The Cynon Valley
With a population of approximately 63,000 people, the Cynon Valley, part of the local authority area known as Rhondda Cynon Taff, lies in the heart of industrial South Wales.
When I was elected as the first ever representative for Cynon Valley in the 1999 elections to the National Assembly for Wales, it was indeed a proud moment for me.
To represent the area that had once been represented by Keir Hardie is an honour.
The Cynon Valley is a diverse, yet close knit mixture of small communities. From Aberdare, Hirwaun, Penrhiwceiber, Caegarw, Perthcelyn, to Carnetown, Abercynon and Ynysybwl, each area has its own unique characteristics that make it part of the Cynon Valley.
There is much in the past and present history of the Cynon Valley. Our mining heritage - now represented solely by the Tower Colliery, the last deep mine in South Wales owned and operated by the workers - is a monument to our past and our future. Our sporting prowess, witnessed with a former captain of the Wales rugby team. Our contribution to the world of the arts and music, - who by now doesn't know that The Stereophonics come from Cwmaman or that Ioan Gruffydd is a product of the Valley?
And the Valley has much to look forward to. Objective 1 money - European aid to regenerate the economy – has already brought far-reaching benefits in the Valley. With the regeneration of former spoil heaps, the area has become greener and a more attractive place to live and work. The Welsh Assembly Government’s Strategic Framework for the Heads of the Valleys is designed to release the potential of the region – creating an environment where people want to live, work and play. The implementation of the Strategy is one of the foremost priorities in the Valleys for the coming years.
We have much to be proud of and much to look forward to. My task in the Assembly is helped by the wealth of talent and dedication of local people, businesses, and organisations and I know that the proud traditions of the Cynon Valley will continue long into the future.
Political region
Cynon Valley is made up of 13 electoral wards of Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council in the South Wales Central Electoral Region. In alphabetical order, these are:
Aberaman North, Aberaman South, Abercynon, Aberdare East, Aberdare West and Llwydcoed, Cwmbach, Hirwaun, Mountain Ash East, Mountain Ash West, Penrhiwceiber, Penywaun, Rhigos and Ynysybwl.
As of May 2007, two extra wards are included:
Cilfynydd and Glyncoch.
In the 2003 Assembly elections, which saw Christine Chapman re-elected as Assembly Member for Cynon Valley, 37.5% of the electorate voted and Chris received a 10,841 (65%) voter share, winning with a majority of 7117 (42.7%).