A very special visitor was welcomed at Rhondda Heritage Park Museum this week as Mr Bert Reynolds returned to the South Wales Valleys.
Mr Reynolds was one of thousands of child evacuees who escaped the bombing of London and were welcomed into the homes of the people of South Wales during World War II.
At the tender age of 8, along with his brother aged 7, Mr Reynolds was sent from his home in Islington, London and spent just over 2 years in Ynyshir. He has never forgotten the kindness showed to him by the people of the valleys or the beauty of the countryside itself.
Mr Reynolds, now aged 90, currently resides in Saffron Walden, England but made a return visit to the place he once called home this week. He was welcomed to Rhondda Heritage Park Museum by Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Heritage team who showed him the World War II exhibition currently on display and were privileged to hear some of Mr Reynolds poignant memories of the Rhondda Valleys during wartime.
Mr Reynold’s house was destroyed by bombs and when he arrived in the valleys, he said he couldn’t believe how much quieter it was without the planes and the explosions. He also told the team that when peace was declared, people walked up into the mountains with coloured candles in jars which lit up the valleys at night.
Rhondda Heritage Park Museum is located in Trehafod near Pontypridd and welcomes thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. The exhibitions in the downstairs and upstairs galleries are free to view and the underground tour, led by ex-miners, gives a fascinating insight into the life of miners. School trips are also catered for with a great range of curriculum-based activities.
To book an undergound tour, and for more information, please visit www.rhonddaheritagepark.com
Posted on 28/06/2024