- Solva
infobox UK place
country = Wales
welsh_name=Solfach
constituency_welsh_assembly=
official_name=Solva
map_type=
unitary_wales=Pembrokeshire
lieutenancy_wales=Dyfed
constituency_westminster= Preseli Pembrokeshire
post_town= HAVERFORDWEST
postcode_district = SA62
postcode_area= SA
dial_code= 01437
os_grid_reference=
latitude=51.8744
longitude=-5.1889
population= 1420 (2001 census)
static_Solva (Welsh: Solfach) is a
village in theparish ofWhitchurch, Pembrokeshire ,West Wales .Location
Solva lies on the north side of
St Bride's Bay , in North Pembrokeshire in thePembrokeshire Coast National Park and on thePembrokeshire Coast Path . It lies on a deepravine at the mouth of theRiver Solva . In the ravine is Lower Solva, consisting of a long street ending at the smallharbour . Most of the modern development has been in Upper Solva, on thecliff top to the west of the harbour.History & Amenities
The rocks at the entrance to Solva Harbour made it one of the the most sheltered anchorages between
Fishguard andMilford Haven ["cite book | last = Raggett | first = Jean | coauthors = Raggett, P | title = Solva - An Introduction to Village Life | publisher = Paul Raggett | date = 2003 | pages = pp. 3 | ] . Solva became the main trading centre of St Bride's Bay in themedieval period, and was important for lime burning. Severallime kiln s are preserved in the harbour area. In the 19th century, Solva had around 30 registered trading ships ["cite book | last = Raggett | first = Jean | coauthors = Raggett, P | title = Solva - An Introduction to Village Life | publisher = Paul Raggett | date = 2003 | pages = | ] . The fading coastal trade has been replaced bytourism , and the harbour is now a popular boating centre. The spectacular local cliff coast is popular with walkers, and the classic cliff exposures ofCambrian rocks attracts amateur and professionalgeologist s.Tradition
Every year on
Easter Monday Solva hosts a Duck Race for charity when villagers and tourists have the opportunity to buy a 20th stakehold in a duck for around £1. The ducks are released into the River Solva at Middle Mill and float down stream to Solva harbour. The winner is the first to cross under the footbridge in lower Solva car park. [cite web|url=http://www.st.davidsinfo.org.uk/duck_race.htm|title=Solva Duck Race|accessdate=2007-05-19|work=st.davidsinfo.org.uk]
Each Summer Solva hosts a Regatta which features rowing for adults and children and even team raft building event which is always interesting.Geology
Solva Harbour is a good example of a
glaciated meltwater channel known as aRia and rocks contain fossils from theCambrian age. [Citation | url=http://www.pembrokeshireoutdoors.org.uk/solva.htm
accessdate = 2008-04-30 .]Notable people
The musician David Gray lived in Solva for much of his childhood.
Professional footballer Simon Davies, who plays for
Fulham FC and has representedWales , was brought up in Solva.Meic Stevens, the notable Welsh singer/songwriter spent most of his life in Solva
Amenities
Solva quite suprisingly has a wealth of amenities including several pubs, cafes, traditional shops, post office and grocery shop.dj cocktail came from solva aka richard thompson
References
Images of Solva
External links
* [http://www.solva.net/ Solva Website]
* [http://www.pembrokeshireoutdoors.org.uk/solva.htm Solva - Pembrokeshire Outdoor Charter Group]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2638936 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Solva and surrounding area]
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