- Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taff
Mountain Ash ( _cy. Aberpennar) is a
town in thecounty borough ofRhondda Cynon Taff , and within the historic county boundaries ofGlamorgan ,Wales . It lies in theCynon Valley .Mountain Ash hosted the
National Eisteddfod in both 1905 and 1946.The town is served by
Mountain Ash railway station on theAberdare line of theValley Lines rail networkPostally, the outlying villages of
Glenboi ,Fernhill, Wales ,Cwmpennar ,Cefnpennar andAbercynon all come under the town.Mountain Ash is served by
Mountain Ash Comprehensive School for students aged 11-18. Thecomprehensive school is situated on the site of the former estate of Lord Aberdare, the main house, Dyffryn House, was still used by the school until its demolition in the 1980s. Opposite the site of thesecondary school is the proposed site for a future Community hospital that aims to serve the Cynon Valley. Localprimary school s include Caegarw, Glenboi, Darranlas, Miskin, Penguelan and Penrhiwceiber Primary Schools.The town is steeped in history, as rows of terraced houses pose a constant reminder of the town's
coal mining past. The valley sides provide scenic mountain walks and picturesque surroundings.Mountain Ash RFC has an establishedMale voice choir who perform regularly in local events and have previously toured abroad.Mountain Ash RFC Singers were formed in 1974 from a group of ex-players the male voice choir has performed for charities, public and private functions all over the UK. A small but enthusiastic and talented choir with the increasingly rare feature of singing without musical accompaniment, enabling them to entertain almost anywhere.
The choir performs a wide and varied repertoire of musical styles, from traditional male voice pieces through to songs from shows, musicals (old & new), grand opera & pop classis from the 60's to the present day. Asked for the secret of the choir's success Mr David Lewis, Musical Director said "it's simple, we sing songs that people know!"
Further to Mountain Ash train station, the village of Fernhill is also served by the Aberdare line.
Notable people
* Michael Ball, a West End singer, performer and TV star has ancestors in the town, with his uncle Tom still living in Mountain Ash. Michael Is also a member of the Mountain Ash RFC Singers.
*Geraint Benney , an entertainer and actor was born in Mountain Ash
*Guto Nyth Bran
* Danny Wallace, author of bestselling book "Yes Man", devoted a whole chapter about his visit to a Hypnodog in Mountain Ash
*Howard Collins , a prominent karate instructorExternal links
* [http://www.shape-it.org/Community/Music/LocalMusicGroupsRCT/MountainAshRFCSingrs/ Mountain Ash RFC Singers]
* [http://www.mountchoral.org/ Mountain Ash & District Choral Society]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2734164 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Mountain Ash and surrounding area]
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