The Bardi/Parma, Italy and Wales, UK Connection

The first Italians in great numbers came to Britain in the 1820s and numbers grew through the 19th century.

Despite their modest circumstances and brutal working conditions, the Italians still managed to hold onto many of their traditions, including culinary delights like ice cream, which they made in their kitchens and backyards.

In the early years, the ice cream was then wheeled around the streets on an ice cream cart or barrow, which later developed their own premises across the South Wales Valleys and elsewhere. The Italian cafes provided many people with somewhere warm and friendly to go - in fact, many young couples did their courting in the cafes, so they enjoy great nostalgia.

Many Italians in Wales came from Bardi, so when it was announced that the Cwmbach Male Choir would perform at the Bardi Music Festival on May 31, there was great exultation in both Wales and Bardi/Parma.

* Bardi is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Parma in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about 130 km west of Bologna.

Performance Will Reinforce Historic Links

CynonValleyLeader,Wales,UK by Gary Marsh, May 8 2008

SINCE its formation in the early 1920s, Cwmbach Male Choir has performed all over the globe.

But the forthcoming tour to Italy and France " including a concert in Bardi " is particularly poignant.

Many people from Bardi left their homeland behind in the 1920s to make a living in the South Wales Valleys.

“We really are looking forward to the whole tour, but a major highlight will be our performance at the Bardi Music Festival on May 31,” said Cwmbach Choir spokesman Norman Blacker.

“The response we have already received from the people of Bardi has been tremendous."

Italian cafes appeared in most towns across the South Wales Valleys - and many still remain to this day.

The first Italians came to Britain in the 1820s and numbers grew through the 19th century.

Many Italian immigrants lived in very overcrowded conditions, but they still managed to make the ice cream in their kitchens and backyards.

In the early years, the ice cream was then wheeled around the streets on an ice cream cart or barrow.

The ice cream carts and barrows came in many varieties and forms, all handmade and decorated by the ice cream sellers themselves.

The ice cream business proved a very lucrative activity for the Italians and many decided to open their own premises across the South Wales Valleys.

By the 1920s there was scarcely a village that did not have its own Italian cafe - many still have them to this day.

The Italian cafes provided many people with somewhere warm and friendly to go - in fact, many young couples did their courting in the cafes.

Among the first migrants to Wales, via London, were cousins Angelo and Giacomo Bracchi, pioneers of the ice cream and confectionery shops in South Wales and founders of the famous Bracchi Brothers chain.

They opened their first cafe in Newport, but soon moved on to Aberdare.

Various members of the Rabaiotti families also had cafes and ice cream carts on the streets well before 1907.

And many pioneers including the Sidoli Brothers were recruiting workers from Italy to help with their expanding businesses.

Other families soon followed them to South Wales - including Pelosi, Greco, Rabiotti, Valerio, Cresci, Cascarini, Polderi and Fulgoni.

“There are still many Italian cafes and ice cream parlours across the South Wales Valleys, many of them still run by descendents of the original owners," said Mr Blacker.

“Some also remain unchanged since the 1920s, with their marble and brass fittings, while others have been refurbished and modernised.

“However, there are many sadly now closed, but the Italians will always have a special place in the hearts and memories of the people of Wales for bringing something special to their towns and villages."

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/cynon-valley/2008/05/08/performance-will-reinforce-historic-links-91466-20867637/