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Memorial bench a ‘place for reflection’ after new pieces unveiled

News | Tom Hicks | Published: 11:40, Friday June 27th, 2025.
Last updated: 11:40, Friday June 27th, 2025

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Members of the community council joined forger Glen Adams, one from left, for the unveiling

A year after unveiling a D-Day memorial bench in Llanbradach, the same blacksmith has added extra pieces to commemorate VE Day.

Blackwood-born blacksmith Glen Adams was tasked by Llanbradach Community Council to forge a bench to place behind the war memorial on Park View.

A year on, and Glen has added a rifle, a Tommy helmet, a pick, a shovel, and a miners’ hat – all items which are ‘iconic’ to the village according to the community council.

Blacksmith unveils ‘stunning’ memorial bench to mark D-Day anniversary

The “extremely detailed” pieces of work feature a leather rifle strap as well as a chin strap on the helmets.

At the unveiling, Glen, who runs Horizon Forge, was joined by members of the community, as well as pupils from Coed y Brain Primary School in the village.

The community council thanked Glen for his work, adding how the “living tribute” will become a place to “pause, reflect, and remember”.

‘Drab’ and ‘run-down’ school playground brought back to life thanks to volunteers

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