Fairwater, Cardiff

Fairwater ( _cy. "Tyllgoed") is a district in northwest Cardiff. It is located a few miles from Culverhouse Cross which connects Cardiff to the M4 motorway.

History

The name Tyllgoed, meaning "dark wood" goes back to the 15th century. This leafy district is divided between the mainly privately owned 1930s semi-detached housing developments at the southern end, and more 1950s public housing stock towards the northern end closer to neighbouring Pentrebane. It is the site of the Dell, Fairwater leisure centre, a skatepark and numerous playing fields.

Schools

Cantonian High School is a large secondary school whose Head Teacher is currently Mrs L A Spargo. Fairwater is also the home to the Welsh language medium school, Ysgol Gymraeg Plasmawr which means "big place". It is a smaller secondary school than that of Cantonian. The school's current headmaster is Mr John Hayes and the roll at Ysgol Gymraeg Plasmawr is currently 800 pupils compared to Cantonian's which is around 1,300. The building in which Plasmawr stands was originally opened in 1959 as Waterhall Secondary Modern School under the headship of Mr R A Jones. Pupils at the school included Martyn Woodroffe an Olympic swimming Silver Medalist in 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico. It is on the grounds of old Cantonian lower school, but in recent times has had many new developments built on the site. Peter Lea primary and Fairwater primary are in the area. Cantonian has produced several Welsh international football (soccer) players. In recent times Ryan Green (once Wales' youngest international), Jermaine Easter and Joe Ledley and, a little further back, John Toshack.

Fairwater Brook was a childhood haunt of Roald Dahl, who lived in Radyr and studied in nearby Llandaff.

Fairwater Park, known locally as "The Dell" is the site of one of Britain's first artificial ski slopes, and is still a pleasant recreational area.

Fairwater Green is a local area of shops, supposedly named for the area of grass nearby.

Electoral ward

The electoral ward of Fairwater falls within the parliamentary constituency of Cardiff West. It is bounded by Creigiau & St. Fagans to the west; Llandaff to the east; Canton to the southeast; and Ely to the south.

Transport

Fairwater is well served by public transport with three railway stations - Fairwater in the heart of the area, Danescourt in the north and Waun-Gron Park in the south. All 3 stations are on the Cardiff City Line with services northbound to Radyr and southbound to Cardiff Central via Ninian Park.

Cardiff Bus operates the following bus services through the area:
*1 "Bay Circle" from Western Avenue (Llandaff-Gabalfa-Heath, Cardiff-Cathays-Roath-Centre-Cardiff Bay-Grangetown -Canton, Cardiff)
*2 "Bay Circle" from Western Avenue (Canton-Grangetown-Bay-Centre-Roath-Cathays-Heath-Gabalfa-Llandaff)
*33B (Radyr- Morganstown)
*60 (Pentrebane-Llandaff)
*61 (Pentrebane)
*62 (Canton- Cardiff central bus station)

The main road running through the east of the area is Western Avenue (A48) linking it to Ely Bridge, Ely, Canton and the city centre to the south and Gabalfa, eastern districts and the M4 J30 Cardiff East to the north. St Fagans Road is a country road leading west out of Fairwater to St. Fagans, Ely, Culverhouse Cross and M4 J33 Cardiff West

Notable people from Fairwater

* John Toshack football player, current Welsh football manager, attended Cantonian High School.
* Terry Holmes Wales and British Lions international rugby union player
* Joe Ledley Wales football (soccer) international, who attended Cantonian High School.
* Martyn Woodroffe Olympic swimming silver medalist at the Mexico 1968 Summer Olympics
* Nesta Wyn Jones, Poet
* Neil McEvoy Cardiff Council Deputy Leader and Group Leader of Plaid Cymru on Cardiff City Council.

External links

* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2774280 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Fairwater and surrounding area]