Hefina Headon – Heart of our Valleys

A Seven Sisters woman who organised community support during the year long Miners Strike of 1984-5 has been hailed by Neath MP for being a ‘heart of our Valleys’.

Hefina Headon died a week ago after a long illness and her funeral will be held at Llwydcoed Crematorium this Thursday.

In a tribute Peter Hain said: ‘Like me, many local people were very sad to learn of Hefina’s death after a serious illness.

‘Her service to the community and the Labour Party was fantastic and many were in debt to her for her hard work and care for others. As a Labour stalwart, Hefina served as Treasurer of the Seven Sisters Branch and was an active ward member. She also showed me tremendous personal support for which I will forever be grateful. I will always remember with great fondness Hefina holding the Neath, Dulais and Swansea Valley Women’s Support Group banner from the 1986-5 Miners Strike outside Parliament when I was first introduced as Neath’s MP.

‘I know of the tireless activity she undertook during the strike to support the miners and their families who were then suffering so badly. The courage and determination she showed with many other local women was an inspiration at a terrible time. For this vital contribution and all her other selfless community work, her name will stand proud forever. She was a heart of our Welsh Valley communities, such a colourful, outgoing character that she brought so much bubbly happiness to everyone with whom she came into contact.’

The funeral will be at Llwydcoed Crematorium on Thursday October 17 at 12 noon.