PHOTOS- The Valley of King Bran- Take a look at the new mural at Cwmbran Centre for Young People

A mural of Cwmbran that involved 300 residents has been unveiled by Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds at Cwmbran Centre for Young People.

The Valley of King Bran shows the whole of Mynydd Maen from Twmbarlwm across to Blaen Bran and the valley below. Photos were taken from a field in Llanfrechfa and then artist Richard Davies produced a pencil drawing of the photos onto panels.

Elaine Preece, Marina Brierley and Richard then painted the view on five large panels. The 6m x 1.62m mural is also packed with the quotes and names of young people and residents who got took part.

If you look closely you may spot seven Magpies, 15 Fairies, and ‘four and a half’ field mice- the half just being the tail and the rump of one mouse disappearing behind the river. All of these things represent myth and legend but they are also there to entertain people in searching for them. 

 

Why is it called The Valley of King Bran?

Richard Davies explains: “The Valley of King Bran ( Teyrnas Bran ) as reference to the historical theory that, Cwmbran currently translated using the modern use of the word Bran, i.e. dark bird or crow is incorrect and due to Cwmbran  Development Corporation Board wishing to have a modern name for this then new town.

“When this area is in fact an ancient landscape originally the lordship of Caerleon, and Caerleon being (one of the oldest cities in Northern Europe). It has a very ancient history and is steeped in ancient Welsh history and legend. For example in reference to the name Bran.

“Bran the Blessed Farther of Caradog (Caratacus)  attributed according to a statement in one WelshTriads-  ‘Bran the blessed son of Llyr Llediaeth who first brought the faith in Christ to the nation of the Cymry from Rome , where he had been seven years held as a hostage for his son Caradog. History tells us that Caradog was held captive in Rome around 50-57 AD.”