Tycroes

History

Pre-nineteenth century the area was sparsely populated owing to the agricultural land being poor of quality. The best land was found to be along the banks of the River Loughor where two properties of notable character stood. The first is Plas Mawr also known Plas Llanedy and Cwrt y Ceidrim. The main portion of the house dates from the 16th century. This was the seat of the Penry family and their descendants, Jones. William Penry and his son Henry were High Sheriffs in 1736 and 1756 respectively. The Penry family descended from Bleddyn ap Maenarch and were at Cwrt y Ceidrim in the Elizabethan era. In 1876 Plas Mawr Estate nearly 850 acres (3.4 km²) was offered for sale. Later the Buckley family acquired it and in 1921 they offered for sale the freehold farm 129 acres (0.52 km²).

A field belonging to the farm was called Ynys y Capel and, according to tradition, a chapel had once stood there; another tradition states that a 'tunnel' connected the mansion to Carreg Cennen Castle. It is also rumoured that Oliver Cromwell rested there during his campaign in the principality during the Second English Civil War in Wales. Today Plas Mawr has now been restored and is the family home of the Wiley and Waters family.

The other property is Erw Wasted located three-quarters of a mile from Plas Mawr. This was the home of the Price family from the 17th century. Francis Price was the High Sheriff in 1723. Later in the 18th century the price family moved to Plas Newydd in Llanedy.

The village owes its existence to the development of the coal mining industry during the 19th century. A few shallow shafts and drift was constructed to the rear of Bethesda Chapel at Mynydd Bach. Mynydd Bach was the former name for the village or hamlet. A tramway ran from the mine along Pontardulais road, part of Tycroes road and Heol Brown to the Brown Colliery at Waun y Wernos beyond Heol Brown and then to the sidings of the old Wernos Colliery.

The placename "Tycroes" is derived from the cottage or house (Ty) that stood at the crossroads, which is now the village square. In 1900 the village consisted of less than 100 homes but today there are about 800. The population at the turn of the century was approximately 400 and today is 2,122. During the late 1930s and early 40s children's recreation during school holidays was mostly spent along Penygarn Road. It was cricket in the summer and football in the winter. Coats were used for wickets and goalpost and the 'pitch' was between the entrance between the Mission Hall and Pantyboblen. Interruption to the game was only twice a day - the milk lorry and 'Jenkins the Plas' in his Jaguar car.

Since 1965 and especially during the house building boom of the early 70s, housing development erupted spreading its wings in all directions and this changed the face of the village. Frontage development took place along the existing roads and private housing estates at Penygarn Road, Pontardulais Road and the lower end of Tycroes Road. This trend reflects Tycroes's attractive situation.

The Brynhafod area reminds us of the connection with Canada. A Canadian maple tree grows at the bottom of the garden of 'Fernhill' (on Ammanford Road) where in previous years the Parry family once lived and some members of the family emigrated to Canada at the beginning of the 20th century and became a prominent family in Hamilton City, Ontario.

Mining is no longer a major source of employment. Local employment opportunities are varied and limited but is improving with the continued extension of factory units at nearby Capel Hendre and Cross Hands Industrial estates.

Education

From 1863 till 1904, primary education was provided at the local Church School, which is today used as the Church Hall. In 1904 the present county Primary School was built and was then known as the Board school. It is now known as Ysgol Tycroes, it is a mixed gender school, and only teaches in English, though Welsh is taught in the curriculum and spoken widely. The school has recently completed a £4.5 million renovation, which included; a new hall which incorporates a new dining area, staging and sports facility and great new modern class rooms. These provide a great learning service for the children.

Places of worship

There were no places of worship in the village pre-1870 and people had to walk either to St. Edith's Church in Llanedi or the chapels in Ammanford (then known as Cross Inn) or to Capel Hendre and Saron. It was in 1876 that the first chapels were built; Moriah (Congregational) was the 'daughter' of Christian Temple Ammanford and Caersalem (Calvinistic Methodist) was the 'daughter' of Capel Hendre. Then at the earlier part of this century Bethesda (Baptist) was built in 1913 and building work commenced at St. Edmund's Church on 29 January 1914. Later in 1932 the Neuadd Efengylu, locally known as the Mission Hall or Gospel Hall, was opened.

Governance

A separate electoral ward in the same name still exists. The population of this ward at the 2011 Census was 2,438.

Facilities

There are good facilities available at the village hall, church hall, and the Scout's hall for the social, cultural, community events and other functions. The Senior Citizens Association, St. Johns Ambulance Brigade, Local Charities Committee, Ysgol Feithrin are some of the institutions which are accommodated at these halls, not forgetting the Library. The village hall was originally built as a Billiards hall. It was later sold to the 'Urdd Gobaith Cymru' who later sold it to the Miners Welfare Association - and is today the village hall which the residents can be proud of.

The rugby union club at Penygarn Road provides good recreational facilities for both children, youth and senior players and, over the years, has produced some fine rugby players who were honoured to represent their country.The rugby club Also provides the village with great entertainment including the now established annual music event Party on the Pitch.

Lately a football pitch has been provided by the County Council at Heol Brown where the public park is also located. Despite the gradual change now being witnessed in its communal character, the village of Tycroes is still widely acclaimed to be a delightful place to live in.

Party on the Pitch

Tycroes RFC is also the host of the annual family fun day and musical event Party on the Pitch. Organised and run by a volunteer committee the event hosted 3,000 people in 2010. The event has welcomed 80's star Chesney Hawkes, 60's chart toppers the Animals and Spencer Davis and X Factor finalist Lucie Jones to the village in recent years.

Party on the Pitch 2014 will be held on Saturday 7 June.

Party on the pitch 2015 and 2016 featured Craig Gallivan performing