Striking mural celebrating Welsh identity unveiled in valleys town
Amelia Jones
A striking new mural celebrating national pride has been unveiled in a Welsh valleys town.
The artwork, located in Blaina, was created in partnership with Blaenau Gwent County Council and showcases a young girl in traditional Welsh dress offering a daffodil. It acts as a symbol of Welsh identity and community spirit.
The mural was painted by valleys’ street artist Paul Shepherd, better known on social media as Walls by Paul.
Shepherd is also known locally for previous work, including a mural of Ozzy Osbourne on the side of Kenny’s Vinyl Vault in Abertillery.
The project was a collaboration between him and Karen Morgan and is set in the heart of the town.
The piece aims to reflect both Blaina’s heritage and the strength of its community.
The finished mural features local resident Emily, who posed for photographs alongside the artwork after its completion.
It reads: ‘Blaina: A Small Town With a Big Welsh Heart. Blaenau: Tref Fach Gyda Chalon Gymreig Fawr.’
Speaking about the project, Shepherd said he was inspired by the character of the area and the power who live there.
He said: “Loved my conversations with the people of the village as I was working on it.
“Some interesting stories about the area were relayed to me.
“The town suffers as most do these days with a decline in the high St, but despite everything the people of Blaina remain chipper! And so they should, what a great community.”
Residents have welcomed the artwork, which has quickly become a talking point in the town.
Many took to social media, with one commenter saying: “Absolutely beautiful and in time for St David’s Day Dydd Gwyl Dewi”
Another added: “Wow this is amazing beautiful traditional art for our Welsh town.”
The mural is expected to become a lasting feature of the town, celebrating both its Welsh identity and strong community spirit.
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Amelia like the Restore Party meme,?
English Labour, Conservative and Reform UK would frown upon this image and quote. Not a single Union flag in sight. Blaenau Gwent is a town that has given so much yet received very little in return.
Reform English or Welsh wouldn’t object to this, in fact they’d love it, they’re all for celebrating England, Wales, Scottish and Irish heritage, you seem to be captured by the biases of Welsh Labour and Plaid, and I’m an old Welsh women.
Just more hyperbolic, anti-English rhetoric from someone who wishes they had an enemy to fight.
They are all under the same umbrella thats why, reform having joined them when farsge took over. We must NOT be fooled any more
Beautiful mural
Absolutely beautiful. Rct council should employ this artist to do murals as well. In Treorchy the length of the high street, approximately the length of 4 football pitches, all the shops have, Y Ddraig Goch, ” the Red Dragon ” flag hanging from poles outside the shops. Awesome. Other towns, valley’s and villages in the Rhondda and throughout Cymru should be hanging flags in their high streets. Well done to Rhondda Cynon taf for NOT taking down the Welsh flags hanging from lampost and bridges ect. I would love to be able to hang my flag outside my house as… Read more »
Os yn covio iawn, blynyddoedd yn ol… Or Galon, Llun Anwyl Bendigedig yn wir… Ac yn ddanos poniaid reswmnaid yn gylch govyn os fysach ossi ddamwain at yr vlant … Hollol yn wir.
I am live in this town al my life, and we have every little in town just hairdressers and takeaways. We pay the must and have nothing in return . Yes it is beautiful but , but I think the money could of gone to other things for the kids.
LOVE IT! Beautifully done, and very important I believe. Love from 🏴