The exterior side wall of the Blue Pearl’s Fish and Chip Bar in Maesteg town has stopped residents in their tracks since being used as the canvas for a vibrant mural, dedicated to spotlighting the rich cultural heritage of the town and its surrounding areas.
Organised and funded by Maesteg Town Council, the eye-catching artwork of Lloyd Roberts, ‘Lloyd the Graffiti’, reveals iconic features of the mining valley town’s past. Birthplace of Welsh Rugby International JJ Williams, and where the first Welsh collier to become a Cabinet Member of Parliament, Vernon Hartshorn OBE, served as a miners’ agent in 1905, Maesteg town boasts a past punctuated with significant events and people.
In addition to the two aforementioned legendary figures, the artwork also includes illustrations of the Llynfi Iron Works, the former Revlon factory, as well as the collieries that were once embedded in the life of the town – all pillars of employment in the area at varying times. Also featured is Maesteg Community Hospital, largely built using the funds provided by the Llynfi Valley residents and its proud miners, as well as words from the Welsh national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, which was performed for the first time in Maesteg at Capel Tabor in 1856.
Maesteg Town Councillor, Matthew Rowlands, said: “The artwork is a very positive and interesting addition to the town. We’ve had an amazing response on social media and from people passing through the town centre, seeing it come together. Thank you to Maesteg Town
Council for funding the project and the Blue Pearl Fish and Chip Bar for agreeing to the use of their wall.”
Mayor of Maesteg and Town Councillor, Chris Davies, added: “The graffiti mural is a fantastic new feature of Maesteg and the town council looks forward to other planned projects.”
Two forthcoming projects are titled, ‘Pillars of the Community’, proposed for Llynfi Road car park, and ‘Welcome to Maesteg’, with the location still to be confirmed.
Cllr Paul Davies, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, said: “What a wonderful way to celebrate the colourful history of Maesteg town and its surrounding areas.
“We have a strong sense of community and pride in Maesteg, with the mural offering a visual reminder of prominent figures and events that have helped to shape the area.
“The art encourages conversation, especially between the older and younger generation, about the interesting and significant history that Maesteg has, closing the gap between the past and present.
“Well done to all involved and I look forward to the future artwork and the positive impact it will have.”
