On Monday the first plans were made public for the proposed siting of a primary school on Parc Arael Griffin, the site of the
Six Bells Colliery.
This site was assigned for a school around twenty years ago. At that time the colliery buildings had just been cleared, and it was an area of rough ground. The Coach and Horses was a derelict burnt out pub and Guardian had not even been thought of.
Twenty years on and things have changed. The area has been designated as a Nature Reserve. Six Bells Regeneration Limited are a Social Enterprise based at what was the old pub and is now a state-of-the-art Conference/Heritage Centre with Offices and a Cafe. Visitors including coach tours now use these facilities.
Visited by thousands every year, this site and its car park, according to the plans released on Monday, will be
engulfed by the school, its playing fields, car parking, and utilities. These would all be surrounded by six foot high fences to “safeguard the children.” Whilst this is a commendable reason for fencing, it would ensure any photographs of the statue would be married and blocked by it. The Council have also stated that footpaths along the fence would be unacceptable because of proximity to school children.
Standing twenty metres tall in a post-industrial site, Guardian is not just a memorial to the 45 men who died on 28th June 1960, but a memorial to all miners and their communities. The peace and tranquility of the parkland is commented on by visitors and returning miners alike. Ty Ebbw Fach holds events on this area free for the community and all year round the community enjoys this facility for recreation with their children. £220,000 has been spent creating this asset which is greatly admired, and appreciated, bringing in necessary tourist cash to the area.
The Council state that access to Guardian will be maintained. This, according to their plan, would be via an entrance at Warm Turn which is located directly above Guardian on the hillside. The pathway would be steep, making access difficult for the elderly and disabled. They are suggesting people park there and walk down the steep, twisting, narrow Six Bells Road down to the Heritage Centre/Museum and Cafe. This would not happen!
The consultation began on Monday, February 2, and will end on Sunday, March 29. To read the consultation document online, visit www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/education/19118.asp – and give your views through an online questionnaire. Written views are also accepted. Send them to Lynn Phillips, Head of Transformation and Performance, Anvil Court, Church Street, Abertillery, NP13 1DB or by e-mailing 21stcenturyschools@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
It is interesting to note that Blaenau Gwent’s Impact Statement does not include any mention of Parc Arael Griffin, Guardian or the Heritage Centre Ty Ebbw Fach.
I strongly believe that education is vital to our economy and future, but what is the point in educating children for them to move away to find jobs because we have destroyed the infrastructure that makes their village great.
Below is a mock-up of their proposal.
