Welsh valleys rediscover their roots

Cân y Cymoedd, a project by Wales's national folk arts organisation Trac Cymru, is turning local stories into original songs across Port Talbot and Rhondda Cynon Taf.

One girl's story becomes a song

Participant Liz Puleston-Jones discovered Isabel Thomas, a 14-year-old who lied about her age in the 1940s to work in a tin plate factory and support her family. Her story inspired a new composition.

“Her story really spoke to me.”

Musicians and historians uncover local tales

Community workshops brought together musicians, historians and volunteers to explore heritage sites and museums, creating two dozen new songs about life in the valleys.

Songwriting replaces doomscrolling

Puleston-Jones said the project drew her away from passive screen time toward creative pursuits like violin playing. Participants report rekindled cultural pride and a sense of belonging.

“Now instead of watching rubbish TV or doomscrolling I'm being drawn to songwriting and playing my violin.”

Primary school children learn their village's song

Year 6 students at Llwyncelyn primary school in Porth learned a composition about their village created by the previous year's class, then recorded a music video at Rhondda Heritage Park, a former colliery.

Song references mountains, mines and chapels

Ein Cân Fach Ni (Our Little Song) weaves together the Rhondda valley's industrial past and natural landscape with modern elements like the recycling centre and playground.

Album will preserve songs for future generations

The original compositions are being professionally recorded for an album that Trac Cymru hopes will reach wider audiences and serve as a resource for future generations.

“If you've got a story, you can write a song, and we help you do this.”