I was pleased to visit the Afan Forest Park which is also home to the South Wales Miners Museum.
This centre, set up originally by West Glamorgan County Council and the Forestry Commission, was a visionary attempt to encourage tourism in the mining valleys back in the 1970’s.
All the pits in the Afan Valley had closed by 1970 but the natural beauty of the area was deemed to be a wonderful asset and work was then done to create cycle tracks along the old railway lines. These have developed over the years into world class mountain bike trails which draw in visitors from all over the UK and further afield.
The Centre, which lies between Cynonville and Pontrhydyfen, now offers a host of walks and trails for both walkers and cyclists as well as bike hire, a café and toilets.
The South Wales Miners Museum, which has been going for fifty years, was established within the centre and this is manned by volunteers – most of whom are former miners.
I was given a fantastic tour of the museum and I would encourage anyone who has not been there before to put it on their bucket list. The knowledgeable guides could explain the many intricacies of mine operation with special emphasis on the historic aspects of this industry.
I am grateful to John Leach, Elwyn Walters, Michael Day and Gwynfor Price for showing me around.
I also saw their outdoor exhibits which include a pithead winding gear, a colliery blacksmiths shop and even a miniature railway which they have set up in the park.
Also present was Coun Cen Phillips who is now the cabinet member in charge of tourism, heritage and culture and Coun. Jeremy Hurley who has the brief for regeneration amongst other things.
We discussed Neath Port Talbot’s Dramatic Heart of Wales Tourism Strategy and how the council is working to promote the Afan Valley and the Neath Valleys with its emphasis on sites like the Afan Forest Park and also historic sites like Gnoll Park, Neath Abbey, Aberdulais Falls, Cefn Coed mining museum and Waterfall country at Pontneddfechan.
Money to develop this site and also Gnoll Park – some £18m – has been awarded from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
The Afan Valley is also the location of the Wildfox Resort development which has been given planning consent and is all set to proceed. This £250m project will create a major tourism resort with numerous outdoor and indoor attractions, lodges and a hotel. It will employ hundreds of local people.