Colwyn Bay
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Colwyn Bay | |
| Welsh: Bae Colwyn | |
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  Colwyn Bay shown within the United Kingdom |
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| Population | 30,265 (2001 census) |
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| OS grid reference | |
| Principal area | Conwy |
| Ceremonial county | Clwyd |
| Constituent country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | COLWYN BAY |
| Postcode district | LL29, LL28 |
| Dialling code | 01492 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| European Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | Clwyd West |
| Welsh Assembly | Clwyd West |
| List of places: UK • Wales • Conwy | |
Colwyn Bay (Welsh: Bae Colwyn) is a town and seaside resort in Conwy county borough on the north Wales coast. The A55 road passes through it parallel to the North Wales Coast Line.
The town is served by Colwyn Bay railway station.
Prior to local government reorganisation in April 1974 Colwyn Bay was a Municipal Borough with a population of c. 25,000, but in 1974 this designation disappeared leaving five separate parishes, known as communities in Wales. In the 2001 census the community of Colwyn Bay contained just 9,742 people, with the others as follows: Mochdre (1,862), Rhos-on-Sea (7,110), Old Colwyn (7,626) and Llysfaen (2,652). This gives a total figure for the five communities of 28,992, generally referred to as the population of Colwyn Bay.
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[edit] Attractions
Attractions in Colwyn Bay include its Victoria Pier and Welsh Mountain Zoo. The town is situated between the sea and the Pwllycrochan Woods on the towering hillside. A business and commercial centre with rail links and close access to the activities that are available in the surrounding countryside. Colwyn Bay hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1910, 1947 and 1995.
The western side of Colwyn Bay, Rhos-on-Sea, includes a number of historic sites associated with St Trillo and Ednyfed Fychan, the 13th century general and councillor to Llywelyn the Great.
[edit] The Welsh Language
According to the census of 2001, 20% of the population can speak Welsh fluently. The highest percentage of speakers is in the 10-14 years age group, where 38% can speak the language. There is a Welsh medium primary school in the town, called Ysgol Bod-Alaw.http://www.bodalaw.ik.org/home.ikml
[edit] Notable people
Notable people from the town include:
- Monty Python star Terry Jones (from Old Colwyn)
- Two-time James Bond actor Timothy Dalton
- Big Breakfast presenter Paula Yates, who had relationships with Bob Geldof, and Michael Hutchence of INXS
- Soap star William Roache, (Ken Barlow in Coronation Street), who attended Rydal Penrhos, a private school in the town
- MP Alun Michael
- Richard Ellis (astronomer), the California-based astronomer, was born and went to school in Old Colwyn
- Mickey Thomas who played for Manchester United, Wrexham and Chelsea lives in Mochdre
- Carl Dale, (footballer) in the Football League for Chester City and Cardiff City, as well as several non-league clubs
- Helen Willetts, a BBC weather reporter
- Tony Lewis who captained Glamorgan at cricket
- Welsh-language campaigner Ffred Ffransis
- Rachel Taylor - Welsh womens rugby international player who at one time captained Colwyn Bay under 11's rugby team.
[edit] Schools
Colwyn Bay has three secondary schools - one private and two state. Eirias High School is in Eirias Park and Ysgol Bryn Elian is in Old Colwyn. Ysgol Bryn Elian mainly serves Old Colwyn and Eirias High School mainly serves Colwyn Bay, Rhos on Sea and Penrhyn Bay. Rydal Penrhos is a private school, which is on multiple sites in the town.
[edit] See also
Colwyn Bay F.C.
Colwyn Bay RFC
