For years, the canal in Resolven didn’t exactly scream “community hotspot.” It was quiet, overgrown, and a bit sad-looking. You’d walk past and think, Was this ever useful?

Spoiler: it was.

Back in the day, the Neath Canal was a major route of the Industrial Revolution, moving coal and iron through the Vale of Neath to Briton Ferry. But the canal was pretty much ghosted when industry slowed down, and trains took over. By the mid-20th century? Overgrown. Dumping ground. Forgotten.

Ask anyone who grew up here and they’ll remember the bikes, the trolleys, and probably that one shopping bag no one ever claimed.

But here’s the thing: that’s not the canal’s story anymore.

Thanks to local efforts (and a lot of muddy wellies), the Resolven stretch of the canal is slowly coming back to life. And yep, Ty Banc is proud to be part of that glow-up.

From the Festival of Light to our weekend volunteer sessions, something’s shifted. Now, people stop at the canal. Kids laugh. Lanterns swing. Locals chat instead of walking past with their heads down. It’s not just a place to pass through, it’s a place to be.

Here’s what we’ve figured out: transformation doesn’t have to cost millions.

Sometimes, it just starts with people showing up. Sharing food. Telling stories. Hanging fairy lights and calling it an “installation” (don’t worry, we checked it counts).

Real change doesn’t start with planning apps and design software. It starts with people and a bit of trust.

What is Ty Banc Doing?

Ty Banc isn’t just here to neaten the towpath. We’re here to co-create something that matters, a space that feels like it belongs to Resolven again.

Because neglected places aren’t hopeless. They’re just waiting for someone to care enough to say, “Let’s do something about it.”

So that’s what we’re doing.

And if you’re nearby, come join in. You don’t have to be an expert. Just bring yourself (and maybe some biscuits).