Heavy Metal - Two Hundred Years of Swansea Valley History

The Birth of a Valley project, in partnership with Cwmtawe Comprehensive School, produced a 'devised' show of drama, music and song in the Summer of 2009. Brian Smith, the Heritage Officer developed the script for the pupils and staff of the Music and Drama departments, which brought to life Two Hundred Years of Swansea Valley history and rich community heritage. The production was staged at the Pontardawe Arts Centre on the 19 June 2009 to a packed and appreciative audience.

“Birth of a Valley - Heavy Metal” began with the construction of The Swansea Canal, the transport system that kick-started mineral extraction and then traced the growth and decline of heavy industry which came to define Pontardawe and the surrounding towns and villages. From William Parsons first iron works to the thirtieth anniversary of Ponty Festival this was a celebration of our shared Swansea Valley communities.

Clive Reed from the Swansea Canal Society organised some very well received exhibitions and talks about the industrial development of Pontardawe to help set the scene for pupils and staff. John Howes, musician and volunteer with Arena Pontardawe, also spent some time in the school working on song-writing with the music department.

A DVD of the production produced by the Project is available from Arena Pontardawe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Music
Helen Baugh, Nick Betsworth, Aidan Biddescombe, Zac Bird, Nathan Blackler, Luke Broomfield, Emelye Buck, Bethan Burden, Abigail Davies, Zachary Davies, Alistair Evans, Jamie Evans, Kristian Fjaelberg, James Gerrard, Sarah Grange, Georgia Griffiths, Owen Harry, Jeremy Hopkins, Meghan Hagain Edwards, Chloe Humphreys,
Sally Hughes, Paige James, Lydia Jones, Megan Jenkins, Rowan Joseph-Lake, Branwen Lewis,Thomas Lewis,
Lewis Maggs, Anthony McNeilly, Menna Morgan, Tom Morgan, Mason Noble, Finn Orell, Ashley Parker,
Daniel Pearce, Niall Rees, Shaun Rees, Isla Rickson, Alex Rix, David Roberts, Kieran Sweeney,
Angharad Thomas, Cerys Thomas, Lowri Thomas, Nia Thomas, Rebecca Thomas, Bradleigh Watkins,
Jay Whitwell, Adam Williams.

Drama
Jacob Barry, Tom Drewson, Leah Dudley, Joshua Dykes, Rhodri Dykes, Bradley Dyment-Jones, Rosy Harley, Corale Holmes, Angharad Hopkins, Rhiannon Jacob, Zoe Jagoe-Williams, Paige James, Amy Jenkins,
Jade Johnston, Bethan McGuffie, Rhian Mainwaring, Josie Nemeth, Sophie Sharp, Sam Sherlock,
Sophie Standley, Jaz Thomas.

Staff
Denise Cavalli, Eleri Griffiths, Helen Gooding (Drama) Beverley Cheetham, Paul Gratrix, Duncan Leigh,
Wayne Pedrick (Music)

An Arena Pontardawe production In partnership with Pontardawe Arts Centre and the Swansea Canal Society.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund

Jennifer Stewart, Heritage Lottery Fund Manager for Wales said,

“This is precisely the type of local community project that we look to fund. Our industrial heritage is something we can all take pride in, and makes us who we are today. This project will allow local people to find out more about their heritage and in doing so will create an important resource for anyone who wants to explore their past.”