Quakers Yard

Quakers Yard ( _cy. Mynwent y Crynwyr) is a community in the Welsh county borough of Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan.

The early place name for the district was 'Rhyd y Grug' or 'The Ford of the Rustling Waters'. This ford was a simple and easy crossing place of the nearby River Taff, close to its junction with the smaller river Bargoed-Taff. The ford was replaced in later years by the narrow stone bridge over the River Taff.

Quakers Yard railway station opened in 1858.

Coming of the Quakers

During the early 17th century those who 'dissented' from the King's Religion were persecuted. This often took the form of imprisonment, or death. By about 1650 a 'dissenting group' of Baptists, independents and Quakers were worshipping at nearby Berthlwyd Farm, Pentwyn (Top of the Hill). The Quakers in turn, soon broke away to establish their own separate community. In the year 1667, these Quakers opened their own Quaker burial ground. It was on a piece of land on the Pantannas Estate and was owned by Mary Chapman. In her will of 1700, she left the burial ground to the Quakers.

Notable People

One of the most famous British boxers of all time, Jimmy Wilde (1892 - 1969) was born at Pentwyn Deintyr, Quakers Yard. Known as 'The ghost with the Hammer in his hand', he fought 864 contests and lost on 4 occasions only. He was Flyweight Champion of the World (Universal) from 1916 to 1921.

chools

Ysgol Gymraeg Gynradd Rhyd y Grug: KS2 yr1-6 and Reception. Language: English and Welsh. Class names: YR 3: Ogwr, YR 4: Hafren, YR 5: Rhondda, YR 6: Taf

External links

* [http://www.alangeorge.co.uk/quakers_yard.htm Old Merthyr Tydfil: Quakers Yard] - Historical Photographs of Quakers Yard.
* [http://www.quakersyard.co.uk - Quakers yard site] - Historical Photographs / news of Quakers Yard.