CELEBRATIONS Blue plaque at park honours life of historic miners’ leader

THE life and work of one of the country’s most prominent trade union leaders has been commemorated in South Wales.

Rhondda Heritage Park is now home to a Blue Plaque commemorating the achievements of Arthur James Cook, known as AJ Cook, who was general secretary of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain from 1924 until 1931, which included leading the miners during the 1926 General Strike.

Funded by the Association of Friends of Rhondda Heritage Park, the unveiling of the Blue Plaque was conducted by Rhondda Cynon Taf Mayor Rhys Lewis.

The welcome address was given by retired miner David Owen, also the chairman of the association, followed by a speech from former Lewis Colliery miner Ivor England.

There were performances from Cor Meibion Cwm Rhondda, The Plough Singers, Hafod Primary School Choir and The Lewis Merthyr Band.

A large crowd enjoyed the day and everyone joined in the singing of the Welsh national anthem, following the hymn Cwm Rhondda, which was written in 1905 by John Hughes and performed at Capel Rhondda in Hopkinstown in 1907.

Coun Lewis said: “It gave me great pleasure to unveil the Blue Plaque in honour of one of the country’s most famous trade union leaders in history.

“Arthur James Cook worked on the site of Rhondda Heritage Park decades ago, in the days when it was Lewis Merthyr Colliery.

“He was general secretary of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain from 1924 until 1931, which included during one of the most turbulent times in mining history – the 1926 General Strike.

“It was AJ Cook who famously coined the phrase ‘not a penny off the pay, not a minute on the day.’ I am delighted that he has been honoured with a Blue Plaque and for that I applaud the efforts of the Association of the Friends of Rhondda Heritage Park.”

The event ended with a talk on the life of AJ Cook by David Chapple.

Visitors can follow in the footsteps of the coal miners by taking part in a unique Underground Tour Experience led by retired colliers.