"I think it's important to remind the community of Merthyr Vale that education minister Jane Davidson will shortly be ruling on whether or not Merthyr Tydfil Councillors made the right decision in voting to close Mount Pleasant Primary School. Whatever her decision, I would like to remind our Council that it will be a long time before we forget their clear demonstration of the death of democracy in our Borough and we are looking forward to the next local elections to demonstrate our displeasure."
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John in Merthyr has this thought on city status:"Huw lewis on about Merthyr should become a city - the amount of money wasted by the local council we could BUY a city."
Raymond Boumsnong is a fan of Merthyr:"Since moving here from Southern France 24 years ago I have not regretted it one bit. The people are pleasant, the pubs offer great food and drink and the night life is still buzzing 24 years on I believe! I have noticed recently that the town is moving in a forward direction which is great. Cyfarthfa Lake is lovely. A walk round there on a Sunday morning with the dog is superb, taking in all the beautiful scenery. The town offers everything you want whether it be night life to a walk round the park. I fully support AM Huw Lewis in his ambition of Merthyr Tydfil becoming a city."
Neil urges people to be positive but realistic:"If you want to improve the town and its image then concentrating on what is good and its assets is correct as some have mentioned. It's no good being negative as it's not constructive. Saying that, obviously Merthyr is not a city in the classic sense, but of course if that status is simply part of an administraive process to get more funding, then carry on.
"I agree that the council and other administrative bodies need to spend more money on doing things rather than on planning to do them and paying for review and planning documents etc. Focus on what's good and just get on with it!Put the money into the small things that matter to people, put more workers on the streets, clean up the negative factors and let residents' views be recognised more."
Victoria has mixed feelings about the town:"We moved to Merthyr from Cardiff because of its access to the Brecon Beacons, cheaper house prices, less traffic and better local school for our children. It has fantastic transport links, lovely parks and surrounding countryside.
"The downside is the lack of any cultural life - the library and swimming pools close on Saturday lunchtime, the council refused to fund an arts centre, there are too many derelict builidngs - and the town's poor image. But if people focused on the good things here - and there are plenty - then perhaps the town would get the investment it needs."
Mark Collins from Merthyr thinks city status is too ambitious:"There is too much dilapidation - the council just do not bother doing anything. Therein is the root problem. The fields near Cyfarthfa Church are a disgrace as they haven't cut the grass and they have NEVER been that bad! Too little development, too much talk - not enough action!
"They are improving rail links slightly but if we are to become a city we need mainline status not pathetic Valley Lines rubbish. Also, a vision is made of a central bus hublink for Merthyr in 2010. A great idea which may create a bigger interest for immigration from elsewhere to this town. An improved soccer and rugby team would help. It looks dreary and unless they regenerate the even worse outskirts - it is an impossible dream."
Zoe in south Wales says city status won't improve Merthyr:"Making the town a city won't improve it. To outsiders (like myself) it does look run down, grey, dirty and dismal. To lots of people it will be home and always will be - but I do think that part of the problem for towns like Merthyr is that you don't really get a lot of new people moving in to help boost it or regenerate. Other people on here have said they will never move out and all their family live there etc - it is part of valleys culture that there is not a lot of movement in or out of the towns. That is not indicative of a city, which attracts new business etc and thus new people who come in with new ideas etc. Merthyr looks dated and - I have to say it - poor."
Moira in Birmingham thinks her birthplace has to build on its potential:"I was raised in Merthyr and went back to live there for two+ years after my parents died. It has a long way to go before it could reach city status. I like the people and the surrounding countryside is lovely. The town has a lot of potential but has been allowed to drift into ruin. It needs far more development (though not necessarily NEW shopping centres - it would then look like just about every other town in the UK). The top of town is very shabby and why has the Castle Cinema been allowed to decay so?
"The old architecture is interesting (more so than Birmingham mostly, I can tell you) but needs resoration and imagaination. Why isn't the war memorial at the top of town renovated and placed in a more prominent location? It's (was) a lovely work of art. More should be done to develop those good things that Merthyr already has, rather than taking the cue from global corporations.
"How about nature conservation, developing tourism would be a lot easier if Merthyr was a more attractive town and not so shabby looking. Oh, yeh, a decent swimming pool and cinema (the one time I went to Gwaunfarren baths it was a filthy disgrace). None of this is rocket science, just needs more imagination (and some money of course). Perhaps one day I'll come back again and sort you all out!"
Stephen Graham in Merthyr has spotted some interesting wildlife:"There are about a dozen pair of lapwings nesting along side the A4060. Also many sightings of red kites in the Merthyr area."
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