Richard Dallaway's Blog

Aneurin Bevan memorial stones

As we were in Blaenau Gwent we stopped by the Aneurin Bevan Memorial Stones. I was not expecting much, but it is a special place. I challenge you to not feel something as you approach the stones. Reverential. Grateful. Something.

Uploaded image — The approach to the stones (left) and the Bevan memorial stone. (Apart from someone painting the scene, we were alone here. It might have a different vibe if there are people climbing all over the monument.)

There’s no big fanfare; the stone says:

It was here Aneurin Bevan spoke to the people of his constituency and the world.

Links:

Location: Ordinance Survey.
Atlas Obscura: Aneurin Bevan Memorial Stones.
History point’s page shows you how to pronounce Aneurin.

* * *

Coincidently (but on reflection, perhaps not), last year I picked up a copy of a book about the state of the NHS at the bookshop in nearby Crickhowell. That was Critical: Why the NHS is being betrayed and how we can fight for it. Amongst other things, it hammers home the principles of the NHS: comprehensive, free at the point of use, equal care for all based on clinical need.

More of that sort of thing:

Founding principles, BMJ, May 2008.
The NHS founding principles are still appropriate today and provide a strong foundation for the future, BMJ, Jan 2024.

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