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Step right up for dramatic travel back in time!

The rich history of Swansea's former industrial heartland is to be given fresh life - with a series of free guided walks.

lower swansea valley from the air

An area once at the centre of the world's copper-making trade is now embarking on a bright new future.

And the walks will illustrate how efforts are being made to keep alive important stories of the past.

They are being organised by local volunteer groups who are working with Swansea Council to celebrate the Lower Swansea Valley's local heritage, including the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks, the White Rock area and Morriston Park.

You can find a full list of walks here: Walks to celebrate Lower Swansea Valley Heritage - Swansea

Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: "Our regeneration plans for the Lower Swansea Valley - already coming good with the progress on the new Penderyn Whisky attraction - mean a big future for this area.

"And we know how important the area's heritage is to that future. We're happy to work with others to help celebrate the area's great industrial past.

"These guided walks will show how important the area is to Swansea.

"After a walk it'd be good for those attending to visit Morriston. It was built to accommodate colliers and workers from the copperworks in the area. Woodfield Street and the surrounding streets have a number of heritage buildings including St John's Church and Tabernacle Chapel."

Hafod Morfa Friends group chair Tom Henderson said: "We're delighted to host this series of walks. They'll bring alive the heritage of the Lower Swansea Valley in an engaging and sociable way. Anybody with an interest in what made Swansea one of the world's industrial powerhouses will get a lot out of this activity."

Morriston Park Friends group volunteer Steffan Phillips said: "Those who attend the Morriston Park walk will learn about the Morris family who were pioneers of the early copper industry in Swansea. They'll see where they lived and will learn about the industrial legacy that can still be seen. People who've been on the walk before tell us they found it beautiful and fascinating.

"The Friends of Morriston Park are always looking for volunteers to help promote the park which has been described as one of Swansea's hidden gems."

White Rock Friends group chair John Ashley said: "The friends groups are actively seeking volunteers for a range of duties from vegetation clearance and litter picking to historical research, community involvement, PR, IT and social media support. Those who have a few spare hours and are interested in offering skills, can attend a walk and find out more about the groups or contact us online."

The council and friends group who focus on the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks, the White Rock area and Morriston Park are working together to publicise the heritage of Swansea's heyday as a global capital of copper manufacturing and the heritage features of the Lower Swansea Valley. Funding secured from the National Lottery Awards for All Wales programme has supported this work.

As part of this programme of work, free heritage walks are being held to explore the history of three key sites and to raise awareness of local heritage within the community, as well as encouraging more volunteers to join the friends groups.

The walks offer an opportunity for residents and visitors to learn more about local heritage.

On Saturday, August 20, a walk takes place in Morriston Park from 10am-noon. This will be an opportunity to learn about the history of the park which was first opened to the public in 1912. There will be detail about the rich industrial legacy left by the Morris family who first laid out the grounds in the 18th Century. Those attending will meet at the memorial inside Park Lodge Road entrance.

The following day - Sunday, August 21, a walk will take place at the Hafod Morfa Copperworks from11am-1pm. Those attending will explore the banks of the River Tawe and learn about the thriving and vast copper industry that put Swansea on the world map. Meet opposite the Park & Ride building at Landore.

On Tuesday, August 23, a walk will take place at White Rock from 11am-1pm. Meet in the White Rock car park. To secure your place for this walk, email info@friendsofwhiterock.org.uk.

The Lower Swansea Valley became the world leading centre for copper smelting in the 18th century. The Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site is of international importance, becoming the world's largest copperworks in the latter part of the 19th century and early 20th century. 

The council secured the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant for the expansive Hafod-Morfa site's transformation work, with additional works to other historical buildings in the vicinity supported by Welsh Government Transforming Towns funding. 

The council worked with partners - including Penderyn and Swansea University - to create the National Lottery Heritage Fund bid.

The council made a series of policy commitments in June to deliver support - in the subsequent 100 days - to communities that will make a real difference to people's lives. Continuing to redevelop the copperworks site was one of those commitments.

More:

www.friendsofwhiterock.org.uk

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