Treorchy and Pencelli, Rhondda, during 1991
Streets around Treorchy in the Rhondda Valleys, Wales, during 1991. Views include D & E Davies, Grocer and The Pencelli pub; Treorchy Comprehensive School; Parc and Dare Theatre; Treorchy high street; Mrs Humphries, School Teacher at 2m 54s on Dumfries Street Treorchy; views from Bryn Rhodfa 4m 7s.
BBC Radio Wales - Arts Show - Parc & Dare Theatre Centenary Item
Nicola Heywood Thomas hosts a piece about the centenary of the iconic Parc & Dare Theatre in Treorchy. We have had the pleasure of playing to audiences there on many occasions and indeed at the centenary gala on Saturday 17th November 2012. You can hear some of our performances in the background at the 13 minute mark and the 25.25 minute mark
Rhondda Road ep 2
Live Soap Rhondda Road. Episode 2. Supported by Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm and The Park & Dare Theatre. Directed by Shane Anderson. Filmed by Gary Lewis and Dylan Davies.
Parc & Dare 23/10/2010
Faith, Hope and Harmony Choir with the Parc and Dare Band, Parc and Dare, Treorchy 23/10/2010
Finale.
Racing Cars - They Shoot Horses Don't They (1977) TOTP
Racing Cars are a Welsh pop band, formed in the Rhondda Valley, Wales in 1973.
They were signed to one of the biggest British record labels of the time, Chrysalis Records. Racing Cars's debut album yielded their only hit single with They Shoot Horses, Don't They?. It reached number fourteen in the UK Singles Chart in 1977, and was inspired by the film, They Shoot Horses, Don't They?. Touring to promote their debut releases, Racing Cars backed Bad Company in 1976, including dates at Earls Court and the York Theatre Royal. Without any similar further chart appearances, Racing Cars ultimately acquired the dreaded one hit wonder label. However, the band was sufficiently established on the touring circuit to issue two further albums. These never reached the same commercial heights, and Racing Cars split up for the first time in the early 1980s. Those albums included bit parts for the session pianist Geraint Watkins; American saxophonist Jerry Jumonville; The Bowles Brothers Band (on vocal harmonies); and, perhaps most significantly, the former Swinging Blue Jeans member, Ray Ennis. After they parted, lead vocalist Morty has sung backing vocals for artists including The Beach Boys, Tina Turner and Bryan Adams. Of their reformation, he said We were a bit reluctant. We're a bit long in the tooth and a bit out of touch but we finally said yes. They continue to play gigs across Europe, after reforming in 2000 with a new album, Bolt From The Blue and a gig at the Cardiff International Arena. Their most recent album Second Wind was released in October 2007. Racing Cars performed their last concert together on 11 April 2009 at the Parc and Dare theatre, Treorchy, though they made an appearance at the tribute concerts for Man guitarist Micky Jones in Pontardawe on 18 September 2010.
Places to see in ( Aberdare - UK )
Places to see in ( Aberdare - UK )
Aberdare is a town in the Cynon Valley area of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, at the confluence of the Rivers Dare and Cynon. Aberdare is 4 miles (6 km) south-west of Merthyr Tydfil, 20 miles (32 km) north-west of Cardiff and 22 miles (35 km) east-north-east of Swansea. During the 19th century it became a thriving industrial settlement, which was also notable for the vitality of its cultural life and as an important publishing centre.
Aberdare dates from the Middle Ages. It was originally a small village in an agricultural district, centred around the Church of St John the Baptist, said to date from 1189. By the middle of the 15th century, Aberdare contained a water mill in addition to a number of thatched cottages, of which no evidence remains.
With the ecclesiastical parishes of St Fagan's (Trecynon) and Aberaman carved out of the ancient parish, Aberdare had 12 Anglican churches and one Roman Catholic church, built in 1866 in Monk Street near the site of a cell attached to Penrhys monastery; and at one time there were over 50 Nonconformist chapels (including those in surrounding settlements such as Cwmaman and Llwydcoed). The services in the majority of the chapels were in Welsh. Most of these chapels have now closed, with many converted to other uses. The urban district includes what were once the separate villages of Aberaman, Abernant, Cwmaman, Cwmbach, Cwmdare, Llwydcoed, Penywaun and Trecynon. There are several cairns and the remains of a circular British encampment on the mountain between Aberdare and Merthyr. Hirwaun moor, 4 miles to the north west of Aberdare, was according to tradition the scene of a battle at which Rhys ap Tewdwr, prince of Dyfed, was defeated by the allied forces of the Norman Robert Fitzhamon and Iestyn ap Gwrgant, the last Welsh prince of Glamorgan.
