Steelworks
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"At the beginning of the '80s Wales started to change ... for the worse." Robert looks back at how Ebbw Vale has changed since his childhood.
Transcript
"Welcome to my local community - Ebbw Vale in south Wales. At one time this had one of the finest and most modern steelworks in Europe and possibly the world.
As a child I can remember the old steelworks which extended approximately four miles and the outside areas of the mines where you could see the coal buckets hanging from extraordinary heights.
People seemed to be happy with a sense of comradeship. They managed to get their work completed even though it was exhausting.
At the beginning of the 1980's Wales started to change... for the worse. Mines were closing. The steelworks were partially being knocked down. Jobs were getting scarce.
Then the Miners' Strike - where the men were portrayed as anarchists and yobs by politicians and the media, when all they were doing was protecting their way of life and their future.
Why did Ebbw Vale become a deserted ghost town which a government didn't even try to help? We lost the mines, steelworks, the railway service and the way of life.
Do we have to wait another twenty years for these areas to improve? People deserve a lot better. We lost a lot more than we'll ever gain.
That's why I'm angry."
An interview with the author
Please tell us a little about yourself
I am 30 years of age. I have lived in Ebbw Vale all of my life. I am currently studying Media and The Film Industry at Ebbw Vale college.
What's your story about?
My anger after the betrayal and closure of the steelworks. It's for the community and other communities which are similar in lifestyle to Ebbw Vale.
What did you find most rewarding about the workshop?
Completing the overall story. Team work. Advancing my computer skills in the software provided.
Your comments
"I was born in the Rookery in Ebbw Vale in 63 and loved the place i spent most of the summer at the Bowls club at RTB's (my granparents and parents played for them).i moved away in 75 when my father who worked at rt's got a job in Durham.I never wanted to go i loved the Vale. in 2005 i had the chance to move back home , while viewing some houses in the valleys i took the chance to show my now growen kids the town i loved so much . BUT after going though the Rassau where i last lived in EV i went up the Tump to the flats where i lived as a pre schooler i parked up over looking where the steelworks was and in front of a full 7 seatter mpv broke my heart. This was not my Ebbw Vale.But i still came back home altough i live in Merthyr i still go to EV alot as i still have family in the town. I see a town now trying hard to get back to normality . No matter what i'm still Ebbw Vale to the core. But i'm at a lose as to what will become of that once great town .NO COAL, NO STEEL, NO WORK."
Dave Jones, Merthyr Tydfil."I left ebbw in 78 and took the reduntant pay out, and came to Canada and have lived here since. still have my great friends still in Ebbw Vale. My Mam and Dad were Olive & Bert Evans. Still in British Columbia."
Alun Evans, ebbwvale."i have worked in the works for 23 and a half years and the time i was in there it was cool."
Simon Harries, E.VALE."I lived in EV for 10 years, a thriving friendly place 1940 - 1951. Have not been back since Garden Festival, but could see where it was heading. Shabbiness and dereliction. What a shame."
SD. Peak District,"This is a powerful message - what stood out for me was the hurt and injustice at being thought of as a mindless violent mob when we all now know that this was not the case at all. The politicians have a great deal to answer for ... "
Dave Smith from Holloway N7."Hi Rob, I can see and feel the anger not only from yourself but many others who worked at the E.V.site and lost their jobs. I worked there from 1971 up to the closure 2002 where I transfered to the Trostre Works. The whole of the valley looks so run down, let's just hope that the regeneration program will lift the area and the people. Good luck to you all."
Steven Harris, Swansea."I am really saddened by the stories herein. My husband and I just visited the Brecon Beacons and surrounding areas this afternoon for a few hours out in our lovely countryside. I am deeply upset at the horrible state most of Neath, Ebbw Vale, Merthyr Tydfil et al are in. I left this country in 1976 for America and returned to retire back home in 2000 - what a sad, neglected Wales we now live in. I can remember the beauty of our lovely piece of heaven in our Vale and Valley areas. Today even my lovely hometown of Barry looks sad and unkempt. Yes, we have some improvements but how sad to see our Holton Road shopping area with smashed windows, gridded shopfronts which are necessary now at the close of business, not to mention the dog mess and some really 'rough' people. Improvements to the pavements, town hall, library are lovely but what has been left untouched spoils the improvements here. I remember this town as a nice place to live when I was growing up or am I just wearing rose-cloured glasses? We have lost the mines, steelworks and pride of our people. The government and local officials need to take responsibility and bring our towns back to their former glory."
Marilyn Lyhons - Barry, S. Wales."After reading the comments about Ebbw Vale it makes me very sad. Iwas born at 13 Elm Street Cwm, just outside Ebbw. I can only remember green grass oak trees and a very lovely place that will stay in my mind forever. That was 60 years ago and at times I CAN still smell the green green grass of home."
Roy Compton from Australia."A lot of what has gone on is because of the lack of political will, both by the national and local governments. Okay a rail link is happening, big deal, the former Corus site is now a watered down version of what was initially a much better project. Look at Cardiff Bay and the billions, yes, billions spent there, as a result the bulk of Wales has to suffer. A similar thing is with the Olympics, the rest of the country will pay for the games with under-investment.Unfortunately Blaenau Gwent is as always last in the queue when jobs,investment and services are dished out."
stevey from EBBW"I'm originally from Abertillery. When I left school I worked in the dining rooms of the old RTB steel works. I have lived away for many years and when I return I visit both Ebbw Vale and Abertillery. What sorry sights they are. After 10 years of Labour, nothing, once a labour stronghold. Labour should bow its head in shame."
Martin Lewis, London."I recently visited Ebbw Vale, a place that I was once very proud to call home.What has happened to it.It was like visiting Albania! All the closed shops, derelict buildings and litter.The once proud people looked 'grey', worn out and deserted.Does no one in authority (National and Local Government)care about the plight of this once prosperous area.I fear for the community and can only see things getting worse.Surely something must be done for the young and old in the town.When you consider the historic contribution that Ebbw Vale has made to the prosperity of the country it is time that something was done.I am very angry about what I witnessed."
Phil Morgan , Gloucester.
