It's a sign of the times

7:51pm Tuesday 2nd January 2007

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RESIDENTS in a Gwent village are beginning to wonder whether it has been forgotten.

More than three years ago, Blaenau Gwent Council started introducing celtic/rock design signs in their villages and towns.

But while every other town or village in the area now has one of the smart new signs, Aberbeeg is still waiting.

The council says that because Aberbeeg is the southern-most gateway to the borough, they wanted to create a special entrance sign to the village and in 2002 the Welsh Development Agency funded an artist to commission ideas.

But because the ideas were not suitable, Aberbeeg has been left with nothing except an old, dirty and rather scrappy old sign.

One resident who was born and bred there says it is now time something was done.

"There is nothing really to let people know exactly where they are. It's as if we're the forgotten village," said Angela Evans, 47, of Commercial Road.

"This is the start of the New Year and it is time the council looked at coming up with another idea to help put Aberbeeg back on the map."

The village is of particular historical interest, taking its name in 1780 from the Welsh word Aber, meaning mouth of' and big', the name of the old brook that flows into the Ebbw Fawr river.

The once popular Webbs Brewery was based in Aberbeeg and was a major employer in the area since it first started in early 1800s until it closed in 1988.

The village was the main railway junction, linking Ebbw Vale and Abertillery to the main line to Newport, and Welsh professional boxer George Francombe, who fought in the 30s and 40s, was from the area.

Aberbeeg RFC is also one of the oldest rugby teams in South Wales. It was formed in 1881 and still going today.

"I think it is very sad that one of the most historic villages in the valley has not got a sign," said Mrs Evans.

A spokesperson for the council said: "The council is aware that there currently isn't a sign for Aberbeeg and are investigating the possibility of having a sign introduced."