Community and Heritage
Growth of a Mining Community
Wattstown developed during the late nineteenth century as the National Colliery brought employment and new families into the Rhondda Fach. Homes, chapels and community facilities grew around the pit, shaping the strong village identity that continues today. Like many valley communities, life revolved around hard work, family and supporting one another through both good times and tragedy.
Wattstown RFC stands proudly at the heart of a community shaped by strength, sacrifice and togetherness. The National Colliery disaster of 1905, which claimed the lives of 119 local men and boys, remains one of the most significant moments in the village’s history. The loss was felt in almost every street and home, leaving a lasting mark on generations that followed.
Today, the club plays an important role in keeping that spirit of unity alive. As we remember those who lost their lives, we also recognise the resilience and pride that continue to define Wattstown. Through sport, community events and shared remembrance, Wattstown RFC honours its heritage while bringing people together for the future.
National Colliery Wattstown - 1905
Printing the story of Wattstown rugby through the generations
Glenside Printing has been an integral part of Wattstown RFC for many years, proudly producing the club’s matchday programmes and standing as one of its longest serving and most valued sponsors. Based in the heart of Wattstown, the business has supported the club through generations, helping to capture and share the stories of players, supporters and memorable moments on and off the field.
At the centre of Glenside Printing’s story was the late Robert “Glyn” Davies, who dedicated more than seven decades to serving his community through his craft. Known for his unwavering commitment, attention to detail and warm nature, Glyn left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Even in his later years he remained an active presence within the business, continuing to invest in its future and embracing new technology, including the purchase of digital equipment just weeks before his passing.
More than a respected professional, Glyn was a true gentleman whose kindness and generosity were widely felt throughout Wattstown and beyond. His legacy continues today through the relationships he built and the values he lived by. His son Johnathan now carries that legacy forward, continuing to support the club and remaining a trusted and dependable presence whenever Wattstown RFC needs him.
