A CAMPAIGN for a small Neath Port Talbot village which currently doesn’t have a welcome sign.
The village of Gwaun-cae-gurwen is located around five miles away from the nearest town of Ammanford and is known for being the birthplace of rugby legend Sir Gareth Edwards as well noted actress Dame Siân Phillips.
While some towns and villages often display their most famous residents on local signs marking their boundaries, it was said that Gwaun-cae-gurwen doesn’t have any dedicated signage.
Sioned Williams, Plaid Cymru Member of Senedd for South Wales West, said that residents had raised this issue with her when she was holding a recent community advice surgery nearby in Tairgwaith, with some even describing it as a “forgotten part of Neath Port Talbot.”
Ms Williams, who is based at her regional office in Neath added that on her arrival at the meeting one resident said, “you could drive out of the village without ever realising you’d entered it”.
Ms Williams said: “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.”
A spokesperson for Ms Williams added that Neath Port Talbot Council had written back to her with reassurance that this was “high on the agenda” of the newly appointed Visitor Economy Manager, who will now be raising it with ward councillors when they next meet.
