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Invisible Scars

4/9/2013

8 Comments

 
We tend to associate scars with some kind of physical representation. From the scars left on the body after an accident or surgery to the scars on the landscape as a result of natural disaster or human intervention. But some scars are invisible. And just like a human psyche can be hurt - emotionally and psychologically - and the outside world be unaware of the pain by looking at that person's face and demeanour, the landscape and a community can also bear scars that have been hidden by nature or the passage of time. But the hurt remains in people's memories. And sometimes even a map can hint at a scar.

If you look at the OS Explorer Map for the Port Talbot area (165) and cast your eyes below the large blue 39 that marks the motorway junction at Margam you'll see the word 'Groes' stamped on a patch of green. 

And that's what you'll see there if you take a drive. Greenery. And a network of roads. But prior to 1975 the scene would have been completely different. 
Picture
Lots of people in Port Talbot remember the tragic and shameful story of the beautiful, Cotswold-like Groes village built in the 1830s, designed by the architect Edward Haycock (1790-1870). They remember the long fight with the Welsh Office to preserve it, and losing that fight, and how it was condemned to rubble in 1974, by the Inspector of the Public Inquiry and the Secretary of State for Wales, Conservative MP, Peter Thomas, in order to build the eastern extension of the M4. Condemned, even though, two years earlier, Port Talbot Council’s deputy engineer, M. Emyr Jones, had suggested an alternative route for the motorway, to the south of the village, on the sea side of the A48, which only added an extra 51 metres to the motorway’s overall length. The only part of the village to be saved was Beulah, the village's 'round' chapel (it's actually octagonal). It was dismantled and rebuilt at Margam's Tollgate Park in 1975.

So next time you pass Junction 39 on the M4, or join it there, or circle the roundabout on your journey along the A48, remember Groes invisible amongst the green. One of our town's invisible scars. 

I'll let another Port Talbot author, the poet Gwyn Williams (1904-1990) who was born in Beverley Street, have the final word on Groes.

Groes: Margam

We have the scarred valleys to thank them for,
where veins of coal and ore were scraped off eastwards;
they have drowned valleys for the thirst of their
factories; we have dark ranked conifers massed
where sheep once grazed the sweet upland grass;
we have caravan outliers of Wolverhampton
on the few flat acres where wheat once ripened;
they have torn our railroad up and only cut
motorways through our land for their conveniences
the throb and stench and staining of their industries
hands out the fivers from fingers of scorn.
And now the Vandals set about to erase
(and slavish Glamorgan seems to accept it)
this lovely village where my mother was born.

From Collected Poems 1936 to 1986
Gomer Press 1987
8 Comments
Robert lewis
15/1/2019 11:30:02 pm

I remember the village very well. I lived close by in Abbots Close and had a friend who had a grandmother living there. It was a lovely peaceful place which did not deserve such a ghastly fate.

Reply
Lynne Rees link
16/1/2019 09:03:23 am

Thanks for taking the time to comment, Robert. Hope you enjoyed the blog archive.

Reply
Sam Ryall link
20/11/2019 10:45:59 am

Dear Mr Lewis
I work for the BBC. Could I speak to you about your memories of Groes please.
Regards
Sam

Reply
Lesley Tomlinson
19/1/2020 10:15:50 am

I was married to the Melis..I admired Romeo for his fight for such a beautiful place..I used to walk up there with my children..it was heartbreaking to see the bulldozers..but thanks to you we still have the pictures to show our grandchildren ...

Reply
Lynne Rees
20/1/2020 09:52:20 pm

Thanks so much for commenting, Lesley. The PTHS do a great job in keeping history alive.

Reply
Abigail
26/1/2020 09:16:10 am

My dad lived there 1930's to 1950s. It's lovely to see where he was born and spent his early years.

Reply
Anita Knill
19/6/2020 08:16:25 pm

My Dad was born in no 18 Groes in June 1921, his Mum, my grandma lived there until the compulsory purchase and subsequent demolition. Such a disgrace that a beautiful historic village was destroyed.

Reply
CP Williams
10/7/2020 09:16:08 pm

Shows why Wales needs to have strong governance by Welsh people.

Reply



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    Lynne Rees

    Picture
    Lynne Rees was born and grew up in Port Talbot and blogs as 'the hungry writer' at www.lynnerees.com. Her book, Real Port Talbot, an upbeat and offbeat account of the town and surrounding area, from Bryn to Sandfields, from Margam to Baglan Bay, and everything in between, is published by Seren Books.

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