Grangetown, Cardiff

Grangetown ( _cy. "Trelluest") is an area in Cardiff, Wales. It is one of the largest districts in the south of the city and is bordered by Riverside, Canton and Butetown. The River Taff winds its way through the area. Adjacent to the city's Cardiff Bay area, Grangetown is benefitting from the nearby developments and is experiencing a period of gentrification and improvements in its infrastructure.

The population of Grangetown in the United Kingdom Census 2001 was 14,367 in 6230 households.

Grangetown is a diverse and multicultural district and has a significant population of Somali, Asian and mixed-race residents. It is home to Cardiff's largest [http://www.swaminarayanwales.org.uk Hindu temple] and various mosques including the newly built Abu Bakkar mosque.

History

Until the mid nineteenth century Grangetown was an area of marshy land used for farming. Grange Farm is believed to date back to the thirteenth century, when it was recorded as being owned by Margam Abbey. The area’s name derives from this association with the Abbey. Grange Farm still exists today but is now surrounded by streets of terraced brick houses, which were built to house the many workers who moved to Cardiff to work in the industrial boom of the nineteenth Century, particularly centred on the docks.

North Grangetown Renewal Area, Cardiff Council is investing in the future of Grangetown by improving property free of charge. Work includes renovating chimneys, roofs, and walls and replacing windows, doors and rainwater goods. A short walk from the city centre,Grangetown is considered one of the rougher arias of Cardiff, house prices are low and therefore attractive to first time buyers.It is also known as "Strange-town".

Government

The Grangetown electoral ward returns three local councillors to Cardiff Council. Grangetown is part of the Cardiff South and Penarth constituency which returns one MP to the UK Parliament and one AM to the National Assembly for Wales.

Amenities

According to www.grangetowncardiff.co.uk Grangetown has at least ten Christian places of worship, a Salvation Army citadel, a Hindu Temple on Merches Place and a Mosque on Penarth Road.In 2007 there are three public houses in the district and a number of licensed Social Clubs.A new Public Library opened in 2007 on Havelock Place.The Channel View Leisure Centre can be found in the south of Grangetown off Avondale Road. There are a total of four public parks in the district: Grange Gardens, Sevenoaks Park, The Marl and Grangemoor Park. The district has three post offices. It has a reasonable number of small local shops centred on Penarth Road and Corporation Road. In addition, the Cardiff Bay Retail Park is home to a number of national (and international) superstores.

port and Leisure

It is home of Grange Albion and Grange Catholics, two of British Baseball's most successful teams. Both play their home games at Sevenoaks Park. Grange Albion celebrated its centenary in 2007.

Transport

Grangetown railway station is located on the Vale of Glamorgan Line from Cardiff Central to Bridgend via Barry, Rhoose Cardiff International Airport and Llantwit Major, with branch lines serving Penarth and Barry Island.

Cardiff Bus operates the following services in the area:
*1 "Bay Circle" towards Canton
*2 "Bay Circle" towards Cardiff Bay
*8 (Central Stn-Roath-Heath-University Hospital Wales) or (Cardiff Bay)
*9/9A (Central Stn-Roath-Heath-University Hospital Wales) or (Cardiff International Sports Village) / (Channel View)
*92 from Penarth Road (Penarth)
*93/94 from Penarth Road (Penarth-Barry)

Penarth Road is the main road running through the area northeastbound to Cardiff city centre and southwest bound to Llandough, Dinas Powys, Penarth and Barry. The Ferry Road Interchange on the Grangetown Link Road (A4232) links to the M4 J33 (Cardiff West).

External links

* [http://www.swaminarayanwales.org.uk/ Shree Swaminarayan Temple]
* [http://www.grangetowncardiff.co.uk Grangetown Community Website]
* [http://www.btinternet.com/~duffnort/Grange9.htm Grangetown History]
* [http://www.cardiffcommunitysafety.co.uk/page.php?id=37 CCSP Grangetown information]
* [http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ObjView.asp?Object_ID=495&Language= 2001 Census key statistics]
* [http://grangetown.blogspot.com Grangetown Liberal Democrat Councillor's Blog]
* [http://www.blitzandblight.com/wales/east/grangetown/ blitzandblight.com / Grangetown]
* [http://www.stpaulschurchinwales.org.uk/ St Paul's Church]