Maerdy Communities First

"Supporting you to regenerate Maerdy"

‘Communities First is a Welsh Assembly Government initiative which has been introduced to regenerate areas of need.

As a community Maerdy has many strengths. It can boast a wide range of clubs and societies, a viable range of shops and most importantly active caring people. However, Maerdy also suffers from a wide range of problems. The Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation ranks the Ward as the fifth worst in Wales.

The Communnities First Partnership aims to bring about lasting improvement through a series of community development and regenerative projects.

About Maerdy

The community of Maerdy is situated at the northern extreme of the Rhondda Fach and consists of a ribbon development characteristic of the south Wales valleys. It is in the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taff. Maerdy is linked to Aberdare and Ferndale via the A4233.

Maerdy is an ex-mining village, with a population of 3,441 people. There were four collieries at one time and the last closed in December 1990.

Since the closure of the colliery Maerdy has suffered from a lack of investment and employment opportunities. Much of the population suffers from poor health. In the Index of Multiple Deprivation, the ward ranks 5 th worst in Wales.

In spite of the problems the people are resilient and optimistic about the future.

The village is situated in an area of outstanding beauty and it is hoped to utilize this asset in the overall regeneration of the village.