The

Fesva24th June - 1st July 2018

Celebrating the 70th anniversary of the National Health Service Foreword

Dear Friends, The conveyor belt of politicians continued Welcome to over the years, however Aneurin Bevan, , the Nye to us, stands loud and proud at the Home of the NHS head of that list. The injustices that he and to the first witnessed in school, at home and in the Bevan Festival pit drove the young Bevan to fight for Week. Organised a better future for his community. Later by Tredegar he used the blue print of the Tredegar Town Council it Workingmen’s Medical Aid Society to celebrates our end the health and housing poverty trap favourite son and faced by so many. In his own words he Wales’s greatest ‘Tredegarised’ the UK and introduced hero, Aneurin the National Health Service, giving Bevan. healthcare free at the point of need and put in motion the largest public housing The town of Tredegar has a long and programme ever launched in Britain. proud history stretching back to its early iron making days that made Wales the Seventy years on we celebrate this most world’s first industrial nation. wonderful gift to our nation and long may it continue to help those who need Many of those workers joined forces with it most. comrades in the coal pits, iron works and patches and limestone quarries to fight for Cllr Haydn Trollope and earn our democratic right to Mayor of Tredegar vote. Streams of Chartist campaigners marched from our town to Newport, some never returned paying the ultimate cost. Sunday 24th June Sunday Afternoon Band Concerts Tredegar Town Council proudly celebrating our heritage Bedwellty Park 3:00-5:00pm Home of Nye Bevan and the Throughout the summer months, Tredegar Town Council provides free musical entertainment in Bedwellty Park. National Health Service The music is predominantly provided by traditional brass bands however other local choirs and musical groups sometimes Looking after your facilities, your community take part. On Sunday 24th June the Tongwynlais and your town. Temperance Band will be performing. Also on Sunday 24th June there is Live music in The Castle.

The other performances this summer are: 1st July Tredegar Town Band 8th July Ebbw Valley Brass 15th July Cross Keys Band 22nd July Oakdale Band 29th July Tredegar Orpheus Male Voice Choir 5th August Monmouth Big Band Tredegar Town Council 12th August Abergavenny Borough Band Bedwellty House, Bedwellty Park, Morgan Street Nye’s Tredegar - Places to visit and things to do Tredegar, Aneurin Bevan Heritage Trail NP22 3XN A walking & cycling/car trail taking in important sites associated with Aneurin Bevan. The town trail can be walked however we recommend the remainder of the trail is undertaken by cycling or car. Leaflets can be downloaded at 01495 722 352 www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk or collected from Bedwellty House. [email protected] 4 www.tredegartowncouncil.co.uk Bevan and his Tredegar Nick Smith MP Aneurin Bevan was born on 15th November 1897, one of the 10 Member of Parliament for children born to David and Phoebe Bevan. They lived in a small terraced Blaenau Gwent property in Charles Street. His dad was a miner, his mother a seamstress. Tredegar at the turn of the century was Bevan earned a scholarship to the a prosperous town yet poverty reigned Central Labour College in London where for the working classes, with the powerful he studied Marxism developing his Tredegar Iron and Coal Company (TIC) socialist ideology. hiring, firing and calling all the shots. Nye along with his brother Billy, Walter Bevan wasn’t particularly academic at Conway and others formed a political school, this in part due to the antagonistic debating society called the Query Club head teacher who humiliated this shy whose aim was to wrench the grip stammering youngster. Nye left school at of power from the TIC. The club also 13, going straight to the pit with his father raised and redistributed funds to needy where he joined The Fed and became a members. trade union activist. By the age of 19 he Walter Conway was the secretary of headed the Tredegar Lodge of the South Tredegar Medical Aid Society and Wales Miners Federation. He was already mentored the young Nye who too a well known orator but was regarded was a member of the Cottage Hospital a troublemaker by the TIC who sacked Management Committee. Nye was him and had to reinstate him, following a elected to Tredegar Urban District victimisation battle. Council in 1922 and then won a seat on Monmouthshire County Council in 1928 before becoming MP for Ebbw Vale in 1929 General Election. Following the 1945 Labour landslide election, he became Advice Surgery Minister for Health. He put in place the largest public housing building program Friday July 13th and ‘Tredegarised’ the UK through establishing the National Health Service. At Abertillery Library (Station Hill, NP13 1TE) The NHS remains a cherished institution From: 4:30pm - 5:30pm for the country just as Tredegar’s Nye, our Nye will forever be Wales’s greatest hero. No appointment is needed Please email me on [email protected] or ring 01495 313 167 if you want my help with anything. 6 AlunTredegarDavies Medical AM/AC  AlunDavies AM/AC AidAssembly Society Member for Blaenau Gwent Assembly Member for Blaenau Gwent

