Argoed residents are being given an historic chance to choose three local champions to immortalise in steel as part of a project from charity Sustrans.
The new Quoits Wood Crossing along the Blackwood to Hollybush walking and cycling route is to get a new ‘Portrait Bench’ that will feature three life-size images of local heroes cut from steel
The benches are being created on routes across the UK as part of a Sustrans project, which received £50million from the Big Lottery Fund to bring the National Cycle Network to the heart of local communities.
The people of Argoed are being asked to nominate figures that reflect the area’s history and culture.
Some of the suggestions so far include musicians Paul and Huw Watkins, co-leader of the Chartist movement in Wales Zephaniah Williams, and an Ancient Druid whose natural spring provided the villagers with beautiful, clear water. One of the figures could be someone living in Argoed today who stands out for their contribution in the local community.
Suggestions for the three figures can be emailed to rachel.lister@sustrans.org.uk or sent in the post to Quoits Wood Crossing, Sustrans Cymru, 123 Bute Street, Cardiff, CF10 5AE by Monday April 16.
The children of Markham Primary School will also be researching the local area and putting forward their suggestions. The three chosen figures will be chosen by the steering group supporting the scheme.
The Portrait Bench will be installed later this year on the National Cycle Network Route 467 in the Sirhowy Valley between Markham and Blackwood.
Rachel Lister, Sustrans Cymru Project Manager for the scheme, said: “Quoits Wood Crossing was named such by the children of Markham Primary School and this is another wonderful opportunity for the community to become involved by choosing their favourite characters for the Portrait Bench. When it is complete, the bench will be a great place for people to stop, rest and enjoy this magnificent area and new walking and cycling route, so it’s a hugely important part of the project.”
The new Quoits Wood Crossing has been funded through the Valleys Regional Parks initiative, the Welsh Government and European Regional Development Fund, specifically to enhance the tourism potential of the Valleys, is part of an ongoing project delivered by Sustrans and local authorities that will see the creation of an additional 100 miles of new walking and cycling paths across the south Wales Valleys.
Absolutely Dumbfounded! We, the residents of Cwm-Corrwg Lane, Cwm-Corrwg, Argoed, have for over 10 years been trying to get the local Authority to either close Cwm-Corrwg lane, or install full-width speed bumps to make the road, which has no footpath, safer. What do we get? Argument after argument as to why we can't have it, one of those being 'it's not in our budget'.
Strange that, considering the New Bridge, the demolition of the fence around the green at Cwm-Corrwg and the building of a fancy wall around it instead, and now its art! This Council has definitely lost the plot and doesn't know what to waste money on next, at the expense of safety.