“It’s the birthplace of Sir Gareth Edwards and Dame Siân Phillips but you wouldn’t even know you’d arrived” – Sioned Williams MS
Sioned Williams, Plaid Cymru Member of Senedd for South Wales West, has started campaigning for the village with no dedicated welcome sign.
Gwaun-cae-gurwen is a village in Neath Port Talbot, and birthplace of rugby legend Sir Gareth Edwards, and noted actress Dame Siân Phillips.
Whereas other towns and villages often display their famous sons and daughters on the signs marking the boundary, Gwaun-cae-gurwen doesn’t even have dedicated signage for the village.
This fact was raised by residents with regional Member of Senedd Sioned Williams, when she was holding a community advice surgery in nearby Tairgwaith:
“Gwaun-cae-gurwen is home to Welsh legends Sir Gareth Edwards and Dame Siân Phillips but you wouldn’t even know you’d arrived there.”
Ms Williams said that on arrival, one constituent remarked, “you could drive out of the village without ever realising you’d entered it” while another simply said, “welcome to the forgotten part of Neath Port Talbot.”
Ms Williams went on to say:
“I recently attended the launch event commemorating the centenary of Richard Burton’s birth. Part of the celebrations included a wonderful sign welcoming visitors to Pontrhydyfen, showcasing that this was the birthplace of Richard Burton, Ivor Emmanuel and Rebecca Evans.
“To think that Gwaun-cae-gurwen gave us Siân Phillips and Gareth Edwards – this should be something to celebrate, and that’s why I’ve written to the council to see what can be done about it.
“Simple additions and signage can showcase the unique identity of our communities and the notable people born within and bring visitors in. A sign for Gwaun-cae-Gurwen, similar to the one in Pontrhydyfen, would perhaps make this important part of the county borough feel more valued.”
Neath Port Talbot council has written back to Ms Williams with reassurance that this is “high on the agenda” of the newly appointed Visitor Economy Manager, who will be raising with ward councillors when they next meet.