Aberdare, during its boom years, was considered a centre of Welsh culture: it hosted the first National Eisteddfod in 1861, with which David Williams (Alaw Goch) was closely associated. A number of local eisteddfodau had long been held in the locality, associated with figures such as William Williams (Carw Coch) The Eisteddfod was again held in Aberdare in 1885, and also in 1956 at Aberdare Park where the Gorsedd standing stones still exist. At the last National Eisteddfod held in Aberdare in 1956 Mathonwy Hughes won the chair. From the mid nineteenth century, Aberdare was an important publishing centre where a large number of books and journals were produced, the majority of which were in the Welsh language. A newspaper entitled Y Gwladgarwr (the Patriot) was published at Aberdare from 1856 until 1882 and was circulated widely throughout the South Wales valleys. From 1875 a more successful newspaper, Tarian y Gweithiwr (the Workman's Shield) was published at Aberdare by John Mills. Y Darian, as it was known, strongly supported the trade union movements among the miners and ironworkers of the valleys. The miners' leader, William Abraham, derived support from the newspaper, which was also aligned with radical nonconformist liberalism. The rise of the political labour movement and the subsequent decline of the Welsh language in the valleys, ultimately led to its decline and closure in 1934.
The Coliseum Theatre is Aberdare's main arts venue, containing a 600-seat auditorium and cinema. It is situated in nearby Trecynon and was built in 1938 using miners' subscriptions. The town is served by Aberdare railway station and Aberdare bus station, opposite each other in the town centre. The town has also been subject to an extensive redevelopment scheme during 2012–13.
( Aberdare - UK ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Aberdare . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Aberdare - UK
Join us for more :
Torch Theatre 'Grav' Trailer
n October 2007 Ray Gravell, a man who for many embodied what it is to be Welsh, passed away after succumbing to complications resulting from contracting diabetes. He was 56 years old.
Known to millions for his legendary exploits on the rugby field, ‘Grav’ was and is so much more than that. An actor, a cultural icon, a father, a husband, a man with a life packed full of stories that deserve to be heard once more.
The Torch Theatre Company presents Gareth Bale as ‘Grav’ in a play written by Owen Thomas that celebrates the man and the legend. With the blessing of Mari, Ray’s widow, and contributions from his Welsh and British Lions team mates, this one man show will explore the life of a man who was as fascinating away from the rugby field as he was on it.
Directed by the Torch Theatre’s Artistic Director Peter Doran, ‘Grav’ will remind the world once more of a unique life well lived and of a man who did so much more than eat soft centres.
This production is directed by Peter Doran, written by Owen Thomas and performed by Gareth Bale.
Following the performances at the Torch Grav will go on a 19 date tour of Wales.
See tour details below:
Gwyn Hall, Neath - 16 February - 19.30pm
Welfare Theatre, Ystradgynlais - 18 February - 19.30pm
Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli - 19-20 February - 19.30pm
Metropole Abertillery - 24 February - 19.30pm
Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy - 25 February - 19.30pm
Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan - 26 February - 19.30pm
Blackwood Miners Institute - 27 February - 19.30pm
Galeri, Caernarfon - 2-3 March - 19.30pm
Neuadd Dwyfor, Pwllheli - 4 March - 19.30pm
Theatr Harlech - 6 March - 19.30pm
Rhyl Pavillion - 7 March - 19.30pm
Sherman, Cardiff - 9 March to 11 March - 19.30pm
Borough Theatre, Abergavenny - 12 March - 19.30pm
Theatr Felinfach, Ceredigion - 13 March - 19.30pm
Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon - 14 March - 19.30pm
Hot Jam / Sonig Summer course, August 2017, Sonar
An original song written and performed by Sonar. This tune was composed, arranged and performed on a three day Hot Jam song writing / performance course in August 2017 at The Parc and Dare Theatre, Treorchy.
Thanks to :
Tanya Walker and SONIG Youth Music Industry
The Parc and Dare Theatre, Treorchy
This course was funded by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council's Arts and Creative Industries Team though the Families First initiative.
