Maesteg

Maesteg
From the top, Maesteg Town Hall, Commercial Street, Hartshorn House
Maesteg Location within Bridgend
Population	21,000 (2011)
OS grid reference	SS855915
• Cardiff	27.5
• London	173.0
Community	Maesteg [1]
Principal area	Bridgend
Preserved county	Mid Glamorgan
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	MAESTEG
Postcode district	CF34
Dialling code	01656
Police	South Wales
Fire	South Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
UK Parliament	Aberafan Maesteg
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament	Ogmore
Website	maestegcouncil.org
List of places UK Wales Bridgend 51°37′N 3°39′W / 51.61°N 3.65°W / 51.61; -3.65

Maesteg (/ˈmaɪˌstɛɡ/ ^ⓘ) is a town and community in Bridgend County Borough, Wales. Maesteg lies at the northernmost end of the Llynfi Valley, close to the border with Neath Port Talbot. In 2011, Maesteg had a population of 20,612.^[2] The English translation of Maesteg is 'fair field'.

Historically a part of Glamorgan, the growth of the town started with the opening of ironworks in the 1820s and 1830s.^[3] Once a coal mining area, the last pit closed in 1985. With the decline of the coal industry and, more recently, the closure of one large factory producing cosmetics and another manufacturing vehicle components, the valley has become a residential/dormitory area for the Port Talbot, Bridgend and Cardiff journey to work areas. 11% (1,867 out of 20,702) of the town's population speak Welsh with 27.9% of 3-15 year olds speaking the language.^[4] It is one of the few areas of Wales where the traditional Mari Lwyd is still celebrated during Christmas.^{[citation needed]}

The community of Maesteg had a population of 17,580 in the 2011 census and includes Nantyffyllon.^[5] The built-up area having a population of 21,000. ^[6]