"Saturday 12 September was a memorable day for the Rheidol Valley. Not only was it one of the sunniest days of the summer but it was also the day on which about 150 people came together to celebrate the heritage of the valley, its landscape and the people who live there.

Although there was an emphasis on the past and on the metal mining industry that had been so important in forming the Cwm Rheidol community, a lot of information was also gathered about the lives of the people today and their own memories.

The event was part of the PLWM project, a Ceredigion County Council led and European funded project that exists to contribute to regeneration in upland Ceredigion through a focus on the heritage of the metal mining industry.

It was held at the Statkraft Power Station Visitor Centre, where the company made space available inside the centre and also hosted activities on their green outside.

The day got underway when Noragh Jones, a valley resident, gave a talk about the way that people have been central to the history of the valley and how, over the centuries, the lives of the people have responded to new activities and new demands. Meanwhile, Michael Freeman from Ceredigion Museum was kept busy scanning and recording photographs and archive material that was brought in by residents. Some exciting records were seen in public for the first time.

More personal memories were gathered by making individual sound recordings and also by marking places and stories on Y Lle Arbennig, a colourful map of the valley. Memories of childhood and other good times came up in conversation with Sue Jones Davies.

The Cwm Rheidol Dialogue was another unusual and creative way of getting people to exchange experiences. As 'guests' sat around a dining table, artist, Anna Evans, served them food and accompanying news extracts about the valley.

This soon had everyone talking about food and traditions associated with the area. It was no surprise therefore that the Capel Bangor W.I. had present day food on sale in the form of delicious home made cakes and jam.

For those who were looking for detailed information about the history of the valley, there were displays by the Dyfed Archaeological Trust, Ceredigion Archives, the Royal Commision on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, the Countryside Council for Wales, the Mid Wales Geology Club and the Welsh Mines Preservation Society.

This thirst for knowledge was fully satisfied when John Latham, Bill Fitches, John Mason and Bill Perkins gave short talks about the underlying geology, the mineral extraction industry and the consequent pollution of the River Rheidol. Rivers to the Sea - Harbour to the World, an Aberystwyth based group that works on heritage interpretation projects, also brought a display of their work to date.

The day was a good opportunity for talk with neighbours and with visitors to the valley. All the material and information gathered will be collected together and it is hoped that it will be the basis for an ongoing project about the valley.

Article written by Shelagh Hourahane