The County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil

Merthyr Tydfil, once ‘Iron Capital of the World’, has had a long and tumultuous history; one of the birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution, it was to be dominated initially by four massive ironworks and later by mighty Dowlais Steelworks. Industry and the mines and collieries of two centuries of mineral extraction have left their mark not only on the beautiful landscape of the Taff Valley but on the hearts of and minds of the people. Crucible of religious dissent and radicalism, Merthyr was the first Welsh town to forge a meaningful labour movement, and this energy has remained a key ingredient in Merthyr’s ability to re-invent herself through the years. This book, compiled to celebrate the imminent return of County Borough status, is filled with nearly 200 images, most never previously published, which capture the wide range of life and activity in the borough. A strong emphasis is placed on the people of the area, at work, at rest and play, with the captions helping to unlock both their stories and the events and everyday incidents of life in this continually fascinating and evolving community.