Maerdy
Maerdy
| |
|---|---|
From the top, Maerdy, the Maerdy Cwtch, the Maerdy Mural | |
Maerdy Location within Rhondda Cynon Taf | |
| Population | 3,160 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SS975981 |
| Principal area | |
| Preserved county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Ferndale |
| Postcode district | CF43 |
| Dialling code | 01443 |
| Police | South Wales |
| Fire | South Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| UK Parliament | |
| Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament | |
Maerdy (English: /ˈmɑːrdi/, Welsh: Y Maerdy) is a village and community (and electoral ward) in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, and within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan, Wales, lying at the head of the Rhondda Fach Valley.
The village developed around Mardy Colliery, established in 1875, which became central to the community until its closure in 1990. Maerdy gained national prominence during the early 20th century as a centre of miners' militancy and communist politics, earning the nickname "Little Moscow" due to the radical stance of its miners' lodge. The community was home to the Maerdy Workingmen's Hall and Institute, built in 1905, which served as the social, cultural, and educational heart of the village for over a century until its demolition in 2008.
Today, with a population of 3,160, Maerdy is a post-industrial community that commemorates its mining heritage through several memorials whilst facing the challenges of economic regeneration.