Porth

infobox UK place
country = Wales
welsh_name=
constituency_welsh_assembly=
map_type=
official_name= Porth
static_

static_image_caption= Rheola Bridge, Porth
latitude= 51.6138
longitude= -3.4095
unitary_wales= Rhondda Cynon Taff
lieutenancy_wales= Mid Glamorgan
constituency_westminster= Rhondda
post_town= PORTH
postcode_district = CF39
postcode_area= CF
dial_code= 01443
os_grid_reference= ST025915
population= 5944 [ [http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=3&b=6078615&c=Porth&d=14&e=16&g=419442&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1216069149859&enc=1 2001 Census: Census Area Statistics: National Statistics.] UK government. Retrieved July 14 2008.]
OldMapsYear= 1885
OldMapsEasting= 302500
OldMapsNorthing= 191500
OldMapsCounty= 10glamo481

Porth ( _cy. Y Porth) is a town in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taff, within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan, Wales, lying in the Rhondda Valley and is regarded as the gateway to the Rhondda Fawr and Rhondda Fach valleys because both valleys meet at Porth. The Welsh word "porth" means "gate" when translated into English, however, Porth is a predominantly English-speaking community.

Porth grew around the coal mining industry during the late 19th to mid 20th centuries though all the coal mines in the area have since closed. The Rhondda Heritage Park in Trehafod, which celebrates the history of the Rhondda coal mining past, is situated near the town. Today the main internal economy of Porth is retail and the centre of Porth is home to the shopping district based around Hannah Street. Most other business are located on nearby Pontypridd Road and Porth Street.

Presently, Porth is home to around 6,000 people living in different areas of the town, namely Birchgrove, Britannia, Cymmer, Glynfach, Llwyncelyn, Mount Pleasant and Porth town centre.

Neighbouring towns and villages include Trealaw, Trebanog, Trehafod and Ynyshir.

Porth crater on Mars is named after the town.

Education

Secondary school age children are most likely to attend Porth County Community School, or Ysgol Gyfun Y Cymmer, situated in the Cymmer area of Porth. Despite the English language dominance of the area, the number of enrolments to Welsh language medium schools in the area continues to rise and these schools are nearing, or at, full capacity.

Transportation

Porth railway station resides in the town centre with services to Treherbert and Cardiff on the Rhondda Line. Arriva Trains Wales is responsible for the railway service available in Porth.

The recent construction of the Porth-Tylorstown bypass (Porth Relief Road) has caused traffic jams and detours. The bypass was opened on December 28th 2006 but landscaping work finished on April 2007. The construction of the bypass was first discussed over 50 years ago.

Sport and leisure

The town is also the home of The Pop Factory, opened in 2000 with an opening ceremony attended by Tom Jones, Cerys Matthews and Kelly Jones. It is both a television studio and recording studio. The owners of the building also contribute to the local area, and organised the Tom Jones homecoming concert at Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd on May 28 2005.

Porth is home to Welsh Rugby Union affiliated rugby club Porth Harlequins.

Residents of note

*J. Gwyn Griffiths, Egyptologist, poet and Welsh nationalist.
*Percy Jones, World Boxing Flyweight Champion.
*Gwyn Thomas, Novelist in the English language.

External links

* [http://www.porth.biz Porth Chamber of Trade]
* [http://www.porthreliefroad.com Porth Relief Road]
* [http://www.rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk/stellent/groups/public/documents/hcst/content.hcst?lang=en&textonly=false&dDocName=009881&xNodeID=437 Porth Library]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2795821 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Porth and surrounding area]

References