Cynon Valley facts for kids
| Cynon Valley | |
 |
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| Geography | |
| Status | District, Borough |
| 1974 area | 44,639 acres (180.65 km2) |
| HQ | Aberdare (Welsh: Aberdâr) |
| History | |
| Created | 1974 |
| Abolished | 1996 |
| Succeeded by | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
Quick facts for kids Demography |
|
|---|---|
| 1973 population | 69,630 |
| 1992 population | 65,600 |
Cynon Valley (Welsh: Cwm Cynon) is a special place in Wales. It used to be a very important coal mining area. This valley is found between the Rhondda and the Merthyr Valley. It gets its name from the River Cynon that flows through it. The main towns in the valley are Aberdare in the north and Mountain Ash in the south.
According to the 2001 census, about 63,512 people lived in Cynon Valley. In 2001, about 12.1% of the people living there could speak Welsh. Like many other South Wales Valleys, Cynon Valley had many Welsh speakers until the early 1900s.
Contents
Cynon Valley's Past as a District
From 1974 to 1996, Cynon Valley was a special type of local area called a Borough. It was one of thirty-seven districts of Wales at that time. This district was created by combining smaller areas. These included the Aberdare and Mountain Ash urban districts. It also included the parish of Rhigos from Neath Rural District and the parish of Penderyn from Brecknockshire.
Cynon Valley was one of six districts in Mid Glamorgan. In 1996, it joined with other areas to form a larger local government area. This new, bigger area is called the unitary authority of Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Representing Cynon Valley
In 1983, a special area called a parliamentary constituency was created. This area, named Cynon Valley, was for choosing a member of parliament. This person would represent the valley in the United Kingdom House of Commons. The borders of this constituency were the same as the local government district.
Later, in 1999, a Welsh Assembly constituency was also formed with the same borders. This was for electing a representative to the Welsh Assembly. In 2010, the constituency borders changed. It now includes 15 smaller areas called electoral divisions. These divisions are part of the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf.
The two biggest towns in the Cynon Valley are Aberdare and Mountain Ash.
Villages Near Aberdare
Many villages are located close to the town of Aberdare.
- Aberaman
- Abercwmboi
- Abernant
- Cefn Rhigos
- Croesbychan
- Cwm-Hwnt
- Cwmaman
- Cwmbach
- Cwmdâr
- Gadlys
- Godreaman
- Hirwaun
- Llwydcoed
- Trecynon
- Penderyn
- Penywaun
- Rhigos
Villages Near Mountain Ash
Several villages are found near the town of Mountain Ash.
- Abercynon
- Mountain Ash/Aberpennar
- Caegarw
- Carnetown
- Cefnpennar
- Cwmpennar
- Fernhill
- Miskin
- Newtown
- Penrhiwceiber
- Perthcelyn
- Pontcynon
- Tyntetown
- Ynysboeth
Learning in Cynon Valley
College Campus
Coleg Morgannwg has a campus located in the Cynon Valley. This college campus is based in the town of Aberdare.
Local Schools
The Cynon Valley is home to several comprehensive schools.
- Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun – This is a Welsh-medium school.
- Mountain Ash Comprehensive School
- Aberdare Community School
- St. John the Baptist School (Aberdare)
