Canton, Cardiff

Canton, Cardiff Welsh: Treganna
Canton Cross Vaults, Cardiff
Population	13,086
OS grid reference	ST164767
Principal area	Cardiff
Preserved county	Cardiff
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	CARDIFF
Postcode district	CF11
Dialling code	+44-29
Police	South Wales
Fire	South Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
UK Parliament	Cardiff West
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament	Cardiff West

Canton (Welsh: Treganna) is an inner-city district in the west of Cardiff, capital of Wales, lying 2 miles (3.2 kilometres) west of the city's civic centre. One of the most ethnically diverse of Cardiff's suburbs, with a significant Asian population such as Pakistanis and Indians, Canton has a population just in excess of 13,000.

The name (from "St. Canna's Town") refers to the 6th century female saint after whom Pontcanna is also named. Canton, also known as Treganna (tref town + Saint Canna), was a 13th century manor in Llandaff. It became part of Victorian era Cardiff in 1875 .

History

Middle Ages

Canton, or Treganna in the Welsh language, was formed around a 13th century Manor in Cardiff and assumed lands from nearby Llandaff and Leckwith parishes under the stewardship of an Earl (or Baron) de Kanetune, although today the manor comes under the jurisdiction of the Manor of Llandaff. It is believed that Canton is named after St Canna, the holy matron in the Celtic age of Saints, and Canna herself is reputed to have been a relative of King Arthur

In 1215 a parishioner called Lucia de Kanetune is recorded as occupying a field ‘near the Earl's wall’. In 1230 a man named as Walter de Canetune is named in the Cardiff charter, and signed the charter, obviously as a resident of quite high status. In 1262 a doctor or ‘Physicus’ called Nicholas de Kanetone gave evidence in a legal dispute between the Abbeys of Margam and St. Peter's, Gloucester. In 1290 Richard de Canetone is recorded as a witness on the new Cardiff charter. Also in 1290 (Cartae 1 page 294) records:

“John, son of Robert de Landaf, granting to Milo de Regny a rent of sixpence arising out of three acres of land with the appurtenances, which John de Lake, formerly bailiff of la Lekwiffe, had of my fee under Kanetone, in Sudcrofte. As also one penny rent from John, son of John Godman of Kaerdif, for three other acres in the same Sudcrofte under Kanetone." (Richard de Kaneton was also one of the witnesses to this charter).

A medieval market

From around 1250 for several hundred years Canton Cross was the site of the largest and most significant trading market in the South Wales area. The market was open daily except Sundays on the extensive Canton common lands at the junction where Llandaff Road and Leckwith Road now cross Cowbridge Road East, opposite where the Canton Cross Vaults public house still stands.

Goods, including all manner of fresh food stuffs, live animals and household items were brought from all over Cardiff and the South Wales Valleys to be traded at the market. Items that were to be exported were then transported or herded to the docks at Cardiff, Penarth and Swanbridge. Imports of fresh foods and tradeable goods were also brought to the market from those ports.

In the year 1450 stewardship of the Manor of Caneton is recorded as having been granted to Sir David Mathew, Lord of Llandaff manor but a resident of Radyr.

19th and 20th Centuries

Victoria Park, Canton, in summer

In 1853 St. Johns, Canton was completed and opened as a local chapel annexe of nearby Llandaff Cathedral. From around 1840, Halket Street, Canton, became home to a large number of Irish families, indeed Canton was the recognised centre of Cardiff’s increasing Irish community, most of whom were fleeing the potato famines in their own country and seeking work and housing in the ports of Liverpool and Cardiff. In 1870 the large Atlas Engineering works was built in Canton and opened its doors, creating a large number of new skilled jobs in the area.

The independent hamlet of Canton was incorporated as a district of the City of Cardiff by charter in 1875.

In 1899 the Manor House is recorded as still standing, on the west side of Canton Common but is in a poor condition and in danger of falling down. At that time it was under the occupation of a Mr. Richard Williams, but there is no record of when the Manor house was eventually demolished.