InAelod the 1800s Cynulliad there were several dros Blaenau GwentNye’s Tredegar - Aelod Cynulliad dros Blaenau Gwent benevolent societies in Tredegar some of Places to visit and things to do which provided medical benefits to their members. In 1890 several of these merged Aneurin Bevan to form the Tredegar Workmen’s Medical Aid and Sick Relief Fund. After the turn of Memorial the century, the concept of building their Stones own hospital was proposed. A committee The stones mark the spot where was formed, Lord Tredegar gave them Aneurin Bevan, Labour MP for the the land and the Tredegar Iron and Coal Ebbw Vale constituency and architect Company along with other philanthropists of the National Health Service, paid for its construction in 1904. In1909, addressed his constituents and the the workers increased their weekly world. The hillside location saw contributions from a halfpenny to one enormous gatherings eager to hear penny a week to cover it’s running costs. one of the greatest orators in the The Society was recognised nationally as history of British politics. The central the most advanced and beneficial health monolith represents Bevan and the provider for its members. In 1915 Walter 3 smaller ones represent Rhymney, Conway was appointed as its secretary Tredegar and Ebbw Vale, the 3 towns and under his vision and drive the society in his constituency. continued to expand employing more Within ten years the local MP, Nye Bevan doctors, dentists and dental mechanics was appointed as Minister for Health and opening two general surgeries. It now and the Tredegar Workmen’s Medical looked after 20,000 members. Walter Aid Society became the blue print for 23 BeaufortConway Streetremained in post until his death Myin next advice surgery is on  23 Beaufort Street My next advice surgery is on  our cherished National Health Service. 1933 and by then 95% of the population This was the beginning of the end for the Brynmawrof Tredegar were benefitting from its Friday 13th July 2018 Brynmawr Friday 13th July 2018 Society as it was replaced by a universal services. It employed five doctors, two system. It was eventually wound up in Blaenaudentists, Gwent pharmacists and nurses. 10.30am—11.30am Blaenau Gwent 10.30am—11.30am 1994 with 114 members who still paid NP23 4AQ theirTredegar 18p a week Library towards their medical NP23 4AQ Tredegar Library expenses cover. [email protected]  [email protected] 

01495 311160 If you require an evening or weekend 01495 311160 If you require an evening or weekend 8 appointment, or a home visit, then appointment, or a home visit, then please get in touch. please get in touch. Wednesday 27th June Quiz Night held at Tredegar Moose Hall Quiz starts at 7.30pm Test your knowledge at a fun and entertaining evening organised by Blaenau Gwent Labour Party

