Those of you who live, or even visit the market town of Abergavenny may well have come across the artwork of local newsagent owner Paul Cable. He’s a well know face in the town, and having spent time in his shop with him, it seems everyone knows him, and he certainly knows every customer by name.
SOUTH WALES LIFE met up with Paul in the middle of the first lockdown. He had spent every spare hour working on a mural of Captain Tom Moore, in celebration of his 100th birthday and incredible charity fundraising. In between serving customers he would dash across the road to put the finishing touches to his work, in readiness for Tom’s 100th birthday.
He later added to his artwork and placed a fitting tribute to the late Vera Lynn right next to Tom. In fact you can still see that mural if you walk down the Nicholls/Tesco end of town.
Now we are in our second lockdown, Paul has used his talents, and his shop front, to display his latest work. It’s a timely reminder to us all, that in these difficult times of a pandemic, we should never forget those who gave so much to our country.
Every year, the Royal British Legion calls on the us to unite in commemorating Remembrance Sunday.
Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and in light of the risks posed, the annual Remembrance Sunday March will not take place this year. This applies to so many events, including that in Abergavenny.
Despite the changes, the Legion are encouraging us all to ensure Remembrance Sunday is still marked appropriately by taking part in remote and socially distanced Remembrance activity, whether that be watching the service on television or pausing for the Two Minute Silence in our own home or on the doorstep.
Paul recognised this and wants his latest mural to remind us to ‘never forget.’
In recognition of this, Paul has been recognised by the High Sheriff of Gwent for his outstanding contribution to the people of Abergavenny and the excellent service he provides to his customers. County Councillor, Sheila Woodhouse, Chairman of Monmouthshire County Council, wrote to Paul recently to offer her congratulations
We went to meet Paul (socially distanced of course) and asked him about his latest work and of course about the recent recognition he received from the great and the good of the town.
We want send our own congratulations to Paul on this achievement and, like his shop front mural, remind us all to spend two minutes this Sunday ‘Remembering.’
You can look back at our other feature with Paul, and the work he did on his first mural HERE
A reminder too that the Royal British Legion need our support more than ever during these difficult times. You can find out more, and donate and download a poppy from their website LEGION.
The Legion’s Poppy Run events, which usually take place in ten Cities across the country, including Cardiff, can’t go ahead in their usual format this year due to social distancing measures. Instead, we can all show our support for the 2020 Poppy Appeal with the ‘virtual’ version, My Poppy Run. You can find out more in our feature HERE.
