Writing my current play I have had to revisit my past as I am writing something of what 'I know' (first rule of writing). Its certainly revealed things I had long forgotten and also churned up some buried emotions from things I have witnessed in my youth.

 

I had forgotten the villagers pride, I'd forgotten their embarrassment, I'm forgotten how Thatcher was a dirty word. I'd forgotten that this wasn't just an 80's issue...that since the mines opened there has always been fear, strike, survival and resilience.

The only reason I visit my birth home now is to place flowers on my grandparents/great grandparents graves. It makes me sad to think there are no longer any family living here. Family is important here...or at least it was.

This valley is one road in and one road out. We used to pray for snow and ice as it meant no school...no work... Now every time I visit there I'm made more aware of two striking differences. Its beauty and its ugliness. A complete juxtapostion. In Twin Town they refer to Swansea as Pretty Shitty I sometimes think of this valley as that - bleak, poor, struggling families and as the land of commando's and nights on the tiles with people screaming and falling in the gutter - of course I was one of them. Before that this place was a hard working mining community but the mining has left its scars. There seems to be a waning identity...I'm not sure what this valley is anymore???

Shops are closed, Pubs have burnt down. The square which was a hub of activity is now empty. There has been some regenration and theres a great Pantomime every year in BlaenGarw Workmans Hall.

But I can't help feeling its lost its soul and seeing a co-op where a mine once stood really epitomizes how things have moved on.

Am I being nostalgic? Perhaps? But to see a community clinging on for its very life breaks my heart every time I have to drive through.

 

But that's it I am just driving through...no need to stop. I feel like a tourist in my home village. 

 

However the villagers are still fighters - maybe it will have its hey day once again!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

Views: 82

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of National Theatre Wales Community to add comments!

Join National Theatre Wales Community

image block identification

© 2024   Created by National Theatre Wales.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service