Rhymney Valley facts for kids
The Rhymney Valley (Welsh: Cwm Rhymni) is a beautiful valley in South Wales. The Rhymney River flows through it, creating a natural border between the old counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire. This valley is home to many villages and towns, including Abertysswg, Fochriw, Pontlottyn, Tir-Phil, New Tredegar, Aberbargoed, Rhymney, Ystrad Mynach, Llanbradach, and the towns of Bargoed and Caerphilly.
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Geography of the Rhymney Valley
The Rhymney Valley was formed by glaciers long ago. Today, the Rhymney River flows mainly south towards Rumney, a part of Cardiff. This river has always been an old boundary between Glamorgan and Monmouthshire.
Some places like Groesfaen, Deri, Pentwyn, and Fochriw are actually in the Darran Valley. This valley joins the Rhymney Valley near Bargoed. Llanbradach is a large village located in the Rhymney Valley, found between Ystrad Mynach and Caerphilly.
A Look at Rhymney Valley's History
Like other South Wales Valleys, the Rhymney Valley was not very populated until the 1800s. Then, it became a busy industrial area, known for making iron, steel, and mining coal. However, in the 1980s and 1990s, these industries started to close down.
A famous poet from Rhymney, Idris Davies, wrote many poems about the valley and the lives of its people. His words tell stories of their struggles and hopes.
In the 1990s, new roads were built, making it easier to travel. A dual carriageway now runs north from Caerphilly. This improved connection to Cardiff and the M4 motorway meant more people could live in the valley and work in Cardiff. The Rhymney Valley is now one of the most populated areas in Wales.
The Rhymney Valley was also proud to host the National Eisteddfod in 1990. This is a big festival celebrating Welsh culture, music, and poetry.
The Story of Coal
There's an old legend about how coal was first found in the Rhymney Valley. It's said that the local fairies were being bothered by a big, troublesome giant. They asked an wise owl for help. The owl managed to defeat the giant. When the fairies burned the giant's body, the ground around it also burned away. This burning revealed the black coal hidden deep beneath the earth.
Special Gorsedd Stones
You can find the Rhymney Valley Gorsedd Stones above Byrn Bach park, near Tredegar. These stones mark the spot where the 1990 National Eisteddfod of Wales was held.
The stone circle has 12 standing stones, arranged in a circle about 25 meters wide. The tallest stone is 1.8 meters high. A thirteenth stone marks the entrance to the circle. In the very center, there is a flat stone called the Logan stone. Stone circles like this were built at every National Eisteddfod until 2005. After that, lighter, fiber-glass stones were sometimes used to save costs.
Getting Around: Transport
The Rhymney Valley railway runs right through the valley. This train line helps people travel easily to and from the area.
