Merthyr Express column

6th May ‘10


Merthyr Icons
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council is launching a search for three local icons to be immortalised in steel in a piece of public art. The Portrait Bench is a new art initiative from Sustainable transport charity Sustrans which will soon be appearing all over the UK on newly created routes for pedestrians and cyclists. This new wooden bench will be accompanied by three life-size figures cut from a weathering Cor-Ten steel so that over time the bench becomes part of the natural landscape. In Merthyr Tydfil, the bench will be placed along the newly created traffic free route which runs from the residential areas of Pentrebach and beyond to local supermarkets and workplaces as well as to the Centre of Merthyr Tydfil. Each bench will be individual to each community with nearly 80 installed across the UK by 2013.
So who represents the real Merthyr Tydfil? Is it Saint Tydfil – killed by pagans in 480 AD or working class martyr Dic Penderyn? Could it be famous Cornish engineer Richard Trevithick who invested the first ever steam locomotive or local born designers Laura Ashley or Julian McDonald? Is it Ian Watkins – lead singer of international rock band The Lost Prophets or a member of Wales’s newest rock sensation Merthyr’s The Blackout. Maybe one of the many literary success from Merthyr: Leslie Norris, Glyn Jones or Jack Jones or maybe a contemporary literary award winner like Des Barry or Mike Jenkins? Could there be a local hero who is part of Merthyr today that could be celebrated alongside famous names from history? Suggestions for the three local icons: Heritage figure, modern figure and local figure need to be emailed to merthyrconnect2@sustrans.org.uk. The deadline for all nominations is 12th May, 2010. The winning three characters from the suggestions will be calculated by the Steering Group supporting the route. The bench will be installed later this year.

Fame
Fame - The Musical, featuring Sky One's 'Got to Dance' stars – Jukebox Juniors, comes to Merthyr Tydfil tonight (Thursday, 6th May) and tomorrow night (Friday, 7th May) at Bishop Hedley High School at 7.30pm. Entry into the show, also featuring some of the best young talent from the south Wales valleys, is only £4 or £3 for children and OAPs, available from the 3Gs Development Trust Office at Gurnos Clinic. Contact 01685 350888 for further details.

Book Launch
A new publication “The Sounding Bowl”, with contributions from a number of Merthyr poets is being launched at the next Open Mike Night at the Imperial Hotel, next Thursday, 13th May 2010. The event is free entry, all welcome to come and take part in the open mic session or just relax and enjoy the other contributions.

Stars In Their Eyes JR
This year’s Junior Stars In Their Eyes at Treharris Boys & Girls Club is taking place tomorrow, Friday, 7th May. The annual event, now in it’s sixth year, is growing in size and quality each year. The Junior Stars in Their Eyes events are fun packed and filled with singing, dancing, comedy, poetry, music and even gymnastics. The Junior Stars in Their Eyes project is organised by the Taff Bargoed Communities First Team and Partnership Board Members. For further information contact Paddy on 01443 710821.