Dot and the dragon - two symbols chosen by schoolchildren to represent their Welsh village
A mural illustrating life in a Welsh village has intrigued some observers as it prominently features the EastEnders character Dot Cotton.
The fictional soap figure, formerly portrayed by the late June Brown, is depicted alongside a dragon, a miner, and a rugby player in Pontyates, Carmarthenshire.
The Queen Vic, the fictional pub where Dot Cotton was often seen in Albert Square, contrasts sharply with the tranquil former mining village located in the Gwendraeth Valley.
However, Brown, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 95, was evacuated to Pontyates during World War Two. She later spoke warmly of the village, which provided her refuge as a 12-year-old.
The mural was commissioned to brighten the village, which has a population of around 1,500, and artist Steve Jenkins was engaged for the project.
During a brainstorming session with children from two local schools, the name of the EastEnders icon emerged alongside miners and local rugby players as symbols to represent the village.
"Not knowing June Brown's history to Pontyates, [artist] Jenks was a bit gobsmacked," said Rhian Cooper, chairwoman of the village's improvement group.
"[After] looking into the history then, he found out that she was a refugee, and at 12 years old was sent to Pontyates to live with a family and she was chosen to be on the mural then."
Dot Cotton was known for working at the launderette in the fictional Albert Square alongside characters Ethel and Pauline.
Born in Suffolk, Brown revealed on the BBC genealogy programme Who Do You Think You Are? in 2011 that her grandfather was Scottish, her mother had Italian ancestry, and her great-great-great grandfather was a notable Jewish bare-knuckle fighter in London's East End.
Her connections to south-west Wales are not widely recognized, as she only occasionally referred to the area as a "safe haven" during the war.
In 1939, when she was 12 years old, Brown was sent to Pontyates as part of wartime evacuation efforts.
What do a dragon, rugby player, miner and Dot Cotton have in common?
Brown went on to star in the long-running BBC soap EastEnders from 1985 to 1993, returning from 1997 until 2020.
"June Brown, as Dot Cotton, did mention it on an episode of EastEnders," said Rhian Cooper.
"In her personal life, she has said about her positive experiences in Cwm Gwendraeth in Pontyates, but I think fans of EastEnders, probably not everyone, does know the link with our little village."
The mural was funded through various local fundraising efforts. Rhian noted that the older generation in the village appeared more familiar with Brown's ties to the area.
"It has definitely been a conversation starter among people.
It's just something nice to look at when you're watching rugby in the village or down the park with your children."
