- Welshpool
Infobox UK place
latitude= 52.65966
longitude= -3.14725
country= Wales
official_name= Welshpool
unitary_wales=Powys
lieutenancy_wales=Powys
constituency_westminster= Montgomeryshire
post_town= WELSHPOOL
postcode_area= SY
postcode_district= SY21
dial_code= 01938
os_grid_reference= SJ225075
population= 6,269 (2001)
static_
static_image_caption=Welshpool Town HallWelshpool ( _cy. Y Trallwng) is a
town inPowys ,Wales , only 4 miles (6 km) from the border withEngland . The town is low-lying on theRiver Severn ; theWelsh language name "Y Trallwng" literally meaning 'the marshy or sinking land'.In English it was initially known as Pool but its name was changed to Welshpool in 1835 to distinguish it from
Poole inDorset . It has a population of 6,269 (United Kingdom Census 2001 ), contains muchGeorgian architecture and is just north ofPowis Castle .History
Welshpool served briefly as the capital of
Powys Wenwynwyn or South Powys after its Prince was forced to flee the traditional Welsh Royal site atMathrafal in1212 . After1284 Powys Wenwynwyn ceased to exist. 'The long mountain' plays as a backdrop to most of Welshpool, which once served as the ultimate grounds for defence for fortresses in the times when the town was just a swampy marsh.The town was devastated by the forces of
Owain Glyndwr in 1400 at the start of his rebellion against the English King Henry IV. Today the waymarkedlong-distance footpath andNational Trail Glyndwr's Way runs through the town.In 1411 the
priest at the church of St. Mary's & St. Cynfelin's wasAdam of Usk .St Cynfelin (he is also known as St Matu) is reputed to be the founder of the Church in "the age of the saints in Wales" in the
5th century and6th century AD.Transport
Welshpool railway station is on theCambrian Line and served byArriva Trains Wales . The town is also the starting point of theWelshpool and Llanfair Light Railway , a narrow-gaugeheritage railway popular with tourists. The semi-disusedMontgomery Canal also runs through Welshpool. To the south of the town isWelshpool Airport which is also known as Mid Wales Airport.Economy
The local economy is primarily based upon agriculture and local industry. The Smithfield Lifestock Market is one of the largest in Europe, whilst the town's industrial estates are home to numerous different types of small industry.Due to the town's small size and population the attraction of high street stores is limited, meaning many of the residents are forced to shop in neighbouring towns like
Newtown andShrewsbury .Education
It is the home of Welshpool High School, a
secondary school which teaches a range of students from ages 11-18 and is consistently set to a very high standard of education throughout Key Stage 3 and 4 andA Level studies. It has one of the highest results average forGCSE inWales .port
Welshpool has a football club and a
rugby union club, the former beingWelshpool Town F.C. and the latter, Welshpool Rugby Club. The town also has ahockey andcricket clubExternal links
* [http://www.welshpool.com Welshpool.com] - Town website
* [http://www.welshpooltownfc.co.uk Welshpooltownfc.co.uk] - Welshpool Town Football Club
* [http://www.welshpoolbc.co.uk Welshpoolbc.co.uk] - Welshpool Baptist Church
* [http://www.welshpoolhockey.org Welshpool Hockey Club] - Website of Welshpool Hockey Club, who compete in the North Wales League
* [http://www.welshpoolrfc.co.uk Welshpool Rugby Club] - Website of Welshpool Rugby Club, who compete in the Welsh National League
* [http://www.enviroforest.co.uk Reducing the area's carbon footprint] - Recycling and Composting in the Welshpool area
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=3715153 photos of Welshpool and surrounding area on geograph]
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