Tonna, Neath facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tonna |
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![]() St Anne's Church in Tonna. |
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Population | 2,499 (2011 census) |
OS grid reference | SS774990 |
Principal area |
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Ceremonial county | |
Country | Wales |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | NEATH |
Postcode district | SA11 |
Dialling code | 01639 |
Police | South Wales |
Fire | Mid and West Wales |
Ambulance | Welsh |
EU Parliament | Wales |
UK Parliament |
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Welsh Assembly |
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Councillors |
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Tonna is a village and a local area, known as a community, in Neath Port Talbot, Wales. You can find it to the north-east of the town of Neath. In 2011, about 2,499 people called Tonna home. It is a place with a mix of history and natural beauty.
Discovering Tonna
Tonna is a charming village in the Welsh countryside. It is part of the larger Neath Port Talbot area. The village is surrounded by green fields and offers a peaceful environment.
The Meaning Behind the Name
The name Tonna comes from an old Welsh word, tonnau. This word means "lea" or "grassland". Many years ago, this area was mostly open fields used for farming. Even today, you can still see some of these green pastures. It is interesting to know that the name does not mean "waves," as some people might think.
Famous Connections in Tonna
Tonna has a special link to a very important scientist named Alfred Russel Wallace. He was an engineer and a naturalist, someone who studies nature. Wallace lived in a cottage located between Tonna and the nearby area of Llanilltud.
Alfred Russel Wallace is famous for developing his own ideas about evolution. This is the process by which living things change over many generations. He came up with his ideas independently, meaning on his own, at the same time as another famous scientist, Charles Darwin.
Wallace and Darwin later worked together. They presented their ideas about Natural Selection to the Linnean Society. This was a big moment in science, as it helped explain how life on Earth has developed.
Sports in Tonna
Like many places in Wales, Tonna has a strong love for rugby union. The village has its own rugby team, called Tonna RFC. Sports teams like this are a big part of local community life.