In the early 1970s I was a volunteer with Transitions Community Arts, based in Cardiff, when we took some of our work to the village of Glyncorrwg. Through participatory theatre events and art and craft activities, children were encouraged to engage with a story, solve problems and create a performance. In Glyncorrwg, we were warmly welcomed by Julian Tudor Hart and his wife, Mary, and given the use of their house as our base for costume changes while we were there.

It seemed to us that their household was a significant hub for the community, which at the time was gravely affected by high unemployment following the closure of the coal mine. We also felt, and very much appreciated, that they took seriously our modest (and at the time unusual) contribution to the lives of the village’s children and young people.