The Resolven Miners

In the past decade, there has been a noticeable increase in cognitive decline, specifically linked to memory loss and its impact on emotional encoding (Hallam and Walters, 2022). Our memories play a significant role in shaping the identity of urban settlements and villages, preserving the stories that were once shared. Self-expression, self-awareness, and mindfulness have been identified as key factors in memory retention, benefiting individual well-being. The concept of 'Relive Resolven' emerges as a center for excellence in the arts, fostering intergenerational learning and providing platforms for activities that promote self-expression and storytelling.

The primary aim of 'Relive Resolven' is to engage older generations, the storytellers of the community, and provide them with a sense of purpose (Cameron, 2022). The agenda of the project aligns with the goal of minimizing loneliness, improving health, and enhancing education within the neighborhood (United for all ages, 2010). These objectives are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 4, which focus on ensuring healthy lives for all and promoting lifelong learning opportunities (2015). Through the center, the project aims to contribute to the overall well-being and development of the community.

Resolven, like many other villages in the 19th century, developed around the mining history of the Neath-Glynneath valley. The establishment of the Miner's Welfare Center was intended to unite the community; however, its subsequent decline has raised concerns about attracting visitors to the welfare center. Furthermore, a disconnection has emerged regarding the preservation of the area's memory within the valley. This project seeks to reconnect individuals to the memory and identity of the area, embracing the narratives passed down by residents, the collective history represented by the miner's welfare, the unity of the village, and the overarching memory held within the valley.

The reliving of memory requires giving new purpose and meaning to the existing framework, using the skeleton of the past (Rossi, 1966, p.7). The valley is viewed as the custodian of collective memory, disconnected from individuals. To bridge this gap, a three-step approach is proposed. Firstly, connecting individuals to the design of the Miner's Welfare Center, emphasizing its permanence and significance within the greater timeline of the valley's importance. Secondly, an extension is suggested to enhance physical connectivity through green connections and alleyways, inviting people to engage with the center. Finally, conservation works are proposed to visually frame views towards the valley, commemorating the past and reinstating the collective memory