The Hinds Family
The Hinds family were prominent in local politics in South Wales throughout the Twentieth Century.Their remarkable story begins with Leonard Hinds (1887 - 1948) (right).
Leonard was born in Barbados and became a merchant seaman. Her served in the First World War as a fireman on merchant ships.
He settled in Barry, marrying a local girl, and became a miner in Maerdy. He died in Gelligaer.
His contribution to Welsh History is his children, who must have inherited his sense of duty and service.
Leonard's son John Darwin Hinds (1922 - 1981) (left) initially followed his father down the mines, becoming a miner in Bargoed.
John, however, had an opportunity to leave and eventually worked for the Colonial Office in London.
This engagement with Colonial affairs led to a political awakening.
John returned to Wales, converting to Islam. This religious conversion came after a near-death experience during a bout of tuberculosis.
John joined the Labour Party and was engaged with the community and working to alleviate many social problems of the South Wales. He became Wales' first Black, and first Muslim Councillor when he was elected to serve on Barry Council in 1958. In 1975, John became Wales' first Black Mayor when he became Mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan.
Elvira Gwenllian Hinds (1917 - 2007) (right), known as Gwen, was Wales' first Black female councillor. Leonard's daughter, John's elder sister, she was born in Barry.
She married Colin Montgomery Payne, from her father's native Barbados, in 1951.
She served as John's Lady Mayoress, but in 1972 she was elected to the Vale of Glamorgan Council in her own right.
She remained engaged in local politics until her death.
The Hinds family were one of political pioneers for the Caribbean community in South Wales.
