Sandfields, Port Talbot
Sandfields (Welsh: Traethmelyn) is a mainly residential district of Port Talbot, Wales. The area is located in South Wales on a narrow coastal plain between Mynydd Dinas and the sea. The M4 motorway, A48 trunk road and South Wales Main Line run nearby. The area includes a council estate, industrial areas and a seaside resort at Aberavon Beach.
Contents |
[edit] Government
The area encompasses the electoral wards of Sandfields West and Sandfields East, part of the Neath Port Talbot unitary authority.
[edit] Social conditions
The two electoral wards covering Sandfields were ranked in top 50 most deprived wards in Wales in the 2000 Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation.[1] In the 2005 index, Sandfields West was one of the 10% most deprived wards in Wales.[2]
[edit] Afan Lido
The Afan Lido leisure centre was opened by the Queen in 1965.[3] The facility formerly included a 50m competition swimming pool, which was later converted into a 25m leisure pool with water slides when the complex was re-fitted during the mid 1990s. The Lido also has a spa, gym, and concert hall where famous bands have played, including in recent years McFly, All Saints, Stereophonics, Manic Street Preachers and Lostprophets.
The Lido was the site of a major fire on 16 December 2009 which broke out in the Aquadome part of the complex.[4] Residents in surrounding streets were evacuated due to fears of the safety of chemicals in the fire that broke through the centre's roof.[4] The centre has been closed since and is currently in the progress of demolition demolition.
[edit] Education
Sandfields Comprehensive School was the first purpose-built comprehensive school in Wales when it opened in 1958. In 2000, it was recognised by the Welsh Secondary Schools Association (WSSA) as the most improved school in Wales.[5] The school has produced a number of sportsmen and women who have represented Wales at international level, including rugby players Allan Martin[6] and Les Keen (ex-Aberavon RFC); footballers Brian Flynn[6] and Laura May Walkely of Arsenal Ladies Football Team.
Several primary schools are located within the Sandfields Estate including Tir Morfa, Tywyn, Traethmelyn and Glan Y Mor.
[edit] Community Archives Wales
The Port Talbot Historical Society and Community Archives Wales meet at Sandfields' Library.
[edit] References
- ^ "Index of Multiple Deprivation 2000 for Communities First Wards in Neath Port Talbot". Neath Port Talbot Borough Council. http://www.neath-porttalbot.gov.uk/PDF/communitiesfirst_imd_c1st.pdf.
- ^ "Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2005". Welsh Assembly Government. 2005. http://new.wales.gov.uk/docrepos/40382/40382313/statistics/wimd-2005/4038211011/wimd2005-analysis-pt4-r1-e.pdf?lang=en.
- ^ "TIME LINE 20TH C". Port Talbot Historical Society. http://beehive.thisissouthwales.co.uk/default.asp?WCI=SiteHome&ID=5906&PageID=72584.
- ^ a b "Fire breaks out at Afan Lido poolside in Port Talbot". BBC News. BBC. 16 December 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/8417165.stm. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
- ^ "Sandfields Comprehensive School report, 17 – 20 January 2005". Estyn. 2005-03-21. http://www.estyn.gov.uk/inspection_reports/Sandfields_Sec_05.pdf.
- ^ a b "50 year celebrations for Sandfields Comprehensive School". Neath Port Talbot Borough Council. http://www.neath-porttalbot.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=2482&pr_id=2586.
[edit] External links
- Sandfields Comprehensive School
- Apollo Cinema
- Port Talbot Historical Society
- Port Talbot Coastguard: 360 degree view of Aberavon Beach
- Sandfields Photo Gallery
Coordinates: 51°35′37.00″N 3°48′11.00″W / 51.59361°N 3.80306°W
 |
This Neath Port Talbot location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
