Need Help with Family History? Here’s Where to Start
We regularly receive queries and requests from people looking to uncover more about local people and places, especially in connection with family history. While we’re always happy to provide photographs or copies of documents from our archives, we aren’t usually able to assist with building full family trees. But don’t worry—there are some great resources…
Our Autumn 2025 Newsletter
The Garw Valley Heritage Society’s Autumn 2025 newsletter is now available, full of local stories. Step back in time with Gerald Jarvis’s memories of the Garw carnivals, from joining a jazz band around 1967 to the incredible community-made floats, which included a life-size Moby Dick. Read about Alwyn Furley’s discovery of an ancient quern stone…
Open Doors 2025, Tabernacle Chapel, Pontycymer
On Saturday 13 September 2025, the Garw Valley Heritage Society will be participating in the annual Cadw Open Doors programme. This national initiative invites the public to explore historic buildings, many of which are not usually accessible, and to engage with the cultural heritage of Wales. From 10am to 4pm, Tabernacle Chapel on Meadow Street,…
Our Work with the People’s Collection of Wales
One of the Garw Valley Heritage Society’s involvements of the last year or so has been with the People’s Collection of Wales (PCW), with whom we are pleased to be working in partnership. They have welcomed our participation and help in building their extensive collections of photographs, stories and articles on the history of Wales….
Our Spring/Summer 2025 Newsletter is Here!
We’re delighted to share the latest edition of the Garw Valley Heritage Society newsletter! This issue is packed with stories from our valley’s past—from wartime memories at Stormy Down to tales of unruly language in 1914, and a heartfelt poem from the much-loved late Beryl Roberts. We also celebrate our ongoing work with the People’s…