The Chartist Bridge in Blackwood. Photograph by Huw Fairclough / Shutterstock.com, used under licence.

We’re delighted to announce the launch of the Rhymney and Sirhowy Valleys branch of Gwlad, the latest addition to the Gwlad family of local groups.

The fledgling branch will cover the area which includes Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, Gelligaer, Bargoed, Rhymni, Blackwood and Tredegar.

Welcoming the news, Gwlad leader Gwyn Wigley Evans said, “I’m delighted to hear that this new local branch of Gwlad has already held its first meeting. I’m looking forward to attending one of their future meetings very soon. We now have groups operating in many parts of Wales, including Aberconwy, Aberystwyth, Cardiff and Swansea with more in the pipeline.

“With the Senedd elections now just months away, and council election opportunities happening almost every day, we see that local branches have a vital role in spreading the Gwlad message at grassroots level

“This is a message of an independent, optimistic and entrepreneurial Wales, focusing on a growing and thriving economy, supported by a light-touch government.”

Ant Cook, chair of the new branch added, “Having lived in the Rhymney valley for most of my life, aside from my time serving with Royal Welsh regiment, I know from experience the challenges our communities face in these valleys.

“My family has been part of the Rhymney Valley valley’s mining history for generations, and I understand the struggles that have followed the decline of our traditional industries. Gwlad’s policies, based on Welsh nationalism and free-market economics with a light-touch government, offer a clear path forward.

“Our plan is to create a vibrant, self-sustaining economy by prioritizing our own. We will champion homegrown small and medium sized businesses, reforming business rates to help
them thrive and ensuring that the wealth created here stays here.

“By supporting our local businesses and entrepreneurs, we can build a resilient economy from the ground up, giving high-skilled, meaningful employment to the people of these valleys. This economic prosperity will enable us to reinvest in our communities, reversing the closure of important public facilities like leisure centres and libraries, and funding new community assets such as
sports pitches with modern drainage or 4G surfaces.

“Wealth has been exported from these valleys, with nothing given back in return. And what wealth we could claim back for ourselves has been stagnated by an incompetent Labour government. Gwlad will change that.

“Gwlad will also ensure that local Welsh history, language and culture are central to the school curriculum. By teaching our children about local heroes like the Lord of Senghenydd Ifor Bach, who defied and resisted the Norman conquest of these valleys, to the struggles of our mining communities, we will instil a strong sense of pride. This pride will build strong, patriotic communities with a collective drive to secure a better, more prosperous future for the Rhymney and Sirhowy Valleys.

“These are just some of the many things that we can bring to these valleys. I am delighted that we now have a branch in this area that will deliver Gwlad’s message of pragmatic, forward thinking, economy-driven policies that will put Welsh people, Welsh business and Welsh culture first”

To join, or find out more about our new branch, search for Gwlad Rhymney and Sirhowy Valleys on Facebook, or call Ant Cook on 07795 194122.