Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

An exhibition showing Wales’ long relationship with coal mining is showing in New Tredegar. 

Miner, mining and miners, a free photography exhibition by Maesycwmmer Camera Club, is showing at the Winding House until August 5.

The exhibition aims to show the country’s complex history with the industry and how it has left its mark on local communities, helping to shape them but also leaving behind an array of problems.

There are over 20 photographs, all in black and white, which show different aspects of mining.

Paul Holt, 71, chairman of the Camera Club told Caerphilly Observer more about the show. 

“All members have photos up there,” said Paul, “it’s quite impressive.”

Though the club is relatively new and has only been running for five years, this is the group’s fourth exhibition. 

Paul continued: “Each year they’re getting better.”

This show, however, is different as it’s in honour of the club’s late founder and former chairman, Haydn Jenkins. 

“Really the exhibition is something that he wanted to do,” said Paul, “in his honour, we’ve done it.”

Paul said that it was quite a “difficult” subject matter as mines in south Wales are “no longer”, showing instead what remains. 

Photographs include mining lamps and pithead baths where miners would clean the day off, as well as darker and more poignant memories of the industry such as the Aberfan disaster. 

The club has around 20 members, some which are new to photography and some, like Paul, who are lifelong photographers.

“I’ve been taking photographs from the age of 14,” said Paul, “I just like to get out and about.”

Maesycwmmer Camera Club meet every Tuesday at Lewis Street Methodist Church, Ystrad Mynach.