In May 2005 a newly resurfaced path alongside the River Tawe enabled the disabled not only to access a route along the River but also provided access to a fishing platform. Built on land owned by the Tawe Angling club Leia, my whippet, and I went for a stroll to see the results and before entering through wide enough gates to enable access for wheelchairs I also found two huge slabs of stone, one either end of the route. Affixed to the stones were the plaques made by the school children from Ystalyfera. The riverside walk was created for the whole community and it was the idea of the local councillor, the late Mr Jackie Myers. Funded by Communities First, the Countryside Council for Wales and the Environment Agency along with Neath Port Talbot Council and the environmental group Groundwork, the latter actually carrying out the work.
Pupils from Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera, Ysgol Y Wern and Godre'rgraig School worked with environmental artist Dilys Jackson to produce the Plaques.
The plaques were then laid down and set in large stones donated by Gwrhyd Specialist Stone in Rhiwfawr.
- Val Trevallion