Heath, Cardiff

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Heath (Welsh Y Mynydd Bychan small mound, or Y Waun gwaun heath) Heath, Cardiff

An area of North Cardiff, Wales, originally named as a result of the large park and woodland and it once contained. After the initial development of traditionally middle-classed semi-detached housing (1920s-1950s) and more recently the construction of the University Hospital of Wales on the site of the former Heath Wood (1960s), much of the greenery has been eradicated. Heath Park forms the remainder of this grass and woodland and is very popular, having attractions such as a miniature steam railway and sports facilities. However, since the late 1980s, the area has suffered from some problems related to the formation of rival gangs, like many inner suburban areas. Groups such as "Da Heath Boyz", "The Crystals Posse", "Da Rec Boyz" and "The Llanishen Crew" co-ordinate localised bouts of violence against each other such as drive-bys, pit-fights and other such events. Whilst it is considered unwise for non-gang members to enter the park alone at night, the area in general has relatively low crime, with 'violent crime' below the average for similar areas in the rest of the UK. That aside, a centrifugal part of Heath culture is the Birchgrove Hotel Public House, located on Caerphilly Road which is housed within a 100 year old building overlooking a busy crossroads. Heath is also the birthplace of French actor Gerard Depardieu.

MJBritton25 15:54, 21 November 2006 (UTC)