Secretary of State for Wales constituencies dwindled almost to zero, the office fell into disrepute. Nicholas Edwards, MP for Pembrokeshire, held the post for eight years. On his departure, the government ceased to look within Wales for the Secretary of State, and the post was increasingly used as a way of getting junior high-fliers into the Cabinet. John Redwood in particular caused embarrassment when he publicly demonstrated his inability to sing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau", the Welsh national anthem, at a conference. The introduction of the National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh Government, after the devolution referendum of 1997, was the beginning of a
Ynysangharad Park home venue of Pontypridd Cricket Club. The park, created in 1923, offers a number of facilities, such as a pitch and putt golf course, bowling greens, football, cricket pitches and tennis courts, bandstand and refreshment kiosks. The lido is being renovated. Within the park are a pair of memorial statues by Goscombe John, erected in 1930 to commemorate Evan and James James, the father and son composers of the Welsh National Anthem "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" (Land of my Fathers). The grave slab of Evan James was also moved here from Carmel Chapel when that chapel was demolished. The memorial