Hot Jam Tutors:
Mark Hibbert
Jessica Jenkins
Andy Mulligan
Sylvia Strand
facebook.com/hotjammusic
Old.mp4
Old - dexys midnight runners
Torch Theatre - Grav Video for Welsh Tour 2015
In October 2007 Ray Gravell, a man who for many embodied what it is to be Welsh, passed away after succumbing to complications resulting from contracting diabetes. He was 56 years old.
Known to millions for his legendary exploits on the rugby field, ‘Grav’ was and is so much more than that. An actor, a cultural icon, a father, a husband, a man with a life packed full of stories that deserve to be heard once more.
The Torch Theatre Company presents Gareth Bale as ‘Grav’ in a play written by Owen Thomas that celebrates the man and the legend. With the blessing of Mari, Ray’s widow, and contributions from his Welsh and British Lions team mates, this one man show will explore the life of a man who was as fascinating away from the rugby field as he was on it.
Directed by the Torch Theatre’s Artistic Director Peter Doran, ‘Grav’ will remind the world once more of a unique life well lived and of a man who did so much more than eat soft centres.
This production is directed by Peter Doran, written by Owen Thomas and performed by Gareth Bale.
Following the performances at the Torch Grav will go on a 19 date tour of Wales.
See tour details below:
Gwyn Hall, Neath - 16 February - 19.30pm
Welfare Theatre, Ystradgynlais - 18 February - 19.30pm
Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli - 19-20 February - 19.30pm
Metropole Abertillery - 24 February - 19.30pm
Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy - 25 February - 19.30pm
Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan - 26 February - 19.30pm
Blackwood Miners Institute - 27 February - 19.30pm
Galeri, Caernarfon - 2-3 March - 19.30pm
Neuadd Dwyfor, Pwllheli - 4 March - 19.30pm
Theatr Harlech - 6 March - 19.30pm
Rhyl Pavillion - 7 March - 19.30pm
Sherman, Cardiff - 9 March to 11 March - 19.30pm
Borough Theatre, Abergavenny - 12 March - 19.30pm
Theatr Felinfach, Ceredigion - 13 March - 19.30pm
Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon - 14 March - 19.30pm
Davron Hicks - Gates Of Paradise
Suzanne Rees, Ellie House and Davron Hicks sing Gates of Paradise from Selsig Operatic Society's production of Ivor Novello's King's Rhapsody which was performed at the Parc and Dare Theatre, Treorchy in April 1998.
Voices of the Valley: Cwmparc
Voices of the Valley was an Inter-generational Drama Project with 8 Primary Schools in Rhondda Cynon Taff.
Children preparing for transition to Secondary Education, all worked on their own piece and then came together to perform as a whole production at Parc & Dare Theatre.
I was kindly invited as Resident Digital Storyteller. I devised a training course for the children, teaching them about different types of qualitative interviewing and then myself and the Lead Head Teacher for the project, Patricia Price, toured the Valley introducing old and young, recording their conversations.
These digital stories became part of the overall production to a packed house for 2 nights at Parc & Dare Theatre.
Kindly, the team have allowed me to share the stories as part of Sound Memories Dementia Friendly Radio Station where more than 500 people a month come and use our stories to promote memory and reminisce.
Many thanks to Head Teacher, Patricia Price. It was an absolute joy to work with you and to all the Heads, children, older people and staff that helped us to make it so.
soundmemoriesradio.com
Voices of the Valley: Gelli
Voices of the Valley was an Inter-generational Drama Project with 8 Primary Schools in Rhondda Cynon Taff.
Children preparing for transition to Secondary Education, all worked on their own piece and then came together to perform as a whole production at Parc & Dare Theatre.
I was kindly invited as Resident Digital Storyteller. I devised a training course for the children, teaching them about different types of qualitative interviewing and then myself and the Lead Head Teacher for the project, Patricia Price, toured the Valley introducing old and young, recording their conversations.
These digital stories became part of the overall production to a packed house for 2 nights at Parc & Dare Theatre.
Kindly, the team have allowed me to share the stories as part of Sound Memories Dementia Friendly Radio Station where more than 500 people a month come and use our stories to promote memory and reminisce.
Many thanks to Head Teacher, Patricia Price. It was an absolute joy to work with you and to all the Heads, children, older people and staff that helped us to make it so.
soundmemoriesradio.com
'Here and There' - Ystradgynlais Band (1999)
Ystradgynlais Band performing a traditional brass band march at the Parc and Dare Theatre, Treorchy.
Max Boyce 'ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT' RWC 2015
Max Boyce singing 'All through the night' the night before the massive game between England & Wales