Hywel Francis

More about Aberavon constituency

Created in 1918, Aberavon has been a Labour held seat with large majorities since 1992. Among the distinguished previous MPs have been Labour's first Prime Minister, Ramsey Macdonald (1922-29) and Sir John Morris (now Lord Morris, 1959-2001) who served as Secretary of State for Wales and Attorney General.

The constituency is located within the eastern part of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. Largely industrial and urban it includes areas of great natural beauty including the historic Margam Park, the sub-Alpine Afan Valley and the historically important industrial towns of Briton Ferry, Skewen, Cwmafan and Taibach.

The traditional industries of steel and petro-chemicals are being rapidly restructured. The steel company Corus remains a major employer with a workforce of over 3,000. The Baglan Energy Park has recently been established to assist in the diversification of the local economy with GE's gas fired power station. Baglan is also the site of a new district hospital opened in 2003. New sports and leisure opportunities have been initiated at the Llandarcy Academy of Sport and Learning.

The constituency has produced and continues to produce talented performers on the stage and on the sporting fields. The late Richard Burton, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Mavis Nicholson, Martin Sheen and comedian/actor Rob Bryden all hail from Aberavon whilst the rugby club frequently leads Division One and the constituency also has many of the best football, cricket and bowls teams in Wales.

Welsh is spoken by over 11 per cent of the population. The constituency hosted the Urdd National Eisteddfod in 2003.

Dr Hywel Francis, MP for Aberavon, recently visited the Lloyds Pharmacy in Morrison Road, Sandfields, Port Talbot, to discuss the substance misuse services available in his Constituency with the Pharmacy Manager, Zoë Ann Ridd.

Dr Francis said,

"The Lloyds Pharmacy at 6 Morrison Road provides a valuable service to all members of the surrounding community, and I congratulate them on their professionalism and hard work."

Dr Hywel Francis, MP for Aberavon, recently visited Cymmer Swimming Pool to learn about Celtic Community Leisure's recent success and is pictured with Darren Evans, Poolside Manager on the left and Paul Walker, Head of Operations for Celtic Community Leisure on the right.

Dr Francis said,

"Celtic Community have worked hard to develop their organisation through investing in their people and to provide a top-quality service to their customers. They fully deserve their accreditations from Investors in People and Quest, and I congratulate them on their success."