Nye’s Tredegar - Places to visit and things to do Cefn Golau Cofrestredig Rhif Y Cwmni / Company Registration No.: / Charity Elusen Registration Rhif Cofrestredig No.: 6693227 1127952 Cholera Cemetery This isolated site, set on the bleak mountainside to the west of Tredegar is one of the most evocative in the south Wales valleys. Here rest the mortal remains of at least two hundred people, victims of the “King of Terrors” – cholera. Dylunio bwtic.co.uk / Design: Thursday 28th June Nye’s Tredegar - Question Places to visit and things to do Bedwellty Time House & Park Bedwellty House A listed Regency villa surrounded by Time 7.30 a historic garden established in 19th This is your opportunity to put your century for the famous Homfray national politicians on the spot and ask Ironmaster dynasty. Bedwellty House those questions you have always wanted and Park are intimately linked with answers to. the early social history of Industrial Wales. Its relevance continued when the house and park were given to the people of Tredegar in 1901 and consequently became a centre of the Labour movement in Wales and Britain. It was in the council chamber here that the young Bevan cut his political teeth. The park contains an arboretum, tea rooms and the biggest block of coal in the world!

12 us Find www.morning O staronline.co.ukn Why read the Nye’s Tredegar - Lin Places to visit and things to do E Parc Bryn Bach The park is set in 340 acres of mixed grass and woodland and has a 36- We’re not owned by oligarchs or big acre lake as its focal point. The park business, but by thousands of ordinary is enjoyed by everyone, whether you people via the People’s Press Printing are strolling or cycling around the Society co-operative. ‘‘ The Morning lake, having a picnic or barbeque with We’re the only newspaper that actively Star is the the family, enjoying a round of golf campaigns for working-class politics, most precious or participating in some of the many offers a unique socialist perspective on adventure activities available there. national and international issues and and only voice which tells the stories that the other we have in papers don’t. the daily Friday 29th June The Tories have declared media class war. The Morning Star Jeremy Walking in the represents the voice Corbyn of resistance. Footsteps of Nye Meet at Tafarn Ty Uchaf, Trefil 10:00am Nye loved to walk across the lonely moors above Trefil, through a landscape packed with myths, archaeology and political history. Follow in the footsteps of this legendary man to his favourite view of the Brecon Beacons and the Chartists’ Cave.

As your Member of Parliament, I hold regular advice surgeries across Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney.

For information on my upcoming surgeries, or if I you would like any help and advice, please contact me on:

Call: 01685 383739 Email: [email protected] Write: Oldway House, Castle Street, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8UX 14 Friday 29th June - 1st July Saturday Program

Trade Union 10.00am Programme will include Nye Bevan Lecture, Political foundations of Labour, Devolution in Wales and School Trade Unions campaigns The Political School is organised by Unions etc Together Wales to celebrate the proud 4.00pm Aneurin Bevan Trail history of the Labour Party and Trade guided walk Union movement. To book your place 5.30pm Break contact Mary Williams on 7.30pm Poems, Pints and Pies - 02920 394521 / 07768931270 Moose Lodge Return to accommodation Bedwellty Sunday Program House - Bevan Day Council WALES TUC CYMRU 10.00am Review of the Sunday Chamber papers CELEBRATING 70 YEARS Friday Program 10.30am Banner Parade OF THE NHS 12noon Speeches at the 10:00am Guided Walk in the Bandstand (Jeremy Footsteps of Aneurin Corbyn, , Bevan. (meet in Trefil) Carolyn Harris, Jon MAE WALES TUC CYMRU 4.00pm Introduction to the Ashworth and others) 2.00pm Festival - and welcome Plans going forward - YN DATHLU 70 MLYNEDD from the Mayor Council Chamber 3.00pm 4.30pm History of the Trade Commissioned music O’R GIG Union Movement performance, lighting of 5.30pm Break – check in at b&b/ the lantern and hotel 7.30pm Festival Dinner – Guest Speaker AM Return to accommodation

