Treherbert

infobox UK place
country = Wales
welsh_name=
static_

static_image_caption=Bute Street, Treherbert (2008)
constituency_welsh_assembly= Rhondda
map_type=
official_name= Treherbert
latitude= 51.6722
longitude= -3.5306
population= 6011 (2001)
unitary_wales= Rhondda Cynon Taff
lieutenancy_wales= Mid Glamorgan
constituency_westminster= Rhondda
post_town=
postcode_district = CF42 5
postcode_area= CF
dial_code= 01443
os_grid_reference= SS936985
OldMapsYear=
OldMapsEasting=
OldMapsNorthing=
OldMapsCounty=

Treherbert is a town and community situated at the head of the Rhondda Fawr valley in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wales. Treherbert is a former industrial coal mining town which was at its economic peak between 1850 and 1920. Treherbert is the upper most community of the Rhondda Fawr and encompasses the districts of Blaencwm, Blaenrhondda, Tynewydd and Pen-yr-englyn.

History

There is evidence of settlements in the Rhondda dating back to Celtic times, but prior to the Industrial Revolution and the advent of coal mining the villages of Treherbert, Tynewydd, Blaenrhondda and Blaencwm consisted of a number of isolated rural farms and scattered homesteads. In 1841 there were only 218 people residing in the 'Middle hamlet of Treherbert', which had risen to 1,203 by 1861. [ [http://webapps.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk/heritagetrail/rhondda/treherbert/Treherbert.htm Rhondda Cynon Taf ] ]

In August 1845, the trustees of the Marquess of Bute bought the Cwmsaebren farm from William Davies for a fee of £11,000 to sink the first steam coal pit in the Rhondda valley. A trial pit was sunk from 1850, but progress was slow due to the fact that all equipment was carried over rough tracks by horse and cart from the Taff Vale Railway's then terminus at Dinas. In April 1853 the first seam of what was called the Bute Merthyr colliery was struck at a depth of 125 yards, and production was begun in early 1855.

Parish records showed the first use of the name Treherbert from January 1855, commemorating the Herbert earls of Pembroke, one of the ancestors of the Marquess of Bute. ["The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales". John Davies, Nigel Jenkins, Menna Baines and Peredur Lynch (2008) pg746 ISBN 9780708319536] The first 38 wagons of steam coal were transported from the newly extended Taff Vale Railway station at Gelligaled (Ystrad) to Cardiff docks on 21 December, 1855. Installation of the railway line facilitated the rapid expansion of the village, and the need to build new houses, the first rows of which were built at Bute Street, Dumfries Street, and Baglan Street.

Present day

During the early 21st century much of the 'old' Treherbert was demolished. Buildings that disappeared included Treherbert Hospital, Treherbert Police Station, Dunraven School (Tynewydd), Blaencwm School, Blaenrhondda School, Penyrenglyn Infants and Junior School, Treherbert Infants School and Libanus Chapel.

The first Rhondda member for the Welsh Assembly was Treherbert born Geraint Davies. Treherbert is served by two county borough councillors sitting on Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC. They are Geraint Davies and Layton 'Percy' Jones who are members of Plaid Cymru.

Transport

The main road in the northerly direction out of Treherbert is the A4061 Rhigos Mountain Road.

Railway

Treherbert railway station is the last stop on the Arriva Trains Wales Treherbert line, which runs from the capital city, Cardiff. Prior to the Dr Beeching plans in the 1960s the railway line continued from Treherbert through Tynewydd to Blaencwm. From here it turned left at Pen Pych into Blaencwm. In Blaencwm, the line descended into a tunnel under Mynydd Blaengwynfi, emerging in the village of Blaengwynfi in the nearby Afan valley. The journey took approximately 8 minutes.

port

Treherbert is home to rugby union club Treherbert RFC. The team is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and was founded by local colliers in 1879.

References

* Sean James Cameron , "Then & Now. Rhondda: From Cwmparc to Blaencwm"
* Sean James Cameron, "Rhondda Voices"

External links

* [http://webapps.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk/heritagetrail/rhondda/treherbert/Treherbert.htm History of Treherbert at Rhondda Cynon Taff]
* [http://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk Welsh Coal Mines website - research the history of the local pits]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2791294 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Treherbert and surrounding area]