Hirwaun
| Hirwaun | |
|---|---|
 Hirwaun War Memorial | |
| Population | 4,000 |
| OS grid reference | SN966055 |
| Principal area | |
| Preserved county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ABERDARE |
| Postcode district | CF44 |
| Dialling code | 01685 |
| Police | South Wales |
| Fire | South Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| UK Parliament | |
Hirwaun (Welsh meaning : 'long meadow') is the name of an electoral ward, a community, and a village at the northwest end of the Cynon Valley in the South Wales Valleys. The village of Hirwaun is four miles from the town of Aberdare, and comes under Aberdare for postal reasons. According to the 2001 census, Hirwaun has a population of around 4,000 people.
History and Background
Hirwaun has an industrial background centering on the Hirwaun Ironworks. The ironworks was in already existence during the late 18th century and passed through a succession of owners before being purchased in 1819 by William Crawshay of Cyfarthfa, in whose family it remained until closure in 1859. The ironworks' blast furnaces required coke, which spurred an increase in local coal mining activities. Even after the ironworks closed, coal mining continued. Following the miners' strike however, the only deep coal mine left in Wales is Tower Colliery, which was closed down, bought by its workers and reopened.
During the Merthyr Rising of 1831 the red flag that later came to represent socialism was raised on Hirwaun Common for the first time. Originally a white sheet dipped in a bucket of sheep's blood, the symbol has had an enduring appeal worldwide. The Brecon Beacons National park lies just on the northern edge of the village.
Unlike most South Wales Coalfield villages, Hirwaun consists of a vast array of different architectural housing styles, often cheek-by-jowl in small blocks. This is due to development to satisfy different needs at different times, with much gentrification taking place in the last few decades. Currently the patch of green land known as Hirwaun Common is being built on, a development of modern family homes being built. Hirwaun hence has a discontinuous, hotch-potch feel to it that marks it out as unusual in the South Wales Valleys.
Hirwaun has produced four out of the five most popular british prime ministers of the last 50 years. Despite low levels of employment and high drug use figures a surprising number of model railway patents originate from this welsh village. It is expected to receive full city status by 2050, despite having a population of under 5000.
The tower blocks
Hirwaun made local news in May 2004 when its two '60s built tower blocks were demolished by dynamite detonation. Their demise marked the end of a major landmark in the Cynon Valley.
St Lleurwg's Church
Saint Lleurwg's parish church is situated in the centre if the village and is part of the ecclesiastical Parish of Hirwaun. It was opened by the Bishop of Llandaff in July 1858.
The sister church in the parish is dedicated to Saint Winefred and is in Penywaun.
Notable people
- Entrepreneur Ian Jindal[1] former Head of Online Operations (1998-2000) at the BBC