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bevan day brochure advert.indd 1 14/06/2018 14:30 Friday 29th Saturday June 30th June Summer Bevan’s Tredegar Little Theatre, Tredegar Gala Dinner 4:00pm Bedwellty House, Tredegar Locally produced film about Bevan and 7:00pm his town. Sponsored by Lynne and Darren of The Castle. On Friday evening a Summer Gala Dinner will be held in Bedwellty House to Nye’s Tredegar - Places to visit and things to do celebrate Nye and his achievements. Guest Speaker Jeremy Miles AM This event is organised by Tredegar Labour Party and to book your tickets Ironworks contact 07944 881333 or 07538 The Sirhowy Ironworks is a rare 752247 survivor of the heyday of iron making in the South Wales valleys. They were first established in 1778 supplying Ebbw Vale with iron where it was worked into wrought iron and later steel. Nye’s Tredegar - Places to visit and things to do St James Pond A recreational area found to the east of Georgetown, Tredegar surrounded by forestry. The site includes picnic areas and pathways accessible by all. Fishing is also allowed with carp, rerch, roach, rudd, and tench being the main fish available. Permits are available from Tredegar Angling Centre, 5 Morgan Street, Tredegar Town Centre, 01495 725570 or from the bank side bailiff. The site is also one of 5 Dark Sky Reserves in Blaenau Gwent.

Saturday 30th June Guided Public and Commercial Undeb Y Gwasanaethau Walk Services union Cyhoeddus a Masnachol Aneurin Bevan Trail, meet at Bedwellty House 4.00pm. Representing workers in the Yn cynrychioli gweithwyr yn y devolved and non-devolved civil gwasanaeth sifil sydd wedi a heb ei service, other public bodies and the ddatganoli, cyrff cyhoeddus eraill a’r Saturday 30th June commercial sector sector masnachol The Cambrian Campaigning for: Yn ymgyrchu dros y canlynol: Peaky • A decent pay rise for all public • Codiad cyflog priodol i bob gweithiwr Saturday 30th June employees – lift the Tories’ 1% cap and cyhoeddus – cynyddu terfyn y Blinders raise the minimum wage to £10 an Ceidwadwyr o 1% a chodi’r isafswm Poems, Pints hour! cyflog i £10 yr awr! theme night • Protection for jobs and services – • Diogelwch ar gyfer swyddi a 7:00pm and Pies stop the closure of job centres, tax gwasanaethau – atal canolfannau gwaith, With themed 1940’s music and karaoke. Tredegar Moose Lodge, Lower offices and other workplaces in our swyddfeydd treth a gweithfannau eraill Also serving traditional fish and chips Coronation Street communities! rhag cau yn ein cymunedau! wrapped in newspaper 9-4pm. • Fairness at work – repeal the 2016 • Tegwch yn y gwaith – diddymu Deddf 7:30pm Trade Union Act and strengthen Undebau Llafur 2016 a chryfhau No celebration in Wales would be workers’ rights! hawliau’r gweithwyr! Tredegar town council would like to complete without a good old sing along thank Melin Homes, Tredegar Ladies and some speeches, poems and good food. 1 Cathedral Road, Cardiff 1 Heol yr Eglwys Gadeiriol, Caerdydd Circle, Friends of Bedwellty Park, Tai Bring along your favourites to share. CF11 9HA CF11 9HA Calon Community Housing Limited and FREE event with the option to buy food. Tel: 02920 666363 Ffôn: 02920 666363 Tredegar Gardeners Club for sponsoring Event organised by Tredegar Moose Email: [email protected] Ebost: [email protected] 20 the festival. No.1 Lodge. Nye’s Tredegar - The National Health Service is Places to visit and things to do Tredegar’s gift to Wales, the UK Tredegar Local History Museum The museum has a varied collection of artefacts reflecting the industry and life and the rest of the world. of this important iron making town. The museum has several exhibits showcasing Tredegar’s unique history including Tredegar Medical Aid Society. When Nye talked of “Tredegarising Britain” he wasn’t simply talking about the new health service, he was talking about our values and our vision. He was talking about how those values would drive a new way of delivering health care and a new way of taking care of everyone in society, and today in Wales that vision and those values still drive our ambition for our NHS.

