Hirwaun
From Rhondda Cynon Taff Wiki
Hirwaun (Welsh meaning : 'long meadow') is the name of an electoral ward and a village at the northwest end of the Cynon Valley in the South Wales Valleys. The village of Hirwaun is four miles from the town of Aberdare, and comes under Aberdare for postal reasons. According to the 2001 census, Hirwaun has a population of around 4,000 people.
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History and Background
Hirwaun has an industrial background centering on the Hirwaun Ironworks. The ironworks was in already existence during the late eighteenth century and passed through a succession of owners before being purchased in 1819 by William Crawshay of Cyfarthfa, in whose family it remained until closure in 1859. The ironworks' blast furnaces required coke, which spurred an increase in local coal-mining activities. Even after the ironworks closed, mining continued.
Following the miners' strike however, the only deep coal mine left in Wales is Tower Colliery, which was closed down, bought by its workers and reopened.
During the Merthyr Rising of 1831 the red flag that later came to represent socialism was raised on Hirwaun Common for the first time. Originally a white sheet dipped in a bucket of sheep's blood, the symbol has had an enduring appeal worldwide. The Brecon Beacons national park lies just on the Northern edge of the village.
Unlike most South Wales villages, Hirwaun consists of a vast array of different architectural housing styles, often cheek-by-jowl in small blocks. This is due to development to satisfy different needs at different times, with much gentrification taking place in the last few decades. Currently the patch of green land known as Hirwaun Common is being built on, a development of modern family homes being built. Hirwaun hence has a discontinuous, hotch-potch feel to it that marks it out as unusual in the South Wales Valleys.
The tower blocks
Hirwaun made local news in May 2004 when its two '60s built tower blocks were demolished by dynamite detonation. Their demise marked the end of a major landmark in the Cynon Valley.
St Lleurwg's Church
St Lleurwg's church is situated in the centre if the village and is part of the ecclesiastical Parish of Hirwaun. It was opened by the Bishop of Llandaff in July 1858.
The sister church in the parish is St Winefred's which is in Penywaun.
Notable people
- Entrepreneur Ian Jindal[1] former Head of Online Operations (1998-2000) at the BBC
References
Hirwaun News Headlines
Hirwaun Online
- Learn to Play the Pipes in Merthyr
Menter Merthyr have received a grant of £2100 towards developing traditional Welsh music in Merthyr.The money has come following a number of successful pipe workshops funded by Communities First Town and Parc.
The workshops will run over a 1 year period with arch-piper Geraint ‘Jacob’ Roberts giving people the chance to play the pibgorn, tin whistle, [...] - Family History Enquiry for Hirwaun
The following family history enquiry was received from Dave in the Hirwaun Online Postbag this week... please help if you can.I am interested in family history and I have in my possession several sheets of family records showing many of the events took place in Hirwain, Aberdare. My question
is was Hirwaun ever written Hirwain [...] - Dates for Hirwaun Police PACT Meetings
Please Note the following dates for Police Partnerships and Communities Together (PACT) in Hirwaun held at the Village Hall, High Street, Hirwaun.August 5th at 6.30pm September 2nd at 6.30pm October 7th at 6.30pm November 4th at 6.30pm December 2nd at 6.30pm
All welcome.
For an opportunity to find out how police and partners worked on these priorities, please attend the [...] - Merthyr Learning Quarter
A proposal for a new, state of the art, tertiary based centre was approved by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council on Monday 27th June 2009. The aim of the centre, which is to be called the Merthyr Learning Quarter, is to radically improve learning and employment opportunities for the whole population of Merthyr Tydfil and the [...] - Summer Events at Hirwaun Library
RCT Library Service is free to join, all books are free to borrow and we also have free computer access.Monday mornings Computer Lessons, 10am until 12 noon. Free classes in a relaxed atmosphere and learn at your own pace, Martyn our computer teacher is with until July 20th before finishing for the summer holidays.
Toy [...] - Hirwaun Food Co-Operative Welcomes All
Hirwaun Food co-operative WELCOMES ALL.Held in Hirwaun St Lleurwgs Church Hall every thursday 1.00pm. The Community Food Co-operative Programme in Wales is encouraged and supported by the Rural Regeneration Unit and funded by the Welsh Assembly Government . The programme enables people to access fresh fruit, vegetables and salad on weekly basis at wholesale prices.
The average £2.50 [...] - May Events at Hirwaun Library
RCT Library Service is free to join, all books are free to borrow and we also have free computer access.Free Computer Lessons, Had a new computer, or just need help learning to use the one you've already got? Then come along on Monday mornings for free classes in a relaxed
atmosphere and learn at your own [...] - Public Enquiry – Hirwaun Village Green
A public inquiry is being held in Hirwaun this week to discuss the idea of registering the old Ironworks/Gloucester's site as a Village Green.All Hirwaun resident past and present may give evidence that the space has been used for 20 years. Please supply photographs if possible. Tuesday 12th may- Friday 15th May, 2009 10-5pm Evening Wednesday 7pm
Location - [...] - Hirwaun Gridlock Public Meeting
You are invited to a Public Meeting to show Hirwaun residents want a say in the future of Hirwaun Village.The Meeting is at 7.30pm on Wednesday 15th April 2009 at Hirwaun Rugby Club. Come along to discuss the Development and Future of Hirwaun Village.
All Welcome. - Hard Rock at Hirwaun this Easter
Treat yourself to some Hard Rock at Hirwaun this Easter ...The Cardiff Arms in Hirwaun will see legendary rock icon Kory Clarke perform on Sunday April 12th as part of his UK Tour. Gig from 9pm.
WARRIOR SOUL front man Kory Clarke will be bringing his awesome solo show to Hirwaun. The reception from his last [...]
See also
External links
- Hirwaun Online
- Hirwaun Royal British Legion
- Hirwaun Photographs on Flickr, the photo sharing website
| This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Hirwaun. |
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