It's so different here now!

This is part of the sculpture From Pit to Port by John Clinch, a tribute to the South Wales coal industry. The miner stands, propped against a mine truck, looking over Roath Basin, Cardiff Bay.

When South Wales' coal mining industry flourished, Cardiff Bay was the point of departure for the cargo ships which carried the coal to other parts of the world. After the coal seams were exhausted and the industry failed, Cardiff Bay was re-developed and the area is now a thriving community once again, with apartments, galleries, shops and lots of cafes and restaurants. It's Europe's largest waterfront development.
It struck me quite forcefully that the miner seems to be gazing in wonder and disbelief at the changes he's found.

[carol white]

Great sculpture of a miner!! Living in the North East as a child,I was always conscious of the terrible mining accidents there used to be.

[Alison Hewitt Bailey]

@carolmw Yes, there seemed to be so many didn't there? And then there was Aberfan as well, a terrible tragedy.

[Milanie]

Quite an interesting observation considering the history of the area you gave. Didn't know this was England's largest waterfront but knew I had heard of it. Nice to know the background of it. That an impressive statue and a well composed picture you took of it to get so much of the setting in without taking away from the statue. A+

[Celia Leaberry Gould]

Very strong and striking image. I love your commentary. It sounds like he wouldn't recognise the place.

[Jennifer C]

I went to Cardiff 30 years ago and none of these buildings existed! It must look like a completely different place! Thanks for sharing!

[👑 AnaZad]

Very good capture. Great to see all this change and development.

[Claire]

Very strong sculpture, rightly so; living in the North East now, I can see what devastation the loss of the pits has caused along with the devastation when they were up and running.
Looks like St Davids?

[Jean Tookey]

A wonderful sculpture. It is good to hear that so much is changing. It must have been hard living in a place devestated by the pits.

[Nat]

Great capture, a very powerful and thought provoking image.