Exciting New Memorial Project Confirmed as Spanish Civil War Heritage Collaboration Continues

Following our recent update on the Catalonia excavation programme, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council confirms the next phase of its international Spanish Civil War heritage collaboration, with pupils from Porth Community School designing a memorial connecting Rhondda Cynon Taf to the Ebro and Malgrat de Mar through shared remembrance.

With funding approved, the Council is working with partners including Porta De la Història Cultural Association and Solidarity Park Association to co-create a series of connected memorials, with the first planned for Rhondda Cynon Taf. A matching memorial is intended for Catalonia to be placed near Hill 481, the area associated with Tonypandy-born miner Harry Dobson 's fatal wounding.

A further matching installation is then planned for 2027 at Solidarity Park in Malgrat de Mar, a creative tribute to the volunteers who supported the Spanish Republic, including those who lost their lives during the sinking of Cuidad de Barcelona (an International Brigades ship).

At the heart of this project are pupils from Porth Community School, who recently took part in two creative sessions led by sculptor and founder of the Solidarity Park project, Rob MacDonald. This included an introductory session on the project and its history, followed by a practical workshop where students explored hands-on sculpting and stonemasonry techniques. During the session, pupils learned how to handle the tools safely and used them to carve into stone.

Students also developed their own original artwork for 30cm discs, inspired by the maritime porthole designs that feature on Solidarity Park's living memorial. All designs will be presented to a judging panel, which will select one winning entry to be added to the memorial.

A public event is planned for 10am on June 13 at Rhondda Heritage Park to feature an exhibition of all pupil designs and announce the winning entry. The event will coincide with the 90^th anniversary of the Battle of De Winton Field (June 11). A Blue Plaque unveiling will follow in the afternoon, starting at 1.30pm at Cambrian Colliery (NUM) lodge in Tonypandy. The events are both open to all, and the Council encourages local people to come along and take part in this shared act of remembrance.

Further details of this exciting international heritage collaboration will be released as the project continues to progress.

Councillor Maureen Webber BEM, Deputy Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Armed Forces Champion, said: "This next chapter is about involving local schoolchildren in shaping remembrance for those who lost their lives in the Spanish Civil War. By working with Porta de la Historia Cultural Association and the Solidarity Park project, we've invited students from Porth Community School with an interest in history and art to design a porthole-style memorial that connects Rhondda Cynon Taf with the Ebro and Malgrat de Mar.

"This is a powerful international heritage collaboration that honours those who stood against fascism almost ninety years ago and allows us to do it in a way that connects classrooms in Rhondda to the landscapes in Spain through shared remembrance.

"I am proud that our Heritage Service is helping classrooms turn learning into legacy and look forward to seeing the creativity that local young people bring to remembrance through our planned community events."

Solidarity Park is a socio-cultural project launched by artist Rob MacDonald in 2016 after reading about his namesake, a Scottish brigadier who sank with the Cuidad de Barcelona, alongside other International Brigaders. This led to the creation of a living monument on the beach in Malgrat de Mar in 2022, brought to life with the help of over 700 participants who carved the stone figures during street festivals and public workshops. Placed opposite the spot where the Ciudad de Barcelona sank, the site is an annual international festival that reclaims the values of the International Brigades (solidarity, liberty, and equality) through art, education, and memory.

For more information, please visit their website: Solidarity Park

Porta de la Història Cultural Association is a co-operative (currently in formation) initiative of individuals living in Catalunya, Spain and abroad who have a fascination with the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and the social struggles that preceded and followed it.

For more information, they can be found online via:

To find out more about our heritage exhibitions and collections, please visit: Rhondda Cynon Taf | Our Heritage

Posted on 28/05/2026