RED REMEMBRANCER: Parc Castell Cyfarthfa: 1831 Festival

This picture shows one ot the two entrances to Parc Cyfarthfa, so no problem getting into the park but in 1831 opposite this entrance was a farm in which dragoons had been stationed to guard the Castle from attack by the workers. I picked this gem of information up, off ae web genealogy site, a descendant (now living in America) of the owners of the farm in 1831 had been handed down this piece of family history. History is never far away from us, and that includes myself, I was born in Merthyr Tudful and brought up in Adam and Eves Court, Pondside, in the small district of Caedraw. It is very much in and around this district that people begin to assemble in the early hours of the morning of the 3 Mehefin 1831. to later march to Cefn Coed y Cymmer to ''greet'' the Scottish Soldiers being sent from Brecon, the people then followed the Soldiers into Merthyr Tudful , where they were stationed in the Castle Inn to protect the towns establishment. The people surround the Inn and the rest is history, after failed negotiations, the people sought to enter the Inn and the troops open fired. Over 28 people were killed, and this day 3 June 1831 became known as ''BLOODY FRIDAY''.

Photos here are of myself and grandfather, in Caedraw, other photo is taken from close by his grave outside Cefn Coed y Cymmer. The view in the photo is of the Cefn ridge where the ''Workers Army'' set up positions to resist further troops being sent from Brecon, which they successfully did by halting delivery of munitions to the Soldiers stationed at the Castle Inn. Dragoons later had to rescue the munition waggons.

I have started off, this post in this personal way so as to emphasise the connections that people and communities have with their local history. It was whilst on an outing to Merthyr last summer we had opportunity to talk with young local people in a pub we had called at, we were pleasantly suprised just how aware and proud they were of the 1831 Insurrection and struggle of the opressed against exploitation. My mam, herself born and bred in Merthyr first told me of the ''Merthyr Riots'' but it was then reading Alexander Cordells books in the 60's which revived my interest in this 1831 Insurrection. There is another reason why I emphasize in this introduction the ''people connection'', and that is because the festival I talk of should be one, I hope very much about the ''Life and Times'' of working people, often just referred to as the ''mob'' or ''Riotous Rabble''. Such a festival would record history, in it's lasting connections; political and otherwise but hopefully dwell a great deal on people, not particularly just the often referred to ''Great and Good'' of history. Photo above is my brother and I with mam, following our summer outing to Merthyr Tudful, here we are having a break in Parc Cyfarthfa, where mam played as a small girl. Now well into mid eighties, physically weak and with memory diming, she nevertheless enjoyed her own journey back into her past. This personal introduction, is also my personal tribute to my mam and her parents, with a big thank you, for making of me Merthyr born, if not Merthyr bred. Can think of no better town to be born in, in historical terms, the town that rose up in revolt, that is the WELSH INSURRECTION 1831. So, let's really commemorate it big time......

Here, first off, I must mention work of the local Dic Penderyn Society who over the years have annually organised commemorative activities, including an excellent 1831 Exhibition at Merthyr Town Library. However, in this post, I particularly want to mention the previous 1831 Festival held in Parc Cyfarthfa, organised by local Labour Party and Trade Unions. This it seems was a ''One Off'' but having read information on this Parc Cyfarthfa 1831 Festival, I consider this worthy of a revival, or template for a new 1831 'Life & Times' Festival in Cyfarthfa Parc, so the foundations have been built, now I suggest we continue to make it a platform for greater things. Such I cannot pro-activelly get involved with, and anyway it is an 1831 Initiative, that needs to come out of Merthyr Tudful itself, with full envolvement of 1831 history enthusiasts in Merthyr Tudful and surrounding districts. I can however, offer other aid and general assistance in a verity of ways, which may be seen in this 'Red Remembrancer Blog' . If interested to make contact via lewsyn.yrheliwr@ntlworld.com

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Whilst waiting on such 1831 festival, which may be a long way down the road? why not on or around 3 June, annually vist Parc Cyfarthfa, there is a wonderful museum in the ''Castle'' and a restauraunt, plus.......................

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Excellent gounds, with playing areas for the children, band boxes and a parc cafe (see pic of green wooden hut), plus plenty of picnicing places..........