An underpass in the village of Llangennech in Llanelli has been covered with eye-catching murals, including one of one of the area's favourite sons. BBC newsreader Huw Edwards, the village church, Llangennech FC's crest, Morlais river, Llangennech Cricket Club's crest, Morlais colliery and miner, Llangennech Rugby team's logo, a steam train and a huge name of the village are all part of the project.
It is the work of local artist Steve 'Jenks' Jenkins, who has become renowned for his stunning work in the area, including a tribute to Her Majesty The Queen and an incredIble tribute to Wales’ mining history in Cefneithin. He had the help of artist Thew Creative for the Llangennech project.
The work was a year in the making, with research carried out into materials and topics to use. It came after councillor Gwyneth Thomas approached Mr Jenkins to ask for his help in freshening up a local underpass that had previously been painted by a graffiti artist with a group from a youth club, but was now looking worn 15 years later. Get stories like this straight to your inbox with our newsletters.
READ MORE: Huw Edwards' remarkable career, turbulent relationship with his father and mental health struggle
Discussing the project, Mr Jenkins said: "As last year seemed to carry on and draw to a close I promised Gwyneth we will tackle it in the new year. So paints were ordered, designs were reconsidered again and I set to work. The Huw Edwards was not really discussed, but after knowing that he is a local lad that he still comes back and fore to events and to see his Mam... lots of people while I was painting say that they run into him in the local shop and that he always chats. The village seems very proud of him. I knew I had to get the likeness correct as a lot of locals would complain if I’d messed this one up.
"The steam train was a bit of improvisation too as the Llangennech lettering was meant to fill one side with all the detailed stuff on the opposite wall. It didn’t quite reach so the train was added at the end to fill the gap and it’s worked out as one of my favourite parts of the project.
"Another item that was added was the cricket badge as the rugby and football ones had been painted and then passers-by were asking, 'what about the cricket?' It’s hard to keep everyone pleased with a public design like this as something always gets missed out. I’ve hopefully covered all bases with this one and have comments online saying it captures the essence of the village, which is brilliant and has been the aim since the start.
"The image of the miner came about as I was researching the Morlais colliery for images and stumbled across a photo of a dirty miner, must have been at the end of his shift with his eyes looking up towards the daylight. I placed the two images together and hoped it looks like him finishing for the day and glad to see the light on his way home."
Mr Jenkins added that the project had received plenty of positive feedback.
He added: "Lots of passers-by stopped to chat about relatives working in the mines and dying at young ages so this will be a really poignant and emotional image with some people from the village. Being authorised and requested to do public work like this is brilliant as the whole community gets to benefit from seeing the art, I think it can uplift the darkest corner or unsightly wall and brings a smile to faces."
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