Aneurin Bevan

 MP for Ebbw Vale, 1929-1960 – Minister for Health, 1945-51

 A visionary; an inspirational example of the desire for intellectual amelioration sparked by the community-built Workmen’s Institutes - Bevan attributed his education to these establishments.  He was a pioneering figure, innovating such life-changing political ideas as the NHS.  Bevan strode an international stage, but his ideas were founded in the aspirations he felt for communities like those in which he grew up.

‘The first function of a political leader is advocacy.  It is he [/she] who must make articulate the wants, the frustration, and the aspiration of the masses . . . If freedom is to be saved and enlarged, poverty must be ended.  There is no other solution.’   Aneurin Bevan, In Place of Fear (1952)

Maerdy Women's Support Group

 

1984-5

The pioneering women of Maerdy formed the first Women’s Support Group in South Wales, to show their solidarity with the 1984-5 strike.  They were a lifeline to their families in a turbulent and uncertain time, organising food collection and distribution, addressing gatherings, and serving on picket lines.

Outside Maerdy, great courage was also shown by those who went against Union action to bring their family members to work.  Bravery in its many forms was found within our straitened communities at this austere time.

Maerdy Solidarity

 

1984-5

Across the South Wales coalfield, miners and their families rallied to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) call to strike.  Solidarity held in Maerdy, where not a worker crossed the picket line.

The consequences of an inability to work took its toll in many pits.  Some found the burden of seeing their families suffer too great, returning to work despite the wishes of the NUM.  In all cases, incredibly difficult decisions were made, and no man would be dictated to – whether by the coal board or the union.

Y Stiwt

 

Workmen's Institute

Initially based on the philanthropic ideals of the more progressive coalowners, miners and workmen increasingly formed their own funds to build self-run ‘Stutes.  These were aspirational, altruistic centres of intellectual and social engagement.  They contained libraries, reading rooms (complete with a plethora of the day’s newspapers), games rooms and meeting halls.

In 1919 the Miners Welfare Fund was founded to support and augment these institutions’ potential with auditoria, cinemas, swimming pools, and opportunities for scholarships.  By the 1940s there were more than 100 Miners’ Institutes.  The last institute was built in 1961 at Ynyswen.

Once at the heart of dynamic, outward-looking communities, many of these buildings have become disused in the last three decades.  Pictured is Blackwood Miners’ Institute, one of those that survives today as a thriving arts venue – an example of a revitalisation that connects this building back to local life.

South Wales Chapter Next Step

Our strategy, the next step for our region must come from within.  We have never shied away from engaging with our own future.  Our past contains a succession of re-evaluations of our situation and our beliefs.  We can be proud of that heritage, of our self-reliance and engagement.

We asked questions of our surroundings and did not let ourselves be dictated to.  We engaged with injustices and difficulties, and found our own solutions.  We thought critically – refusing to accept easy, conformist viewpoints and dared to dream of a world we might shape for ourselves.

We built and ran educational institutes.  We challenged accepted religious doctrine.  We defended our people’s rights.  We were inspired.  The world knew and relied on us, and we in turn absorbed news of its politics, science and knowledge.

The fighting spirit we showed indicates a way to take hold of our future.  Today we find ourselves down on our luck.  But that brilliant spirit remains; together we achieved astonishing things.  More than that – we believed in our ability to do so.  We must reawaken that desire, that self-belief, that tremendous capability for thought, inspiration and determination.

In order for us to believe in a strategy for our future – for it to succeed – the impetus must come from within.  For it to come from within, we must allow hope to triumph, and create an aspirational environment in which we believe in our ability, and this allows us to flourish.  The future is then ours, and our young people can feel inspired to do anything. 

This is not regeneration but re validation.

Remember how much we did.  We were amazing.  We can be again.

We aspired to glory.  They should have seen us.

Imagine what we could be




Fighting Spirit is a global movement to re-validate communities through self belief.

Street Party

1937

A community unifies to celebrate a national event.

Merthyr Rising

1831

The Merthyr Rising

O! Ye who love glory, we heed not the story

Of Waterloo won with the blood of the brave,

But we dare the rough storm, in the cause of reform,

Then let the red banner triumphantly wave

The world rang to a new rallying cry as the Red Flag of Revolution was seen for the first time above Merthyr.  10,000 workers marched, united in protest at the harsh conditions, low wages and merciless debt collections.  The momentum of the subsequent rebellion led to the Reform Act and the formation of trade unions.