Gwersyllt
Gwersyllt (Welsh pronunciation: [ɡwɛrsɪɬt]; English: /ɡwəˈsʌlt/) is a densely populated urban village in the suburbs of Wrexham in Wales. It forms part of the Wrexham Urban Area (pop 63,000) and is one of Wrexham's largest villages. It is situated in the north western suburbs of Wrexham County Borough, bordering the nearby villages of Bradley, Llay, Cefn-y-Bedd, Summerhill and Sydallt. The name is derived from the Welsh word, "Gwersyll" meaning "campsite".
History
The village grew rapidly with the local coal mining industry and the area was home to several collieries, of which many features still remain. In 1896, the Gwersyllt coal mine owned by Edward Griffiths had 185 employees with 167 below ground. It was in operation by 1881.
The area was situated between the collieries of the Moss Valley and Bradley, and it also had good infrastructure links, which included local railway (which is still in use), and prior to that, a section of canal, originally intended to form part of the Ellesmere Canal. A local street is named, Heol-y-Camlas, meaning Canal Road. Evidence of the canal cuttings can still be seen along the lane that links Bottom Road with Mold Road (at the Sydallt exit).
In the mid-20th century, largecouncil estates were built amongst the existing Victorian buildings. The area quickly gained popularity, and local services, including the local Holy Trinity School (which later became Ysgol Bryn Golau and Ysgol y Drindod, and which merged in 2005 to become Ysgol Heulfan), and Ysgol Bryn Alyn were built. Other local schools inluded Gwersyllt County Primary School and Ysgol-y-Gaer, who also merged in 2007.
Governance
Prior to 1974, Gwersyllt fell into the County of Denbighshire and the Wrexham Rural District (however some areas in Gwersyllt were moved to Wrexham Borough in the 20th Century). Between 1974 and 1996, Gwersyllt formed as a parish of the Borough of Wrexham Maelor, in the County of Clwyd. Since 1996, the community has been part of the County Borough of Wrexham and the wider preserved county of Clwyd.
Gwersyllt Community Council covers a wider area, including Summerhill, Bradley, Rhosrobin, Moss, Parkwall and Sydallt. For local government purposes, the Community is split into three subdivisions; Gwersyllt North, Gwersyllt West and Gwersyllt East & South.
Services & Facilities
Residents of Gwersyllt benefit from many local facilities.
- Gwyn Evans Sports Centre, named after a local councillor and school teacher, this facility consists of a 25 metre swimming pool and multi-use sports hall. The venue is presently is home to the Gwersyllt Library, while its permanent building is being re-built. The facility is on the grounds of Ysgol Bryn Alyn, who use it regularly for physical education lessons.
- Gwersyllt Community Centre. Local community centre and Gwersyllt Library.
- Gwersyllt Congregational Church is the oldest church in the village, and is Evangelical by nature.
- Gwersyllt railway station is the local railway station on the Borderlands Line between Bidston and Wrexham Central.
- Supermarkets, including Somerfield and Lidl.
- Kwik Save Centre is a shopping precinct, formally headed by the supermarket chain Kwik Save (now Somerfield). Its various shops include Iceland, Toymaster and a variety of independent retailers.
- Schools, including Ysgol Bryn Alyn secondary school, Gwersyllt County Primary school and Ysgol Heulfan Primary School.
- Holy Trinity Church is of the Church in Wales Christian denominiation.
- The Studios is the headquarters of the former Marcher Radio Group, which produces and broadcasts radio programmes to Marcher Sound, Buzz 97.1, Coast 96.3, Champion FM 103 and the recently launched Wrexham and Chester Gold (formerly Classic Gold).
Other local services include local health clinic, hairdressing salon, café, public houses, convenience stores and open ground.
Housing
The majority of the area is council housing, which the major area is considered to be First Avenue and Wheatsheaf Lane, which link to all the other major roads in the area. The nearest dual carriageway is named the Mold Road, which runs from Wrexham to Mold, which can be found at the bottom of the village.