Hirwaun

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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.

Contents

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

  1. ↑ http://www.ianjindal.com/bio.html

Hirwaun News Headlines

Hirwaun Online

  1. Nebo Chapel Remains Un-Sold
    Nebo Chapel - one of Hirwaun's most notable landmarks - remains un-sold.

    Surveyors Rowland Jones of Swansea confirmed this week that Nebo Chapel was not sold during the tender process and so is now available by private treaty.

    For further information contact Rowland Jones Chartered Surveyors on  telephone number (0)1792 648809
  2. Making History in Welsh
    Plaid MEP Jill Evans, who has campaigned for many years for official status for the Welsh language at European Union level, has welcomed today's first speech in Welsh at the EU Council of Ministers. Welsh Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones will speak Welsh at a ministerial meeting of the EU's Culture Council in Brussels on [...]
  3. Research on Havard Family Of Hirwaun
    Dewi Lewis is researching his family history and has written to us enquiring about Hirwaun and the Havard Family …

    I have been researching my wife's family history.One side of the family included the Havard family.

    I have gone back as far as Morgan Havard born 1808 at Hirwaun. His son Thomas Havard was also [...]
  4. Concern at Closure of Leader’s Aberdare Office
    Plaid Cymru Assembly Members Leanne Wood and Chris Franks have hit out at job cuts and the closure of the Cynon Valley’s Leader office in Aberdare by Media Wales.

    Valleys based AM Leanne Wood said:

    “My thoughts are with the workers who have lost their jobs; I sincerely hope that they can find alternative work soon. I [...]
  5. Railway Records for Hirwaun
    Bruce Baxter is researching his family history and has written to us enquiring about Station Records for Hirwaun ... My Great Grandfather Olive Hugh Thomas was born in Hirwaun on 10th January 1855 and his father was David Thomas Station Master. His Mother was Martha Lewis who may have been born in Merthyr Tydfil on 31 [...]
  6. Hirwaun Library Events for November
    The following events will be happening at your Hirwaun Library

    Friday 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th, 1.30pm at 2.30pm Pre-school Mother and Toddler Toy Library November 25th 2008 Hirwaun Reading Group 2pm at 3.30pm. Tthis month's chosen book is "Footprints in the Sand" by Sarah Challis.

    Haven't read the book, no problem come along and listen to what the [...]
  7. Youth Gig at St Winifred’s Church
    St Winifred's Church in Penywaun is hosting events to celebrate its 50th Anniversary.

    On Friday 21st November 2008 between 10 am until 4 pm the church is opening its doors for a flower festival, tea and coffee available. All welcome.

    Don't Miss the 7pm - 8:30pm Youth Revival event, a fun and dynamic evening with live music from [...]
  8. Come and Fight for your Hirwaun Future
    You are invited to a Public Meeting to show Hirwaun residents want a say in the future of Hirwaun Village.

    The Meeting is at 5pm on Thursday 9th October 2008 at Sobells Sports Centre, Aberdare.

    Where R.C.T. Councillors will be deciding on the Gloucesters/Ironworks site planning application which will have a huge effect on the life of [...]
  9. Public Inquiry in Hirwaun on Windfarm
    A Public Inquiry will be held by the National Assembly’s Planning Inspectorate into a planning application for a series of wind turbines near Hirwaun The application, submitted by Pennant Walters Ltd. is for the erection of nine wind turbines, an anemometer and associated infrastructure and buildings on land south of the A465 in Hirwaun at Hirwaun [...]
  10. Bethel Chapel History Launched
    A new book has been launched to celebrate the history of a much-loved chapel in the Cynon Valley.

    Elfed Davies from Gadlys, Aberdare, who is a member of the Hirwaun Historical Society organized the launch jointly with the Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Libraries and Museum Service.

    The launch of The History of Bethel Chapel took place at [...]

See also

External links

This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Hirwaun.


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