Ferndale, Rhondda Cynon Taf
Coordinates: 51°39′28″N 3°26′45″W / 51.657654°N 3.445885°W
| Ferndale | |
| Welsh: Glynrhedynog | |
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 Ferndale
Ferndale shown within Rhondda Cynon Taf |
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| Population | 4,419 [1] |
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| OS grid reference | ST000964 |
| Principal area | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Ceremonial county | Mid Glamorgan |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Ferndale |
| Postcode district | CF43 |
| Dialling code | 01443 75 |
| Police | South Wales |
| Fire | South Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | Rhondda |
| Welsh Assembly | Rhondda |
| List of places: UK • Wales • Rhondda Cynon Taf | |
Ferndale (Welsh: Glynrhedynog, or Trerhondda) is a small town located in the Rhondda Valley in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. Neighbouring villages are Maerdy and Tylorstown. Ferndale was industrialised in the mid 19th century when the first coal mine shaft was sunk in 1857 and was the first village to be intensively industrialised in the Rhondda Valley.[2]
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[edit] History
The Welsh language translation of "Ferndale" as Glynrhedynog is controversial. The village was originally known as "Trerhondda" and a number of buildings still carry the name. Older Welsh speakers prefer to use "Trerhondda" over the Council-designated "Glynrhedynog". It doesn't help that "Glynrhedynog" is strictly speaking a mis-translation "Fernydale".
The Welsh language is on the increase in Ferndale after the village adopted the English language during the Industrial revolution. A Welsh language school is situated near the park and the school is named after the park's lake, 'Llyn-y-Forwyn.'
[edit] Ferndale Colliery disasters
Two large coal mining colliery disasters occurred in Ferndale during the 19th century. The first occurred on the 8th November 1867, when an underground explosion killed 178 miners at the Ferndale Colliery owned by David Davis and Sons Ltd. The second disaster happened on 10 June 1869 when a further explosion resulted in the death of 53 miners.[3]
[edit] Transport
Between 1849 and 1856, the Taff Vale Railway opened the Maerdy Branch from Porth, including a station at Ferndale. Passenger services were withdrawn in 1964, and the line closed completely and was lifted from June 1986 after coal from Mardy Colliery was raised through Tower Colliery. Since 2005, the southern section from Porth to Pontygwaith is now the A4223 Porth and Lower Rhondda Fach Relief Road (Porth Bypass).[4] The upper section including the section passing Ferndale has become a branch of the Taff Trail cycleway.
[edit] Sport
Ferndale is home to rugby union club Ferndale RFC, whose first XV team play in the Welsh Rugby Union leagues.
Adjacent to Llyn y Forwyn is an astro-turf football field that, during the Summer, annually becomes the ground of sports days for many of the local junior schools. Also within the confines of Darran Park can be found a tennis court and bowling green.
In December 2007, the Ferndale Skate Park was opened with indoor ramps and other equipment available to BMX riders, 'bladers' and skateboarders. The skatepark began with the aim of improving the prospects of school leavers in the area, providing a 'safe haven' from the influences of drugs and alcohol and an attempt to bring sports and healthy living to the area in a novel approach. It has since received National Lottery continuation funding as well as a Rhondda Trust grant to secure the future for an additional 3 year period[citation needed]. It currently works with seven schools across the County Borough, and plans to launch a mountain bike initiative designed to get groups and local young people enjoying the cycle and biways in the area.
[edit] Notable persons
- Sir Stanley Baker, actor
- Meirion James Trow, (1949-) author
- Steve Jones (presenter), (1977-) TV presenter
- In a recent TV documentary, Griff Rhys Jones traced his mother's family roots back to Ferndale, and visited several areas and buildings that his mother used to frequent: namely, his grandparents' old greengrocer shop and Trerhondda chapel.
- The Welsh nationalist writer D.J. Williams of Rhydcymerau, Carmarthenshire, worked as a teenager in local mines, and lodged at 32 Dyffryn Street, circa 1905.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ Office for National Statistics (2001)
- ^ The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales. John Davies, Nigel Jenkins, Menna Baines and Peredur Lynch (2008) pg749 ISBN 9780708319536
- ^ The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales. John Davies, Nigel Jenkins, Menna Baines and Peredur Lynch (2008) pg280 ISBN 9780708319536
- ^ http://demos.constructingexcellence.org.uk/userimages/Image322.pdf
- ^ Williams, D.J., Yn Chwech ar Hugain Oed Gwasg Aberystwyth 1959, 1964.
[edit] External links
- www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Ferndale and surrounding area
- Welsh Coal Mines - local pit histories
- Ferndale Skatepark
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