Staff and pupils at the new Ysgol Y Graig Primary School, Cefn Coed, will always remember the school’s late Headteacher Matthew Harries after a bench has been unveiled and a tree planted in his memory.

Immediate Past Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil Cllr Howard Barrett attended the new school site to present the bench he donated in memory of former Head Mr Harries.

Later, fellow Cefn Coed ward member and Council Leader Cllr Lisa Mytton and Cllr Barrett performed the official bench unveiling and planting of the tree, a Jubilee Oak that Matthew had been nurturing for the new school.

Also attending the ceremony were current Head David Anstee, teachers, pupils and Chair of School Governors Ann James – along with representatives of construction company Kier, including Project Manager Mark Poole.

The new school will replace the existing ageing building with a two-storey state-of-the-art building on the former Vaynor & Penderyn School Site in Cefn Coed. It is due to be completed in readiness for the new school year in September 2021.

Cllr Barrett said: “I was keen to do something that would not only mark the building of the new school, but also serve as a lasting tribute to a much loved and much missed member of staff, Matthew Harries.”