"In 1967 the Ynisgedwyn Colliery, which had existed on this site, for over 100 years closed for the last time. For more than a decade the colliery slag heap and the pit head baths stood as monuments of remembrance to the hard work which had been performed under the ground. Due to potential hazards the 40m high slag heap was levelled in the early 1970's and the resulting wasteland was seeded and left to develop naturally. The derelict pit head baths were eventually converted into a thriving Youth and Community Centre in 1978.

In 1982 a Youth Training Scheme was set up and started work in reclaiming part of the site for sporting and recreational use by the community. Unemployed young people guided by experienced leaders supported by a local plant hire firm managed to remove pieces of conveyor belts, bits of machinery and other waste from the area. Drainage ditches were dug out, two football pitch sized areas were levelled and grass seed was applied to the surface. Unfortunately monies supporting the Scheme ran out before the project could be concluded and the fields lay unplayable for another ten years. The Youth Club, in particular, suffered from this frustrating situation because local youngsters had no other playing fields available to them.

The Youth Club continued lobbying local Town Councillors and Powys County Council and eventually obtained advice from a local landscaper(Cenydd). With a small budget the Youth Club members themselves paid for some initial work which caused one field to become playable.

This proved an immediate success not only to Youth Club members but also to other young people in the area. It proved that there was need for recreational facilities in the area.

A new junior club ,called Penrhos Utd was formed which progressed into it's current membership of over one hundred young people between the ages of 8 and 15, who play on Saturday mornings in the Neath and District leagues.

A 'planning for real' exercise conducted by the Communities First Project in May 2002 identified the need for improved recreational and sporting facilities in the Penrhos area of Ystradgynlais. People suggested improved footpaths, cycle ways, skateboard facilities and playing fields.

As a result of this public consultation, Powys CC obtained Wales Assembly Government monies in late February 2002 to enable improvements to the Playing Fields. With the support of the Communities First Project, Powys County Council, Ystradgynlais Town Council and the Forestry Commission reclamation work, started twenty years earlier was completed.

The fields are well used, the Skateboard Park is continuously busy, the local footpaths and open ground is well walked by local residents, access to the Sustrans cycle route is appreciated and the area is generally considered a picturesque and pleasant area."

Written by Huw Williams from Ystradgynlais.