Cuban VIPs call in to visit Blaenavon (From Free Press Series)

Cuban VIPs call in to visit Blaenavon

BLAENAVON has been extending its links overseas by welcoming a special visitor to the town.

The Cuban ambassador to Britain, Mr Rene Mujica Cantelar, and his wife, Mrs Silvia Blanca Nogales, recently visited the Workers Educational Association learning centre, in Church View, to meet centre staff and users.

The guests, who were in Wales for the opening of the new National Assembly building, were greeted by the mayor of Torfaen Cllr Lyn Irwin, who is also chairman of Torfaen People's Centre.

Jeff Amor, learning manager for workplace learning, explained the visit was arranged with the help of local tutor Roger Bevan and Cymru Cuba.

"Their excellencies visited two classes, a creative writing class and computer course for people with visual impairments," he said.

"He was really impressed with what he saw and he thought the work we were doing is very important, reaching out to non-traditional learners."

The visit was followed by a traditional Welsh tea, complete with Welsh cakes and bara brith, and the special visitors took the time to appreciate World Heritage Site's snowy scenery.

Annabelle Harle, the ambassador's spokes-man explained that as a former professor of history, the ambassador was keen to see the work the WEA does, and commended the organisation on its provision of courses for people who missed out on mainstream education.

"Their excellencies were very impressed with the visit, they had a wonderful day," she said.

There is a World Heritage Site in Havana and the fact Blaenavon is also a World Heritage Site, meant they felt a special affiliation to the area.

"Cubans are very hard-working and keep up with professional training as their careers progress, so this visit was of special interest to them."

Mr Amor said he hoped lasting links could be made between Cuba and Blaenavon as a result of the visit. He said: "We hope to now make links with Cuba to exchange ideas and utilise the connection, who knows we may even arrange a trip to Cuba in the future."