Blaenllechau is beautiful. Nestled at the top of the Rhondda Fach, it is surrounded by mountains and forestry, a rural idyll with no through road. If it was in south Dorset, where I recently spent a weekend with an old friend, the houses would be worth at least half a million each. But this is the valleys, where good quality former chapel buildings, with planning permission for conversion to a residential property are on the market for offers of around £30,000.
In the last five years, tiny Blaenlleachau has lost its post office, shop, primary school and its community centre has closed. They used to have a polling station on election day, but the council has taken that away now too.
Just outside Blaenllechau, a social enterprise called Rhondda Life has rebuilt the local rugby club and have plans to promote the area to tourists as well as activities for local people.
And on the mountain just above Blaenllechau is one of the valleys hidden gems, my personal favourite of the Valleys Essentials - the Brynffynon in Llanwonno.
And Vic Doyle is linking up with the Bryncynon Strategy to turn the land at Ffaldau Farm into a permaculture food production business, training local young people in horticultural and business skills.
All of these give Blaenllechau hope. But ambition is critical.
Vic is backing the Greenprint for the Valleys because he sees the proposals as one way to stop the decline in places like Blaenllechau, a chance to turn things around, because he has ambition for Blaenllechau. And he'll have the chance to tell Wales's Minister for Economic Development all about it next week.
* with thanks to David Hughes, Swansea poet, 'Ambition is critical'.
3 comments:
Hi Leanne. Out of interest where did the photo come from? I took one very similar because the first house you see belonged to my grandparents.
This is such fantastic project. I have read this blog at least 5 times now, keeps giving me more inspiration each time! Good luck Vic Doyle, but I don't think luck has got anything to do with it, hard work and dedication, and ambition to make the valleys a better place for everyone. I take my hat off to you.
my village (crynant) is exactly the same. ok i'm glad the mines are closed filthy places. but when thatcher closed them down the village became a ghost town. two pubs and a rugby field are the only forms of entertainment. and a small business park is the only work here nowadays. it used to be a thriving community. but thatcher couldn't care less.
we really need a plaid government to re generate this place. as it has huge potential.
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