Activists demand new name for ‘slaver’ street
BLACK Lives Matter activists are demanding the name of a new-build street in Barry is changed, saying it honours a well-known Welsh slaveowner.
They are staging a protest outside the Vale of Glamorgan Council offices today in protest over the name Fford Penrhyn given to a new residential street on the town’s waterfront.
Vale of Glamorgan council leader Councillor Neil Moore said a review of street names is being carried out – but that this particular street was named after the Welsh for “peninsular” and not after any individual.
Lawyer and black rights activist Hillary Brown, who is leading the protest, said that is not good enough.
She pointed out that name honours slave master Richard Pennant, the first Baron Penrhyn.
He made his fortune off the back of slaves forced to work on his plantations in Jamaica. The money made was crucial to his development of the slate industry and Penrhyn Castle on the outskirts of Bangor.
The National Trust, which now maintains the castle, says on its website: “Penrhyn Castle’s foundations were built on a dark history. One of exploitation, Jamaican sugar fortunes and the transatlantic slave trade.”
Ms Brown said she was astonished no-one at the Vale of Glamorgan Council made the connection when the street name was chosen, even if they meant to reference the local geography.
“I was driving last week on the new estate and was absolutely horrified to see one of the streets is named Fford Penrhyn. I couldn’t believe it.
“I contacted the builders Persimmon and they said the local authority chose street names. When I contacted the council they said the name means headland or peninsular in Welsh. But that’s unacceptable and I want it changed.
“Even if it is a genuine error, it’s a name that celebrates a slave master. It’s offensive to the people who live in Barry, in Jamaica and everyone.
“We will be holding a protest outside the council offices and want the name changed.”
Cllr Moore said the street was not named after an individual – but a review of street names and public buildings is being carried out in the wake of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests.
He said: “The street in question was not named after an individual, but rather includes the Welsh translation for peninsular or headland, reflecting its location near the coast. It is also a Cornish name for headland. The name does not refer to any historical figure.
“A process to review all statues and commemorations, including street names, public buildings and plaques in the Vale of Glamorgan is under way. It is vital those on public land are representative of local people’s values and those of a modern, inclusive council.
“We will be working with our communities and appropriate organisations to investigate links to slavery and any other behaviour or practice not befitting our ethos. The council will be considering the contents of the review in due course.
“This is a further example of the council’s determination to tackle prejudice in all its forms. As an organisation, we remain absolutely committed to the principle of equality regardless of race, age, gender, religion, disability or sexual orientation.”
Black Lives Matter demonstrations were staged across the world and Wales last month in protest at the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis when a white police officer held him down by pressing a knee into his neck for more than eight minutes.
In the wake of the protests over racial inequality, all Welsh statues, streets and building names are to be checked for links to the slave trade in an “audit” ordered by First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford .
Announcing the audit earlier this month, he said: “Some of our historic buildings are reminders of this painful period of our history.”
Now it seems some of the newer buildings are, too.
The protest to get the name changed will be held outside the Vale of Glamorgan Council offices at 1pm today.