Ystrad Mynach
Coordinates: 51°38′31″N 3°14′26″W / 51.6419°N 3.2405°W
| Ystrad Mynach | |
 Ystrad Mynach
Ystrad Mynach shown within Caerphilly |
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| Population | 13,500 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | ST145945 |
| Principal area | Caerphilly |
| Ceremonial county | Gwent |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HENGOED |
| Postcode district | CF82 |
| Dialling code | 01443 |
| Police | Gwent |
| Fire | South Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | Caerphilly |
| List of places: UK • Wales • Caerphilly | |
Ystrad Mynach is a town in the County Borough of Caerphilly, previously within the ancient traditional county of Glamorgan, Wales, and is 5 miles north of Caerphilly town. It has a population of around 13,500 and stands in the Rhymney Valley [1]. Before the Industrial Revolution and the coming of coal mining in the South Wales coalfield the valley was rural and farmed [2]. It lies in the community of Gelligaer.
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[edit] Origin of the name
In the Welsh language, ystrad is a wide flat bottomed valley. The termination ach is associated with the names of marshy floodplains of rivers and is also found nearby in the names Llanbradach and Llancaiach. Ystrad Mynach is a corruption of Ystrad-Man-Ach (man = place) and is not derived from the Welsh mynach meaning monk.[1] Prior to erection of defences on the River Rhymney in the 1960s the town was indeed subject to periodic flooding.
[edit] Amenities and history
The town houses a number of council offices, as well as Ystrad Mynach College, a further education college established in 1959 to provide training for local coal miners and now claiming a roster of over 12,000 students.
The nearby Penallta Colliery [3] was the last coal mine to close in the valley [4]. Other notable buildings and structures are the Ystrad Mynach railway station [5], opened in 1890, the viaduct [6], a sculpture to commemorate the areas industrial heritage [7], a community hospital, a number of schools, and the Beech Tree, Coopers Arms and Royal Oak pubs.
From 1927 to 1996, Ystrad Mynach hosted the 'F' division headquarters of Glamorgan Constabulary (from 1968, South Wales Police).
Ystrad Mynach railway station was a location for one of Ronnie Barker's Porridge (TV series) episodes. Records show that Ystrad Mynach railway station was in existence in 1857, when it was known as Ystrad Junction.
A new Local General Hospital is planned to be built in the town. Work started on the Ystrad Fawr site in September 2007, with the hospital being completed towards the end of 2010.[2]
Situated to the north of Ystrad Mynach, is a collection of houses called Tredomen; these houses were built to house the workers of the since-demolished "Tredomen Works". This collection of houses is one of the best examples of socially graded houses in the world - ranging from two-up two-down, to a six-bedroom manor in Park Lane with adjoining servants' quarters.
[edit] External links
- Ystrad Mynach College
- Welsh Coal Mines - check out the local pit history
- An old photo of Ystrad Mynach in 1938
- Ystrad Mynach Hospital
- Ystrad Mynach Air Training Corps
- The local Welsh Male Voice Choir
- Penallta RFC
- Shotokan Karate Club
- the wardrobe
[edit] Notable natives / residents
- Author and historian Hywel Davies
- Composer Mervyn Burtch MBE
- Guitarist Andy Fairweather-Low
- Film producer/Director Paul Atherton
[edit] Penallta Rugby Football Club
Penallta RFC is a rugby union club is based in Ystrad Mynach. The Rugby Club was inaugurated by a group of miners from Penallta colliery in 1952.
It is an affiliated member of the Welsh Rugby Union and plays in the Welsh National League.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ystrad Mynach |
[edit] References
- ^ Gelligaer Urban District Council (1959). The Gelligaer Story. Gelligaer Urban District Council.
- ^ http://www.clinicalfuturesgwent.wales.nhs.uk/cp_new_hospital.aspx
