Days 72, 73, 74 and 75

(Dan’s comments are italicized)

• Train to Cardiff
• Train to Aberdare

It’s strange being back in the place I spent my youth. In some ways, it hasn’t changed at all but in other ways, I can barely recognize it. My dad was the minister (preacher) of Siloa Chapel from 1969 til 1986 when he retired. He was the last full-time minister there. The chapel was sold about 4 years ago (I would have bought it if the members had let me know it was going up for sale) and nothing’s been done to it since so it looks dilapidated and is covered in graffiti. It’s heartbreaking; but I found a lovely poppy growing in-between the pavers and was able to take a photo of the plaque commemorating the people from this coal-mining valley that left for Patagonia on the Mimosa (the Welsh equivalent of the Founding Fathers sailing to Massachusetts). The town itself is quite sad with very few shops left; what was once known as the Queen of the valleys now isn’t!

The people, however, exceeded all hopes and expectations. Dan and I stayed with Moira and Howard…Moi and I met in 1969 (we were 10) when my family first moved to Aberdare! Although life took us on very different paths, our friendship has endured. I think the reason so many of us “old” friends are still in touch is that Moi and Howard have stayed around Aberdare so they became the lynchpins of our friend group who always saw people as they passed through town. That’s a responsibility that I’m extremely glad they took on.

At this stage I need to thank Babs; from the age of 13-18 I was a (founding) member of Interact (junior Rotary) and Babs arranged a reunion as she knew I’d be in town and that my life circumstances have kept me from attending any previous reunion. I know it was a lot of work and I’m incredibly grateful Babs took it on.

The night before the reunion, some of us oldies had a meal together 💖 I think the most special thing about old friendships is that you settle right back into friend-mode, no matter how much time has passed!

Wales has long been known as The Land of Song with youngsters perfecting their singing skills in the chapels, pubs, and rugby matches (although it sounds strange, hymns are commonly sung during the games). Male Voice Choirs (traditionally made up of miners) are a cultural phenomenon in Wales. This tradition was enhanced by a man named Gryffydd Rhys Jones (who went by the name Caradog) who took a group of 400 men to the Crystal Palace in London in 1872 to enter a competition. The choir, known as Cor Mawr Caradog (Caradog’s Big Choir) won and brought much glory to Wales and to the coal-mining valleys. His statue stands in Aberdare.

Gluttons for punishment, before the Interact reunion the following day, Moi and How took us to Caerphilly castle. It’s a beautiful castle and has a leaning tower to rival the one in Pisa.

The evening was the reunion; here are just a couple of photos.

Thank you Moi and How for your hospitality, for running me around to visit people whom I’ve not seen in 45 years, and especially for introducing Dan to God’s country (Abernant) 😂

This post reads so personally for Rhia that I did not wish to interrupt her flow with my commentary. Our schedule for the whole Europe trip revolved around getting to Aberdare for the Interact Reunion. When Rhia recounts her memories in this club, it plays out like a blockbuster movie with a cast of A–list friends. Interact shaped these friends into incredibly productive adults, and continues to influence them today. I loved talking to every one of them at the reunion, but have absolutely no regrets for attempting to add an artistic flair to the group photos. A big thanks to Moira and Howard for opening their home to us.