The Tredegar leg of the Man Engine Cymru tour will celebrate the Tredegar Workingmen’s Medical Aid Society, the fore-runner and blueprint for the National Health Service. Local Miners, Iron workers and Quarrymen clubbed together to provide medical assistance for their families.
When the local MP Aneurin Bevan became Minister of Health, he used the Tredegar Workingmen’s Medical Aid Society as the inspiration for National Health Service that celebrates its 70th birthday this year.
When the local MP Aneurin Bevan became Minister of Health, he used the Tredegar Workingmen’s Medical Aid Society as the inspiration for National Health Service that celebrates its 70th birthday this year.
Bevan and the NHS gave the gift of health to the nation and we will be making a symbolic gift to present to Man Engine to celebrate this anniversary year and a legacy of our industrial heritage that often goes unnoticed.
Man Engine, the huge mechanical puppet, which resembles a giant miner, is set to visit seven of south Wales’s most important industrial heritage towns for a week of celebrations from 8th -12th April 2018.
On April 9th the Man Engine will visit Park Bryn Bach in Tredegar. Parc Bryn Bach has a long and proud mining history and has now been transformed into a beautiful country park. Here the Man Engine will come face to face with Aneurin Bevan MP and the miners, colliers, quarrymen and ironworkers who clubbed together to form Tredegar Working men’s Medical Aid Society in a pageant of music, drama and culture.
Visitors will be encouraged to raise their voices in song and watch as we wake the Man Engine and watch as he transforms to his towering 11.2 metres and receives a gift of health from Nye himself.
We are looking for crafty people to come and help us make a large scale willow structure Medicine Bottle and Love Spoon. You can spend all day with us or just drop in for an hour or so at Bedwellty House in Tredegar on the 3rd & 10th March between 10:00 and 16:00.
The sessions are tailored for adults and older children who have a creative interest. If you would like to join us at these drop in sessions please contact Bedwellty on 01495 353370 or 01495 353397 or at sarah.jacob@aneurinleisure.org.uk. Refreshments will be available from the Orchid House Tea Rooms or you can bring a packed lunch.
Ticket for the Man Engine visit to Parc Bryn Bach, Tredegar (9th April 2018) are available from www.themanengine.co.uk/cymru. Early bird tickets are £3.00. Book your tickets today to avoid disappointment.
Cllr David Davies Executive Member for Regeneration & Economic Development said: “We want as many people as possible to be part of the Man Engine event in Blaenau Gwent and this is a great way for people who enjoy arts and crafts to get involved.”