Skewen
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Skewen (Welsh: Sgiwen) is a village in South Wales, part of Neath Port Talbot county borough. On entering Skewen, there is a sign that claims that this is the largest village in Europe, with a population of approximately 8500 and it has also been argued that it is the biggest village in the world.
Well known landmarks include St. Johns Church, Cresci's Cafe and Jefferies Stores and the Travellers well public house where you may find such inhabitants as 'the Chavs from the Travs'. Close by are the ruins of Neath Abbey and the first top loading blast furnaces can also be seen near Neath Abbey. Drummau Mountain to the north of the village is also a popular landmark, as is the centuries old standing stone, Y Carreg Bica (or 'Maen Bradwen'), at the top. 'Maen Bradwen' translates into English as "The white stone of betrayal", although there are few stories to explain it's name. It is the birthplace of composer David John de Lloyd and singer Bonnie Tyler. Katherine Jenkins also comes from the surrounding area. Eddie Izzard, the comedian, lived in the village for a short while in his boyhood. David Nott, the Tottenham Hotspur youth team goalkeeper also was born in Skewen. There is a famous pub crawl in Skewen called the Cresta Run. This starts at the Bowens Arms and finishes at the smiths in Neath Abbey at the bottom of the hill. Some 14 pubs later. Gangs of people doing the cresta run usually wreck the pubs along the way as the beer takes its toll.
Most of the children in the village attend the local Coeddfranc school, in the centre of the village, from nursery though to junior school age.
Skewen was once an industrial village. There are still the remains of a number of collieries and works in and around the village. To the south of Skewen, lies the village of Llandarcy, next to the Llandarcy oil refinery.
[edit] Skewen Park
Skewen Park is a large park in the Coedffranc district of Skewen. In recent years, the facilities at the park have become a bit run down. The annual village fete for Skewen is held here. The park has football pitches, bowling greens, crazy golf, tennis courts and a BMX biking course. Unfortunately, the football pitches are set on a slope but they are still very popular for practice with the local youth teams followed by a hearty meal of glamorgans.
[edit] Caewathan
Caewathan is a small council estate to the south of Skewen. It is regularly served by local buses to Neath.
