Mural tribute to armed forces planned for south Wales library

Anthony Lewis – Local Democracy Reporter

A mural paying tribute to the armed forces and civilian efforts in war time is planned on the sides of a south Wales library.

A planning application submitted to Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Council proposes a street art mural is painted on the south and east facing sides of the
Aberdare Library building which would be a depiction of remembrance and take the form of a story board.

On the east side of the building there would be depiction of a parent/loved one waving off their loved ones to war with a depiction of all three armed services through a ship, aircraft and tank. This would then move to a depiction of a grieving service person and lastly to an elderly veteran paying his respects to fallen comrades.

On the south side of the building, there would be a depiction of life on the home front and recognition of the civilian contribution to the war
effort.

History

The application said this would include the Land Army women and men helping in farming and working the land to provide food, the Bevin Boys for their contribution to the supply of coal for the war effort and the home front civil defence force maintaining civil order and home defence.

It would include munitions workers of which there were over 14,000 in the Cynon Valley, the evacuees taken from the dangers of the bombing of cities around the country and the dig for victory campaign.

A heritage impact statement submitted with the application said that the mural will significantly enhance the area around the public library, brightening up the facades with quality artwork by a well-known and respected street artist and that this work will be fully accessible due to its location and aspect.

It said this would follow on from the success of the memorial garden with its public benches, large memorial stone, flagpoles, and remembrance garden which has enhanced the area and has proven to be a public attraction and is acknowledged to be a place of remembrance by the public, serving military and veterans alike.

It said the area, with the addition of the mural, will have commemorative, symbolic and spiritual value as well as providing an historical significance.

The application has been submitted by Cynon Valley Armed Forces Memorial Garden committee and Royal Welsh Comrades Association Aberdare.