Max Boyce sculpture given go ahead to be erected on town’s high street

A sculpture of Welsh entertainer Max Boyce is going to be built in Glynneath.

A lifelike bronze sculpture of the Hymns and Arias singer will be erected on the town’s high street in celebration of his work and contribution to Welsh culture.

The sculpture was designed by Glynneath-based artist Rubin Eynon using 3D scanning techniques. It will be surrounded by a crescent of low-level stone seating, with the figure looking towards Glynneath RFC.

Neath Port Talbot Council has granted Glynneath RFC permission to build the artwork on land opposite 114 High Street, Glynneath. Mr Boyce is currently the club’s president.

Max Boyce was born in Glynneath and worked as a coal miner in his former years. He rose to fame in the 1970s as a folk singer and comedian.

As part of the planning conditions granted by the council, the sculpture must be built within five years.

This year marks 50 years since Mr Boyce wrote Hymns and Arias, which is now a popular Welsh rugby anthem.

Rubin Eynon had previously said he used 3D scanning to develop the detail in the design of the sculpture and plans to make it “as realistic as possible”.

“I use high-tech stuff quite a lot. These days it’s amazing what’s possible with being able to scan the real world.”