Cofeb Gwrthryfel Merthyr / Merthyr Rising Memorial: 01/07/2012

10/07/2012

Cyfarfod / Meeting 9

Civic Centre / Canolfan Ddinesig

11.06.12

5pm

Present / Presennol: Sion ap Glyn – Heritage Officer; Menter Iaith (SaG), Huw Williams (HW), Ceinwen Statter (CS) and Gus Payne – Arts Development; MTCBC (GP), Apologies / Ymddiheuriadau: Russell Shurmer – Townscape Heritage Initiative; MTCBC (RS) Rhian Prosser – Town Centre Manager; MTCBC (RP)
1.	Minutes from last meeting / Cofnodion diweddaraf: No amendments to be made.
2.	Current progress / Symudiad heddiw GP: The Artist’s Brief has not yet been released because the Penderyn Square architects have asked for their comments to be considered (GP) is waiting for these comments. Also the Arts Council of Wales is about to launch its new Capital Strategy on 2^nd July, which will include Public Art. GP has noted to contact the relevant officer after this date to discuss with ACW. Action: GP to contact ACW in early July
3.	Additional funding / Arian pellach GP & RP to update at next meeting.
4.	Artwork / Celfwaith GP has circulated the Artist’s Brief via email, it has had no further comments or requested alterations (apart from as stated above) Action: Architects to forward comments on the Artist’s Brief to GP.
5.	A.O.B. HW; Joe England is forwarding a proposal for the new building on Penderyn Square to be a learning venue linking with Central Library. CS; Feels that a mosaic integrating the new building with the exterior, surrounding buildings and public art would be a good proposal for the architects and artists to consider (suggested the work of Maria Parry Jones, Steve Samuel and Gareth Cavanagh, who has done interactive computer/film projects to engage children and young people). The group also need confirmation that the Dic Penderyn Society will be happy as grant recipients for any participation project funding. GP has informally spoken to Viv Pugh who was happy with this suggestion but needed to consult the steering group to make any final decision. New MTCBC Heritage Portfolio Member is Cllr. Graham Davies. Actions: GP to contact and add the new Heritage and Arts Portfolio members to the contact list. CS to forward Gareth Cavanagh contact details to GP. There were also comments made about encouraging take-away shops on Pontmorlais to become “pavement cafes” and untidy looking lampposts in Castle Car Park. These issues are beyond the remit of this group but GP will pass on the comments to appropriate colleagues.
	Date of next meeting: 5pm, 6th August 2012, Civic Centre. Dyddiad y cyfarfod nesaf: 5yh, 6ed o Awst 2012, Canolfan Ddinesig.

The Merthyr Rising of 1831 was a popular rebellion against unjust working and living conditions, during the time of the Iron Masters and the Industrial Revolution. The event quickly escalated into an armed insurrection, with workers calling for “bara neu gwaed” (bread or blood) and raising a red flag. A troop of Scots Highlanders was sent from Brecon Barracks to restore order. They opened fire on protesters outside the Castle Inn, where over twenty-four workers were killed and approaching a hundred were wounded.

While the origins of Chartism pre-dates 1831, the Merthyr Rising was the first example of what a few years later became known as 'Physical Force Chartism'. The insurrection in 1831 called for reform so that life would be better. This event can be seen as a pivotal point in Welsh and British history.

The Castle Inn was eventually demolished years later and became the site for the Castle Cinema, which in turn has now also been demolished (summer 2011). Since the demolition of the Castle Cinema, this community group has been established, calling for a memorial art-work to be placed on the Castle Cinema site, to mark the Merthyr Rising of 1831, celebrating the achievements of Merthyr Tydfil’s working class communities. The local authority, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, are supportive of the idea and welcome the formation of this group, to help inform the site's future development which will include a building but can also include an element of public art.

For related pictures visit the Old Merthyr website.

Present / Presennol: Huw Williams (HW), Edwyn Parry (EP), Lisa Powell (LP), Russell Shurmer – Townscape Heritage Initiative MTCBC (RS) and Gus Payne – Arts Development MTCBC (GP), Apologies / Ymddiheuriadau: Jamie Bevan (JB), Gavin Lewis – Physical Regeneration MTCBC (GL), Rhian Prosser – Town Centre Manager MTCBC (RP), Karen Dusgate – Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association/Old Town Hall (KD), Kate Strudwick – H4A/Head for Arts (KS) and Lis McLean – Menter Iaith/Soar (LM).
1.	Minutes from last meeting / Cofnodion diweddaraf: No amendments to be made. RP and JB’s actions from last meeting need to be carried forward for next meeting: RP: Contact MTCBC Legal department to clarify what would need to be in place. RP: Look at other funding possibilities via Heritage Trust and Cadw. RP: Approach Roto-print to design a draft pop-up banner. JB: Contact Viv Pugh at the Dic Penderyn Society to see whether they would be able and/or willing. GP has spoken to both RP and JB and some progress has been made in these action areas. GP has also briefly spoken to Viv Pugh who was positive about the idea of the Dic Penderyn Society being the recipient body to hold money raised for the Merthyr Rising Memorial but he would need to consult with the group’s committee before agreeing.
2.	Current progress / Symudiad heddiw GP: Council has not yet approved the wider developments for the Castle Cinema site/Penderyn Square. Approval will now be delayed until after the May Council elections. HW suggested getting the WEA involved in some way. other people suggested to add to the group were; Ceinwen Statter (Historical Society), Huw Lewis AM, Helen Hughes (Stephens and George Charitable Trust) and the Local Authority’s Arts and Heritage Champions after the elections (the current protfolio member for Arts is included but not the Heritage Champion). Action: GP to add Ceinwen Statter, Huw Lewis, Helen Hughes and relavent portfolio members RS: Townscape Heritage Initiative project could fund the cost of flyers to give out at events to raise awareness of the project. LM popped into the meeting for a brief moment to ask if the new Heritage Officer, Sion ap Glyn could be added to the circulation list to attend future meetings. She also highlighted the fact that Caffe Cwtsh closes at 3.30pm. Future meetings will either need to be booked officially or take place during normal opening hours, due to limited staffing resources at Soar. Action: GP to add Sion to the email list
3.	Additional funding / Arian pellach GP: RP has been looking at some possible additional funding options: RP to update at next meeting.
4.	Artwork / Celfwaith GP brought copies of the Artist brief for consideration. There were no major changes requested at the meeting. Action: GP to circulate the Artist’s Brief with the next minutes for wider consideration before sending it out for Expressions of Interest, in consultation with GL.
	Date of next meeting: 5pm, 11th June 2012, Civic Centre. Dyddiad y cyfarfod nesaf: 5yh, 11eg o Fehefin 2012, Canolfan Ddinesig.

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