Ystradgynlais facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ystradgynlais |
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 Junction at Heol Eglwys |
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 Ystradgynlais
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| Population | 8,092 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SN793106 |
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| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county |
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| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Swansea |
| Postcode district | SA9 |
| Dialling code | 01639 |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament |
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| Welsh Assembly |
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Ystradgynlais is a town in southwest Powys, Wales. It is located by the River Tawe. The town used to be part of the old county of Brecknockshire. Many people in Ystradgynlais speak the Welsh language. The area includes places like Cwmtwrch, Abercraf, and Cwmgiedd. In 2011, the population was 8,092, making it the second-largest town in Powys. Ystradgynlais is also part of the larger Swansea Urban Area.
Contents
Exploring the History of Ystradgynlais
The name Ystradgynlais means 'vale of the river Cynlais'. The word 'Cynlais' might be a person's name, or it could come from Welsh words meaning 'chisel' and 'stream'. This name was first written down in 1372.
Early Beginnings and Growth
In the 1600s, Ystradgynlais was very small. There were only a few houses near the church and one pub. By 1801, the town had 993 people living in 196 houses.
The first records of iron working in the area date back to 1729. This happened at a place called Ynyscedwyn. By 1750, there were seven iron furnaces in South Wales, and one of them was at Ynyscedwyn Ironworks.
Tynycoed Chapel, a religious building, was first built in 1774. It was later rebuilt in 1829.
Coal Mining and Transport
Coal mining started in Ystradgynlais around 1780. Most of the coal dug up was used to power the ironworks. By 1790, people understood how much coal and other minerals were in the valley. They realized that better transport was needed to move these resources.
The town's population grew a lot between 1821 and 1841. This was when George Crane arrived and helped develop the Ynyscedwyn Ironworks. However, by 1870, the town's industrial growth slowed down. Coal mining continued, along with some smaller industries.
Culture and Community Life
Ystradgynlais hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1954. This is a big Welsh festival that celebrates literature, dance, and music every year. The Ystradgynlais Public Band, which is over 100 years old, competed in the 2005 National Eisteddfod.
In Parc-yr-Orsedd, a park in Ystradgynlais, there is a monument. It honors the brave people from Ystradgynlais and nearby areas who died in the World Wars.
Local Attractions and Landmarks
The Dan yr Ogof caves are a short trip from the town. On the way, you pass Craig-y-Nos Castle and its country park. People say that the famous folk hero Twm Siôn Cati once hid in these caves. The beautiful Henrhyd Falls are also nearby.
Ystradgynlais has the Miners Welfare Hall, often called 'The Welfare'. It has a cinema for everyone to enjoy. In 2020, a Purple Plaque was placed there to remember Eunice Stallard, a peace campaigner.
The town also has several pubs. From 1944, the Polish artist Josef Herman lived in Ystradgynlais for 11 years. He was known as "Joe Bach" (Little Joe) by the community. Herman said he found everything he needed there.
In 2016, the Stephen Lewis Tristars Aquathlon, a sports event held in Ystradgynlais, won the Welsh Triathlon Event of the Year award.
Getting Around Ystradgynlais
National Cycle Route 43 runs along the southern edge of the town. This route follows the path of the old Swansea Vale Railway. This railway used to connect Swansea with Brecon. The Ystradgynlais railway station was open from 1869 to 1923.
The A4067 road used to go through the town. This road links West Cross, Swansea, with Sennybridge. In the 1970s, the road was moved onto a bypass. This new road follows the route of the old Swansea Canal.
Ystradgynlais has a bus station. Buses run hourly to and from Swansea. There is also the long-distance TrawsCymru T6 bus, which travels between Swansea and Brecon.
Sports Teams in Ystradgynlais
The town is home to two main sports teams:
- Ystradgynlais F.C. (football club)
- Ystradgynlais RFC (rugby football club)
Ystradgynlais RFC was started in 1890. They have strong rivalries with Ystalyfera RFC and Abercrave RFC.
Watchmaking Industry
In 1946, three companies – Smiths Industries Ltd, Ingersoll Ltd, and Vickers Armstrong – created a new company called Anglo-Celtic Watch Co. Ltd. They built a factory on the Ynyscedwyn estate, just outside Ystradgynlais. The factory officially opened in 1947.
Vickers Armstrong sold their shares in 1948. The company became one of the biggest watchmakers in Europe. It produced up to 1.25 million watches each year. The factory closed in 1980.
Famous People from Ystradgynlais
Many notable people have connections to Ystradgynlais:
- Thomas Levi (1825–1916), a minister.
- Adelina Patti (1843–1919), a famous opera singer who retired to nearby Craig-y-Nos Castle.
- Daniel Protheroe (1866–1934), a composer and conductor.
- John Henry Williams (1887–1980), an American economist.
- Tudor Thomas (1893–1976), a doctor who helped pioneer corneal grafting (eye surgery).
- Josef Herman (1911–2000), a Polish painter who lived and painted in Ystradgynlais for 11 years.
- Goronwy Daniel (1914–2003), an academic and government statistician.
- Menna Gallie (1919–1990), a novelist and translator.
- John Howard Purnell (1925–1996), a former president of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
- Caerwyn Roderick (1927–2011), a politician and Member of Parliament.
- Julian Hopkin (born around 1948), a doctor, researcher, and medical teacher.
- Rowan Williams (born 1950), who grew up in Ystradgynlais and later became the Archbishop of Canterbury.
- John Griffiths (1952–2010), a museum curator at the Science Museum, London.
- Ben Gunn (born 1965), a campaigner for prison reform.
- Steven Meo (born 1977), a TV actor.
- Eve Myles (born 1978), a TV and theatre actor.
Sports Personalities
- William Lewis Thomas (1913–1995), a rugby player.
- Ronnie Rees (born 1944), a footballer who played for many clubs and for Wales.
- Anthony Buchanan (born 1955), a former rugby union player for Llanelli RFC and Wales.
- Huw Richards (born 1960), a former rugby union player for Neath RFC and Wales.
- Steve Bayliss (born 1960), a former rugby union and rugby league player.
- Kevin Hopkins (born 1961), a retired Welsh international rugby union player.
See also
In Spanish: Ystradgynlais para niños
