Amlwch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Amlwch |
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 Amlwch Port |
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 Amlwch
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| Area | 18.19 km2 (7.02 sq mi) |
| Population | 3,789 (2011) |
| • Density | 208/km2 (540/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | SH4492 |
| Community |
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| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | AMLWCH |
| Postcode district | LL68 |
| Dialling code | 01407 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament |
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| Welsh Assembly |
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Amlwch (Welsh: [ˈamlʊχ]) is a port town and community in Wales. It is located on the north coast of the Isle of Anglesey. The town is connected to Holyhead and Menai Bridge by the A5025.
Amlwch includes the main town, Amlwch Port, and smaller places like Burwen, Bull Bay, and Pentrefelin. The area has a beach in Llaneilian and impressive coastal cliffs. Tourism is now an important part of the local economy.
Long ago, Amlwch was a very busy mining town. It was a major center for trading copper ore all over the world. The harbor became a lively port for ships. It was also a place where ships were built and repaired. Boats would sail from Amlwch to the Isle of Man and Liverpool. The community covers an area of about 15 square kilometers.
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About Amlwch
The name Amlwch comes from the Welsh words am (meaning "about" or "around") and llwch (an old word for "inlet" or "creek"). This refers to the town's harbor, Porth Amlwch.
In 2011, the community of Amlwch had a population of 3,789 people.
Amlwch is home to Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones, a local secondary school. The famous musician Lemmy from the band Motörhead once attended this school. The town also has a primary school for younger students.
The local newspaper for this part of Anglesey is called Yr Arwydd, which means 'The Sign'. It covers the area around Mynydd Bodafon, a mountain, and even has a picture of its summit as its logo.
A Rich Industrial Past
Amlwch grew very quickly in the 1700s. This was because of the huge copper mine at nearby Parys Mountain, which was once the biggest copper mine in the world! By the late 1700s, Amlwch had about 10,000 people. It was the second largest town in Wales at that time, after Merthyr Tydfil. The harbor was made bigger to handle all the ships carrying copper ore.
When copper mining slowed down, Amlwch found new ways to keep its industries going. Shipbuilding became very important from the 1820s. This industry grew even more after the railway opened in 1864. The railway made it easier to move goods, so the harbor was used less for copper. By 1912, shipbuilding was also declining.
In 1953, a company called Octel started taking bromine from seawater near the port. This bromine was used to make additives for leaded petrol. When leaded petrol was no longer used in 2000, the demand for bromine dropped. The plant stopped working in 2004.
In the 1970s, Amlwch had an offshore oil terminal. This terminal could receive very large oil tankers that couldn't fit into the Mersey river. The oil was stored in tanks on land and then pumped to refineries. This terminal closed in 1990.
Besides mining and shipbuilding, Amlwch also had a brewing industry. It was also known for its tobacco works, which made "Amlwch Shag Tobacco."
The Railway Line
Amlwch station was the end point of the Anglesey Central Railway. This railway line opened in 1864. It stopped carrying passengers in 1964, but freight trains used it for another 30 years.
In 1951, the Octel bromine works built an extension from Amlwch station to their factory. After passenger services ended, freight trains continued until 1993. They brought sulphuric acid to the Octel works and took bromine products back to the main line.
In 1993, all freight was moved by road instead of rail. The railway line was no longer used, but the tracks were left in place. This means there's a chance the line could be brought back for tourists and local transport. A local group, Anglesey Central Railway (or Lein Amlwch), is working to clear and check the line. In 2017, the Welsh Government said they were thinking about reopening Llangefni station. This gives hope that the service might one day reach Amlwch again.
Things to See and Do
Amlwch has many interesting places to visit:
- The restored port area is great for walks.
- The Anglesey Coastal Path goes right through Amlwch, offering amazing views.
- There's a watch tower with an exhibition by Geo Môn.
- You can learn about the town's past at the maritime and copper mining museums.
- Visit St Eleth's Church, which was built around 1800.
- See the unique reinforced concrete Catholic church, Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Winefride, built in 1937.
Local Government
Amlwch has two levels of local government. There is the Amlwch Town Council, which handles local community matters. Then there is the Isle of Anglesey County Council, which covers the whole county.
The town council meets at the old police station. It has fifteen councillors who are chosen from three areas: Town, Rural, and Amlwch Port. Amlwch is part of the Twrcelyn electoral ward. This ward also includes Llanbadrig, Llaneilian, and Rhosybol. These areas elect three county councillors to the county council.
Sports and Fun
Amlwch has a leisure centre, which is one of the few on Anglesey. It has a swimming pool and a sports center. The town is located on Anglesey's coast, which is a beautiful area called an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The town has two football clubs:
- Amlwch Town F.C. plays in the Welsh Alliance League.
- Amlwch Port F.C. is a Sunday League team that plays in the North Wales Sunday League.
Amlwch also has a sea rowing club called Trireme Ynys Mon Rowing Club, based in Bull Bay.
Famous People from Amlwch
- Billy Butler (born 1942), a radio and television presenter.
- William Edwards (1938–2007), a Labour politician, was born in Amlwch.
- Thomas Parry Jones (1935–2013), a scientist, inventor, and entrepreneur from Carreglefn.
- Lemmy (1945–2015), the lead singer of the rock band Motörhead, went to school here.
- Captain Keith Paul Mills (born 1959), a Royal Marines officer.
- Edward Parry (around 1599–1650), a bishop, was born near Amlwch.
- William Roos (1808–1878), an artist and engraver.
- Andy Whitfield (1971–2011), an actor, grew up in Bull Bay.
- William Williams (1890–1965), a Welsh hero who received the Victoria Cross.
See also
In Spanish: Amlwch para niños
