Ystrad Mynach

infobox UK place
country = Wales
welsh_name=
constituency_welsh_assembly=
official_name= Ystrad Mynach
unitary_wales= Caerphilly
lieutenancy_wales= Gwent
constituency_westminster= Caerphilly
post_town= HENGOED
postcode_district = CF82
postcode_area= CF
dial_code= 01443
map_type=
os_grid_reference= ST145945
population= 10,000

Ystrad Mynach is a town in the county borough of Caerphilly, previously within the ancient traditional county of Glamorgan, Wales, and is 5 miles north of Caerphilly town. It has a population of around 10,000 and stands in the Rhymney Valley [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/372457] .

Origin of the name

In the Welsh language, "ystrad" is a wide flat bottomed valley and "mynach" means monk. before the Industrial Revolution and the coming of coal mining in the South Wales coalfield the valley was rural and farmed [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/235490] .

Amenities & History

The town houses a number of council offices, as well as Ystrad Mynach College, a further education college established in 1959 to provide training for local coal miners and now claiming a roster of over 12,000 students.

The nearby Penallta Colliery [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/364024] was the last coal mine to close in the valley [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/453396] . Other notable buildings and structures are the Ystrad Mynach railway station [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/83092] , opened in 1890, the viaduct [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/22194] , a sculpture to commemorate the areas industrial heritage [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/169687] , a community hospital, a number of schools, and the Beech Tree, Coopers Arms and Royal Oak pubs.

From 1927 to 1996 Ystrad Mynach hosted the 'F' division headquarters of Glamorgan Constabulary (from 1968, South Wales Police).

Ystard Mynach railway station was a location for one of Ronnie Barker's Porridge (TV series) episodes. Records show that Ystrad Mynach railway station was in existence in 1857.

A new Local General Hospital is planned to be built in the town. Work is planned to start onthe Ystrad Fawr site in September 2007, with the hospital being completed towards the end of 2010. [http://www.clinicalfuturesgwent.wales.nhs.uk/cp_new_hospital.aspx]

External links

* [http://www.ystrad-mynach.ac.uk/ Ystrad Mynach College]
* [http://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk Welsh Coal Mines - check out the local pit history]
* [http://www.francisfrith.com/search/wales/mid+glamorgan/ystrad+mynach/photos/ystrad+mynach_88705.htm An old photo of Ystrad Mynach in 1938]
* [http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/page.cfm?orgid=79&pid=812 Ystrad Mynach Hospital]
* [http://www.2353atc.org.uk/ Ystrad Mynach Air Training Corps]
* [http://uk.geocities.com/ystrad_male_choir/ The local Welsh Male Voice Choir]
* [http://www.penalltarfc.co.uk/ Penallta RFC]
* [http://www.freewebs.com/ystradmynachkarate Shotokan Karate Club]
* [http://www.wardrobe121.co.uk/ the wardrobe]

Notable natives / residents

*Author and historian Hywel Davies
*Gwynfor Roberts
*Ken Burrows

Penallta Rugby Football Club

Penallta RFC is a rugby union club is based in Ystrad Mynach. The Rugby Club was inaugurated by a group of miners from Penallta colliery in 1952.

It is an affiliated member of the WRU and plays in the Welsh National League.

References