Lights, Laughter, and Christmas Magic in Pontypridd!

Pontypridd Museum has been awarded two Welsh Government grants to undertake major renovation projects on the site. The museum, which is managed by Pontypridd Town Council, will receive a total of £300k in funding attached to the Welsh Government’s Priorities for Culture programme. A grant of £150k will enable the restoration, conservation and digitisation of the museum’s largest object, the 1910 Conacher Pipe Organ, on permanent display in the former Welsh Baptist Tabernacl Chapel, now Pontypridd Museum. The organ was last fully overhauled in 1988 and is currently in a very poor state of repair and practically unplayable. The grant will allow the repair of all parts of the organ and introduce a digital control so that a recital can be recorded and played back to visitors without an organist being present. This currently happens in just a few of the world’s leading venues such as the Palau de la Música in Barcelona and in the UK the famous organs of Canterbury Cathedral and York Minster. Work will start on the project this Autumn with the aim of the organ being fully restored and operational by March 1, 2026, in time for the annual Mayor’s St David’s Day Concert. A further grant has been awarded to repair the leaking roof of the museum store and community rooms. The building repairs will protect the museum’s reserve collections, a key community asset and will enable the museum to sustain its role as a hub for wellbeing, creativity, and social cohesion through the continued use of the community rooms, which host a variety of free activities and are regularly used by local groups to host events and activities. The renovation of the outdoor space around the roof will revitalise the viewing platform for the world-famous Pontypridd Bridge, which also includes a picnic area and garden and the starting stone for Pontypridd’s Mab Trail , which celebrates Wales’ ancient myths and legends. Nigel Blackamore, Pontypridd Museum Business and Partnerships Manager said, 'The Conacher Pipe Organ is more than an instrument—it’s the beating heart of our museum and a living link to Pontypridd’s rich musical heritage. Restoring it will not only revive its powerful presence but also reconnect generations through sound, memory, and innovation. With the power of digital technology and the craftsmanship of expert organ builders, we’re ensuring this iconic object doesn’t fade into silence, but sings once again for our community and the world.' Pontypridd Town Council Leader, Cllr. Lynda Davies said, ‘The award of the Welsh Government grants is fantastic news for Pontypridd Museum and for Pontypridd. The renovation projects will allow the museum to continue hosting cultural, educational, and wellbeing activities and will strengthen its role as a vibrant hub for local heritage and community life. This builds on the work already ongoing at the museum, and forms part of Pontypridd Town Council’s extensive wider cultural projects and partnerships. Nigel and his team are doing fantastic work in revitalising and developing Pontypridd Museum, ensuring it remains a vital asset for our community.’ Work will begin on both projects this Autumn and updates will be posted to Pontypridd Town Council and Pontypridd Museum websites and social media.