In Wales, the has protected the NHS, there is no privatisation of the service, no profiteering from suffering or illness and protecting health and social services from the worst of austerity. Those decisions are driven by our values, Nye’s values. In exactly the way that Nye Bevan demanded but we have also gone further than that. Nye’s Tredegar - Places to visit and things to do We are planning a new NHS for the future, bringing together health care and social services, to provide a seamless system of care for everyone. We will focus on our own Tredegar health and how we all can stay healthy and fit for longer. We are investing in new hospital and health care centres. The biggest hospital project in Wales at Llanfrechfa Town Clock is taking shape to serve our needs in south east Wales and new primary care centres Built in 1858, the iron clock tower is opened in Brynmawr and planned for Tredegar. a symbolic reminder that the town’s existence and growth was due to the In celebrating 70 years of taking care of us, our families and communities, we look production of iron. forward to a National Health Service, rooted firmly in Nye’s vision, being renewed and reinvented for the new challenges by a Government which is true to those timeless socialist values. Alun Davies 23 Sunday 1st July Nye Bevan was a Bevan Day colossus of British Bedwellty Park Politics. All who

9:00am Exhibition of School have followed him, Competition Entries myself included, 10.30am Trade Union Banner March from Bevans realise they are former home in Charles Street to Bedwellty Park standing on the 12:00noon Political Speeches at the shoulders of a Band Stand 1:00pm Musical performances true giant. by Tredegar Comprehensive School He was the architect of an institution Our better healthcare has meant 14:00pm School Oracy and that is the envy of the world and first that we live longer than ever and our population is ageing. debating competitions took root here in our borough.

15:00pm Tredegar Town Band When Bevan said he wanted to Obesity rates are climbing, including with and the lighting of the “Tredegarise” the NHS he was basing children, and it’s storing up a potential commemorative miners his plans on the Tredegar Medical Aid health crisis down the road. lamp to be taken to Society. Parliament. And all this against the backdrop of A mutual - an organisation established years of austerity from Conservative-run There will be many other performances, for all, supported and funded by the Westminster. activities and stalls at Bedwellty House and people of Tredegar. Park. To truly honour the 70th anniversary of Whether they be miners at Ty Trist the NHS, it isn’t just about celebrating all colliery like my grandfather, quarry it stands for and all it provides for one workers in Trefil or nurses at the St day. The James’ hospital. But working together to make sure we Cambrian However, even on a day of celebration are proud of all we’ve done to make the Beer Garden Party with BBQ, live 1940’s such as this I know he wouldn’t want us 70 years ahead successful ones. themed music and an outdoor bottle bar. to rest on our laurels. The Castle, 8.00pm Live Music. Let’s get stuck in. We may have put polio and diphtheria to bed, made medical breakthroughs that decades ago we could only dream of, but we now have to tackle the challenges of the 21st century. Nick Smith 24 25 Calendar of events Sunday 24th 29th June - 1st June July • Band Concert, • Political School, Bedwellty Park Bedwellty House • Live music, The Castle Saturday 30th Wednesday 27th June June • Bevan’s Tredegar, Little • Quiz Night, Theatre The Moose Lodge • Poems, Pints and Pies, Moose Lodge Thursday 28th • Peaky Blinders night, The June Cambrian • Question Time • Aneurin Bevan Trail. Meet at Bedwellty House Friday 29th June at 4pm • Guided Walk, Trefil • Gala Dinner, Bedwellty Sunday 1st July House • Swing Band, The Castle BEVAN DAY • Beer Garden Party & BBQ, The Cambrian • Live music, The Castle 26 Designed by artmattersstudio.co.uk AD FOR WALES - NHS.qxp_Layout 1 11/06/2018 13:13 Page 1 CELEBRATING

7YEARS OF0 THE NHS Unite is proud to support the 2018 Bevan Festival. Celebrating 70 years since the founding of the NHS in Wales

Andy Richards Wales Secretary Mike Jenkins Regional Chair

www.unitetheunion.org/wales www.facebook.com/unitewales @UniteWales