The Cosmos, Collieries & Cynefin
supported by the Shared Prosperity Fund
The Cosmos, Collieries & Cynefin was our 2024/25 Shared Prosperity Fund supported project, which ran from Summer 2024 through to March 2025. The project tied in with our overarching Voices From Underground and Coalfield Communities projects, marking the 40th anniversary of the 1984 | 85 Miners Strikes. For further information on Voices from Underground, click here
Cosmos, Collieries & Cynefin saw St Elvan's work together with prominent local scientist & author Mark Brake, presenter & facilitator Mike Church and Colour Black Productions to explore the Cynon Valley's relationship with coal
The project explored the history and science behind the processes of formation and extraction of coal; the story of the coal mining industry and formation of our communities in Cynon Valley; right through to the closure of the industry, and an exploration of the next chapter for our region
Project activities will began in June 2025 and ran right through to a culminatory performance and showcase, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the end of the Miners Strikes, in March 2025
A timeline for the project is outlined below
Cosmos, Collieries & Cynefin saw St Elvan's work together with prominent local scientist & author Mark Brake, presenter & facilitator Mike Church and Colour Black Productions to explore the Cynon Valley's relationship with coal
The project explored the history and science behind the processes of formation and extraction of coal; the story of the coal mining industry and formation of our communities in Cynon Valley; right through to the closure of the industry, and an exploration of the next chapter for our region
Project activities will began in June 2025 and ran right through to a culminatory performance and showcase, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the end of the Miners Strikes, in March 2025
A timeline for the project is outlined below
Project Timeline & Activities
Saturday June 15th
Comm-Unity Cuppa | CCC Project Announcement
The Cosmos, Collieries & Cynefin
Craig Roberts | Anastazia Thomas | Mark Brake
Friday July 5th
FREE Heritage Talk
Caradog, Collieries & the Choral Tradition
Anastazia Thomas
July 5th to 7th
Caradogfest
www.caradogfest.com
Friday July 5th
Caradogfest Gala Concert
www.caradogfest.com
Saturday July 6th
Gala in the Grounds
Open Day at St Elvan's
FREE Children's Activities
10:30 to 12:30
FREE Live Music
13:00 to 16:00
Twmpath
16:00 to 18:00
www.caradogfest.com
Sunday July 7th
Festival Service | Cymanfa Ganu
Solemn Mass
11:00 to 12:00
Cymanfa Ganu
18:00 to 20:00
www.caradogfest.com
Monday July 15th
Cynefin Window Unveiling
Aberdare Town Church In Wales Primary School Stained Glass Project
Judith Beecher | Wendy Donovan
August
FREE Children's Activities
Dinosaur Digs | In These Bones | Mining & Collieries | Cynefin
September to November
Tales Over Tea
Miners Strike Recollection Workshops
Oral History Sessions
Anastazia Thomas
Throughout September
FREE Exhibition
Proud Valley - The Life and Legacy of Paul Robeson
Mezzanine Gallery
13:00 to 15:00
September to March
FREE Monthly "Talks Through Time"
Mark Brake
I) The Old Cosmos
II) The Great Chain of Being - From Heavenly Angels to Lowly Worms
III) Sermons In The Stones - The Red Lady of Paviland
IV) The Bone Wars - Dinosaurs In Wales
V) Clocks In The Rocks - In These Stones Horizons Sing
VI) The New Universe
Monday October 21st to 25th
FREE School Science Workshops
How To Build A Solar System
Mark Brake | Mike Church
Friday October 25th
FREE Heritage Talk
The War Years and The Men Who Marched Away
Anastazia Thomas
Mezzanine Gallery
13:00 to 15:00
Thursday November 7th
An Evening of Remembrance
7:30 to 9:30pm
Throughout December
Christmas Events
January
Ad Astra | To The Stars
FREE Planetarium Sessions
with Dark Skies Wales
February
Cynefin | Loving our Comm-unity
Comm-unity Summary Sessions
Saturday March 1st
Voices From Underground Closing Celebration
Brass & Voices Performance
Video Retrospectives
Audio Trail Launch
Audio Trail & Film
As a legacy of the project, a Dare Valley Mining Audio Trail and documentary film were commissioned to accompany the project, and provide lasting resources about the mining industry and its impact & legacy in our community for visitors and local residents alike
A link to the audio trail, narrated by BBC Wales' Roy Noble, can be found here, while a link to the film is available here
Cosmos, Collieries & Cynefin and Voices From Underground were both incredibly impactful projects which truly resonated with our community, attested to by the more than 2500 attendees and volunteers who participated in the project and associated events
We remain indebted to our various project partners, volunteers and attendees for their support, and to the Shared Prosperity Fund, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Pen Y Cymoedd Community Fund, without whom the project simply would not have been possible
