Cwm Dulais Historical Society
Founded in 1964, the Cwm Dulais Historical Society is concerned with the study of history, with the particular objective of encouraging interest in the local history of the Dulais Valley in the South Wales area of the UK. Its catchment area comprises of the villages of Coelbren, Banwen, Dyffryn Cellwen, Pantyffordd, Seven Sisters, and Crynant. It also includes Cilfrew and Aberdulais see The Villages.
The Society’s activities include:
- Stimulating a general awareness of the importance of the past, by arranging regular programmes of public meetings, with lectures that combine a broad historical interest while placing emphasis on local studies. Currently, eight lectures are mounted annually see Members Section. There is also a Members’ Night to which non-members are equally welcomed, when those who do not normally contribute to the programme are invited to do so, by bringing along items of personal memorabilia etc.
- Arranging annual outings to places of historical interest.
- Co-operating with local schools and other bodies on historical projects.
- Scrutinising planning applications, with appropriate representations being made where this is considered necessary to protect local historical features.
- Collecting and preserving items of local historical significance. An Archive has been established and a database compiled, currently numbering over 2,600 entries.
- Responding to enquires. These cover a wide range; varying from local callers simply wanting addresses etc, to letters from people researching their family history or students working on theses.
- Serving as a focal point in bringing together people with similar interests. In addition to fulfilling a certain educational function, we try to fulfil a role in other aspects of valley life, including a significant social function. Our membership is largely made up of pensioners, who enjoy the occasional opportunity for reminiscing and indeed for making personal contributions to our next generation’s understanding of the changing patterns of life within the valley.
- Playing a part in local affairs. The Society is non party-political and non sectarian, but it co-operates with a variety of community activities such as the Dulais Valley Partnership, Dulais Valley Friends of Cefn Coed etc.