Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Glynneath

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Population
  
4,278 (2001)

Community
  
Glynneath

Country
  
Wales

Local time
  
Wednesday 8:56 AM

Ceremonial county
  
West Glamorgan

OS grid reference
  
SN8706

Principal area
  
Neath Port Talbot

Sovereign state
  
United Kingdom

Dialling code
  
01639

UK parliament constituency
  
Neath

Glynneath httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Weather
  
8°C, Wind S at 3 km/h, 93% Humidity

Neighborhoods
  
Pentreclwydau, Morfa Glas, Aber-pergwm

Glynneath flag row 2002


Glynneath (Welsh: Glyn-nedd), also spelt Glyn Neath, is a small town, community and electoral ward lying on the River Neath in the county borough of Neath Port Talbot, Wales. It was formerly in the historic county of Glamorgan. Glynneath ward covers only part of the community, with some 840 electors included in the neighbouring ward of Blaengwrach.

Contents

Map of Glynneath, UK

Industrialisation reached Glynneath when coal mining started in 1793, and rapidly expanded when the Neath Canal came to the village in 1775. Many features of the old canal still survive to the present time.

There are waterfalls to the north east at Pontneddfechan near the Brecon Beacons and large parts of the rural area are heavily forested.

Harlem shake trainstation glynneath wales best ever


Notable buildings

Glynneath is home to the ruins of Aberpergwm House. Once owned by Rhys ap Siancyn, Aberpergwm House became the home of the Williams family, Welsh gentry with a strong tradition of using the Welsh language over English. Their descendants include the last of the Welsh household bards Dafydd Nicolas and folksong collector Maria Jane Williams. The Williams' family motto y ddioddefws y orfu (He who suffers, triumphs) was adopted by Glamorgan County Council. The mansion itself was remodelled in 1876 but is now derelict and little of note remains of the building.

St. Cadoc's Church, in the grounds of Aberpergwm House, was built as a chapel in the 17th century, rebuilt in 1808-1809 for the Aberpergwm Williams family and extended in 1836-41. It is a Grade II* listed building.

Rheola House, a Regency house designed c.1812 by the eminent architect John Nash, is also Grade II* listed.

Sports and leisure

Glynneath used to host one of motor sport's most important challenges, the British round of the World Rally Championship (formerly known as the Lombard RAC rally or Rally GB). The British round is probably the most important and the toughest round of the series due to the ever changing weather conditions, a test of man and machine. Some of the biggest names in motor sport have taken part and have failed to complete the British round.

Glynneath also has an association with downhill mountain biking with the Welsh National Championships being held at Rheola. A huge following is now emerging within Glynneath.

Glynneath is home to Glynneath RFC, a rugby union club founded in 1889.

Notable residents

  • Max Boyce, comedian and singer, closely linked to Welsh rugby culture.
  • Julie Gardner, television producer, responsible for the successful relaunch of Doctor Who.
  • Leslie Hardman, British Army chaplain and rabbi, who was among the liberators of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, was born in the town.
  • Ruth Madoc, actress, best known for her role as Gladys Pugh in the television sitcom Hi-De-Hi!
  • Siwan Morris, actress, who has appeared in the television series Belonging, Caerdydd, and Skins.
  • Martin Roberts, professional rugby union footballer.
  • Emlyn Walters, Bradford Northern and Wales rugby league footballer.

    • Twin Town

    Glynneath is twinned with:

  • Pont-Évêque, France, since 1993

    • The town twinning supports football matches between the two towns, and a visit by Glynneath Male Voice Choir.

    References

    Glynneath Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA