The Equalities committee of Bridgend County Borough Council has received an update on work which is considering the area’s historical links with the controversial Governor of Trinidad, Sir Thomas Picton.
The work follows national protests and demonstrations held as part of the Black Lives Matter movement after which local authorities were asked to consider which statues, memorials, buildings, parks, playing fields and streets may have links with individuals criticised as part of the protests.
With eight streets linked to the name Picton – three in Bridgend, two in Porthcawl, two in Kenfig Hill and one in Nantyffyllon – the report identifies two potential sources, Trinidad Governor Sir Thomas Picton and Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Picton-Turberville, who was a former owner of Ewenny Priory.
The council has commissioned Glamorgan Archives to carry out work to confirm how the streets were named, and whether they are connected to Sir Thomas Picton or Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Picton-Turberville.
Councillor Dhanisha Patel, Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations, said: “Glamorgan Archives are currently seeking to confirm this by clarifying the first appearance of relevant places on official maps, narrowing dates by establishing the types of building or infrastructure, and identifying collections of records that may give further details within the archives’ own collection.
“This will be used to compile a final report which will be delivered to us early next year, and we will be considering it alongside the Welsh Government’s own national review of Wales’ historic monuments, statues and public buildings.”