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 included 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.
Facilties
Leisure and Lifestyle
A number of leisure and lifestyle facilities are available for local residents. Gwyn Evans Sports Centre, named after a local councillor and school teacher, is a council-operated leisure centre, consisting of a 25 metre swimming pool and multi-use sports hall, within the grounds of local secondary school, Ysgol Bryn Alyn. The school additionally offers an outdoor astroturf multi-use games area, situated adjacent to the leisure centre. The newly-built Gwersyllt Community Resource Centre provides a large bookable function hall and meeting rooms, along with Gwersyllt Library, which is open 6 days a week.
A number of public houses have been central to the area, including The Wheatsheaf and Gwersyllt Working Men's Club, along with those in the wider Gwersyllt Community in Summerhill, Bradley and Gresford.
Religion
Gwersyllt is predominately served by two churches; namely Gwersyllt Congregational Church of the evangelical faith, and Holy Trinity Church, which is part of the Church in Wales Anglican denomination. Both date from the Victorian era, with the Congregational Church being the older of the two.
Supplies
Gwersyllt's largest shopping centre is known locally as the Kwik Save Centre, an outdoor precinct formally headed by the Kwik Save supermarket chain. Today it consists of Somerfield, Iceland and a number of local retailers. German discount supermaket Lidl also operates a store adjacent to Gwersyllt railway station, along with a number of locally owned shops, food outlets and hairdressers around the community.
Education and health
Gwersyllt has 3 school within the community borders; namely Gwersyllt County Primary, Ysgol Heulfan Primary and Ysgol Bryn Alyn Secondary. Gwersyllt CP was created in 2007 by the amalgamation of the former Ysgol Y Gaer Infant School with Gwersyllt County Primary Junior School, and Ysgol Heulfan in 2005 respectively with the merger of Ysgol Bryn Golau Infants, Ysgol Y Drindod Juniors and Ysgol Powys. A centre for alternative curriculum programmes continues in the former building of Ysgol Powys. Following secondary education at Ysgol Bryn Alyn, Yale College of Wrexham in Wrexham provides further education courses.
Pen-y-Maes Health Centre is the local clinic, being staffed by doctors, nurses and regular health visitors, and also encorporates a pharmacy.
Industry
Gwersyllt's former heavy industries of coalmining and manufacturing have declined over the 20th Century. Much of the former land of these industries has been reclaimed, mostly as housing. However a number of industrial warehouses continue, namely of building supplies, car sales and double-glazing window manufacturing. The Studios is the headquarters of the former Marcher Radio Group, which produces and broadcasts radio programmes to the local Heart stations, formally Marcher Sound, Buzz 97.1, Coast 96.3, Champion FM 103, along with Wrexham and Chester Gold (formerly Classic Gold).
Transport
The A541 road, locally known as the Mold Road is the main thoroughfare into Wrexham southbound, and northwards through south Flintshire onto Mold. The community is also nearby to the A483 road via the Gresford and Wrexham junctions.
Gwersyllt railway station provides hourly services by rail on the Borderlands Line, southbound to Wrexham Central, and northbound onto Bidston, changing for Merseyrail services to Liverpool Central. All services are operated by Arriva Trains Wales, predominately using Class 150 and Class 153 diesel multiple units.
Public bus transport is provided by Arriva Buses Wales and GHA Coaches on services from Wrexham to Summerhill and Mold on Monday to Saturdays. A reduced service operates on Sundays and bank holidays, subsidied by Wrexham Council and provided by Arriva.
External links
- Gwersyllt Community Council
- Gwersyllt photographs, books and memories
- Gwersyllt Library homepage
- Gwersyllt Library at Library Gateway
- Welsh Coal Mines - research the local pit's histories
- photos of Gwersyllt and surrounding area on geograph
