Friends of the Mid: Welsh History

“The Mid-Rhondda Athletic Field, or the ‘Track’ as we called it, has been at the heart of Tonypandy for over a century. Here people came to watch and play games, to hold their carnivals and sports days, and to congregate together whether in protest or celebration. It is a crucial part of the Rhondda’s rich heritage and is the very soul of Tonypandy. What it symbolises, in private memory and public history, is immeasurable; what it can still give the community as it is re-charged as an inherited legacy to be cherished for communal use by this truly exciting and imaginative Project is, in my opinion, almost of incalculable benefit for all. “

Professor Dai Smith CBE (President Rhondda Civic Society)

Your Suggestions Please

'Save the Mid' is the start of a campaign to save an historic community asset for the benefit of future generations.

At this time we are looking for:

1. Expressions of Support - please Like our Facebook Page Click Here.

2. Suggestions of how the ground could be developed for community use. Please use the Comment Box below each Post or visit our Facebook Page to Post suggestions.

3. Should we be successful we will be looking for people to form a Committee or Working Group. If you are prepared to get involved please let us know by posting a comment here or on our Facebook Page.

Without the support of our community there is little chance of success. Please support this community campaign.

Comments

Brought up in Ely St, where the track is at the bottom of the road. As a young child growing up the freedom and joy I benefitted from was wonderful, and where children could be children. Families gathered to celebrate occasions, school sports, golf, jogging. It is essential that there is a wide open space like the track for the health and well being of all the people in the area. It is essential that as times continue to change that these open spaces are becoming absolutely necessary for the family of all ages and generations to be able to use. It is also a vital habitat of wildlife among the meadow flowers and long grasses that grow along the edges of the track. The long history of the track is also a jewel in Tonypandy's crown. The track must be saved as a wide-open space for all. After this pandemic of 2020 this space will be needed more than ever after such a prolonged lock down. (J. Thomas)

There are enough houses in this small Town and what is needed is a recreational area with trees, flowers, shrubs. This then can bring in wildlife for us to enjoy and this can be somewhere safe to walk around for the less mobile people. (S. Richards)

The 'Track/Mid' is of huge importance to Tonypandy, its surrounding area and to those of us who live here. It has monumental local historical importance while serving as one of the, if not the last green space for our children and future generations of our children to enjoy. Invest and Preserve . . . (M. Rowlands)

I spent all my childhood in this place, it needs to stay. (J. Shallish)

I spent so much of my childhood playing here, as it was at the end of my street. It has been with the community for generations and should be utilised for the good of the community. It should be used for local sports teams, children's fitness, for the local super school sports teams. (E. Phelan)

This a great community resource that was a key place in my development. (J. Williams)

As a Rhondda Boy I believe we need to preserve and remember our heritage. (D. L. Davies)

Used it all the time as a kid, the history of the place is one to cherish, there's plenty of empty homes in the Rhondda. Houses are not needed. Facilities for all ages are though. (I. Thomas)

What an amazing place! I played lots of football up that field as a kid, and there was some good rugby games played on that field too. (B. Lloyd)

I grew up with this field at the end of my street. I spent so much time there as a child as there was nowhere else to go playing. In this era where playing spaces are vanishing it’s important to hold on to the few remaining. (S. Lewis)

Too many sports grounds are being lost. (D. Mumford)

Destroying the community does not equal rebuilding the community. Taking away vital amenities from a community and then increasing the population only divides communities and contributes to antisocial incidents and crime. (D. Harris)

We need to preserve health enhancing local facilities and resist the urge to replace them with houses. There’s plenty of land elsewhere to build. (G. Roberts)

Belongs to the community not the local Authority to sell for financial gain. Green space for Children sport and recreation not unneeded housing. (D. Jefford-Baker)

To support preservation of local history and land marks. (C. Keetch)

Field was to be used for educational purposes which could include community group usage, not for Local Authority profit. (W. Matthews)

We don't need more houses. We need green places. (V. Williams)

There are probably enough empty properties in the area which could be brought back into use for housing. Green open space is vitally important for physical and emotional wellbeing--"green-lungs"--coupled with indiginous deciduous trees for the future. (W. Morris)

I am fed up with houses springing up everywhere. Green spaces are ESSENTIAL to quality of life. (L. Shurey)

Green spaces are essential for quality of community life. There are enough houses being built already. (H. Shurey)

The Track is unique and was dedicated specifically for cultural and educational purposes. It is the lungs of the valley and must be protected. (B. Roberts)

Far to many green field site are being used for housing there are more than enough brown site for redevelopment. (R. Webber)

For another community resource to be taken from the Rhondda would be disastrous. (G. Todd-Jones)

Our heritage should be honoured and not used for council profits . . . (Phil Willams)

Born in Tonypandy and lived no more than a few yards from the 'Mid". It is a place of great history for the people of the Rhondda and should be preserved and developed - unlike many other historical sites that have been destroyed or left to rot. Save the 'Mid'! (Gordon Scammell)

I support the local effort. (Malcolm Evans)

I'm signing because this green space should not only be maintain but turned into an asset for the community. A tragic shame if it turns into yet another housing project! (Ian Martin)

Mid Rhondda was part of my childhood. (Neil Martin)

Concerned about proposed loss of historic and currently well used amenity. (David Lloyd)

I'm signing because I believe the 'mid' is a vital resource to the local residents in the form of an open green space that allows walking, dog walking, picnics and all other such activities that enhance wellbeing, physical & mental health. The space should be maintained and developed to ensure its primary purpose is to benefit the local community. (Tracey Martin)

I am signing this petition to add my support in saving this historical venue from housing development. (Mike Evans)

There is limited open spaces for children and adults in the area to enjoy. ( Laurence Matuszczyk)

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