“I wish to reply to the comments made by the mysterious Christopher, Vale of Neath, regarding the proposed extension to the Aberpergwm Mine.

Yes, I am the same former Glynneath Mayor, Councillor Mrs Marion Morgan, who is not afraid to speak out on matters concerning the Community of Glynneath. I have no need to hide behind a nom-de-plume. For your information, Christopher, these are the facts:

The question asked to me by Paul Lewis was - what is the general opinion of the people of Glynneath? Paul Lewis is fully aware of my personal views and opinions regarding any form of mining in the Vale of Neath.

I come from a mining family and know first hand the dangers and hardships suffered by such families. Dust is dust whether you mine by old fashioned methods or ultra modern technology and the effects of that dust, particularly anthracite in the Aberpergwm area, is lethal. I should know; I watched my father take 12 long, hard years to die of, to quote the coroner ¿severe complicated miners disease¿, that is without the devastating arthritic disease that he, like so many, suffered with. In addition to that, environmentally, I feel that our green and pleasant land has suffered enough rape to fill the coffers of greedy capitalists to last a lifetime. Our people are still paying the real price of coal even today, by way of ill-health and environmental destruction.
NO, I do not wish to see mining re-introduced to the Vale.
I have never and will never ever vote in favour of any form of mining in the Vale of Neath.

An open meeting was held by Glynneath Town Council to enable the public to put forward their views on the extension to the Selar Site; just 6 people attended and expressed their concerns and they were not all local people. The majority of people that I have spoken to regarding the issue just accept it, thus my comments to Paul Lewis regarding the people¿s opinion.

As a Plaid Councillor, I believe that I work diligently, with integrity, for the people and with the people, at all times and have never sought to gain political brownie points. It is ironic that we voluntary workers are held to blame for everything from dog fouling and fly tipping to controversial planning applications, when the causes and solutions to these issues lies with the general public.

As a servant of the Community of Glynneath, I respect and accept their wishes for this mine extension to go ahead, even though, personally, I am fully opposed to it.

If there are any members of the public who feel strongly enough about this issue or the extension to Selar, to want to form an action group against it, then I would certainly be ready to offer my support. If you care enough about your Community, then, by working together decisions like Trem-Y-Glyn can be changed. Evil and corruption can only prevail, because good men talk about it, but sit back and do nothing.”

“COAL NOT DOLE, MORE JOBS FOR THE VALLEYS”

“Is this the same Marion Morgan who told residents she and Glynneath Town Council were going to vote against coal mining in Glynneath and then they exactly the opposite. Ms Morgan then had the bareface cheek to say it was all a mistake - how convenient. Perhaps Marion Morgan it's time to keep quiet if you can't get your facts right! Perhaps also Plaid should either stick to their guns and do what they say they are going to do and not change tack when the cash tills start to ring. I agree the Aberpergwm site is a good idea, but the Selar OCCS mine, I still have my doubts whether this is as sustainable as Geoff White declared to Planning Committee, but when NPTCBC own some prime land to be part of the site, it will get planning permission because again of the cash registers ring in the Councils ears.”