1
Rail-Bus Interchange
7
Garreg Ddu
13
Diffwys Station (now toilets)
2
Blaenau Arch
8
14
Car Park
3
Historic Link
9
Quarry Train
15
Garden - enclosed by slate fence
4
Samuel Holland’s Office
or Blaenau Tree
or Blaenau Tree
10
Market Area
16
Modern Units
5
Queen’s Hotel
11
Trainlines of Poetry
6
Bus Shelter
12
Slate wall and pillar
KEY TO THE ILLUSTRATION ABOVE
Developed from an idea I first put forward in 1999, this design has led the way right from the start and has been instrumental in Blaenau being awarded £4.5m. It has also been a major influence in shaping and bringing about the scheme soon to be built by Blaenau Ymlaen, though not as a sculpture trail, which I believe will change the character of Blaenau. My reasons for saying this are explained in two articles first published many years ago, well before sculpture was ever mentioned.
These can be read by clicking below :
• “Post Industrial Landscapes and their Art”
• “Desolate and Eerie Blaenau, a Man-made Lasting Work of Art ”
Blaenau is the most complete and unspoiled surviving example of a Welsh Slate Mining Town. It is to slate what the Rhondda was to coal, and Merthyr Tydfil & Blaenafon were to iron. Blaenau is as important now, historically, as a medieval walled town, and needs to be properly cared for as such.
I believe that for every pound spent on art, ten should first be spent on preserving it’s character and industrial heritage.
These can be read by clicking below :
• “Post Industrial Landscapes and their Art”
• “Desolate and Eerie Blaenau, a Man-
Blaenau is the most complete and unspoiled surviving example of a Welsh Slate Mining Town. It is to slate what the Rhondda was to coal, and Merthyr Tydfil & Blaenafon were to iron. Blaenau is as important now, historically, as a medieval walled town, and needs to be properly cared for as such.
I believe that for every pound spent on art, ten should first be spent on preserving it’s character and industrial heritage.