Why do we talk about 'the Rhondda', not just 'Rhondda'? 'John On Rhondda' would sound odd, and most of us would say 'I was born in THE Rhondda' - but what's the reason for putting the definite article before the place-name? After all, it's not something we do commonly in English. John Geraint Roberts tries to explain...

In 1937, in New York, the 'Tonypandy Terror' fought the legendary Joe Louis for the World Heavyweight Championship. It was a night all of the Rhondda remembers because of the 'live' radio commentary, relayed over the transatlantic cable. But the story of Tommy Farr's rise through the ranks is just as gripping...

The first day of term! The whole world is a blank page in a fresh, new exercise book, and no-one's quite sure how it's going to be filled. John Geraint Roberts remembers his first day at Porth County, Hendrecafn Juniors and (almost!) Penygraig Infants.

Have you heard about the most influential Rhondda band you’ve never heard of – and why you should be grateful for that? The (literally) incredible story of the group who invented a whole new way of singing and playing, with their classic tracks ‘Tonypandy Ton Up’, ‘Penrhys’ and ‘Wales Today’. Warning: contains nuts.

Broadcast publicly for the first time in an entire century, the mellifluous melodies of the magnificent mid-Rhondda musical maestro and miner, Mr John Henry Tudball!

The National Eisteddfod has only ever visited the Rhondda once - but, as John Geraint Roberts explains, the Valley has certainly made an impact on the 'Olympics for Welsh-speakers'.

School's out - and John Geraint Roberts remembers the colourful summers of his childhood. Six weeks of freedom! But there was a secret about the long holidays, a secret he'd managed to forget since the previous summer... 

What do you make of your own accent? John Geraint Roberts is proud of his. But not everyone from the Rhondda thinks that local people talk 'proper'. So John decided to have a chat to someone he thought might cast some light on the issue - strangely, it was John Geraint Roberts himself.

Rhondda people love singing hymns and arias, ballads and rock anthems of all kinds... but have we got enough songs about the Rhondda to sing? John Geraint Roberts has used lots of music in his films about the Valley over the years, but he's still searching for The Great Rhondda Song...

Penrhys - a hilltop site of mystery, magic and miracles. For centuries, pilgrims flocked here hoping to be healed or blessed. It was a place of peace and reflection. But during the reign of Henry VIII, it could have sparked a rebellion...