PEOPLE travelling to watch Ystradgynlais RFC in their away match against Glynneath RFC later this month will have to be aware of road closures due to a special event.

The match will be taking place on Saturday, September 30 at Glynneath’s Abernant Park, following the unveiling of a statue of a national treasure.

A statue is due to be unveiled in honour of Max Boyce – who celebrates his 80th birthday this month – in his hometown of Glynneath to celebrate his work and impact on Welsh culture.

The statue was funded through community grants and will act as a symbol to Glynneath and the surrounding communities. Glynneath RFC’s Simon Knoyle has led the project over the last four years. He said: “As a club, we are delighted to be able to honour our club president with this unique event, the dedication and support he has provided to Glynneath RFC over the years has been truly remarkable.

“We are grateful to our funders Selar Opencast Community Fund, Aberpergwm Community Fund and the Maesgwyn Wind Farm Community Fund. The idea of a statue of Max was openly discussed in a local pub in Glynneath in late 2019 and due to covid and the energy crisis, it has taken almost four years to see the statue being erected in situ.

“Knowing that Max, who has remained humble during his career, is happy with the product brings with it huge satisfaction for us.”

Local sculptor and artist Rubin Eynon was chosen to create the statue and created a lifelike, life-sized image of Max Boyce using 3D scanning equipment. It was cast in bronze by M.B. Finearts foundry.

Rubin said: “I was incredibly proud and humbled to have been asked to create this statue of our local legend, it was an extremely satisfying and enjoyable process which felt like a labour of love to create.

“It is testament to Max from the people of Glynneath for the way in which he has put our small community on the map worldwide. I am over the moon that Max is happy with the statue and am proud to have been involved in the process.”

The Band of the Royal Welsh will march from the rugby club down New Street, across Heathfield Avenue and up the High Street to the unveiling spot at the junction of High Street and the A4109, where the statue will be placed, facing the direction of Max’s beloved Abernant Park.

At the ceremony will be the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, and the Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, as well as Max and his family. There will be speeches about the work Max has done for Glynneath and for various charities he has been associated with. Anyone is welcome to attend the unveiling ceremony which begins at 11.30am and will end at 1.40pm.

This will, however, mean that there are road closures in place around Glynneath between 11am and 3pm so travelling Ystradgynlais fans will need to be aware of this to plan their travel to the game (or to the ceremony too), which will kick off at 3pm.