Today marks 30 years since the start of the national Miners' Strike. Walkouts began on the 5th March 1984 in protest over proposed pit closures. On 12th March 1984, NUM president Arthur Scargill declared that all members should strike.
Today marks 30 years since the first walkout in the Miners' Strike - a defining moment in the history of Wales.
ITV News has been looking at one community, Maerdy, to see the impact of the strike, and the changes that are still felt decades on.
Opened in 1875, Maerdy was the last surviving deep mine in the world-famous Rhondda coalfield.
It effectively closed in 1985, although its coal continued to be brought to the surface via Tower Colliery at Hirwaun until 1990.
In 2011 residents of Maerdy launched an appeal to create a memorial to commemorate the mining heritage of the Rhondda.
Thirty years ago this week the biggest upheaval in post war Welsh history erupted - the 1984 miners’ strike.
Thirty years ago this week the National Coal Board announced pit closures which led to miners across Wales and the UK going on strike.