, our placement student from University South Wales, Roxy built a Bug Hotel which now stands proudly in our garden. School Groups and families during the Easter holiday were invited to provide “room service” for the hotel by populating the hotel with bug friendly materials.
Jon Williams also held two fascinating talks about the Battle of Mametz Wood and the narrative in the years after. It’s possible to watch a recording of both of these talks on our Resources page.
We were also graced by the return of Shiny Happy People- a singing and dancing group for babies and toddlers that always bring joy to the centre.
May
In May, Howard Thomas held a history talk on farming in Pontypridd in the 50s and 60s. This would be Howard’s 2nd history talk with us, and we are truly grateful for Howard’s enthusiasm and support of our Centre.
We were very proud to take part in Dementia Friendly Pontypridd’s “Turning Ponty Blue” which aimed to raise awareness of those living with dementia and signpost them to services that could help members of the public or their loved ones. Calon Taf worked with Cwm Taf University Health Board to provide entertainment and reminiscing on the Bandstand, and the opportunity to partake in movement therapy.
The Emmeralds and Clwb Coffi Bella Vista provided music in the Bandstand on a delightful day in May also.
June
June saw a very eventful weekend for Calon Taf in the form of its Garden Party! Members of the public were treated with music on the Bandstand by Volveremos, Boggart Stick Making, Building a Scarecrow, Planting Workshops and Veg Printing. It was also a great opportunity for members of the public to learn about the Friends of Ynysangharad War Memorial Park. If you’d like to become a volunteer gardener with the Friends, do come and visit them over in Calon Taf every Wednesday 10-12pm.
We ended June with a talk by dear friend to the Centre, Peter Burridge. He provided us with a History talk about Shackleton’s Endurance. Peter thanked Calon Taf’s iPad Tablets and Phones course for giving him the ability to present the talk on his iPad. The video is available to watch on our resources page.
July
July saw Calon Taf receive a visit from Mizoram Synod Choir. A choir who travelled from Mizoram, India, came to exchange songs next to the Evan James & James James memorial- we were truly grateful to have welcomed such fine voices to the park and our centre.
August
August saw the National Eisteddfod come to Ynysangharad War Memorial Park. Calon Taf transformed into RCT’s village during the Eisteddfod and we were very proud to have welcomed visitors old and new to our venue. We ended August with Butterfly Walks and Bug Hunts provided by Nature On Your Doorstep. Thank you to all you bug hunters who attended the activities!
September
September saw the return of Coop Ceramics and their popular Ceramic Poppy Making workshop. Over 100 poppies now are on display on the Memorial Cross, and we thank each and every one of you who helped decorate the cross by making your own poppies.
We were over the moon to welcome Dark Sky Wales also who provided astronomy lessons within the Centre.
September was also the date we began our partnership with the Fed Line project- where member of the public learned to cook healthy foods in a practical manor.
October
Dark Sky Wales provides a planetarium within Calon Taf, meaning that families could see the stars from the park during half term. During Half term we also held a bulb planting Workshop with Coalfield Flower Farm, made magical wands in the wildzone with Growing Space Pontypridd, and held a creative writing workshop with poet and rapper Rufus Mufasa.
Two Fungi walks were held later in October with Coal Spoil Fungi- we were amazed by how many fungi you can spot in the park!
We were also very proud to have played our part in the Morfydd Owen Festival, artists Lois and Lio provided us with an art exhibition and art workshops which were part of a larger schedule of events within that marvellous weekend.
Local Chef Gavin Akers also provided us with “Park to Plate” sessions where members of the public enjoyed a cooking demonstration using veg that could be found within Calon Taf’s garden.
November
November saw members of the public planting tulips, daffodils and crocuses within our garden with help from Coalfield Flower Farm.
We also welcomed Stephen John who provided us with 2 invaluable History Talks in which he spoke of the lives lost form Pontypridd Boys’ Grammar School during WWI.
December
December, of course, saw the closure of Calon Taf and the Park due to storms Bert and Darragh. Our thoughts are with the homes and businesses who were affected by these storms. We thank the public for their patience during the time of closure.
2025
What’s to come in 2025? In January alone; Calon Taf will be host to a history talk by Keith Jones, Dance Workshops by Deviate Creatives, Ceramic Workshops by Coop Ceramics, and a Family Arts Day on the 25th of January with numerous artists! Please do keep an eye on our website and social media for up-to-date information on the ever-growing list of activities and courses available in our centre.
There is always a warm welcome here at Calon Taf.
Posted on Tuesday 14th January 2025