DEDICATION OF THE REFURBISHED WAR MEMORIAL IN THE GORSEDD PARK, YSTRADGYNLAIS
FRIDAY, 11th NOVEMBER 2016
The War Memorial , Ystradgynlais in 2015
It was not until the 1970s that the town of Ystradgynlais had a central War Memorial for the District to commemorate the names of those persons from the District who paid the ultimate sacrifice in World War 1 and World War 2. There were however a number of Memorial Plaques erected at various locations within the district.
. The local Branch of the British Legion, with Mr. Ieuan Jenkins as Chairman, then arranged to have a memorial erected in the Gorsedd Park. A 10ft high limestone slab was donated by Hobbs Quarries Ltd., Penwyllt and was transported to the Gorsedd Park by the Wimpey Company. Two plaques were also donated – one in titanium and the other in stainless steel - onto which the names of the military personnel from Ystradgynlais, Abercraf, Coelbren, Glyntawe, Pen-y-Cae, Upper and Lower Cwmtwrch who lost their lives were to be engraved. Building material was also supplied, free of charge, by local companies and the Memorial was dedicated in time for the Remembrance Service in November 1978.
The refurbished Memorial being dedicated in 2016 incorporates features of the original Memorial with the names of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice engraved on the granite wings alongside. The then Chairman of Ystradgynlais Town Council, Cllr. Aneurin Davies along with personnel from the local Branch of the British Legion sought funding to refurbish the Memorial in the Gorsedd Park. Funding the construction work for the refurbished Memorial was obtained from Ystradgynlais Town Council and Powys War Memorial Project. The existing plaques will be relocated at the Welfare Hall, Ystradgynlais.
ORDER OF SERVICE
Introduction Mr Leslie Jones, Royal British Legion
Dedication of the War Memorial Canon Dewi Roberts, St Cynog’s Church
Readings Nia McLennan and Iestyn Jenkins Head Girl and Head Boy at Ysgol Maesydderwen
Laying of the Wreaths Cllr Aneurin Davies (Royal British Legion) Gurkha Regiment Cllr. Wayne Thomas ( Chairman, Ystradgynlais Town Council) Cllr. Keith Tampin (Chairman, Powys County Council)
Address Cllr. Wayne Thomas, Chairman, Ystradgynlais Town Council
Exhortation Mr. Derek Tong, Royal British Legion
The Last Post
Silence
Reveille
Capel Coelbren…………………………. Memorial Plaque and Pulpit (1920)
Miners’ Welfare Hall, Coelbren………. Coelbren Roll of Honour (1950s)
Ffynnon Cwmtwrch …………………… Peace Memorial (1920)
Ebenezer Chapel, Cwmtwrch………… Plaque on the Chapel Organ (1947)
Ysgol Maesydderwen…………………. Memorial Pipe Organ, Plaque and Book of Remembrance (1952)
St David’s Church, Ystalyfera………. 1st Swansea Valley Scouts’ Memorial (1920)
Penrhiwfarteg Scout Headquarters…1st Swansea Valley Scouts’ Memorial (1950)
St Cynog’s Church, Ystradgynlais … Memorial Plaque (1920s) and Book of Remembrance (1950s)
Miners’ Welfare Hall, Abercraf……… Plaque (1950s)
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the Sun and in the morning We will remember them. Laurence Binyon
For further information on the Powys War Memorials Project please visit http://www.powyswarmemorials.co.uk/