Gowerton

infobox UK place
country = Wales
welsh_name=Tre-gŵyr
constituency_welsh_assembly=Gower
official_name= Gowerton
unitary_wales= Swansea
lieutenancy_wales= West Glamorgan
constituency_westminster= Gower
post_town= SWANSEA
postcode_district = SA4
postcode_area= SA
dial_code= 01792
os_grid_reference= SS595965
latitude= 51.6496
longitude= -4.0322
map_type=
population= 4,928 [ [http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=3&b=6075953&c=Gowerton&d=14&e=16&g=417156&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1215118218035&enc=1 Office of National Statistics - Gowerton (2001)] ]

The village of Gowerton ( _cy. Tregŵyr) is situated about 4 miles north west of Swansea city centre. Gowerton is often known as the gateway to Gower. Gowerton's original name was Ffosfelin. The village falls within the Gowerton electoral ward of Swansea.

Gowerton railway station is served by the West Wales Line. Gowerton was once home to two railway stations, but only one remains. This was made single-track in the early 1990s but rumour has it that the track is to be made double-line again around 2008/9. This is due to problems scheduling trains to use a single-track. See Gowerton railway station entry for further details.

It is home to four schools. These are Tregŵyr Infants School, Tregŵyr Junior School, Gowerton Comprehensive School and Ysgol Gyfun Gŵyr (Welsh medium comprehensive school).

Gowerton once had five churches: St John's Church (built 1882), Tabernacl, Temple United Reformed Church, Bethel and Bethania. However, only two, St John's Church and Temple URC still remain. The Bethel and Tabernacl buildings lie ruined and Bethania has been demolished.

Gowerton is bordered by Penclawdd, Dunvant, Waunarlwydd, Kingsbridge, Three Crosses and Garden Village

People from Gowerton are often referred to as 'starch' on account of when the local area processed Steel destined for the far reaches of the Empire. The Steel owners and white collar workers all resided in the Gowerton area hence the name 'starch'.

This contrasts with the manual workers who resided in neighbouring Penclawdd and are known by the affectionate term 'donks', though there is some debate as to whether this is a referral to the predominance of donkeys on the marshes gathering the world famous cockles.

The local rugby club is Gowerton RFC which is based just outside the village.

Gowerton is twinned with La Gacilly in the Bretagne "région" of France.

Transport

Bus Services are Provided by First Cymru and Veolia Cymru. These Depart Central Gowerton, Hill Street or Sterry Road.

References

External links

* [http://www.page-net.com/swansea.localhistory/gowerton/ Gowerton local history]