36-544: Rhydyfelin ( Welsh pronunciation: [r̥idəˈvɛlɪn] ) is a large village (originally known as Rhydfelen ) and part of the community of Pontypridd Town , about two miles to its south east of Pontypridd , in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf . It is on the eastern bank of the River Taff close to the A470 , and historically was in the parish of Eglwysilan . Rhydyfelin is also known as Rhydfelen, and means Mill ford in
72-484: A community council. Labour is the dominant political force and has been since the First World War. The community elects 23 town councillors from 11 community wards: Cilfynydd , Glyncoch, Graig , Hawthorn , Ilan, Pontypridd, Rhondda , Rhydfelen Central, Rhydfelen Lower, Trallwng and Treforest. Pontypridd community comprises the town centre itself, with the following key villages/settlements: Pontypridd serves as
108-499: A population of about 32,700 in the 2011 census figures. while Pontypridd Town ward itself was recorded as having a population of 2,919 also as of 2011. The town lies alongside the north–south dual carriageway A470 between Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil. The A4054, running north and south of the town, was the former main road, and like the A470, follows the Taff Valley . South of the town is
144-410: A train passed through Pontypridd railway station (including the freight lines immediately to its west) every two or three minutes. The station was originally built as a long single island, at one point the world's longest platform, a reflection of both the narrow available geography of the steep valley side and the need to accommodate many converging railways lines at what became the 19th-century hub of
180-576: Is Aberdare ( Welsh : Aberdâr ) with a population of 39,550 (2011), followed by Pontypridd with 32,694 (2011). The largest built-up area as defined by the Office for National Statistics is the Tonypandy built-up area, with a population of 62,545 (2011), which covers much of the Rhondda valley. The National Eisteddfod will be held at Rhondda Cynon Taf in 2024, postponed twice from 2022. The county borough
216-578: Is a town and a community in Rhondda Cynon Taf , South Wales , approximately 10 miles north west of Cardiff city centre. Pontypridd comprises the electoral wards of Cilfynydd , Glyncoch , Graig , Hawthorn , Pontypridd Town, 'Rhondda', Rhydyfelin Central/Ilan, Trallwng ( Trallwn ) and Treforest . The town mainly falls within the Senedd and UK parliamentary constituency by the same name, although
252-724: Is in the Church in Wales Parish of Rhydyfelin, Diocese of Llandaff. The populations of the Central Rhydyfelin ward and Hawthorn wards, which together serve Rhydyfelin, were 4,672 and 3,652 respectively (8,324 in total) in the 2001 Census (the 2009 electorates were 3,084 and 2,781, respectively) out of the total 33,000 residents for Pontypridd as a whole. Rhydfelen was the name of the electoral ward to Mid Glamorgan County Council between 1989 and 1996. Until 1996 Rhydfelen Central and Rhydfelen Lower were wards to Taff-Ely Borough Council. It
288-615: Is now split between the electoral wards of Hawthorn and of central Rhydfelen, with the more prosperous and historic lower Rhydyfelin falling within the Hawthorn ward to the south. Rhydyfelin was home to guitarist Lee Gaze of the band LostProphets . The village is on the 55 mile Taff Trail from Brecon to Cardiff Bay . The view from lower Rhydyfelin of Eglwysilan mountain shows the locally known 'Monkeys Tump'. The first Welsh language secondary school in South Wales, Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen ,
324-434: Is twinned with Mbale , Uganda, since an official twinning ceremony in 2005, following links by local churches and health-care workers under the charitable Partnerships Overseas Networking Trust. Rhondda Cynon Taf Rhondda Cynon Taf ( Welsh pronunciation: [ˈr̥ɔnða ˈkənɔn ˈtaːv] ; RCT ; also spelt as Rhondda Cynon Taff ) is a county borough in the south-east of Wales . It consists of five valleys:
360-700: The Glamorganshire Canal , and later by the Taff Vale Railway , to the ports at Cardiff , Barry and Newport . Its role in coal transport lengthened its railway platform, which is thought to have once been the longest in the world in its heyday. Pontypridd in the second half of the 19th century was a hive of industry, once nicknamed the " Wild West ". There were several collieries within the Pontypridd area itself, including: As well as deep-mined collieries, there were many coal levels and trial shafts dug into
396-459: The Monsanto Company . Clean-up costs have been estimated to be over £100 million. A Dr Papageorge, formerly Monsanto's chief scientist, estimates that between 60,000 and 80,000 tonnes of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated wastes were dumped there. Works costing £1.25 million to reduce health risks to local residents and members of the public using a nearby footpath were completed at
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#1732873526561432-503: The River Taff and the River Rhondda but the continued presence of man-made obstacles in the rivers is inhibiting regeneration of their pre-industrial numbers and condition. The chemical industry has also had adverse effects due to the dumping of toxic waste in the now disused Brofiscin Quarry in the village of Groes-faen . Dumping took place over a 6-year period between 1965 and 1970 by
