Upper Rhymney Valley Through Time is a fascinating guide to the rich history of an important South Wales valley. Covering more than a century, the photographs give us a fascinating glimpse of life in the age of photography. Once a beautifully wooded valley with crystal clear streams flowing into rivers plentiful with fish, it was despoiled by the arrival of ironworks and the associated pits.

Over the last few decades, things have changed dramatically. Gone are the open spaces, the cinemas, and the small family businesses. Instead we have bingo halls, supermarkets, travel agents, building societies, charity shops, and scores of new housing estates. In perusing these pages, the reader is invited to look closely at the Rhymney Valley’s transformation and to appreciate that life as we know it is only arecent invention.