Cwmbran Congress Theatre Statues Face Replacement by a New Screen

Listen, they want to take down some statues in Cwmbran. These statues are of a shepherd and a Welsh woman named Dai and Myfanwy. They’ve been there since the 1970s, near the Congress Theatre clock. The statues and clock are on the theater’s wall and face Gwent Square.

Gwent Square is the shopping center’s main spot. A company called Smart Outdoor Limited wants to put up a screen above Boswell’s cafe. This screen would be quite large, measuring 7.2 meters wide and 4.5 meters tall.

The plan involves removing the clock and statues to make way for the screen. The screen could show ads and sporting events, with sound only during shop hours. Some locals want the statues to stay and remember when the clock worked.

One local, Sandra Davies, misses old Cwmbran and notes that many features are already gone. She thinks the statues are part of Cwmbran’s identity. Another local remembers the statues turning based on the weather.

Kez James, who had dinner nearby, thinks taking the statues down is a loss. He doesn’t see appeal in watching sports there, preferring the pub instead. Dani Bolt hopes they fix the clock and statues, remembering when they worked properly.

Other shoppers feel similarly, questioning the need for more ads there. The cafe manager, Tasha Hawkins, sees possible benefits, thinking modernisation could help business. She says the screen could keep people there during rugby games, as trade slows when Wales plays.

The screen could show charity ads and might be more eco-friendly than printed ads. Additionally, it could show local info and weather updates. The council is currently reviewing this application.