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Cordell Country

Celebrating the author who brought the people of south Wales to life!

Cordell took his inspiration from the people and the places of South Wales. Cordell Country will help you discover the locations and landscapes which touched him, so that you too can hear his characters, the 'voices of those lost people calling on the wind'.

Mini Saga Winners Announced!

Winners Announced - read the winning entries!

The Valleys - Heart and Soul of Wales

The Valleys website helps you explore all aspects of The Valleys - why not have a go at "How Valleys are you?" - the VQ test!

Go explore Cordell country! The area that inspired Cordell

Alexander Cordell, (1914 - 1997) was the author of Rape of the Fair Country, the best-selling novel which made the iron town of Blaenafon famous.

New Tonypandy history published!

A groundbreaking history of the Tonypandy Riots is being published by two former Rhondda school teachers following more than 40 years of tireless research.

David Maddox and Gwyn Evans, jointly recognised as local experts on the infamous 1910 event, have finally published their extensive archive of unique images, never-before-seen government papers and interviews with the rioters themselves.

Copies of “The Tonypandy Riots 1910-1911” by David Maddox and Gwyn Evans are available, priced £15.00 plus postage and packing by emailing esis15@aol.com. The book will be officially launched at Rhondda Heritage Park at 6.30pm on Thursday, November 4^th. A book signing will also take place at Tonypandy Central Library on Wednesday 10th November at 6pm.

Buy "Rape of the Fair Country"

Although it was published over 50 years ago, this book continues to sell around the world. Pick up your copy in the library, a local book shop or buy online at GWales.com

Tonypandy programme - on iPlayer

On 7th November BBC Wales showed a fabulous programme on The Tony Pandy Riots - the actions that lead to the protest and the impact it had on the working conditions across the UK. Go to iPlayer and watch it for yourself!

Follow the new Cordell Blog

For up to date information on Cordell Country events and news - take a look at the new Cordell Fan Club Blog.

Guided tours

There are nearly 20 expert Cordell Country tour guides who can help you discover literary locations across Cordell Country - from the Vale of Neath, Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent and the Rhondda Valleys to the Vale of Usk.

Find out more about Cordell Country guides.