What a truly special afternoon at Aber Valley Heritage on Monday.

We began by coming together to commemorate the newly laid tiles, honouring those who worked during the lifetime of the mine, before moving into a powerful and inspiring celebration of strong women past and present.

From the remarkable story of Wendy a true pioneer of women’s football in Wales whose caps you can now see proudly on display at the Aber Valley Heritage Museum, to the incredible achievements of the Senghenydd Sirens following their historic triple-winning season, the event highlighted the strength, resilience and determination that continues to shape our community.

We were also proud to recognise Hayley Thomas Skym on her 100th appearance, and to celebrate the outstanding contribution of Gillian Jones MBE TD, whose dedication over decades has helped preserve and champion the heritage of the Aber Valley for future generations.

This event was a celebration not only of history, but of legacy, from the women of 1901 and 1913, to trailblazers like Wendy, to the inspiring role models we see today.

A huge thank you to all of our volunteers who worked so hard behind the scenes to make this event possible your commitment and passion keep our heritage alive.

And finally, thank you to everyone who attended and took part. Your support means so much and ensures these stories continue to be shared and remembered.