BBC Radio Wales has launched a new two part series ‘From Despair to Where? The Valleys Then, Now and in the Future’ influenced by Professor Brad Evans’ latest book, 'How Black was My Valley: Poverty and Abandonment in a Post-Industrial Heartland'.

During the episodes, Brad is joined by the former Labour MP for Cynon Valley, Beth Winter, to journey through the Welsh valleys addressing the past and questioning what the future holds.

Commenting on the series, Professor Evans (Director of the Centre for the Study of Violence at Bath) said:

Going back into the valleys of South Wales was an emotional and humbling experience.

We encountered so many wonderful people doing their best to restore some kind of dignity to their lives and fight back against the decades of abandonment and neglect.

Despite these efforts, it was however difficult to see the persistent clouds of depression lingering over the valleys, which has created a sense of hopelessness for many.

Challenges of the past and present

On every conceivable register, the valleys of South Wales sit among the top of league tables of human suffering in the United Kingdom and indeed wider European zones.

The region is at the epicentre of some of the most pressing social concerns, which statisticians show are only getting worse, which have been amplified by factors like the rise of a more intolerant politics.

Problems span lasting unemployment that blighting generations; chronic physical health concerns and malnourishment; high rates of depression and male suicide, which are amongst the highest in the country; endemic child poverty; disturbing levels of domestic abuse; and widespread alcoholism and drug addiction.

Memories of the region

Professor Evans’ book and the series draw upon his own experiences of growing up in conditions of acute poverty, including his memories of living on one of the nation’s most impoverished and notorious social housing estates.

Having spoken of the shame of being poor, his honest portrayal of the valleys has received notable acclaim. Providing an official endorsement for the book, the former leader of the British Labour Party, the right honourable Lord Neil Kinnock, who was also born in the region stated:

Brad Evans’ captivating history of south Wales is written with authentic authority. It is evocative and excellent in every possible way”.

Both Brad and Beth were born in the same year. She went away for university and for work, but she felt impelled to return, and was, until last year, the MP for Cynon Valley.

As the series tells, they share a deep love for the place and exchange some happy memories of growing up here. They are also agreed that the valleys have suffered the worst kinds of extractions and abandonments, while being very concerned about what the future for the valleys holds, especially for the young.

As Brad further adds:

Perhaps the most sobering encounters I had when recording the series was listening to a group of young girls, for whom the future already seems foreclosed.

There was a desperation to their voices, which was so sad and difficult to hear”.

Brad however doesn't want to feel defeated by this, adding:

If my encounter with young people of the valleys reaffirms anything it's the importance of dignity in people’s lives and the need to give the young especially reasons to believe the future can be different from the past. To that end, education, training and opportunities have to be a key component in any viable sense of recovery.

Listen to the episodes

From Despair to Where? The Valleys Then, Now and in the Future - episode 1 – airs on BBC Radio Wales at 6.30pm on Monday March 10 and will then be available on BBC Sounds. Episode 2 will be broadcast on March 17th. Episode 1 is called "Meeting Myself Coming Back" and Episode 2 is called "Finding a place in the future."

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