Black Lives Matter: Barry road names might be changed in "inclusivity" review
By Ellyn Wright
28th Oct 2020 | Local News
The Vale of Glamorgan Council will next week decide whether the county's statues, monuments, road names and building names should be placed under review in the wake of this year's Black Lives Matter Protests.
In an agenda item for the 2 November cabinet meeting, it is proposed that commemorations of controversial historical figures and events should be appraised (and possibly changed) to ensure "they are representative of local people's values and those of a modern, inclusive council."
The proposal states this year's Black Lives Matter protests - which saw the toppling of slave trader Edward Colston's Bristol statue - "rightly prompted people to consider the appropriateness of commemoration or acknowledgment of people and events from history and their relevance to today."
It recommends that Barry Town Council and residents suggest commemorations that should be placed under review.
A panel will then determine whether that commemoration should be changed. It will be comprised of:
- Neil Moore, Leader of the Council
- Lis Burnett, Deputy Leader of the Council- The Council's Member Equality Champion
- The Council's LGBT Champion- An officer from the Council's Strategic Leadership Team
- A representative from "local history societies"- A representative from the Vale of Glamorgan Stand Up to Racism organisation.
Barry is a town steeped in history, but it is currently unclear which commemorations will be placed under review or what criteria will be set for deciding whether they should be changed.
There was a protest in July over a street name in a new build at Barry waterfront.
Lawyer and black rights activist Hillary Brown said she was "horrified" by the street name Fford Penrhyn.
The name honours slave master Richard Pennant, the first Baron Penrhyn, who made his fortune from slaves working in Jamaican plantations. The money he made off the back of these slaves was crucial to the development of Penrhyn Castle, on the outskirts of Bangor.
Vale of Glamorgan council leader Neil Moore said a review of street names is being carried out but that this particular street was named after the Welsh for "peninsular" and not after any individual.
Ms Brown said she was astonished no one at the Vale of Glamorgan Council made the connection when the street name was chosen, even if they meant to reference the local geography.
"Even if it is a genuine error it's a name that celebrates a slave master. It's offensive to the people who live in Barry, in Jamaica and everyone," she said.
The National Trust, which now maintains the castle, says on its website: "Penrhyn Castle's foundations were built on a dark history. One of exploitation, Jamaican sugar fortunes and the transatlantic slave trade."
Gladstone Road, Gladstone Gardens and Gladstone Primary School are all named after former prime minister, William Gladstone.
He was the son of Sir John Gladstone who was one of the British Empire's largest slave owners.
Gladstone was also something of a gradualist in his own stance towards the abolition of slavery, saying he looked forward to the "safe and gradual abolition of slavery".
He drew criticism from his many of his contemporaries who favoured immediate abolition.
The proposal is in line with First Minister Mark Drakeford's July announcement that a nationwide audit of controversial commemorations should take place.
Vale Conservative Councillor Vince Bailey has been critical of such proposals, saying:
"When you start removing statues you are beginning on a journey down a very slippery slope.
"The council are following the agenda of cultural extremists when they should be listening to the silent majority."
Vale of Glamorgan Council Leader Neil Moore has provided the following statement to Nub News:
"Under these proposals, all town and community councils, as well as members of the public, would be able to make representations for names to be reviewed.
"We know that there are very many people who have made positive contributions to the lives of others at local, national and international levels.
"We feel that the time is right to conduct a review and, as well as questioning if some street names and monuments are appropriate, give due recognition to others.
"As an organisation, we remain absolutely committed to the principle of equality regardless of race, age, gender, religion, disability or sexual orientation and will continue to tackle prejudice in all its forms."
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