Striking mural in 'last pit of the Rhondda' village

A mural commemorating "the last pit of the Rhondda" has appeared in a historic mining village.

The striking image has been painted on the side of a building on Station Road in Maerdy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and depicts a miner at Maerdy Colliery.

It features the landscape of the Rhondda valleys, as well as one of the iconic pitheads that were previously seen around the colliery, while the miner’s lamp lights up at night, illuminating the surrounding street.

One local councillor said the "stunning" artwork had become the "focal point" of the village.

Maerdy Colliery, also known as Mardy Colliery, opened in 1875, driven by the industrial demand for coal.

Although the area was considered difficult to access due to its location near Rhondda Fach, the mineral rights were purchased in 1874 by Mordecai Jones, and a trial pit was sunk the following year.

In 1876, miners struck the Abergorky vein, allowing them to increase coal production to 100 tonnes per day.

The colliery was a huge part of the local community, until it closed in 1990.

The mural is situated just around the corner from the former pit, where there is also a memorial to the 81 men and boys who lost their lives in an explosion there in December 1885.

Councillor Jayne Smith, who represents Ferndale and Maerdy on Rhondda Cynon Taf council, said it was commissioned by Christopher, Kyle and Corey Matthews of electrician company Electrocall, and is painted on the side of its office.

It was painted by Swansea-based design agency Fresh Creative Co, and took around a week and a half to complete, with the scaffolding coming down on 1 September.

"Maerdy has a proud history of mining within the Rhondda valley, being the last pit in the Rhondda. It’s a stunning piece of artwork, an absolute credit to the artist and the community," she said.

“It’s been incredibly well received. Two of the local primary schools, who have gone back this week, have gone out to look at it.

“It’s a phenomenal thing to have happened, and it’s going to become the focal point of Maerdy, I believe.”

The miners themselves commemorated the pit’s closure following their final shift on 21 December 1990.

After descending into the pit for a final time to collect souvenirs from the 5ft (1.5m) seam, they then headed back to the surface canteen to sing carols.

The Tylerstown silver band then led a procession, playing The Internationale, to Maerdy Welfare Hall where a "wake" was held to commemorate the mine’s closure.

The impact was felt deeply in the community – of the 300 miners at Maerdy Colliery, only 17 relocated to other mines.

The mural describes Maerdy as a “community forged underground” – a fitting tribute for a village that celebrates its mining roots.