Stanleytown, Rhondda Cynon Taff

Stanleytown ( _cy. Pendyrus) is a village located in the Rhondda, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wales.

History

The last working mine in the village closed in the 1960's setting off a long period of economic decline which worsened following the 1984-1985 national miner's strike which resulted in pits in nearby locations such as Maerdy closing. The local passenger train line had closed in the 1960's following the Beeching Axe review, which also limited the prospects of easy commuting to Cardiff.

As part of the Tylorstown electoral ward, it is classed as one of the most deprived areas in Western Europe based on various indices such as public health, local income etc. There are also numerous social problems caused by drug use. Hope of economic regeneration is based upon a new road which is in the process of final completion to "open up" the valley for outward transport and inward investment the road terminating at the entrance to Tylorstown. Due to the topography of the Rhondda Fach which is a narrow valley with steep sides and limited flat land on the valley floor the construction of the road has been a major civil-engineering project many years in the planning and two and a half years in the execution.

Stanleytown has its own football (soccer) team, while its rugby union interests were combined into the Tylorstown rugby team called Tylorstown Tigers.

It is neighboured by the villages of Blaenllechau, Ferndale and Tylorstown

People from Tylorstown

*Paul Whitehouse - comedian [ [http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/2007/10/28/comic-paul-tells-of-talent-change-91466-20018480/ Comic Paul tells of talent change] Wales on Sunday - October 28, 2007]

References