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A mural has been commissioned to celebrate new and old Rhymney in the town’s refurbished library. 

Siôn Tomos Owen, an artist from the Rhondda valleys, has worked with schoolchildren and members of the Cwtsh Cafe to create the mural, which will be on display on the first-floor corridor wall.

A spokesperson for Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “Siôn has worked in collaboration with Year 6 schoolchildren at Idris Davies Lower, Ysgol y Lawnt, Upper Rhymney and Bryn Awel Primary Schools and members of the Cwtsh Café.  

“Using their ideas and creative input, the artwork will be a celebration of new and old Rhymney.”

Siôn, a bilingual television and radio presenter, illustrator, writer and creative workshop tutor, has recently worked with schools in south east Wales on a war memorials project, which is being exhibited at the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay.

Rhymney Library has been undergoing work since January this year before and was fully closed to the public in March.

Caerphilly Observer previously reported its reopening has been delayed until September.

Commenting on the delay, a council spokesperson said a provisional date of September 11 was set – which had been chosen to avoid clashing with the start of the new school year. 

They added: “To ensure the building works, furniture fit-out, ICT equipment and the new community hub structure are firmly in place, CCBC wants to ensure that at the time of reopening, we will be offering all residents the best service offer available.”

What are the improvements?

The improvements will cost more than £400,000 with funding from the Transformation capital grant programme administered by the Welsh Government, as well as the council’s Library Service and Place Shaping fund.

The last library refurbishment happened in 2009, having first opened back in the 1970s.

In a post on Twitter, Caerphilly Libraries said the library would become “a community and support hub for residents”. 

The ground floor will be the main lending area in the library and will include a new seating area where people can come and work, as well as a place for small refreshments.

The first floor will become the ‘Idris Davies Community Learning Hub’. This will be a learning space with laptops, an interactive whiteboard and modern furniture. Three office spaces will also be available for private meetings and for residents to use. 

There will also be upgraded internet access and two electric vehicle charging points in the car park – the latter are already installed and working.