Stephanie Nummelin, owner of Browning Books  

‘Blaenavon is very important to me. I was brought up in the town and opened the bookshop 5 years ago. My husband Andrew and I decided to call the shop ‘Brownings| ’ in memory of my great grandfather Lewis Browning. He wrote the first history of the town in 1906 – A Brief History of Blaenavon – Monmouthshire , we often wonder what he would think of the town now. To view it through his eyes now would be so interesting.’

Jonathan Goss, volunteer engine driver at Blaenavon’s Heritage Railway

I am a Blaenavonite and just as I am a unique human being, this town in which I live and, have always lived, is also unique. Sitting in splendid isolation at the top of the Eastern Valley, Blaenavon has the best of both worlds, - there is woodland, rugged moorland, scattered farmlands and an abundance of rural beauty and yet, the community of Blaenavon itself has its roots in industry – coal, iron and steel. The people of Blaenavon are proud of their heritage and its history has made the community what it is today – caring, independent and ever-hopeful for the future’.

Pat Morgan, active member of the Blaenavon community

'The main thing I like about Blaenavon is the scenery , the mountains on both sides of us which seem to protect us and in the summer months provide us with wimberrys which we used to spend a whole day picking with a picnic . Nowadays pleasure must be taken nearer to home and there are many organisations for all ages to join. I belong to the Horticultural Society, the Blaenavon Hospital Welfare Society, World Heritage Day Committee and Blaenavon Townswomen’s’ Guild. All these groups bring me in contact with many people and this I think is one of the strong points of Blaenavon – the community spirit which is not evident until things go wrong and then everyone pulls together’. ‘Blaenavon people at first meeting may appear to be reserved, but believe me; they make the best friends and neighbours’.

Nathan Matthews, member of staff at the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre

'Blaenavon has a rich and exciting history| . Some of my family have resided in the town for nearly two hundred years and I am proud of the role that they and their contemporaries played in the making of the modern world through their toil during the industrial revolution. I am pleased to work in a place which celebrates the illustrious history of the town and the endeavours of people, like my ancestors| , who contributed to making Blaenavon the success it was during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries’.

Kieron Redman, member of staff at Big Pit: National Coal Museum

As a young person growing up in Blaenavon I learnt how important the history of the town and area is working here as an adult I get to see how many people visit and are excited about what they see. I am so lucky because if I’d been born 150 years ago I would have worked in the Ironworks|  or underground – now I get to talk to people and show them how proud I am of my heritage.

Robert Gulliford MBE, volunteer at the Blaenavon Community Heritage and Cordell Museum

I like Blaenavon because of its wealth of interest and important sites in tourism for locals and visitors of all ages. The district is full of beautiful views and scenery. The World Heritage Site| is full of local history and geology, natural history, biology, and abundant industrial archaeology.

Alvin Nicholas, Commons Officer - Forgotten Landscapes

The countryside around Blaenavon is stunning. There’s so much to discover. Windswept hills and ancient woodlands, sunken lanes, hidden valleys, wildlife in abundance and history everywhere you look. If like me you love walking, then Blaenavon Industrial Landscape has something to suit all tastes. From the 18km Iron Mountain Trail| to Sunday strolls along the canal| . Without a doubt, Blaenavon has some of the best walking country in Wales.

Julie Phillips, member of staff at Big Pit: National Coal Museum

The thing I love about Blaenavon is the sense of community and belonging that is central to town life. I have lived in other towns in the South Wales Valleys and I haven’t seen any other community come together like we do for events|  like Heritage Day and Christmas celebrations. Over half my workmates at Big Pit come from the local area and we feel more like an extended family. It is easy to feel we are part of history working here but we are also very aware of passing on the knowledge of our heritage  to future generations.

Blaenavon Town Band

'With the Band’s long history as the Colliery Workmen’s Band it is proud of its cultural heritage and association with the mining industry of the town, but is equally as proud to be an organisation which will be part of the future of the town’

Susan Fiander-Woodhouse, owner of the Blaenafon Cheddar Company

Fifteen I was when first I came to the little town I love
Nestled closely in the mountainside
God looks down on from above.
Friendly smiles greeted me and warmth was felt within

20 years has passed me by and now I walk as kin.
Many secrets hold’s our town of wild untamed beauty
Heathery tracks where men have trod, and gave their lives for duty
Special places now I know, where my dog & I can go
To sit and listen to the wind that makes my face aglow.

When Jack Frost dances here
He makes my heart take flight
For magic silver stardust he scatters in the night
Like glistening jewels, dewdrops sparkle around the Keepers Pond|
Mountains peep up from the fog down in the valleys beyond

Our town in summer holds no shadows of winters hardened bite
Sunshine dances down our streets, shedding her warmth & light.
The pavement hot beneath my feet, you can feel the breezes blow
Gently cooling, kissing your cheeks with a healthy bronzy glow

The view that took my breath away, the day at first I came
And each and every time I look my heart still feels the same
The little town in which, I built my dreams upon
King Arthur may have had Camelot
But I have ‘BLAENAFON’

August 1998 - Published in ‘A Celebration of Poets’ by the Poetry Guild London