Ely, Cardiff

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Ely electoral ward of Cardiff

Ely (Welsh Trelai tref town + Elai River Ely) is a suburb primarily dominated by council housing in western Cardiff, Wales.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Public Houses
4 Schools
5 Famous people from Ely
6 References

[edit] History

Ely in 1881.

The Ordnance Survey Map about 1881 shows just how isolated Ely village was from the rest of Cardiff. Reports about traveling along the main road over Ely common to Cardiff talk of pot holes and no shelter and a pretty horrible journey by foot.

You can see the 'Ely industrial school' where Cardiff kept it's the orphans well out of the way. They later built an infectious disease isolation unit on the same site. Most of Ely is farmland feeding Cardiff's population. You can also see the new railway station this was to have a profound effect on the development of Ely.

On the maps you can see the Ely Industrial school marked on the Cowbridge Rd (Cowbridge Road East). It had been set up to accommodate "pauper children" from 1863. It was very much a product of the Victorian Age, and Workhouse mentality, increased social awareness and responsibility saw it closing in 1903 and converted to additional workhouse accommodation for adults (though never used for that purpose), known as Ely Lodge. The children lived in what became as Ely Homes.^[1]

The map also shows Ely Racecourse, which closed in 1939.

The land was once owned by the Earl of Plymouth, who dictated that alcohol may not be sold on the land. As a result, like other plots of land with similar conditions (e.g. Manselton in Swansea), the boundaries of the old estate can be approximated by the locations of public houses around the area. To attract business from the local populace, establishments would be built as close to it as possible without actually being in Ely (local establishments are technically in Caerau and Fairwater).

Ely's rapid expansion of housing took place after World War I to provide 'homes fit for heroes'. The area has since acquired a reputation that the residents are keen to dispel.^[2]

The suburban area was scarred by rioting and petrol bombing during 1991 when shops and houses were burned down by angry mobs. See Ely Petrol Riots.

[edit] Geography

Important roads include Grand Avenue and Cross Ways road.

[edit] Public Houses

There are numerous Public Houses in the Ely area, most notably the Culverhouse with its various patrons. Another public house was the Dusty Forge, which was closed down a number of years ago and turned into a youth centre. Another public house is the Bridge.