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Schoolchildren and Mayor unveil bench for people to visit lost village

News | Emily Janes | Published: 16:00, Friday May 26th, 2023.

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The bench was unveiled by Caerphilly Mayor Mike Adams

More than 50 years ago a village called Penybank stood in the Darran Valley. 

It was a tiny place with never more than 150 residents, a few short streets, a chapel, a school and a pub.  

In the 1960s it was demolished after it was badly damaged in an earth tremor.

Now, the Darran Valley History Group wants to encourage people to come and visit this lost village by installing a bench close to the former site. 

The bench is positioned close to a sign, which was also put up by the History Group, outlining a short history of the village. 

Darran Valley History Group put up a sign about the village

It is hoped that the bench will make the site more accessible by allowing people to rest after reaching the sign.

The bench was unveiled in a ceremony on May 24, which was attended by Caerphilly County Borough mayor Mike Adams, history group chair Mary Button and schoolchildren from Deri and Fochriw. 

After the ceremony, the children from Deri read a short history of the village, while Fochriw school performed a poem they had written.

The bench is made from recycled plastics and was bought by the history group, which received funds from a local grant scheme.

The lost village of Penybank can be accessed via a cycleway and footpath through Parc Cwm Darran.

Students from Deri and Fochriw schools with former residents of Penybank

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Brian Jarrett
Brian Jarrett
Caerphilly Media
Brian Jarrett

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