麻豆社

Unzipping a Community explores the rich yet devastating history of Penrhyn Quarry in Bethesda, North Wales. At the start of the 20th century, the quarry became the site of one of the longest running industrial disputes in British history. In 1900, around three thousand quarrymen walked out demanding better pay and working conditions. The strike lasted three years, forcing families into poverty and dividing the community and it left a legacy which continues to shape Bethesda today.

More than a century later, the quarry has been transformed into a major tourist attraction by Zip World. It is the world鈥檚 fastest zip wire and thousands of visitors unleash their adrenaline junkie on the wire every year. Through interviews with local residents spanning three generations and conversations with Zip World employees and customers Luned Elfyn explores how the memory of the strike has left its mark, including through music which is rooted in the community.

Do those who come seeking thrills on the zipwire ever realise what dark history lies beneath them?

New Storytellers presents the work of new radio producers. This series features the winners of the Charles Parker Prize 2026 for the Best Student Radio Feature. These awards are presented every year in memory of radio producer Charles Parker who produced the pioneering series of Radio Ballads with Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger. This series is introduced by Charles鈥� daughter, Sara Parker, an award-winning radio producer in her own right.

Producer Luned Elfyn recently graduated from the University of Manchester with a degree in Drama and Film Studies and the judges described her prize-winning feature as a project 鈥榤ade with passion, memorable, with really strong interviews鈥� and praised its 鈥済reat circular structure, mixing the fun of the zip line with the tragedy of the strike... a very strong piece.鈥�

Producer: Luned Elfyn
A Soundscape production for 麻豆社 Radio 4