Woman could face prosecution over ‘Cofiwch Dryweryn’ mural
A RESIDENT has been told to remove a “Cofiwch Dryweryn” mural on the side of her home.
Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) told home-owner Sian Thomas-Ford to remove the mural from her property in Maesteg or she may be prosecuted.
The mural marks the flooding of Capel Celyn, Gwynedd in 1965.
Ms Thomas-Ford has “no intention” of removing the piece and has been battling the council over the issue since spring 2019, when it was first painted.
Last September the council sent her a letter stating their highways department found the mural is a “distraction to drivers” after they visited the property.
The most recent letter Ms Thomas-Ford received from the council on July 16 stated she will be taken to court if the mural is not painted over within 21 days.
She said this made her feel “quite anxious – I’ve never been to court in my life”.
A petition to keep the mural was set up by artist Cerys Thomas-Ford, who also designed it. It has so far been signed by more than 1,300 people.
Councillor Timothy Thomas, Plaid Cymru group leader for BCBC, disagrees with the Labour-led council’s request to remove the mural and has signed the petition.
“Without any shadow of doubt and I will do everything I can to ensure it remains,” he said.
Ms Thomas-Ford painted the piece with her daughter Rebecca-Lea Tidball and friends Aled Gwyn Williams, and Cerys
Thomas-Ford.
They said they were inspired to make the mural after original “Cofiwch Dryweryn” wall in Llanrhystud, Ceredigion, was vandalised in early April 2019.
“Welsh history is important to us all,” said Ms Thomas-Ford.
“The vandalism of such a ‘famous’ piece of art was upsetting so we wanted to show solidarity that Welsh history is important, should be prominent, and unforgotten.”
The mural in Maesteg shows two dragons above the phrase “Cofiwch Dryweryn”.
Cllr Thomas said: “Many people from across Wales felt angry when the original mural in Llanrhystud was vandalised and we have seen replicas being made across Wales as an act of defiance.”
A council spokesperson said: “We have received repeated complaints about this and as a local planning authority, we are obliged to investigate and consider it under planning law with the same unbiased objectivity which we would apply to any other unauthorised advert which was reported to us.
“It is important to note that in planning terms, the content of the advert is irrelevant.
“Under planning law, we must carefully consider its impact on highway safety and visual amenity, and the same rules are applied in all such cases.
“As part of this process, we have provided the householder with suitable advice and will be visiting the location to inspect it further.”
Ms Thomas-Ford said: “I’m a bit incensed at the council’s behaviour”.
“They’ve shifted the goalposts in what seems like a pursuit to get rid of the painting.
“As far as we’re concerned, as Sian owns the property, she doesn’t need to ask permission to paint it in whatever colours or patterns she chooses.”
She also said a Banksy mural painted in December 2018 in Port Talbot was trated with more respect by Neath Port Talbot Council than the Maesteg mural was by BCBC.
“Maybe we should have found a more prolific artist to paint it,” she said.