John Darwin Hinds | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Vale of Glamorgan | |
| In office 1975–Unknown | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 28, 1922 Maerdy, Wales |
| Died | 15 March 1981 |
| Political party | Labour |
| Occupation | Politician, community activist |
John Darwin Hinds (28 December 1922 - 15 March 1981) [1] was a politician who became Wales' first Black and first Muslim councillor in 1958 and later, in 1975 became Wales's first Black mayor. [2] His older sister, Elvira Gwenllian Payne (known as Gwen), [3] was Wales' first Black female councillor.
Hinds was born in Maerdy, to Leonard Hinds, a former merchant seaman, and Gwenllian Hinds (née Lloyd). He grew up on Morgan Street in Barry. [1] He was one of six children [4] [1] and the younger brother of Elvira Gwenllian Payne, Wales' first Black female councillor. His mother was born in Barry and his father was originally from Barbados. [1] His father earned the Mercantile Marine War Medal in 1919 and after the war became a coal miner in Maerdy. [1]
After leaving school, Hinds initially worked in the coal mines at Bargoed [5] before getting an opportunity to work in the Colonial Office in London. [6] It was whilst working at the Colonial Office that Hinds became interested in politics. [1]
Hinds returned to Wales and converted to Islam following a near death experience from contracting tuberculosis. [7] It was around the same time that Hinds joined the Labour party and began working on local social issues. [6]
Hinds was elected to Barry Town Council in 1958. [8] He was Wales' first Muslim councillor and Wales' first Black councillor. [1] He was a fluent Welsh speaker and at the time, only one of only three Welsh-speaking councillors. [1] [8]
Later in 1975, he became Wales' first Black mayor, [2] becoming mayor for the Vale of Glamorgan Council. His sister, Gwen, served as his mayoress [6] [9] and he supported Gwen in founding the Buttrills Community centre. [10] He advocated for the establishment of a local branch of the Guide Dogs for the Blind association and worked to end housing insecurity. [1]