Local Interest - Rhondda Cynon Taf

Rhondda Cynon Taf
Ponty Bridge

Rhondda Cynon Taf
Pontypridd Market Street

Rhondda Cynon Taf
Ynysangharad Memorial
Park Bandstand

Rhondda Cynon Taf
The Rocking Stone

Rhondda Cynon Taf
Golf Club

Rhondda Cynon Taf

Rhondda Cynon Taf is a county borough in South Wales. Its main towns are Aberdare, Mountain Ash, Pontypridd and Porth. The county borough was formed on 1 April 1996, by the merger of the former Mid Glamorgan districts of Rhondda, Cynon Valley and Taff-Ely (with the exceptions of Creigiau and Pentyrch, which were added to Cardiff). Its name reflects all these, and thus also the rivers Rhondda, Cynon and Taff.

The district developed from the discovery and mining, primarily for export, of high-quality Welsh coals, such as steam coal, via Cardiff and Barry docks. In the nineteenth century the Rhondda had over 60 mines. As deep mines closed, a number of very large open-cast coal mines were created and remain in operation, especially towards the north of the area.

The Welsh Development Agency, which was formed in 1976 to help reverse the economic down-turn in Wales caused by the recession in both the coal and steel industries, was very active in the Rhondda Cynon Taf area in supporting and encouraging industrial and commercial regeneration. Recent investment in the area has included the Dragon International Film Studios, on the site of Llanilltyd open-cast mine. This project is headed by Sir Richard Attenborough and will comprise TV studios, editing suites and a large film studio complex. The location of the project has led it to become known locally as "Valleywood", even though the Welsh valleys are some miles away.

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