Blaenavon of ‘outstanding universal value’
World Heritage Status for Blaenavon
(EMAILWIRE.COM, February 02, 2001 ) Cardiff, Wales, UK
The south east Wales valleys town of Blaenavon has received world-wide recognition for the crucial role it played in the Industrial Revolution.
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational and Scientific Organisation, has awarded the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage status, placing it in the same category as the Pyramids and Taj Mahal in terms of its universal importance. The decision was made at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Cairns, Australia, from where the news came through by satellite to Blaenavon.
To date, only 18 UK sites have been given this prestigious accolade, including Stonehenge, the Tower of London, and in Wales, the castles and town walls of King Edward I in Gwynedd. Blaenavon is the only UK mainland site to receive accreditation this year.
With its evocative remains of early ironworks, railways, waterways, mines, quarries, and workers’ houses, the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape, the setting of Alexander Cordell’s powerful historical novel The Rape of the Fair Country, is one of the best places in the world to see the course and consequences of the Industrial Revolution.
An area 8km by 6km from the Usk Valley at Llanfoist to the Afon Lwyd Valley at Cwmavon, has been awarded World Heritage status. Focal points include the preserved remains of the Blaenavon Ironworks, Big Pit Mining Museum, the town of Blaenavon, and part of the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal. The area is also of international importance for its extraordinary broken landscape of former mineral excavation extending over the hills around the town.
Sue Essex, National Assembly for Wales Minister for the Environment, says, “This prestigious accolade sees Blaenavon join an elite list of heritage ‘wonders of the world’, and is a major achievement, both for the people of Blaenavon and Wales.
“Here is a landscape created by iron making and coal mining, testament to the endeavour of generations of workers and to Wales’s outstanding contribution to the Industrial Revolution. It is fitting recognition that the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape should be seen in the same light as some of the most important historic monuments in the world. We are delighted with the outcome.”
When built in 1789, Blaenavon Ironworks with its three blast furnaces operated by steam power, was at the cutting edge of new technology and business organisation, and was immediately one of the largest ironworks anywhere in the world.
The rapid industrialisation that followed is still tangible in the extensive landscape which served the ironworks, shaped by generations of mining, quarrying and community life.
Cllr Bob Wellington, deputy leader of Torfaen County Borough Council says, “Blaenavon Industrial Landscape has met the strict criteria laid down by UNESCO, and has been recognised as an area of outstanding universal value. While the award will draw attention to the area’s importance, it will also provide a boost to the people of Blaenavon.”
Arts Minister Alan Howarth adds, "I am delighted that Blaenavon has been recognised as a site of outstanding cultural importance, not just for Britain but for the world. It provides a vital insight into the way our history has been shaped and its excellent state of preservation tells of the struggles and deprivations, the prosperity and enterprise that has contributed so much to the way we live today."
Ends
Editor’s note
Torfaen County Borough Council is the lead member of the ‘Blaenavon Partnership’, a group of local authorities and other bodies committed to the conservation and regeneration of the Blaenavon area and its future management as a World Heritage Site. Other members include Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, Monmouthshire County Council, Blaenavon Town Council, the Brecon Beacons National Park, the National Museums and Galleries of Wales, the Welsh Development Agency, the Countryside Council for Wales, British Waterways, the National Trust, and the Wales Tourist Board.
The south east Wales valleys town of Blaenavon has received world-wide recognition for the crucial role it played in the Industrial Revolution.
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational and Scientific Organisation, has awarded the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage status, placing it in the same category as the Pyramids and Taj Mahal in terms of its universal importance. The decision was made at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Cairns, Australia, from where the news came through by satellite to Blaenavon.
To date, only 18 UK sites have been given this prestigious accolade, including Stonehenge, the Tower of London, and in Wales, the castles and town walls of King Edward I in Gwynedd. Blaenavon is the only UK mainland site to receive accreditation this year.
With its evocative remains of early ironworks, railways, waterways, mines, quarries, and workers’ houses, the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape, the setting of Alexander Cordell’s powerful historical novel The Rape of the Fair Country, is one of the best places in the world to see the course and consequences of the Industrial Revolution.
An area 8km by 6km from the Usk Valley at Llanfoist to the Afon Lwyd Valley at Cwmavon, has been awarded World Heritage status. Focal points include the preserved remains of the Blaenavon Ironworks, Big Pit Mining Museum, the town of Blaenavon, and part of the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal. The area is also of international importance for its extraordinary broken landscape of former mineral excavation extending over the hills around the town.
Sue Essex, National Assembly for Wales Minister for the Environment, says, “This prestigious accolade sees Blaenavon join an elite list of heritage ‘wonders of the world’, and is a major achievement, both for the people of Blaenavon and Wales.
“Here is a landscape created by iron making and coal mining, testament to the endeavour of generations of workers and to Wales’s outstanding contribution to the Industrial Revolution. It is fitting recognition that the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape should be seen in the same light as some of the most important historic monuments in the world. We are delighted with the outcome.”
When built in 1789, Blaenavon Ironworks with its three blast furnaces operated by steam power, was at the cutting edge of new technology and business organisation, and was immediately one of the largest ironworks anywhere in the world.
The rapid industrialisation that followed is still tangible in the extensive landscape which served the ironworks, shaped by generations of mining, quarrying and community life.
Cllr Bob Wellington, deputy leader of Torfaen County Borough Council says, “Blaenavon Industrial Landscape has met the strict criteria laid down by UNESCO, and has been recognised as an area of outstanding universal value. While the award will draw attention to the area’s importance, it will also provide a boost to the people of Blaenavon.”
Arts Minister Alan Howarth adds, "I am delighted that Blaenavon has been recognised as a site of outstanding cultural importance, not just for Britain but for the world. It provides a vital insight into the way our history has been shaped and its excellent state of preservation tells of the struggles and deprivations, the prosperity and enterprise that has contributed so much to the way we live today."
Ends
Editor’s note
Torfaen County Borough Council is the lead member of the ‘Blaenavon Partnership’, a group of local authorities and other bodies committed to the conservation and regeneration of the Blaenavon area and its future management as a World Heritage Site. Other members include Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, Monmouthshire County Council, Blaenavon Town Council, the Brecon Beacons National Park, the National Museums and Galleries of Wales, the Welsh Development Agency, the Countryside Council for Wales, British Waterways, the National Trust, and the Wales Tourist Board.
Contact Information:
Cadw - Welsh Historic Monuments
Rhodri Ellis Owen
Tel:
Email us
This is a press release. Press release distribution and press release services by EmailWire.Com: http://www.emailwire.com/us-press-release-distribution.php.
Cadw - Welsh Historic Monuments
Rhodri Ellis Owen
Tel:
Email us
This is a press release. Press release distribution and press release services by EmailWire.Com: http://www.emailwire.com/us-press-release-distribution.php.
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