NEWS

Tonypandy Community College is honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice when they launch their Rhondda Remembers World War I app today (Thursday March 9 2017).

Thanks to the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund the two-year project has culminated in the official launch of the App by Kirsty Williams, Cabinet Secretary for Education at the Welsh Government.

She said: “It is really important we continue to remember all those affected by the First World War, and commemorate the lives of those lost in conflict. It’s clear the pupils at Tonypandy Community College’s have worked incredibly hard to create this marvellous resource, which tells the “Rhondda Story” through the voices of its communities, families, schools, memorials, industry and entertainment.

Students produced an app for both ipads and Android tablets to collate resources, historical documents and investigations into the gallant heroes of the Mid Rhondda.

The project saw them research many aspects of the Great War, including the war memorials, stories of the fallen heroes and the effect on industry, entertainment, health, food supply and the role of women.

Students carried out their research in local libraries, Glamorgan Record Office and the Firing Line Museum of the Welsh Soldier in Cardiff Castle.

They have also been congratulated for their work by the descendants of war-time Prime Minister David Lloyd George.

A large group visited Belgium and France to pay tribute at the war cemeteries and memorials of Ypres and Mametz Wood where many members of the Rhondda Battalions are remembered.

It was also an opportunity for one student to become the first member of his family to visit the grave of his great-great-grandfather who fell in battle.

The App features an interactive war memorial, propaganda, images and information which tell an important story about the sacrifices made by Rhondda families.

It also features music and songs written and performed by students, along with rousing speeches of the period and even the gossiping Rhondda “mams” fighting for the right to vote.

The app has included many of the College faculties such humanities, performing arts and ICT with students developing their skills in media development, website production, blogging, film editing and song-writing.

Headteacher of Tonypandy Community College Nathan Prygodzicz said: “Thanks to this new app the people of the Rhondda remember those who fought for King and Country, those who gave their lives for our freedom and those who objected to war.

“The First World War reshaped society and Tonypandy Community College students have worked tirelessly to produce this exciting new digital media act of remembrance which makes a fitting tribute to those who fought a century ago.”