SELF-HELP IN SOUTH WALES
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The interesting accounts that have appeared in the Spectator have led me to go and see for myself some of the work that is being done amongst the unemployed in the South Wales coalfield. I cannot imagine a more inspiring example in these difficult days than the spirit of the work at 13rynmawr. It is following somewhat different lines from that of the Rhondda district described in your issue of July 18th. A
small group of Friends living in Brynmawr have succeeded in enlisting the service of a large and representative body of local people, unemployed miners, teachers, doctors, nurses, &c., under a competent leader, in making a survey into local conditions. This " Brynmawr Community Study Council " meets periodically to receive reports from its sectional groups on their enquiries into health, housing, education, com- munications, industry, and population. Expert help has been generously put at the disposal of the inhabitants who are doing the body of the work ; the agricultural survey alone has
been done by outsiders. The facts and the recommendations arising therefrom can thus be understood and backed by the community as a whole. One has to exercise a good deal of imagination to realize how many hours of deliberation, how much lively discussion, have gone to the achievement
of such a spirit of unity as the " Statement of Aims " reveals :
(1) The aim of the (Brynmawr) Community Study Council is the betterment of the community in all its activities and aspirations. (2) The ideal community is one in which every individual can have the best and fullest life and (to which) all can contribute. (3) Tho Community Study Council can help to bring about this ideal by : (a) Ascertaining all the facts relating to the life of the community for the purpose of promoting the common good ; (b) meeting in a spirit which sheds all prejudice and seeks the general well-being rather than sectional interests ; (c) laying stress no the similarity of our desires and our common ground as neighbours, while pooling our differences of outlook to enrich the common life and inspire our common action. (4) Our relations with the Urban District Council and other elected bodies should be of helpful and cordial co-operation. (5) The Community Study Council should serve as an indication to the local legislator and administrator as to what the enlightened citizen wants and feels. (6) By taking counsel together new life is generated and the quality of thought and life in the community constantly raised. The right functioning of the elected bodies depends on this quality of life and mind.
Out of these studies have already grown various schemes, e.g., the Brynmawr and Clydach Valley Industries, Ltd., which comprise boot-making, furniture making, hosiery, spinning and weaving, poultry keeping and mining. Another is the trans- forming of a dreary waste between two old coal-tips into a public pleasure-ground with its swimming-bath, paddling- pool, rock-garden and shrubbery, all by strenuous voluntary labour. Unemployed miners have been working side by side with volunteers of ten nationalities. These stalwarts are members of the International Voluntary Service Camp, who believe in spending some of the summer in arduous constructive work in some devastated area, rather than in military service. The promoter aims at providing the rigour as well as the comradeship of military service for some social purpose. It is not merely the workmanlike thoroughness of the Survey ; it is not the harmonious colouring and hard- wearing qualities of the " Brecon Tweeds," nor the good design and craftsmanship of the oak furniture ; nor even the business-like efficiency of the management, which inspires admiration and hope. It is the coherence of the scheme, inspired as it is by a faith which goes below sectarian and political and social differences and draws strength from our common humanity. It is the regard for truth, which bases all efforts on the careful study of facts, including human facts of temperament and ideas and shortcomings. It is the sympathetic respect for fellow human beings that is not baffled by failure but can afford to be patient and hopeful.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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