“The Town and Trade of Tonyrefail”

The history of Tonyrefail and District Chamber of Trade dates back to at least early 1900s, where they would meet at ‘The Institute’ on the square.  Old newspaper reports detail matters raised to include a cattle pen being erected near the railway, and the widening of the square.   The Chamber appears to have ceased meeting before the end of the 19th century, although there is documented evidence Tonyrefail businesses are mentioned in minutes of the Gilfach Goch and Porth Chamber of Trade meetings.

Fastforward to 04 March 2020 and several business owners met at the Waffle Shop (now Truly Scrumptious) for a networking event; the meeting was arranged by Anthony (Business Support Centre) and Nicola (Waffle Shop) and those in attendance included Ceirion (Mini Mayhem), Stuart (Beyond Balloons) and Jennie (Moojoo Designs).  Unfortunately the second meeting plans were scuppered by the Coronavirus outbreak, which would see all business closed by the end of March.

In the Summer of 2022, Alison Jones (Business Manager at Tonyrefail Community School) and Martin Barron (the now Community Manager at Tonyrefail Community School) discussed forming the now Tonyrefail and District Chamber of Trade, and in August 2022 the plan came into fruition.  The original governance included Martin Barron (Chair), Jennie Williams (Secretary) and Helen Jenkins (Treasurer).  Jennie opted to step down in 2023, and Samantha Skym took over the position.

Everything the Chamber is doing is with the mission statement, long term vision and values in mind…

• The Chamber’s mission statement is to ‘support and promote business longevity through collaboration, education and community focused events’.
• The Chamber’s long term vision is to work collaboratively with the community council, businesses, education providers and members of the community to support Welsh government goal and objectives on a local level.  For example, enhancing social and economic well-being.
• The Chamber’s values are based on the word TON.  These are: Transparent, Optimistic, Nurturing.

There have been many milestones in the short time the new Chamber has been in operation and to date there are no fewer than 33 active members.