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HISTORY - INTRODUCTION
Written by Ivor Williams.

An early nineteenth century tourist described the area as a 'truly picturesque district which has been called the Alps of Glamorgan; where the rocks and glens, steep precipices and mountain streams, which occur perpetually between Bwlch-y-Clawdd (pass of the mountaain), Cwmsaerbren (woodland valley) and Blaenrhondda (head of the Rhondda), would no longer be neglected by a tourist fond of grand objects'.

The shape of the hills, the courses of streams and waterfalls are as they have been for centuries. Even today the magnificence of Cwmsaerbren Basin, the charm of dingle-dells and waterfalls at Blaencwm (head of the valley) remain a testimony to the natural beauty of the Upper Rhondda. Until the middle nineteenth century, the area lay completely off the beaten track, at the head of a secluded pastrol valley which had preserved all the characteristcs of rural charm.

The history of the area can be dated as far back as the thirteenth century when the first recorded people lived on the mountain tops overlooking Blaenrhondda. Even today the remains of their commnuity can be found as you drive up the Rhigos (place of heather) mountain road.

In 1800 the Rhondda's population was 542 residents, a stark contrast to today's estimated 60,000. It was during the mid-1880's that the communities of Treherbert and district grew. Chapels, churches, collieries, shops and schools all sprang up creating a picture of commercial and social vitality. In less than 150 years the picture would change. Towars the end of the twentieth century all we see are buildings being left in a dire state or even worse are being destroyed with no replacement: Treherbert Hospital, Dunraven School, Blaenrhondda School, Libanus Chapel, Penyrenglyn Infants and Juniors School - the list will continue to grow.

Coal heaps and winding gear are now tourist attractions and the valley is becoming green once more. Wildlife is returning to the area and reminds us of an old resident who once proclaimed that "due to amount of woodland in the valley it is a known face that a squirrel could travel from Porth all the way to Blaenrhondda without touching the grown."