Connect2 Project

Clydach residents choose who to immortalise in steel

• Bevan, Grindell-Matthews & Smith to be part of public artwork

Three local heroes are to be immortalised in a piece of art which will be placed along a new pedestrian and cycle route in Clydach.  Life-size images of retired international rugby referee Derek Bevan, inventor and pioneer Harry Grindell-Matthews and local midwife Lillian Smith, will be created in a weathering steel that will decorate a ‘Portrait Bench’ to be placed along a collection of new and refurbished paths that will connect Clydach to Glais, Pontardawe, Morriston and Craig Cefn Parc.

The bench will be installed in the Spring near Swansea Canal at Coed Gwilym Park , Pontardawe Road, Clydach.

The Portrait Bench – is a new art initiative from sustainable transport charity - Sustrans - which will soon be appearing all over the UK as part of the Connect2 project providing newly created routes for pedestrians and cyclists using a £50million grant from the Big Lottery Fund.  Sustrans is one of the largest commissioners of public art in the UK with over 2000 original artworks along the 12,600 miles of National Cycle Network.

Lillian Smith, a retired midwife who has delivered hundreds of babies in the community, topped the public vote. She  said, “I’m really thrilled to have been chosen by the local community.  It’s an honour to be remembered in this way and that it has come about by a public vote makes it feel that much more special.”

Former international rugby referee, Derek Bevan, is a local man who rose to the top of his profession, taking charge of the 1991 World Cup Final between England and Australia at Twickenham. Derek said, “I often walk along the site where the bench is going to be located, so not only am I looking forward to new pathways, but I am now going to get to see my portrait on a regular basis.  It might take a while to get used to!

“It’s a really honour to have been nominated by local people, this is a fantastic community.”

Harry Grindall-Matthews, the inventor and pioneer, had his lab in South Wales in the early 20th century.  He was the first man to make radio contact with an aeroplane in flight, from Ely Racecourse in Cardiff, but is perhaps most famous for his ‘Death Ray’ invention of 1924.

Sara Rees, Senior Arts Officer, Sustrans Cymru, said

“It’s great that local people in Clydach and the surrounding area have chosen their Portrait Bench characters, representing a real mix of people who mean so much to their local community.

“We can’t wait to see the bench installed and see it really become a part of the landscape. Sustrans supports public art that local people can see and enjoy every day and the Portrait Bench is a great example of how our everyday journeys can be made attractive and interesting.”

Derek Bevan & Lillian Smith with pupils from Clydach Junior School:

Front row  from  left to right – Derek Bevan, Wendy Lewis, Jake Dickerson; Lillian Smith,

                 Lisa Foster, Bethan Griffiths,Gwyn Evans (Chair of Connect2 steering group)

Back Row – Lewis McComas, Tristan Sinnott, Curtis Jones,  Sam Farr, Rhys Evans

The Connect2 route in Clydach will upgrade a series of existing paths and develop new ones, allowing local people to make more local journeys easily and safely without having to get in their car.

Helen Davies, Sustrans’ Project Officer for the Clydach Connect2 project, said, “Construction work has begun along the Swansea Canal towpath section and is due to be completed in April.

“This phase of work involves resurfacing the canal towpath and providing a much needed, new link around the City of Swansea’s Depot site at Pontardawe Road.  “Currently the path is diverted around several blind corners and down a narrow alley which is far from ideal.  The new route will provide a safe and easy link for pedestrians and cyclists wanting to get around the area.”

Detailed plans:

For a more detailed map please click here

Who are Sustrans?

Sustrans is the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity. They’re the charity behind the National Cycle Network, Safe Routes to Schools, Bike It and TravelSmart, all projects that are changing our world one mile at a time. Find out more at www.sustransconnect2.org.uk

The Sustrans website - www.sustrans.org.uk - has a free online map service to discover how to get around everyday on foot or by bike. Search for local or national routes, plot journeys, or find what the local area has to offer from schools, supermarkets and local landmarks to car clubs, bus stops and bike shops.