Yesterday I spent an interesting afternoon in the company of Rhodri Glyn Thomas. Rhodri was on an extended visit to Merthyr at my invitation to talk about the future of Arts investment in the area.As well as the centrepiece of future investment – a Galeri style arts centre for the town, we also spent time with the Zoar Chapel / Canolfan Cymraeg group who have an innovative project lined up for one of Merthyr’s least known but most beautiful buildings. Then it was off to Cyfarthfa Park to impress on the Minister the amazing space available for outdoor music events.
Not satisfied with that, I also persuaded him the take a look at the interior of the Theatre Royal – a 600 seat Victorian Theatre preserved in aspic – just calling out for restoration. For 8 long years I have harangued various ministers and partnership organisations about the necessity of saving this proud but bedraggled piece of Merthyr’s heritage – to no avail as yet – but I’m going to keep on trying. I can’t help thinking that if this gem was anywhere but the South Wales Valleys, and especially Merthyr, there would be an outcry about the state its in.
I think the visit came as a welcome distraction for Rhodri Glyn from the unfolding story about the collapse of Y Byd. The decision about the grant available for a Welsh language paper is just one of many big calls the Minister has had to make in a few short months in post – and overall I think he’s coped pretty well. As has been reported elsewhere, I have been won over by the case for a Welsh Language daily newspaper, but clearly there was no commitment made to Y Byd directly. Personally, I thought it seemed like common sense to build on a project already well advanced, but I recognise it must have been another difficult call, the flak aimed at the Minister from members of his own party is testament to that. I hope that the case we built yesterday for Merthyr’s Arts, Heritage & Culture provision proves to be a more straightforward case for Rhodri Glyn.
Crucially we were accompanied all the way by Chair of the Arts Council, Prof Dai Smith. I’m a great fan of this great Welshman, and I know I was preaching to the converted about the undervaluing of Merthyr’s cultural heritage that has gone on for generations.
There are good things on the horizon for Arts investment in Merthyr – but the pressure must be kept up until we get delivery.
4 comments:
All in favour of some of the Arts Council of Wales' dosh/ackers going to the working Class areas of South Wales.
Before Dai Smiths appointment the money was only going to middle class parasites who pretended to speak welsh, in Cardiff or Aber'
With regards to Y Byd - We are constantly being told by the Nationalists about how dynamic and popular the Welsh language is, yet Y Byd could not get of the ground despite promises of massive subsidys, direct and via forced direction of local authority advertising.
Or as a Bargoed Nuttcase would say "How many Post Offices would that have kept open?"
The linguistic terrorists kept using an Irish example as the role model.
I am surprised Huw that you have not blogged the fate, anounced this week of that Gaelic example
Staff redundent, paper closing due to insufficient sales.
GW
Thoughtful, balanced and interesting post. Did you actually write this Huw? Maybe I judged you too harshly.
well since Bethesda was closed down we have been deprived of an arts venue.Bill Morgan tried hard to get the old town hall for the purpose and that was around fifteen plus years ago.
So many have tried,ACW have been keen to spend. What you need Huw is a active group who will drive it forward ie no councilors and no vested interests just looking for profile
Please keep trying with the Theatre Royal Huw. I am so saddened every time I drive past this beautiful building. It would be so wonderful to see it open again - if not as a fully functioning theatre, then as a museum highlighting how important drama and the arts were to our ancestors.
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