Ynys Gored Goch facts for kids
Ynys Gored Goch lies in the Swellies close to the Britannia Bridge over the Menai Strait.
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| Geography | |
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| Coordinates | 53°13′6.8″N 4°10′51.4″W / 53.218556°N 4.180944°W |
| Area | 0.0018 sq mi (0.0047 km2) |
| Length | 0.06 mi (0.1 km) |
| Width | 0.03 mi (0.05 km) |
| Coastline | 0.18 mi (0.29 km) |
| Highest elevation | 30 ft (9 m) |
| Administration | |
| County | Anglesey |
Ynys Gored Goch (which means "Red Weir Island") is a tiny island in north Wales. It sits in the Menai Strait, a narrow stretch of water between Gwynedd and Anglesey. This island is located in a part of the strait called the Swellies. It is found between two famous bridges: Thomas Telford's Menai Suspension Bridge and Robert Stephenson's Britannia Bridge.
The island has a main house and a building that used to be a smokehouse. People used to process fish caught nearby in this smokehouse. Ynys Gored Goch is private property. You can only get to it by boat.
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What is the History of Ynys Gored Goch?
The first known record about Ynys Gored Goch is from 1590. At that time, the island belonged to the Diocese of Bangor. They would rent it out for £3 and a barrel of herring fish each year. This shows the island was important for fishing.
How Were Fish Caught on the Island?
The island was used as a fishing trap. You can still see parts of two old fishing weirs there today. Weirs are special fences or traps built in the water to catch fish. These weirs and the smokehouse were likely built around 1842. They were placed in areas where the water currents would push fish into the traps. When the tide went out, the fish would be left behind.
How Did the Island's Business Change?
In 1888, the house on the island was sold to private owners. After this, the business of catching and selling whitebait fish grew. Whitebait are small, young fish, often herring. As more tourists visited in the 1900s, many people would travel to the island. They wanted to try the famous fish.
A bell on the Anglesey shore would call a boat to take visitors across. They could enjoy a "Gored Whitebait Tea." This meal included a pot of tea, brown bread with butter, and whitebait fried in a basket. It cost one shilling.
Where is Ynys Gored Goch Located?
The Menai Strait has very strong tides. These tides create small whirlpools, which is why the area is called the "Swellies." In the past, it was hard to reach the island by rowing boat because of these tides. However, modern boats can now access the island at any time.
Modern Life on the Island
In 1997, the island got modern utilities like mains water and electricity. New pumping systems were also installed. This means the two houses on the island no longer flood. The size of the island changes a lot with the tides. It can be as small as 0.5 acres (0.2 ha) or as large as 3.7 acres (1.5 ha).
The water level in the Menai Strait can rise by more than 10 metres (33 ft) during high spring tides. When this happens, it looks like the buildings are on two separate islands. Sometimes, big storm surges can make the water level rise even higher, up to 11.2 metres (37 ft).
Wildlife and Fame
Ynys Gored Goch once had a large group of common tern birds living there. Now, there are fewer, with about 10 pairs. In 2011, these pairs produced 13 chicks.
The island's unique location makes it a popular subject for photographers. Many pictures of the Menai Strait and its bridges feature the island. It has also appeared on TV shows. These include "A Great Welsh Adventure with Griff Rhys Jones" (2014), "Countryfile" (2016), and "Robson Green's Coastal Lives" (2017).
