Penrhys balances on top of a steep hill between the Rhondda Fawr and Rhondda Fach valleys. As a community, it balances the glories of the past with the challenges of the present. Once it was a major site of Christian pilgrimage; now it is the fourth most deprived area in Wales. The future of Penrhys hangs in the balance too, as residents wait to discover if the estate will receive a long-promised regeneration scheme or if it will be destined for demolition. Ancient well, medieval shrine, Sixties’ social experiment – what next for Penrhys?
I was commissioned to write an article about Penrhys for Cwlwm, an online magazine focussing on places and people in Wales. Click here to read the full article.
Claire Boot 