Songwriting Project Inspires Port Talbot Heritage Revival 2026

In Port Talbot, a groundbreaking songwriting project called Cân y Cymoedd (When Valleys Sing) is inspiring residents to tune into their heritage and combat the modern plague of doomscrolling. By transforming local history into music, the initiative fosters community bonds and cultural pride.

Reviving Heritage Through Songwriting

Growing up in Wales, Liz Puleston-Jones was familiar with the country’s rich heritage of storytelling and traditional music, but none of it ever seemed to have much of a connection to her life in Swansea. Researching the history of the area as part of Cân y Cymoedd, a project in nearby Port Talbot, she came across the story of Isabel Thomas, a 14-year-old girl in the 1940s who left school and lied about her age to work in a tin plate works to support her family. “Her story really spoke to me,” said Puleston-Jones. “Before I did this, I didn’t really have a connection to the history and storytelling aspect of folk music, and how much it’s about community and telling the stories of normal people ... Anyone can be part of a tune, and write a tune, and share it.” Thomas’s story has now been celebrated in song form as part of the project from Wales’s national folk arts organisation, Trac Cymru.

Community Workshops and Creative Collaboration

At Cân y Cymoedd community and school workshops, musicians, historians and volunteers have helped each group uncover stories at local heritage sites and museums, and channelled their findings into the creation of two dozen new compositions about local life in Rhondda Cynon Taf and Neath Port Talbot. For many participants, the workshops have rekindled a sense of cultural pride and belonging in the community. Jenny Pope, who took part in the sessions in Port Talbot, said: “For me, it was about connecting with others and learning about our shared history. It’s amazing what you discover when you start digging into the past.”

Impact on Community and Well-being

Participants report that the project has not only enriched their understanding of local heritage but also improved their mental well-being by providing a creative outlet away from screens. The act of songwriting together fosters collaboration and a sense of purpose, countering the isolation often associated with excessive social media use.

Key Takeaways

• Songwriting projects can effectively reconnect communities with local history.
• Creative collaboration reduces screen time and enhances well-being.
• Heritage-based initiatives foster cultural pride and social cohesion.
• Programs like Cân y Cymoedd are replicable in other regions.

Expanding the Initiative

Due to its success, Trac Cymru plans to extend the project to other parts of Wales, hoping to inspire more communities to explore their heritage through music. The model demonstrates how arts can drive economic and social revitalisation in post-industrial areas like Port Talbot.

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