Caradogfest
July 5th to 7th 2024
Every resident and visitor to Aberdare will be familiar with Caradog (Griffith Rhys Jones). His statue stands in the centre of the town, and has dominated Victoria Square since 1920
A former blacksmith at the Llwydcoed ironworks, Caradog was an accomplished violinist, conductor and choral leader. When, in 1872, a virtuoso mixed choir was created in South Wales to compete at the Crystal Palace, London for a One Thousand Guineas Challenge Cup, Caradog was chosen to train and lead it
The members of that choir, the Côr Mawr, came from across South West Wales - Llanelli, Neath, Merthyr, Rhondda, Pontypridd -and, of course, Aberdare. Aberdare was the choir headquarters, its chairman, treasurer and secretary were all Aberdare men, and the largest number of singers (150) were from Aberdare. Many rehearsals were held in the town including the final rehearsal
The competition was held at the Crystal Palace in July 1872, and the One Thousand Guinea Trophy was brought home to Wales. Today, it resides at St Fagans National Museum of History and is on permanent display as the "Caradog Cup"
A former blacksmith at the Llwydcoed ironworks, Caradog was an accomplished violinist, conductor and choral leader. When, in 1872, a virtuoso mixed choir was created in South Wales to compete at the Crystal Palace, London for a One Thousand Guineas Challenge Cup, Caradog was chosen to train and lead it
The members of that choir, the Côr Mawr, came from across South West Wales - Llanelli, Neath, Merthyr, Rhondda, Pontypridd -and, of course, Aberdare. Aberdare was the choir headquarters, its chairman, treasurer and secretary were all Aberdare men, and the largest number of singers (150) were from Aberdare. Many rehearsals were held in the town including the final rehearsal
The competition was held at the Crystal Palace in July 1872, and the One Thousand Guinea Trophy was brought home to Wales. Today, it resides at St Fagans National Museum of History and is on permanent display as the "Caradog Cup"
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The inaugural Caradogfest
July 2022 marked the 150th anniversary of the epic achievements of Caradog and the Cor Mawr. In honour of the occasion, a 400 strong choir from Aberdare was drawn together, recreating the epic performance of the Côr Mawr at Library Square, Aberdare The event also featured massed children's chorus, brass band and guest soloists, plus individual choral performances throughout Aberdare town centre throughout the day The event was a tremendous success drawing large crowds at all locations throughout the town, and - such was the success of the event - that the gala concert will be repeated again on the 150th anniversary of the Cor Mawr's second performance at the Crystal Palace, London which took place in 1873 A Gallery of images from the inaugural event is available here while details of the 2023 & 2024 events are outlined below |
Caradogfest 2023
In 2023, such was the success of the inaugural Caradogfest, that the event was repeated, and took place here at St Elvan's. On the evening of Friday July 7th, the Gala Concert was repeated, once again featuring Aberdare's own star of "The Voice" Ragsy, the inestimable Cat Southall plus 300 strong Cor Mawr! In an additional element of the 2023 event, a FREE open daytime Ukulele Festival was added, which proved incredibly popular and was held at St Elvan's on Saturday July 8th from 1:00 to 4:00pm
In 2023, such was the success of the inaugural Caradogfest, that the event was repeated, and took place here at St Elvan's. On the evening of Friday July 7th, the Gala Concert was repeated, once again featuring Aberdare's own star of "The Voice" Ragsy, the inestimable Cat Southall plus 300 strong Cor Mawr! In an additional element of the 2023 event, a FREE open daytime Ukulele Festival was added, which proved incredibly popular and was held at St Elvan's on Saturday July 8th from 1:00 to 4:00pm
Caradogfest 2024
Caradogfest now return to St Elvan's this year on the weekend of July 5th to 7th 2024
In addition to the Caradogfest Gala Concert on Friday July 5th, a daytime Gala In The Grounds Open Day, marking the 40th anniversary of the 1984|85 Miners Strikes, will be held in and around St Elvan's on Saturday July 6th, featuring FREE children's activities, FREE live music and a traditional Welsh Twmpath
A Cymanfa Ganu and Twmpath, marking the National Eisteddfod coming to Rhondda Cynon Taf, will also be held on Sunday July 7th. The guest artist for this year's event is Aberdare born actress and singer Laura Evans
Further details of all the Caradogfest 2024 events, together with a series of images from previous year's events, are all now available at the Caradogfest website www.caradogfest.com
Caradogfest now return to St Elvan's this year on the weekend of July 5th to 7th 2024
In addition to the Caradogfest Gala Concert on Friday July 5th, a daytime Gala In The Grounds Open Day, marking the 40th anniversary of the 1984|85 Miners Strikes, will be held in and around St Elvan's on Saturday July 6th, featuring FREE children's activities, FREE live music and a traditional Welsh Twmpath
A Cymanfa Ganu and Twmpath, marking the National Eisteddfod coming to Rhondda Cynon Taf, will also be held on Sunday July 7th. The guest artist for this year's event is Aberdare born actress and singer Laura Evans
Further details of all the Caradogfest 2024 events, together with a series of images from previous year's events, are all now available at the Caradogfest website www.caradogfest.com
