Trealaw facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Trealaw |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Trealaw
|
|
| Population | 4,040 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SS996926 |
| Principal area |
|
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | TONYPANDY |
| Postcode district | CF40 |
| Dialling code | 01443 |
| Police | South Wales |
| Fire | South Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament |
|
| Welsh Assembly |
|
Trealaw is a long village located in the Rhondda Valley in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. It is also a community and an electoral ward, which means it has its own local government area. The village stretches for about 2 miles (3.2 km) from east to northwest.
Contents
Exploring Trealaw's Past
Trealaw is often seen as a place where people live who work in the nearby, more famous town of Tonypandy. Its name comes from the Welsh language and means 'the Town of Alaw'. This name honors Alaw Goch, which was the special poetic name of David (Dafydd) Williams. He was the father of Judge Gwilym Williams (1839–1906).
Judge Williams helped create the village of Trealaw, along with Williamstown, during the big 'coal-rush' in the 1800s. This was a time when many people moved to the area to work in coal mines. Judge Williams is remembered in Trealaw by Judges Hall. This hall was once a popular place for shows, boxing matches, and snooker. Today, it is used for Bingo and activities for young people.
Ancient History of Trealaw
Even though Trealaw became a village in the 1860s, the area has a much older history. Near where the Nant Clydach stream meets the Rhondda Fawr River, there used to be a 12th-century timber motte-and-bailey castle. This was a type of castle built on a raised mound of earth.
For many years, a mound about 12 feet high remained. It was known as Gibbet Hill, which suggests it might have been a place where people were punished in medieval times. However, a new road called the mid-Rhondda by-pass was built, and all signs of the castle are now gone.
Trealaw Cemetery: A Place of Remembrance
Trealaw is home to one of the largest cemeteries in the Rhondda Valley, called Llethrddu. It opened in 1875. This cemetery holds the war graves of soldiers from both World Wars. A special Cross of Sacrifice was put up at the entrance to remember those who died in the First World War.
Many famous people are buried here, including Lord Tonypandy, who was a very important speaker in the UK Parliament. Other notable people include boxer Tommy Farr, writer Lewis Jones, and playwright James Kitchener Davies. William Evans (1864–1934), who owned the company that made the soft drink Corona, is also buried here. The cemetery also reminds us of the sad losses during the valley's coal mining days. Many victims of the last mining disaster at the Cambrian Colliery in 1965 are buried here.
Local Government in Trealaw
The Trealaw electoral ward is the same area as the Trealaw community. It chooses one local politician, called a county councillor, to represent it on the Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council. This council makes decisions about local services like schools and roads.
Since 1995, the people of Trealaw have mostly voted for either the Labour Party or Plaid Cymru. In the local elections of 2012 and 2017, Joy Rosser from the Labour Party won. In the 2022 election, Wyn Hughes, also from Labour, won the seat. His son, Gareth Hughes, is a councillor for the nearby area of Tonypandy.
Getting Around Trealaw
Trealaw has good transport links. It is served by two railway stations: Dinas and Tonypandy. These stations are part of the Transport for Wales train services that connect to Cardiff. The Dinas station was actually the first end point for the train line in this area, until it was extended further in 1863.
The village also has bus services. Stagecoach bus route 120 runs between Blaenrhondda and Pontypridd or Caerphilly. Veolia Transport Route 175 connects Clydach Vale or Tonypandy with Porth.
Businesses and Jobs in Trealaw
Trealaw has not always had many large businesses or industries. In the past, there was Davies's soft drinks factory and the Co-op and Hopkin Morgan bakeries, which provided many jobs. However, these businesses have now closed. The sites where the bakeries once stood are now modern housing developments. Near Trealaw Station, you can find Foundry Road, which has several industrial units where different businesses operate.
Schools in Trealaw
There are two primary schools in Trealaw: Alaw Primary School and Trealaw Junior School. The old Secondary modern school for older students closed in the 1970s when Comprehensive school education was introduced, and it later burned down. Today, children living closer to Tonypandy usually go to Tonypandy Community College. Those living nearer Porth are more likely to attend Porth County Community School.
Fun and Activities in Trealaw
For fun and learning, a main place is the Maes-yr-Haf Education Centre. It was started by the Society of Friends (also known as Quakers) in the 1920s. In the past, you could learn many things there, from pottery to drama. Today, it offers a smaller range of activities. The Dan Murphy Day Centre, named after a former local councillor, is also on the site. It provides meals and a meeting place for older people in the area.
Trealaw once had seven pubs, including The Bute Hotel, Dinas Arms, and Royal Hotel. However, some of them, like The Bute and Dinas Arms, closed by the 1960s. The Bute Hotel was known as 'The Resurrection' because after funerals, people would go there to share stories and remember the person who had passed away. The Bute closed in 1964 and was replaced by a car park for the Trealaw Workingmen's Club next door.
Workingmen's clubs were very common in the South Wales Valleys. They were paid for by contributions from coal miners' wages and provided social and educational places for workers. Many of these clubs were like "universities of the working class" because they had large libraries, often with books about social and political ideas.
The Royal Hotel, another of the village's pubs, closed in early 2010 due to rising costs and a difficult economy.
Famous People from Trealaw
- Catherine Glyn Davies (1926–2007), a historian and translator.
- Gordon Mills (1935–1986), a songwriter and music manager.
- Ray Smith (1936–1991), an actor known for his role in the TV series Dempsey and Makepeace.
- Morgan Stoddart (born 1984), a Welsh international rugby union player.
- Lord Tonypandy (1909–1997), who was the Speaker of the House of Commons in the UK Parliament.
Images for kids
-
Trealaw, viewed from Dinas
-
Trealaw Post Office
-
Royal Hotel, Trealaw
