Presenter shows heart to unveil park

May 1 2008 by Andrew Harrison, Glamorgan Gazette

Presenter shows heart to unveil park

HEAVY rain couldn’t dampen the hwyl as BBC news anchorman Huw Edwards opened Parc Calon Lan in Blaengarw.

More than 100 people braved the elements to attend the ceremony at the community woodland project, which was created on former colliery land.

Cor Meibion Cwm Garw and Garw Primary School children joined together in singing the famous hymn that lends its name to the park and was written in the valley.

Pontycymer vicar, Rev David Mortimore, blessed the park, and youngsters from Bridgend College and Ynysawdre Comprehensive School performed a special “haka” dance set to the words of Calon Lan.

Bridgend-born Mr Edwards cut the ribbon before planting a tree in memory of his grandparents, who came from Blaengarw.

Garw Valley Community Council chairman David Pugh said: “I would like to thank everybody who attended and stayed on despite the weather.

“Special thanks must go to Huw Edwards, who gave up his time for nothing and is such an approachable man.

“And also to the community council clerk, Wyn Davies, who made all the arrangements for the day.”

Coun Pugh also thanked Janice Gregory AM and Huw Irranca-Davies MP, Bridgend County Borough Council leader Cheryl Green and all the Garw Valley community councillors for attending the ceremony.

“The choir and school children were piped into the park by the Welsh pipers and everyone came back to the Workmen’s Hall for more singing and a buffet put on by Creation Development,” said Coun Pugh.

“And we are very grateful to the college and Ynysawdre Comprehensive for performing their haka for us.”