audience dispersed highly pleased with the evening’s entertainment. Mr. T. Jones accompanied the singing on the harmonium. Great credit is due to the Rev. T. L. Davies and Mr. T. Jones for their combined exertions in forming the readings; also to Mr. J. W. Thomas who conducted the singing, and to the two young ladies, the Misses Edwards and Thomas, for their able assistance rendered in the musical part of the programme.

“Merthyr Express” 16 December, 1865
Vochrhiw Readings   Another reading came off here last Thursday evening, and in no way was inferior to its predecessor. The Rev. H. Lewis made a very able chairman. The room was crowded to excess. Mr. Jones presided at the harmonium.

“Merthyr Express” 31 March, 1866
Penny Readings at Pantywaun     Following in the wake of their neighbours, the villagers of this thriving neighbourhood inaugurated their Penny Reading season on Tuesday last. Every seat was taken at the National School and many were standing. The readings were a triumphant success. Rev. Goyne, Home Missioner, who organized the readings, was chairman.

“Merthyr Express” 1 December, 1866
Vochriw Penny Readings   We are happy to say that the first of a series of amusing and instructive Penny Readings was held at Vochriw on Monday evening last. It is proposed to continue these meetings fortnightly. The Rev. D. Morgan was the chairman, and the following programme was carried out to the entire satisfaction of a large audience: Welsh reading, “Ifor Glan,” Mr. Hughes; duet, “A, B, C,” Mr. & Mrs. Harris; Welsh reading, Mr. Evans; Song, “The Farmer,” Mr. Hughes; Welsh reading, Rev. Morgan; Song, “Janet’s Choice,” Mrs. Hughes; Welsh reading, Mr. W. Richards; Song, Rev. Morgan; Reading, Mr. W. Richards.

“Merthyr Express” 22 December, 1866
Vochriw Penny Readings The second meeting was held on Monday evening last. The programme on this occasion was far superior to that recently recorded.  Rev. D. Davies, curate, Cwmysgwyddgwyn, was chairman, and the following was most warmly received: Welsh reading, Mr. W. Richards; duet, “The Gypsy Countess,” Mr. & Mrs. Harris; reading, “Badwyr Cwmtawe,” Mr. T. Evans; Song, “Y Gwenith Gwyn,” Rev. D. Davies; reading, “The Cockney Sportsman,” Mr. J. Jones; Song, “Smile and Fear,” Mr. M.A. Richards; Welsh recitation, Mr. W. Williams; Song, “Milly’s Faith,” Mrs. Harris; reading, “Y Llong ar Dan,” Rev. D. Davies; Song, “The Murmur of the Shell,” Miss Croft; reading, “Fy Anwyl Fam Fy Hunan,” Rev. D. Morgan; duet, “”All’s Well,” Rev. D. & M.D. Davies; song, “Y Fwyalchen,” Mrs. Harris.

“Merthyr Express” 20 November 1869
Vochrhiw Penny Readings   The first meeting of the season was held on Tuesday evening in the National School room under the presidency of M. Turner, surgeon. The Deri Glee Party contributed. Mr. W. A. Hopkins of Pontlottyn was on the harmonium.

“Merthyr Express” 25 February 1871
Benefit Concert   A grand complimentary benefit concert was given to Mrs. Harris of Vochriw on Thursday evening at the National School Room, Pontlottyn. Mrs. Harris has rendered great assistance at Penny Readings and other entertainments in the neighbourhood, and the committee determined on getting up this concert on a grand scale, and we are happy to say that it proved a decided success. The principal performers were Mr. & Mrs. Frost, Cardiff; Miss Annie Evans, Rhymney; Mrs. Harris, Vochriw; Mr. Robert Rees (Eos Morlais), Swansea; and the Bethania Glee Party, Dowlais. The whole of the pieces were given remarkably well, many of them being encored. Mr. Frost’s harp solos were considered the gems of the evening, as such no harp playing