Tom Jones' first gig venue, Dolly Parton-inspired theme parks and the man who made cremation legalWant the best food, film, music, arts and culture news sent straight to your inbox?When most people think of the Valleys they may think about its coal mining past, its close knit communities or its rugged beauty.But the area has some impressive as well as unusual claims to fame that might leave you gobsmacked.From being the stomping ground of one of the internet's forefathers to the story of how the Titanic's distress call was first heard in Blackwood - the Valleys has contributed to history, heritage and culture more than you might realise.Tom's, that could be found on Wood Road, in Treforest, was loved by many music fans.Perhaps, it's more famously noted for being the place where Sir Tom Jones is believed to have first got up on stage.Back then young Tom was paid £1 to stand in for a cancelled band on a Sunday afternoon in 1957.He did his turn, got the crowd singing and never looked back.Sadly it shut years back and is now home to a new business but, at heart, it will always belong to our Tom.The theme park was built in 1987 on the site of the former Fernhill colliery in Blaenrhondda.The purpose-built Wild West town, at the foot of the Rhigos mountain, had plans for the biggest saloon bar in South Wales and 12 chalets for guests to stay in.When it opened, there was a huge fanfare and it cost around £1m - but today only a few can even remember the cowboy inspired theme park in South Wales.Just a few weeks after opening, the site turned to tumbleweed and closed for good.He worked alongside war-time code-breaker Alan Turing, who was also a master of computer science.Born in the village, Mr Davies' family initially lived in west Wales but his father came to the Rhondda to work in the mines.You'll find this guy if you take a trip to Parc Penallta.The site, that was carved from a former coal tip, offers views from the High Point Observatory.If you visit you won't be able to miss 'Sultan’ the pit pony, who is known to be one of the largest biggest figurative earth sculptures in the UK.In the forest to the east of Maerdy is all that remains of a medieval Welsh castle.The hills also remained in Welsh control long after the Norman marcher lords conquered the richer land to the south.You can find the mysterious and strange looking Rocking Stones at Little is known about their origin - but they have often been linked with witchcraft or Druids.And while you're there - take a few snaps - as the area has some absolutely beautiful views over Pontypridd too.This curious looking building was once home to the watchman - no, not a character from a horror film but a local worker who would check the road to make sure it was clear of rocks and sheep.It remained in use up until the 1990s - and a while back It's thought this was the last private castle to be built in Britain.It was built around 1816 by the iron masters of Nantyglo Ironworks, Joseph and Crawshay Bailey.It was created as not only a symbol of strength, but also as a defence to keep out a rioting workforce.Luckily for its occupiers, the elaborate defence system was never required during the Chartist uprising.Now the site is only home to the foundations of the 1811 Ty Mawr mansion.Even though the south tower lies in ruins, the north tower remains.
The glorious Dare Valley Country Park in Aberdare is as breathtaking as it is beautiful. Valleys are depressed areas of land–scoured and washed out by the conspiring forces of gravity, water, and ice. When the glacier melts, a U-shaped valley marks the spot where the snow and ice once flowed.Side valleys are formed by tributaries to streams and rivers and feed the main stem. Posted by By Megan Reed | August 5, 2014 Comments Comments. Water flows faster on steep mountains, which in turn leads to the formation of deeper valleys. The tributary valleys are eroded and deepened by glaciers or erosion at a slower rate than that of the main valley floor, thus the difference in the two valleys' depth increases over time. Examples of U-shaped valleys are found in every mountainous region that has experienced Other interesting glacially carved valleys include: The terms U-shapedand V-shapedare descriptive terms of geography to characterize the form of valleys.
They served as subglacial drainage pathways carrying large volumes of melt water. Fun Facts about Valleys for Kids. These natural depressions are most often a result of the work of natural phenomena such as scouring by rain or ice with gravity also playing a vital role in their … © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, © 2015-