Aneurin Bevan Stones, Tredegar, South Wales

 

Aneurin Bevan
(1897-1960)was a labour MP

Minister for Health
1945-51

He was born in Tredegar and represented Ebbw Vale in Parliament for 31 years.

Aneurin Bevan inscription
on central stone 

Rhymney 

Along the old road through Duke's Town, (A4047) between Tredegar and Ebbw Vale lies a rather unobtrusive entrance.  Turn in and you find a small car park with a sign board.  Climb long low gravel steps or follow the short circular walkway up the slope and you emerge amongst four large standing stones.  A small dry moat surrounds the stones and protects the platform from encroaching mountain plants.

A central stone bears the name of Aneurin Bevan while the three
surrounding stones each bear the name of the town it faces
across the mountain tops.

These stones define a place on this open mountain where Aneurin Bevan stood to address his followers.





Tredegar

No doubt he spoke of his dream to support the weak and sick. To provide free health care at the point of need. a National Health Service for the UK.  But this was no pipe-dream.  He and his fellow councillors had already set up a scheme.  It was working in his
home town of Tredegar. He coined a word which explained it all to his keen listeners, how he wished to Tredegarise the nation.

He would never have imagined how it has expanded and the work it does today.  Let's hope there is a way of maintaining it for future generations.





Ebbw Vale














After enjoying the views across the mountain and perhaps a short walk around the nearby pond, you can return to the base of the long low steps to find a large low rock.  This stone commemorates the men from Blaenau Gwent  who lost their lives during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s.