Mynydd Maendy facts for kids
Mynydd Maendy (say "Min-ith Mine-dee") is a special hilltop and open land in south Wales. It's near a village called Gilfach Goch. This area is in the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf. The name "Mynydd Maendy" comes from the Welsh language. It means "stone house mountain."
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Exploring Mynydd Maendy
Mynydd Maendy is about one mile west of Gilfach Goch. This used to be a small coal mining village. The hill is also close to the bigger town of Tonyrefail.
The top of the hill is smooth and round. It's a great place for sheep to graze. Some parts of the hill are covered in trees. This area is part of the Rhondda Forest.
Wind Farm on the Hilltop
A wind farm is located right on top of Mynydd Maendy. This farm uses large wind turbines to make clean energy. These turbines have been working since 1993. It was one of the first wind farms in the country.
On a clear day, you can see the big turbines from far away. They can be seen from over 20 miles (32 km) away! Some people worry about how the wind farm affects the environment. But it helps create renewable energy.
Future of the Wind Farm
Modern wind turbines are much better at making electricity. There are plans to update the Mynydd Maendy wind farm. The twenty old turbines might be removed. In their place, seven larger, more efficient ones would be built. These new turbines could make twice as much energy! The office for the wind farm is in nearby Tonyrefail.
Ancient Hillfort Discovery
Mynydd Maendy is also home to an Iron Age hillfort. This is a very old settlement that was built on the hilltop. It was a place where people could live and be safe.
This hillfort is very important to Welsh history. It's listed on the Register of Landscapes of Special Historic Interest in Wales. Experts say it's the biggest undefended Iron Age settlement in southeast Wales. It was a place where a tribe could go for safety if there was danger.
