Rocking all over the Valleys

Mar 6 2008 by Gordon Caldecott, Rhymney Valley Express

LET’S rock!

As the Express exclusively reveals this week, the mighty Status Quo are coming to Merthyr this summer.

So if you or Caroline fancy getting Down Down to Cyfarthfa Castle because you want to know what Mystery Song the Quo will be playing and What You’re Proposing is to be Rockin’ All Over The World, then we suggest that Whatever You Want can be satisfied if you take a Paper Plane to Merthyr Tydfil to enjoy some of the Wild Side of Life.

If you don’t, well you might as well be Living On An Island or In The Army Now.

We could point out that the Quo could visit the Castle and see pictures of our matchstick man, but thought that might be going too far.

OK, sorry for all the puns – but here at the Express , we are a bit excited.

The concert, coming 12 months after Donny Osmond’s return home, will help increase the profile of Merthyr Tydfil and the Valleys on the national tourism map.

Tourism is the buzz word for 2008 and some would say it’s about time too.

For far too long the “Valleys” have been buried under the stereotype of mines, choirs and sheep, preventing those from outside from seeing our true colours.

We have a lot to offer. True, our history is among the most exciting in the UK – being as we are a crucible of industry, unionism and socialism – but our future, as a base to explore the Brecon Beacons, our Valleys and beyond, is unquestionable.

Let’s hope that the thousands who will flock to Merthyr will go away with happy memories, will want to return and to tell others of the pleasant time they had here.

That is the challenge that faces not only the local authorities but everyone who wants to spread the message: the Valleys’ status quo has changed – come and look anew.