Merlin's 'too pagan' for town
PLANS for a statue of Merlin as part of the rebranding of Carmarthen's Greyfriars Shopping Centre as Merlin's Walk are expected to be rejected tomorrow, because of the wizard's "pagan links".
The Greyfriars site dates back to 1282, and is seen as having great historical importance to Carmarthen, as one of the largest Franciscan friaries in Wales.
Council planners gave permission for a name change back in June, but are likely to oppose plans for new signs and a 7ft Merlin statue, at a meeting of Carmarthenshire Council's planning committee tomorrow.
But centre manager John Nash said: "To all intents and purposes we have now changed to Merlin's Walk, or Maes Myrddin in Welsh. We applied for a name change, which was agreed in June. This application is for signs and the statue, and now there seems to be this objection."
Town and county councillor Alan Speake is against the plans. He said: "If the name of Greyfriars is eradicated, then the historic link with the history of our town will be gone forever."
Carmarthen Civic Society is also objecting.
Member Henry Wilkins said: "How can history be swept aside?"
Carmarthenshire Council conservation manager Ian Thomas said of the planning bosses's objection: "To introduce a statue of a mythical pagan figure into this historic context would be harmful to the character of the area."
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by ERIC, Llanelli
Friday, October 09 2009, 1:50PM
“What a Load of Rubish, the name should have been the same. Did The county give in the the Plaid Nationalist , as it seems as if it was them that wanted it there, What i have read about carms people is they did NOT want it there..? Merlin,, Next they will want ROBIN HOOD and his Merry Men there next.”
by Mary-kate, Bristol
Thursday, October 08 2009, 4:56PM
“I recently read a book which had Myrddin shun his pagan ways and became a Christian . So pagan or not if Caerfyrddin can have Merlin's name in it for centuries, then surely it would be appropriate to have a statue of him. I am a proud to be
Welsh and would love to see Myrddin's statue- I have a feeling it would be a tourist attraction! I would definately
stop on my way through to Lampeter to see it.”
by James Sheridan, Swansea
Thursday, October 08 2009, 2:01PM
“Perhaps the centre manager John Nash, could have a part of his building called 'Ville', he then be in Nash Ville! Magic!”
by JOHN NASH, Carmarthen
Thursday, October 08 2009, 1:10PM
“We are delighted to announce that Planning approval has been granted to re-brand Greyfriars to Merlin's Walk.”
by Josh Berkowitz, New England, US
Wednesday, October 07 2009, 6:35PM
“While I do think it unwise to change a historical place name because some people feel like it, it is equally foolish to object to a statue of Merlin because it has Pagan ties. The British Isles themselves (and the whole World actually) have "Pagan ties" and in fact modern, practicing Pagans. What an insensitive comment to make.”