Caerphilly County Borough Council has announced that a new Chartist mural in Blackwood town centre has now been completed. This is an excellent example of collaborative working, enhancing the town centre and creating a point of interest as visitors approach the town.
The side of the Flourmill pub facing the High Street is located at the entrance to the town centre and was identified as a suitable location for painting. CCBC engaged with the manager and owner of the Flourmill building and commissioned Andy O’Rourke of Malarky Arts to create the mural.
The mural reflects the Chartist movement and the key point in history in November 1839, when thousands of working-class men from the South Wales Valleys, including a group from Blackwood led by Zephaniah Williams, marched on Newport in protest and met with other contingents along the way. The mural honours the proud heritage of the Chartist uprising and the key role that Blackwood residents played in the rebellion.
This project was funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Levelling Up (2022/25) Programme, with a focus on strengthening social fabric, fostering a sense of local pride and belonging, and investing in activities that enhance physical, cultural and social ties.
Jo Hillier-Raikes, Principal Officer for Town Centres and Business Support, commented “Once again, we are absolutely delighted with the quality of work that Andy has delivered and the positive reaction from the public. Andy has delivered similar projects for us in Bargoed, and he worked exceptionally hard to design a long-lasting and fitting testament to the Chartist movement, which was repeatedly highlighted as a desired theme in our discussions with stakeholders. It is anticipated that the artwork will instil a sense of pride amongst local residents, and we would encourage people to visit Blackwood to see this wonderful piece of artwork for themselves.”
