Bala, Gwynedd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bala
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 Bala High Street |
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 Bala
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| Population | 1,999 (2021) |
| OS grid reference | SH925359 |
| • Cardiff | 142.3 miles |
| • London | 207 miles |
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| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BALA |
| Postcode district | LL23 |
| Dialling code | 01678 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament |
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| Welsh Assembly |
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Bala (Welsh: Y Bala) is a small town in Gwynedd, Wales. It's located at the northern end of Bala Lake (Welsh: Llyn Tegid), which is the largest natural lake in Wales. In 2021, Bala had about 2,000 people living there. A cool fact is that over 70% of the people in Bala can speak Welsh!
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Bala comes from a Welsh word. It means "the outflow of a lake." This makes sense because Bala is right where the water flows out of Bala Lake.
A Look Back in Time
Bala has a long history. There's an old mound called Tomen Y Bala. It's about 30 feet high and 50 feet wide. People used to think it was a Roman camp.
In the 1700s, Bala was famous for making clothes. They produced things like flannel, stockings, and gloves.
Important People and Stories
Bala is home to some important buildings. One is Coleg y Bala, a large stone college. Another is the old grammar school, which started in 1712.
You can also see a statue of Reverend Thomas Charles. He was a writer who helped start the British and Foreign Bible Society. A famous story connected to him is about Mary Jones. In 1800, when she was 15, Mary walked 25 miles from her village to Bala. She had saved money for six years to buy a Welsh Bible. There weren't many Bibles around, and Mary's determination helped lead to the creation of the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1804.
Betsi Cadwaladr was another important person from Bala. She was a nurse who worked with Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War. A health board in Wales is named after her.
Festivals and Fun Facts
Bala has hosted the National Eisteddfod several times. This is a big Welsh festival of music, poetry, and art. It was held in Bala in 1967, 1997, and 2009. In 2009, no one won the main poetry prize because the judges felt the entries weren't good enough!
In 2016, Bala even changed its name temporarily to "Bale." This was to honor Real Madrid football star Gareth Bale during the UEFA Euro 2016 football tournament.
Twin Town
Bala has a twin town across the ocean! Bala, Ontario, in Canada, was named after the Welsh town in 1868. Now, they are official twin towns.
Welsh Language in Bala
Bala is a strong Welsh-speaking area. In 2021, about 72.5% of people aged 3 and older in Bala could speak Welsh. This is a really high number compared to many other places.
Exploring Bala's Nature
Bala is set in a beautiful area. The town is near the Bala Fault, which is a crack in the Earth's crust.
Bala Lake
Bala Lake (Welsh: Llyn Tegid) is the biggest natural lake in Wales. It's about 3.7 miles long and 800 meters wide. It's also very deep, about 35 meters! That's deep enough to hide a tall church tower. The lake sometimes freezes over in very cold winters.
A special fish called the Gwyniad lives only in Bala Lake. It's a rare fish that got trapped in the lake after the last ice age, about 10,000 years ago. It's now in danger because its home is changing.
Nearby Places
Bala is about 30 miles from Wrexham and 40 miles from Chester. Some smaller villages nearby include Llanfor, Llandderfel, and Llanuwchllyn.
Things to Do in Bala
Bala is a great place for outdoor adventures!
White Water Rafting and Kayaking
The Afon Tryweryn river flows through Bala. It's famous around the world for white water kayaking. Many international events are held at the Canolfan Tryweryn National Whitewater Centre in Bala. If you love canoeing, you'll find plenty of campsites here.
Music and Mountains
Bala also hosts an annual music festival called 'Wa Bala'. It features local Welsh bands. If you like hiking, you can explore the nearby mountains like Aran Fawddwy and Arenig Fawr.
Other Sights
You can visit Coleg y Bala, which is at the top of a hill. The Victoria Hall is an old cinema that used to be a community hall. There are also several old chapels, like Capel Mawr and Capel Bach. The Bala Town Hall is a historic building from around 1800.
Just outside town, in Llanycil, you can visit Mary Jones World. This center tells the amazing story of Mary Jones and her Bible.
Getting Around
Bala has a fun Bala Lake Railway (Welsh: Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid). This heritage railway runs for 4.5 miles along the lake. It goes from Llanuwchllyn to the edge of Bala. There are plans to extend the line right into the town center!
Buses also connect Bala to other towns. You can travel to Barmouth, Dolgellau, and Wrexham. Major roads like the A494 also pass through Bala, connecting it to places like Dolgellau and Ruthin.
Sports in Bala
Bala has its own football team, Bala Town F.C., which plays at Maes Tegid. They are part of the Cymru Premier league. Bala also has a local rugby club called Bala RFC.
Famous People from Bala
Many notable people have connections to Bala:
- Thomas Charles (1755 – 1814 in Bala), a Welsh clergyman who helped start the British and Foreign Bible Society.
- Betsi Cadwaladr (1789–1860), a famous nurse.
- Michael D. Jones (1822 in Llanuwchlyn – 1898), a minister who helped found a Welsh settlement in Patagonia.
- T. E. Ellis (1859–1899), an important politician.
- Christopher Timothy (born 1940), a well-known actor.
Images for kids
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Christ Church
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Christ Church
See also
In Spanish: Bala (Gales) para niños
