Birchgrove, Swansea Birchgrove, Swansea Birchgrove () is a large village and community in the City and County of Swansea, Wales. It does not have a community council. The village is situated some 4.5 miles (7 km) north-east of Swansea city centre, between the flood plain of the River Tawe and Mynydd Drumau (Drummau Mountain). Birchgrove also borders Neath Port Talbot. The community of Birchgrove, which includes the village of Birchgrove itself, Lon-las, and parts of Glais, had a population in 2008 of 5,807. Long vistas of the Swansea, Neath and Blaengwynfi valleys are to be had from the top of Mynydd Drumau,
Richard Martin (Mayor of Swansea) to the zinc works, which still operate today, until his death. He started up the Birch Grove iron works in 1881 and bought the Ynys-pen-llwch tin works in 1884. Martin served the town council 1884-1910 as member and alderman, becoming mayor 1898-9. He was also chairman of the education committee for six years. In this time, he strived to have the University College of South Wales situated in Swansea, however Cardiff was ultimately chosen as its site. He nevertheless succeeded in ensuring the establishment of a technical school, which later became the technical college, in Swansea. Martin then strove to