This fascinating collection of archive images captures the essence of community life in Porth during the last century and the town’s intrinsic role in the industrial and commercial history of the Rhondda.

The rural character of this part of South Wales is recalled in images of farmers ploughing their fields and timeless views of the surrounding valleys, while snapshots of the Hetty engine and soot-covered miners reveal the industrial heritage of the district. From local shops and businesses, royal visits and street parties, to clubs and societies, including the Pentref Bowmen Archery Club, and the Royal Welsh Male Choir, which sang before Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle in November 1895, each picture captures an aspect of life in Porth and the Rhondda valleys as it once was.

Accompanied by detailed and informative text, this volume also remembers the local people who lived and worked in this vibrant community: the miners, sportsmen, traders, nurses and teachers who contributed to the history of Porth.