The Valleys -

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53 Results

Arthur Linton

Champion Cyclist of the World - in 1894!

World champion cyclist Arthur Linton was as famous as Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggins in the 1890s, when cyclists from South Wales led the world of international cycle racing.

Howard Winstone

'Children born in the tough valleys town were so angry that they came out with their fists clenched!' (Eddie Thomas (Winstone's trainer))

A young man from Merthyr, who had lost three fingers in a factory accident, may seem an unlikely candidate for a world champion boxer. Yet that’s exactly what happened to Howard Winstone who became bantam weight world champion in 1968.

Max Boyce

The Valleys' Bard

A Welsh legend, entertainer and singer from the heart of the Valleys.

R J Jandrell

This heroic volunteer helped to make the Atlantic safe during WW2

Cwmcarn born Royden Jandrell swam through the flooded lower deck of HMS Rodney, sealing off inundated areas to prevent his ship from sinking during the Battle of the Atlantic in May 1941. His heroic actions helped make the waters of the north Atlantic safe from German attack for which he was awarded the DSM.

Sidney Gilchrist Thomas

‘These two young men, Thomas and Gilchrist of Blaenavon, did more for Britain's greatness than all the Kings and Queens put together.’ ( Andrew Carnegie)

A global hero of industry; in the 1870s, his experiments at Blaenavon Ironworks led to a boom in steel making that echoed around the world.

Dafydd Williams

Shaper of the modern world

This shaper of the modern world drafted the first constitution of the French Revolution, assisted with writing the American Constitution and founded the Royal Literary Fund.

Zephaniah Williams

Chartist Leader who was transported to Australia in 1840 for his part in the Newport Rising.

Blunt, bold speaking Zephaniah Williams held strong radical views and led Chartists from the Eastern Valleys to Newport during the Chartist Rising of 1839.

John Cynan Jones

Pentre-born John Cynan Jones conducted the Treorchy Male Choir for 22 years at more than 600 public performances.

Archibald Hood

Engineer and Rhondda coal owner who built the Scotch Terraces - homes with gardens for his workers.

Archibald Hood was a well-known 19th century Scottish engineer who became a prominent figure in the south Wales coal industry.

Joseph Parry

Famed on both sides of the Atlantic for his music

Joseph Parry was the composer of one of the most famous Welsh tunes - Myfanwy - and one of the best loved hymns - Aberystwyth. He was born in Merthyr Tydfil in 1841.

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