Trefonen

Trefonen is a small village located approximately 3 miles southwest of Oswestry, and 3 miles east of the England-Wales border, in Shropshire, England. It was founded by farmers who wanted to live near to each other. In 2001, the total population was 1,798,The Office of National Statistics (2001) "Neighbourhood Statistics: Trefonen Ward". http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk Accessed December 2006] but there has been considerable housing development since that time. The village currently comprises over 700 households,a village hall with playing fields and play area, a parish church, one public house—the Barley Mow, one shop, and a primary school.

The 8th century earthwork Offa's Dyke ran through the village and it is still visible today, in small sections, running adjacent to Chapel Lane. The Offa’s Dyke footpath, tracing the route of the structure, also runs directly through the village. Each summer the more contemporary Trefonen Hill Walk is organised by local residents to raise money for charitable causes.

History

Although not mentioned in the Domesday book, records from 1272 show Trefonen as having an obligation to keep the lord's hounds. [Local Resident Steering Group (2006) "The Village Design Statement for Trefonen, Treflach and Nantmawr". Creative Digital Printing Limited] However, the village owes most of its current size to mining activity from the early 18th century until the last mine closed in 1891.Local Resident Steering Group (2006) "The Village Design Statement for Trefonen, Treflach and Nantmawr" Creative Digital Printing Limited] During this period the resident populace became engaged in the extraction of the underlying coal, the quarrying of surface carboniferous limestone and its subsequent manufacturing use in a local pottery and brickworks. As these industries declined in the latter half of the 19th century local people returned to their agricultural roots and sheep and cattle rearing flourished.

Many of the village's local facilities were built to service the expanding working population of the 18th and 19th centuries and so the Malthouse was built in 1720, the Barley Mow public house in 1760, the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel in 1795, the All Saints parish church in 1821, the school house in 1825, and the Carneddau Independent Chapel in 1832. The village hall is the latest addition and was completed in 1991.

There is also now a brewery in the village which makes Offa's brew. This is located next door to the Barley Mow, and first opened in 2006.

Each year the village holds a Trefonen Hillwalking weekend at the start of the summer, which includes a marathon race, horse trekking, walking with a Scarecrow competition as a highlight, which is held in the farmers' fields.

References