Welcoming 2024 with Pontypridd Town Council’s Chief Executive

Welcoming 2024 with Pontypridd Town Council’s Chief Executive, Tony Graham

Pontypridd Town Council • December 31, 2023

Happy New Year from all at Pontypridd Town Council!

As we enter 2024, I’ll begin by reflecting on the last 12 months here at Pontypridd Town Council. It has been another busy year, with many significant and positive developments.

We have enjoyed many community-focussed events and activities in the Meadow Street Community Garden in Treforest, which continues to go from strength to strength thanks to the hard work and commitment of our dedicated staff and much-valued volunteers.

Meadow Street has won two prestigious awards this year, the Social Farms & Gardens Community Land Advisory Service (CLAS) award for its management of community green spaces and Keep Wales Tidy’s Green Flag Community Award in recognition of its high environmental standards, cleanliness, safety, and community involvement. Meadow Street Community is also currently in the middle of a 2 year grant funded programme that will allow us to develop the site further and expand on the activities and events on offer.

It’s been a big year for Pontypridd Museum, with an all-new team steering us through an exciting period of development. The museum has welcomed large numbers of children and schools to the venue, along with providing intergenerational activity as well as a variety of events and exhibitions. We also saw the re-opening of the museum shop, a must-visit for locals and visitors alike. A programme of new exhibitions and further activities is planned for the coming year.

In May we welcomed a new town Mayor - Councillor Desmond Paul. You can find out more about the Mayor and all of our elected representatives by visiting Pontypridd Town Council’s website.

Following extensive community consultation, Pontypridd Town Council’s first Forward Development Plan was published in July. The plan sets out our goals for the years up to the next election in 2027. Thank you to everyone who took the time to take part - a copy of the plan can be found on our website.

Pontypridd Town Council has enjoyed bringing the community together for several large events throughout the year. The Children’s Storytelling Festival in May saw youngsters from the area enjoying a feast of fabulous fiction, including a theatrical performance of the Mabinogion and a wonderful event with the authors of The Mab, the book that our very own Mab Trail is based on.

In August, we all gathered in Ynysangharad Park on a (mostly!) sunny day to enjoy our annual Summer Fun Day and vintage transport rally. And more recently, Pontypridd’s children (along with many grown ups too!) enjoyed our Christmas Cracker and Christmas lights switch on event along with a visit to Santa in his grotto at Pontypridd Museum.

We are all facing difficult times currently, as the cost of living crisis and household energy worries continue. I would like to give a friendly reminder that we are on hand to offer advice and a friendly ear to all our residents. The weekly Monday Meet Up and the monthly Community Cuppa will be back in 2024, with the first Community Cuppa taking place on January 2nd.

2024 promises to be a vibrant year for Pontypridd. We’re immensely looking forward to welcoming the National Eisteddfod in August and the Town Council will continue to deliver valued projects and events for our community throughout the year.

As always, if you’d like to contact us, then call in or get touch by emailing info@pontypriddtowncouncil.gov.uk

I want to take this opportunity to wish Pontypridd a happy and healthy 2024.

Tony Graham, Pontypridd Town Council Chief Executive.

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Pontypridd Museum Awarded Funding for Major Renovation Projects

By Pontypridd Town Council • September 15, 2025

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.