The UK's first dedicated World Heritage Centre is being officially opened in Blaenavon by First Minister for Wales, Rhodri Morgan. The £2.7 million visitors' centre tells the story of how Blaenavon helped to change the world during the Industrial Revolution and the international importance of World Heritage status.
UNESCO designated Blaenavon and the surrounding area as a World Heritage Site in 2000 because of the importance of South Wales as the "world's major producer of iron and coal in the 19th century, all the key elements still exist today - coal and ore mines, quarries, a primitive railway system, furnaces, workers' homes, and the social infrastructure of their community...The components of the Blaenavon industrial landscape together make up an outstanding and remarkably complete example of a 19th century industrial landscape." View the UNESCO.org| website.
Although a Grade II* Listed Building, St Peter's School (Built in 1815 and closed in the early 1980s) had become a local eyesore. It has now been conserved and transformed into a modern visitors' centre. Inside the centre the exhibitions, interactive computers and knowledgeable staff will explain the story of how and why Blaenavon was given the same honour as the Taj Mahal and the Acropolis of Athens by being named as a World Heritage Site.
Councillor Bob Wellington, Leader of Torfaen Council, said: "The role of Blaenavon during the Industrial Revolution cannot be underestimated. Iron was exported from this town and used around the world to construct everything from railways to buildings. This new centre is dedicated to telling visitors the story of why Blaenavon was given World Heritage Status. Staff at the centre will offer educational packages and guided tours of the area to get visitors out and about exploring the landscape. It is located near the centre of the town so people can combine a visit to the town with a look around the other attractions in the area."
First Minister, Rhodri Morgan said: "Achieving World Heritage status has proved to be the catalyst for regeneration of this area. In fact, research shows that Blaenavon is the UK World Heritage site which has benefited most from World Heritage status.
"The development of this new centre brings together all the elements of the remarkable Blaenavon story and presents the Blaenavon industrial landscape as a whole. A derelict building has been brought back to life in order to offer local people and visitors an excellent facility that will support the growth of the tourism sector in Blaenavon and the wider Heads of the Valleys area."
St Peter's School was transformed into a World Heritage Centre with the support of nearly £1.2 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund and support funding from the Welsh Assembly Government through the Heads of Valley programme, Visit Wales, the Department for the Economy and Transport, CADW, and Torfaen Council.
Dan Clayton Jones, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund Committee for Wales, said: "The conservation and transformation of St Peter's School will keep the story of our industrial past and the important part Blaenavon played in the Industrial Revolution alive for future generations.
"This project has helped turn Blaenavon's fortune around and is a fantastic example of the positive impact lottery players' money can have in terms of conservation and regeneration, bringing a sense of pride back into the community, attracting visitors to an area and helping a local economy thrive."