Welcome to/ Croeso i
Maesteg
The historical market town of Maesteg
is set in the heart of the Llynfi Valley, with its neighbouring villages of
Llangynwyd, Garth, Cwmfelin, Nantyffyllon and Caerau.
Hen Wled Fy Nhadau
(The Welsh National Anthem) had its first public
performed at the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel of Tabor in Maesteg on March 1st
1856. Composed by James James and his father Evan James of Pontypridd , it was
sung by 16 year old Elizabeth John also from Pontypridd as part of a St. David's
Day concert under its original title of 'Glan Rhondda'.
The surrounding mountains pay tribute to the valleys historical past,
from early burial mounds and the earthworks of a Roman camp to the last
remaining signs of the once great coal and iron mining industry, while the
surrounding villages have their own stories to tell:
Ancient Llangynwyd with its church and the Old house pub which dates
back to 1147; it is said that Will Hopkin wrote the song 'Bugeilio'r Gwenith
Gwyn' here, and this pub is one of the few remaining pubs in Wales where you can
still witness the famous 'Mari Lwyd' tradition. The Old house along with the
Corner house pub (The home of Will Hopkin) both feature in the legend of the
Maid of Cefn Ydfa
While Garth, Nantyffyllon and Caerau grew around the coal mines of the
Victorian age They all have their own part to play in the development of the
valley
