The Story of Wales – episode 5 – A New Beginning

The fifth episode of the BBC Wales series ‘The Story of Wales’ explored how the discovery of steam coal in the Rhondda led to massive immigration to the valleys of South Wales and the development of the docks at Cardiff and Barry during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It showed the opulent castles at Cardiff and Penrhyn, illustrating the wealth created both in the coal and the north Wales slate industries. The episode also covered sport, entertainment, male voice choirs and the darker side of industrialisation – poverty, mining accidents, strikes and lockouts.

The final episode in the series entitled ‘Wales and Britain’ will be shown on Monday at 9pm.

If you want to find out more about some of the sites covered, follow the links below:

• Big Pit, Blaenavon
• Tower Colliery
• Barry Docks
• Penrhyn Slate Quarry
• Penrhyn Castle
• Cardiff Castle
• The James, or 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' Memorial
• Park and Dare Theatre, Treorchy
• Universal Colliery, Senghenydd

Other links:

• Link to The Story of Wales website
• Add your own photographs to People's Collection Wales to help tell the story of Wales

Finally, the Royal Commission's superbly illustrated book, Hidden Histories: Discovering the Heritage of Wales is an informative companion for anyone interested in the life and heritage of Wales and is now available for only £19.95 or alternatively only £17.95 for Friends of the Royal Commission with their special 10% discount.



Subscribe to the Heritage of Wales News and sign up for the full feed RSS, just click this RSS button and subscribe!

Also find us on:
Twitter Hashtag: #RCAHMWales