Addoldai Cymru has received £248,343 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund (HLF) The National Eisteddfod will be held in Rhondda Cynon Taf in 2024. This project will continue with the repair, interpretation and development of one of the most historical chapels in the Cynon Valley.
It will use Hen Dŷ Cwrdd’s strong link with the eisteddfodic tradition to align with the county’s hosting of this key national celebration of the Welsh language and culture. Several notable people connected to the chapel were instrumental in the organisation and development of the first ‘modern’ National Eisteddfod which was held in Aberdare in 1861. Through its Unitarianism, the chapel also has a connection with Iolo Morgannwg, who was responsible for establishing the first modern ‘Gorsedd of Bards’ in 1792, which is now inextricably linked with the National Eisteddfod.
Buried at the chapel is ‘Llewelyn Alaw’ one of Wales’ most celebrated harpists, writer of music and collector of Welsh airs. In 1858 he won the prize at the Llangollen Eisteddfod for the best collection of unpublished Welsh airs, including ‘Glan Rhondda’. The adjudicator of the competition, ’Owain Alaw’, asked for permission to include ‘Glan Rhondda’ in his publication, Gems of Welsh Melody (1860–64). This volume gave ‘Glan Rhondda’ its more famous title, ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’.
All Llewelyn Alaw’s manuscripts are held in the National Library of Wales, and they give an insight into what was being played by musicians in the south Wales mining valleys in the mid nineteenth century. Two south Wales folk musicians, Jeff Jones and Rob Bradshaw, have been researching the manuscripts and, with the co-operation of the National Library of Wales, have been working towards publishing a more comprehensive account of the contents of this remarkable collection. This will be a fitting tribute to Llewelyn Alaw and will give an opportunity to musicians in Wales and beyond to play and enjoy some of the music.
This project will enable the transcription of the manuscript tunes into a series of accessible music books and launch these publications at the chapel with the collaboration of local musicians.
In a further development of the ‘Llewelyn Alaw Project’, Addoldai Cymru is also sponsoring a study of the life and times of the harpist, Thomas Dafydd Llewelyn in its annual lecture at this year’s Eisteddfod in August. The Trust’s lecture will probably be the first time this key figure in Welsh traditional music is made the focus of an in-depth study of the man and his work in their own right.
The lecture will be delivered in Welsh by David Leslie Davies, M.A., of Aberdare, who has written on the history of Hen Dŷ Cwrdd and many of its prominent members, including Thomas Dafydd Llewelyn.
Rob Scourfield, Chairman of Addoldai Cymru:
“This is a most significant development in Addoldai Cymru’s ongoing programme to secure this unique part of our national heritage.”
Christine Moore, Trust Manager for the Addoldai Cymru:
“We are delighted to receive the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery Players! That Hen Dŷ Cwrdd can once again resonate with the sound of Welsh voices and Welsh airs!”
Jeff Jones of the Llewelyn Alaw Project:
“This is a great opportunity to bring the work of Llewelyn Alaw to a wider audience. A greater recognition of his achievements as a musician and as a collector of music is long overdue.”
David Lesley Davies, M.A., Aberdare, historian:
“Thomas Dafydd Llewelyn – widely known in his own day as ‘Llewelyn Alaw’ – came from an exceptionally interesting family. During his lifetime, he was one of the best known and regarded Welsh harpists – and one of a comparatively few from south Wales to be continuously acknowledged throughout the country after his own day. Today, his collection of airs and tunes, both traditional and original, are a treasure trove for folk musicians who wish to practice and extend their art-form.”
Feature image: Hen Dŷ Cwrdd (The Old Meeting House)
