Colwyn Bay
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It has been suggested that Croes yn Eirias be merged into this article or section. (Discuss) Proposed since September 2011. |
Coordinates: 53°17′N 3°42′W / 53.29°N 3.70°W
| Colwyn Bay | |
| Welsh: Bae Colwyn | |
 The Little Orme at sunset seen from Colwyn Bay |
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 Colwyn Bay
Colwyn Bay shown within Conwy |
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| Population | 28,992 (2001 Census) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | SH865785 |
| Principal area | Conwy |
| Ceremonial county | Clwyd |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | COLWYN BAY |
| Postcode district | LL29, LL28 |
| Dialling code | 01492 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | Clwyd West |
| Welsh Assembly | Clwyd West |
| List of places: UK • Wales • Conwy | |
Colwyn Bay (Welsh: Bae Colwyn) is a town and seaside resort in Conwy County Borough on the north coast of Wales overlooking the Irish Sea. Eight neighbouring communities are incorporated within its postal district. Established as its own separate parish in 1844 with just a small grouping of homes and farms where the community of Old Colwyn stands today, Colwyn Bay has expanded to become the second-largest community and business center in the north of Wales as well as the 16th largest in the whole of Wales with a population of over 30,000.
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[edit] History
The western side of Colwyn Bay, Rhos-on-Sea, includes a number of historic sites associated with St Trillo and Ednyfed Fychan, the 13th century general and councillor to Llywelyn the Great.
[edit] Government
The Colwyn Bay Town Council is a statutory body. The mayor for 2011-12 is Councillor Mrs Margaret Edwards (Conservative Party).
[edit] Geography
The town is situated about half-way along the north coast of Wales, between the sea and the Pwllycrochan Woods on the towering hillside.
[edit] Climate
As with the rest of the British Isles, Colwyn experiences a maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters, and often high winds. The local climate is well known for the prevalence of 'Foehn' winds - where winds from the South pass over the nearby mountains and warm and dry on their descent, leading to far higher temperatures than otherwise might be expected; the area holds the Welsh high temperature record for January, March, August, October, November and December.
| Climate data for Colwyn Bay 36m asl, 1971-2000 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 8.2 (46.8) |
8.2 (46.8) |
9.9 (49.8) |
11.5 (52.7) |
14.8 (58.6) |
17.0 (62.6) |
19.3 (66.7) |
19.2 (66.6) |
17.0 (62.6) |
14.1 (57.4) |
10.8 (51.4) |
9.1 (48.4) |
13.3 (55.9) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 2.8 (37.0) |
2.6 (36.7) |
3.9 (39.0) |
5.0 (41.0) |
7.3 (45.1) |
10.0 (50.0) |
12.1 (53.8) |
12.1 (53.8) |
10.2 (50.4) |
7.9 (46.2) |
5.3 (41.5) |
3.7 (38.7) |
6.9 (44.4) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 76.8 (3.024) |
48.0 (1.89) |
58.2 (2.291) |
46.5 (1.831) |
54.3 (2.138) |
58.6 (2.307) |
43.9 (1.728) |
63.4 (2.496) |
66.9 (2.634) |
90.9 (3.579) |
88.9 (3.5) |
91.6 (3.606) |
788.1 (31.028) |
| Sunshine hours | 55.5 | 76.8 | 106.6 | 157.5 | 204.9 | 184.8 | 190.7 | 175.8 | 134.4 | 105.1 | 64.5 | 42.5 | 1,499.1 |
| Source: Met Office[1] | |||||||||||||
[edit] Demography
Prior to local government reorganisation on 1 April 1974 Colwyn Bay was a municipal borough with a population of c.25,000, but in 1974 this designation disappeared leaving five separate parishes, known as communities in Wales, of which the one bearing the name Colwyn Bay encompassed just the central part of the overall town and in the 2001 Census contained just 9,742 people, with the others as follows: Mochdre (1,862), Rhos-on-Sea (7,110), Glan Conwy (2,290), Old Colwyn (7,626) and Llysfaen (2,652). This gives a total figure for the six communities of 31,382, generally referred to as the population of Colwyn Bay, making it the 16th largest urban area in Wales and the second largest settlement in North Wales.
According to the census of 2001, 20% of the population can speak Welsh fluently. The highest percentage of speakers is in the 10–14 years age group, where 38% can speak the language.
[edit] Economy
The town is dominated by the tourist trade. A business and commercial centre with rail links and close access to the activities that are available in the surrounding countryside. Colwyn Bay is a Fairtrade Town as certified by the Fairtrade Foundation as part of the Fairtrade Towns scheme.
[edit] Culture
Colwyn Bay hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1910, 1947 and 1995.
[edit] Community facilities
The town has parks and gardens and many places of natural beauty such as Eirias Park. Colwyn Bay has received a gold award 8 times in the Wales in Bloom competition. In 2009 and 2010 the town has been invited to enter Britain in Bloom and has been awarded silver gilt in both years. The Welsh Mountain Zoo is nearby.
[edit] Landmarks
The Victoria Pier has been closed to the public since 2009 when a dispute between Conwy County Borough Council and the pier's owner lead to him being declared bankrupt. Llety'r Dryw is a Grade II listed house in Abergele Road, built for the uncle of Anthony Eden and now used as the headquarters of the North Wales Police Authority. Llys Euryn is a medieval manor house on Bryn Euryn, now in ruins.
[edit] Transport
The A55 road passes through the town, running parallel to the North Wales Coast Line. The town is served by Colwyn Bay railway station located in the town centre.
[edit] Education
Colwyn Bay has three secondary schools - one private and two state. Eirias High School is in Eirias Park and Ysgol Bryn Elian is in Old Colwyn. Ysgol Bryn Elian mainly serves Old Colwyn and Eirias High School mainly serves Colwyn Bay, Rhos on Sea and Penrhyn Bay. Rydal Penrhos is a private school, which is on multiple sites in the town. The town's primary schools are Princess Road School, Ysgol Pendorlan, Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn, Ysgol Ty Gwyn Jones and Saint Joseph's R.C. Primary and the Welsh-language Ysgol Bod Alaw.
[edit] Religious sites
Anglican churches in and around the town include the parish church St Paul's Church, St David's Welsh Church, St John the Baptist's Church and Christ Church, Bryn-y-Maen to the south of the town.
[edit] Sport
The local football team is Colwyn Bay F.C. and the rugby team is Colwyn Bay RFC.
[edit] Notable people
- Carl Dale, footballer for Chester City and Cardiff City, as well as several non-league clubs.
- Two-time James Bond actor Timothy Dalton.
- Richard Ellis, the California-based astronomer, was born and went to school in Old Colwyn
- Monty Python star Terry Jones (from Old Colwyn).
- Cricketer Tony Lewis who captained Glamorgan.
- MP Alun Michael.
- Soap star William Roache, (Ken Barlow in Coronation Street), who attended Rydal Penrhos, a private school in the town.
- Rachel Taylor - Welsh (http://www.wru.co.uk/19814.php?player=54286&includeref=dynamic)women's rugby international player who at one time captained Colwyn Bay under 11's rugby team.
- Mickey Thomas who played for Manchester United, Chelsea, Shrewsbury Town and Wrexham lives in Mochdre.
- Mike Walker ex professional footballer and former manager of Everton FC and Norwich City FC
- Helen Willetts, a BBC weather reporter.
- Big Breakfast presenter Paula Yates.
- William Davies, a Welsh Roman Catholic priest and martyr, beatified in 1987.
[edit] See also
- Mochdre, a village to the west that was originally part of the Borough.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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