468-413: The River Taff built in 1756 by William Edwards . This was Edwards's fourth attempt, and at the time of construction, was the longest single-span stone arch bridge in the world. Rising 35 feet (11 m) above the level of the river, the bridge forms a perfect segment of a circle, the chord of which is 140 feet (43 m). Notable features are the three holes of differing diameters through each end of
504-591: The Senedd (Welsh Parliament). From 2024, Rhondda Cynon Taf would be in five UK Parliament constituencies, Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare , Rhondda and Ogmore , Pontypridd , Cardiff West , and Cardiff North . Towns that have twinning arrangements in Rhondda Cynon Taf are: The following people and military units have received the Freedom of the Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf. As of the 2021 United Kingdom census ,
540-520: The Welsh language . It grew from a rural hamlet to a thriving village in the 19th century, due to its location on the Glamorganshire Canal which took iron from Merthyr Tydfil to the city of Cardiff , and linking to this Dr Richard Griffiths' canal and tramway which took coal from the Rhondda Valleys. Also of note was the nearby Iron and Tin works at Treforest . Other minor works included an ironworks on
576-573: The A473 for Llantrisant and Pencoed . To the west is the A4058, which follows the River Rhondda to Porth and the Rhondda Valley beyond. The name Pontypridd derives from the name Pont y tŷ pridd , Welsh for "bridge by the earthen house", referring singly to successive wooden bridges that once spanned the River Taff at this point. Pontypridd is noted for its Old Bridge , a stone construction across
612-665: The Cilfynydd and Glyncoch wards fall within the Cynon Valley Senedd constituency and the Cynon Valley UK parliamentary constituency . This change was effective for the 2007 Welsh Assembly election , and for the 2010 UK General Election . The town sits at the junction of the Rhondda and Taff valleys, where the River Rhondda flows into the Taff just south of the town at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park. Pontypridd community recorded
648-504: The Old Bridge until the 1860s. The history of Pontypridd is tied to the coal and iron industries; before their development Pontypridd was a hamlet of a few farmsteads, with Treforest initially becoming the main urban settlement in the area. Sited at the junction of three valleys, it became an important location for transporting coal from the Rhondda and iron from Merthyr Tydfil , first by
684-525: The Rhondda Fawr, Rhondda Fach, Cynon, Taff ( Welsh : Taf ) and Ely valleys, plus several towns and villages away from the valleys. Results from the 2011 census showed 19.1% of its 234,410 residents self-identified as having some ability in the use of the Welsh language . The county borough borders Merthyr Tydfil County Borough and Caerphilly County Borough to the east, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan to
720-559: The Taff Vale Iron Works, both in Treforest near the now University of South Wales . The town has a hospital, Dewi Sant Hospital and acts as the headquarters of Transport for Wales Rail at Llys Cadwyn. Pontypridd Urban District Council operated from 1894 to 1974, when it was incorporated into Taff Ely Borough Council . That in turn came under the unitary Rhondda Cynon Taf Council in 1996. Pontypridd Town Council functions as
756-468: The bridge, the purpose of which is to reduce weight. On completion, questions were soon raised as to the utility of the bridge, with the steepness of the design making it difficult to get horses and carts across. As a result, a new bridge, the Victoria Bridge, paid for by public subscription, was built adjacent to the old one in 1857. Pontypridd was known as Newbridge from shortly after the construction of
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#1732873526561792-461: The capital city of Cardiff. Pontypridd is often abbreviated “Ponty” by local residents. Some of Wales' most notorious unsolved murders occurred in Rhondda Cynon Taf in 1993, the murders of Harry and Megan Tooze in Llanharry . The district developed from the discovery and mining, primarily for export, of high-quality Welsh coals , such as steam coal , via Cardiff and Barry docks. The landscape
828-552: The hillsides overlooking the town from Cilfynydd, Graig, Graigwen and Hafod . The Albion Colliery in the village of Cilfynydd in 1894 underwent one of the worst explosions in the South Wales coalfield, with the death of 290 colliers (see Keir Hardie ). Other instrumental industries in Pontypridd were the Brown Lenox /Newbridge Chain & Anchor Works south-east of the town, and Crawshay 's Forest Iron, Steel & Tin Plate Works and
864-522: The north of the area. The Welsh Development Agency , which was formed in 1976 to help reverse the economic down-turn in Wales caused by the recession in both the coal and steel industries, was very active in the Rhondda Cynon Taf area in supporting and encouraging industrial and commercial regeneration. Recent investment in the area has included the Dragon International Film Studios , on
900-510: The postal town for the community of Llantwit Fardre under the CF38 postcode district, although the area is not considered part of Pontypridd. Pontypridd came into being because of transport, as it was on the drovers' route from the south Wales coast and the Bristol Channel , to Merthyr, and onwards into the hills of Brecon . Although initial expansion in the valleys occurred at Treforest due to
