A campaign to display a huge work of art created by adults with learning difficulties in Ystrad Mynach has received the backing of well-loved broadcaster Roy Noble.
The rug-like tapestry depicts the history of the Rhymney Valley, from the Norman invasion of Britain in 1066, to the closure of the last colliery in the valley, Penallta, in 1991.
Made by eight clients at what was the Ystrad Mynach Day Centre between approximately 1988 and 1996, the tapestry aimed to beat the world record length of the Bayeux Tapestry of 70 metres.
But, the tapestry, which depicts the building of Caerphilly Castle, the first iron forge in Machen and the Universal Colliery disaster in Senghenydd, falls just short of the record.
Trevor Parry, 60, whose brother Martin, 57, worked on the tapestry, is now looking for somewhere to display it.
The tapestry has previously been displayed at Caerphilly Castle and twice in Lannion, Caerphilly’s twin town, most recently in 2011.
Since then it has been rolled up in storage at Ystrad Mynach Community Resource.
Mr Parry said: “My brother has Alzheimer’s and he would love to see it on display, but probably wouldn’t remember it unfortunately, although seeing it might jog his memory.
“It’s going to waste and there’s a hell of a lot of work gone into it, all by hand.
“We are quite prepared to raise money, if someone says we want it and this is the cost of putting it up we’ll raise it.”
Museums and galleries have been contacted in previous years, but the size, weight and cost of installing the artwork has made it difficult to find permanent home.
Wendy Hatton, whose husband Graham designed the tapestry after researching the Rhymney Valley’s history, would also love to see the art on display.
Mrs Hatton said: “I would be thrilled to bits to see it on display because it’s something Graham was proud of, and when I saw it up in Caerphilly Castle it was beautiful.
“It’s such a shame, it’s a work of art, not just because my husband designed it, but because of the work the clients put in.”
The tapestry has also found a fan in broadcaster Roy Noble, who has been filming for S4C in the Rhymney Valley and made a plea on his BBC Radio Wales show to find it a new home.
Mr Noble said: “It would be great to see it displayed because it would be great for children to walk along it and see the passing of time.”
• If you know of a good home, or would like to help with fundraising, call Ystrad Mynach Community Resource on 01443 815589.