The extensive common lands at Canton Cross, home of the medieval trading market were already in the process of being converted into a municipal recreation ground called Victoria Park and extensive sports fields by the city council in 1899. The market, which by then had wound down to a weekly cattle market, had been relocated to lands that now house Cantonian High School in adjacent Fairwater. The market yard and rows of stables would be full of the farmers’ carts and traps from all over the Vale of Glamorgan. The market dealt with sheep and pigs as well as cattle and the market buildings also included a slaughterhouse, so the animals could be butchered on site ready for transporting to the many butchers shops all over Cardiff. The market’s tram depot and stabling was also next to Severn Road Council School, trams ran on rails with overhead electric power from the depot and Victoria Park to the city centre and on to other locations in Cardiff from 1902 until they were replaced by the electric trolley-buses in 1950. The traditional Canton Cross common land now has Victoria Park, Cardiff City FC's Ninian Park football ground and Cardiff Athletics Stadium built on it, with the last remnant of the medieval market represented only by Bessemer Road fruit market. In recent years a large number of commercial car dealerships have moved into the area.

Today

A typical Canton Street

Canton has long been recognised as one of the most multi-cultural areas of Cardiff since the vast influx of Irish immigrants in the mid 19th century and today houses a significant and thriving Asian population such as Pakistanis and Indians.

Canton electoral ward also has the 5th highest proportion of residents with knowledge of the Welsh Language (21.15% in 2001) and ranks highest of the Cardiff inner city wards.

The main road through the district is Cowbridge Road East, a busy thoroughfare with many discount shops as well as pubs and restaurants. Canton is home to Thompson's Park and Victoria Park, to the education centre Llanover Hall, and to the Chapter Arts Centre, which is housed in a former school.

Transport

The main road running through the heart of Canton is Cowbridge Road East, along which services 12/13 (Ely/Drope/Culverhouse Cross), 17/18 (Ely/Caerau), 33/33A/33B (Fairwater/Llandaff/Radyr), 60/61/62/62A (Fairwater/Pentrebane/Danescourt) of Cardiff Bus run, with the 33B service running through the north and 12/13 running through the south of the district as well. Cowbridge Road East links the area with Culverhouse Cross, Ely, Caerau, Cardiff and Fairwater to the west and the city centre to the east.

Canton is served by Waun-Gron Park railway station in the west and Ninian Park railway station in south which are both on the Cardiff City Line between Central and Radyr railway stations.

Education

Schools include Lansdowne Primary School, Radnor Primary School, Ysgol Gymraeg Treganna, Ysgol Gymraeg Pwll Coch and Fitzalan High School. It also has the large Canton Library.

Sport

Local community sports clubs include junior football club, Canton Rangers Football Club (Formerly known as Canton & Riverside FC) which was founded in August,1999 by Mauro Caresimo & Vito Valluzzi and is affiliated to the South Wales Football Association. The clubs origins began as a result of no junior football club being present in the community of Canton & Riverside. The club has proved hugely popular and its membership has risen considerably since its inauguration to in excess of 140 children spanning ten different age groups.(Under 9's to Under 17's).

Government

Canton electoral ward of Cardiff

The electoral ward of Canton is located in the constituency of Cardiff West. It is bounded by Fairwater and Ely to the north; Riverside and Grangetown to the east; the Vale of Glamorgan to the south; and Caerau to the west.

Canton Ward is represented by three County Councillors on Cardiff County Council. Since Cardiff became a unitary authority in 1996 Canton has been represented by Labour Councillors. Currently they are Richard Cook, Cerys Furlong and Ramesh Patel, they hold an advice surgery every Saturday morning (except in August) at Canton Library, Library Street from 10.00 - 11.00am.

Local people

Famous residents include singer Charlotte Church, while John Toshack attended Radnor Primary School and Cantonian High School in neighbouring Fairwater. Welsh writer Jennifer Sullivan grew up in Canton, whilst the half-mile world champion runner Frederick Charles Davies, who was better known as ‘Tenby Davies’, lived at Preswylfa Street. In recent years Canton has produced even more Welsh international football (soccer) stars, most notably Ryan Giggs (once Wales' youngest international), Jermaine Easter and Joe Ledley. Cantonian High School's most famous comedy actor was Robin Nedwell star of TVs Doctor in the House.

References

• Cardiff Tram and bus history

External links

• www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Canton and surrounding area
• BBC Wales : Memories of Canton feature
• The Official Web site of the Canton Tourist Board
• : Canton Rangers F.C