936-673: The quarry in 2012. Monsanto, BP and Veolia contributed to the cost of the clean-up while continuing to deny liability. The area is governed by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council from headquarters in Pontypridd and is the host authority to the South East Wales Improvement Collaborative (SEWIC), Excellence Wales award winner 2010. Rhondda Cynon Taf is represented by four MPs in the UK Parliament until 2024. There are also four constituencies represented in
972-731: The same route. Pontypridd is twinned with Nürtingen , Baden-Württemberg , Germany. Initial contact was made between them in 1965, with a visit by Côr Meibion Pontypridd Welsh male voice Choir to a choir called Liederkranz ("Coronet of Songs") based in the Oberensingen area of Nürtingen. The visit was returned a year later. Reciprocal choir visits have continued and the partnership prompted Pontypridd Urban District Council to join with Nürtingen in formal twinning relations, under an agreement signed in July 1968 by John Cheesman, Chairman of Pontypridd UDC, and Karl Gonser, Mayor of Nürtingen. Pontypridd
1008-473: The site of Llanilid open-cast mine. The location of the project has led it to become known locally as "Valleywood", even though the Welsh valleys are some miles away. The coal industry has had major adverse impacts on the quality of the environment, such that most of the rivers were severely polluted to the exclusion of all fish life. Recent decades have shown great improvement with the return of salmon recorded in
1044-510: The site of the tram shed buildings. Neighbouring villages are Hawthorn , Treforest and Glyntaff . The village is split into two electoral wards: the lower, largely historic part of the village is in Hawthorn Ward along with the settlement of Upper Boat , which comprises some of the nearby Treforest Estate , while the largely social housing of the estates of upper Rhydyfelin are in the ward of Rhydyfelen Central and Ilan. The original name
1080-530: The slower speed of the River Taff at that point, the establishment of better bridge building meant a natural flow of power to Pontypridd. The establishment of Pontypridd over Treforest was finally confirmed with the building of the Glamorganshire Canal to serve the coalmines of the Rhondda Valley. However, the volumes of coal extraction soon led to construction of the Taff Vale Railway , which at its peak meant
1116-446: The south, Bridgend County Borough and Neath Port Talbot to the west and Powys to the north. Its principal towns are - Aberdare , Llantrisant with Talbot Green and Pontypridd , with other key settlements/towns being - Maerdy , Ferndale , Hirwaun , Llanharan , Mountain Ash , Porth , Tonypandy , Tonyrefail and Treorchy . The most populous individual town in Rhondda Cynon Taf
Rhydyfelin - Misplaced Pages Continue
1152-737: The valleys. Due to the restrictive geography, only parcels and mail were handled at Pontypridd. Heavy freight went to Treforest . The station today is operated by Transport for Wales , which is headquartered in the town. It reflects the fewer destinations served since the Beeching and earlier cuts, with one up (valley) platform, one down (through) platform, a down bay platform (opened in December 2014), and one passing loop. A tram service began on 6 March 1905 from Cilfynydd through Pontypridd to Treforest. It gave way on 18 September 1930 to trolleybuses , which on 31 January 1957 were replaced by buses following
1188-696: Was Rhydfelen, and the version "Rhydyfelin" is believed to be a corruption. Rhydyfelin was once served by two railway stations: one on the Cardiff Railway, and one on the Pontypridd, Caerphilly and Newport Railway. After the Grouping , the former Cardiff Railway halt became Rhydyfelin Low Level Halt and the halt of the Pontypridd, Caerphilly and Newport Railway became Rhydyfelin High Level Halt. The halts closed in 1931 and 1953 respectively. The Church of St Luke
1224-430: Was dominated by coal waste heaps and deep mine pit-heads. Many of the roads are lined with semi-ribbon development of closely packed Victorian terraces of houses which have given the Rhondda and Cynon valleys their distinctive appearance. In the nineteenth century the Rhondda had over 60 mines. As deep mines closed, a number of very large open-cast coal mines were created and remain in operation, especially towards
1260-664: Was established at Rhydyfelin in 1962. It closed in 2006 when it was relocated to Church Village and renamed Garth Olwg. Schools in Rhydyfelin include Cardinal Newman RC School (Roman Catholic), Hawthorn High School (English medium), Heol-Y-Celyn Primary School (Welsh and English medium). It is the former home of Coleg Morgannwg (English medium further education college) and Glantâf infants school (English medium). Pontypridd Pontypridd ( / ˌ p ɒ n t ɪ ˈ p r iː ð / PON -tih- PREEDH , Welsh: [ˌpɔntəˈpriːð] ), colloquially referred to as Ponty ,
1296-405: Was formed on 1 April 1996, by the merger of the former Mid Glamorgan districts of Rhondda , Cynon Valley and Taff-Ely (with the exceptions of Creigiau and Pentyrch , which were added to Cardiff). Its name reflects all these, and thus also the rivers Rhondda , Cynon and Taff . Pontypridd, a University and Market Town, is the principal town of Rhondda Cynon Taf; situated 12 miles north of
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