Bwlchgwyn
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bwlchgwyn (English: White Pass) ia a village is located in north-east Wales on the A525 road, 5 miles west of the town of Wrexham and 10 miles south-east from the town of Ruthin. Bwlchgwyn is part of the community of Brymbo in the county borough of Wrexham.
At a height of 1090 feet (333 metres) above sea level, it is one of several places claiming to be the highest village in Wales.
As with other villages in this area, such as Coedpoeth and Minera, the village prospered in the agricultural and industrial revolutions, benefitting from the rich deposit of silica underground. Local quarries and mines provided employment, and the village grew. The nearby Minera Limeworks were the largest employer in the area until it closed in the 1970s. As a result of this mining culture, several public houses opened in the area, some of which still remain. As the village is so high, there is a good view of the Cheshire Plain, with such features as Jodrell Bank being seen on clear days.
Today, the village has its own Primary School, with secondary schooling in Wrexham. The village has its own bus service operated by George Edwards and Son, which is also based in Bwlchgwyn. The main road through the village is the A525, which carries road traffic between Whitchurch and Rhyl. This creates a high volume of traffic through the village, although this was calmed by road improvements to a parallel route going around the village.
The area is well known for its snow during winter - hence its English translation.
