Council Backs Plans to Mark 100th Anniversaries of National Lido of Wales, Bandstand, and Memorial in Pontypridd Park

Councillors have backed plans to mark the 100th anniversaries of the National Lido of Wales, a bandstand, and a memorial to the father and son who wrote the Welsh national anthem.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is looking at how it can mark the upcoming centenaries of all three which are located in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park in Pontypridd.
Ynysangharad War Memorial Park cabinet sub-committee gave its backing to  plans to celebrate the upcoming centenaries of the bandstand, the National Lido of Wales, and the Evan James and James James memorial in the park.
The Grade II-listed Lido Ponty was originally built in 1927 and will celebrate
its centenary in 2027.
The lido closed in 1991 and re-opened in 2015 following a restoration project that returned it to its former glory.
The council is proposing that it explores a way in which to mark the lido’s
centenary during 2027 subject to budget availability and with the agreement of the trustees.
This year marks a centenary since the opening of the permanent
bandstand in 1926.
The council and the community, particularly those organisations linked
with Calon Taf, have an interest in marking the bandstand’s centenary and
there is an opportunity to schedule this into the calendar for 2026.
The council is proposing that an official event is held to mark the bandstand’s
centenary, with the agreement of the trustees, and that this be scheduled
for September giving time to engage with key stakeholders identified
by trustees and council officers.
A budget for this has been identified as part of the 2026-27 events programme.
The council also proposes the centenary be commemorated by the
placement of a designed plaque on the bandstand subject to budget availability and with the approval of the trustees.
Unveiled on July 23, 1930, the Grade II*-listed Evan James and James
James memorial, designed by renowned Welsh sculptor Sir W Goscombe
John, celebrates its centenary in 2030.
The memorial commemorates the father and son who were the lyricist and composer of Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, the Welsh national anthem, and consists of two bronze allegorical figures representing poetry and music rather than statues of the two men.
The council is proposing that it explores a way in which to mark the
memorial’s centenary during 2030 subject to budget availability and with the agreement of the trustees.
Councillor Maureen Webber, chair of the committee and deputy leader of the council, said they should celebrate the centenary of the bandstand.
“It’s a significant feature in the park. It’s a beautiful bandstand,” she said.
The councillor added that the public love the fact they can go there and enjoy music from all different genres and that it has a huge part to play in the running of the park.
Councillor Christina Leyshon said she agreed with having celebrations for the bandstand, the Lido and the Evan James and James James memorial.
Leader of the council Councillor Ann Crimmings said she’s happy to support  potential activities as part of the celebrations while being mindful of spend.
She said the venue as a tourist attraction is fantastic and that people come there from all over adding that there’s a health and well-being element as well as a cultural one.
The committee report states: “The centenary of the bandstand, the lido, and the Evan James and James James memorial presents a valuable opportunity to celebrate its historical significance, its recent restoration and its ongoing contribution to community life.
“It also provides a platform to further strengthen partnerships with local organisations and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the area.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​