Ferndale, Rhondda Cynon Taff

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Ferndale (Welsh: Glynrhedynog, or Trerhondda) (population:4419[1]) is a small town located in the Rhondda Fach valley in South Wales. Neighbouring villages are Maerdy and Tylorstown. Ferndale was industrialised in the mid 19th century when the first coal mine shaft was sunk in 1857 and was the first village to be intensively industrialised in the Rhondda Valley.[2]

The Welsh language translation of "Ferndale" as Glynrhedynog is controversial. The village was originally known as "Trerhondda" and a number of buildings still carry the name. Older Welsh speakers prefer to use "Trerhondda" over the Council-designated "Glynrhedynog". It doesn't help that "Glynrhedynog" is strictly speaking a mis-translation "Fernydale".

The Welsh language is on the increase in Ferndale after the village adopted the English language during the Industrial revolution, as the many English migrants moved to the Rhondda Valleys in search of jobs in the booming coal mines in the 19th century. A Welsh language school is situated near the park and the school is named after the park's lake, 'Llyn-y-Forwyn.'

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[edit] Ferndale Colliery disasters

Two large coal mining colliery disasters occurred in Ferndale during the 19th century. The first occurred on the 8th November 1867, when an underground explosion killed 178 miners at the Ferndale Colliery owned by David Davis and Sons Ltd. The second disaster happened on 10 June 1869 when a further explosion resulted in the death of 53 miners.[3]

[edit] Culture

In Darran Park Woods in the village, there is a lake called Llyn y Forwyn, which in English means "The Maiden's Lake." There is a legend surrounding the lake.[1]

[edit] Sport

Adjacent to Llyn y Forwyn is an astro-turf football (soccer) field that, during the Summer, annually becomes the ground of Sports Days for many of the local junior schools (ages 7-11 years). Also within the confines of Darran Park can be found a tennis court and bowling green.

Whilst there no longer remains a baths (swimming pool) in Ferndale, local baths can be found in the neighbouring towns of Tylorstown and Maerdy. A significant introduction of novel sporting in the area became available during December 2007, in the founding of FSP: Ferdale Skatepark Ltd. The not-for-profit skatepark holds, amongst a café, a pool table, video-gaming equipment and Internet access, indoor ramps available to BMX riders, 'bladers' and skateboarders. The Skatepark began with the aim of improving the prospects of school leavers in the area, providing a 'safe haven' from the influences of drugs and alcohol and an attempt to bring sports and healthy living to the area in a novel approach.

[edit] Notable persons

In a recent TV documentary, Griff Rhys Jones traced his mother's family roots back to Ferndale, and visited several areas and buildings that his mother used to frequent, namely his grandparents old greengrocers' shop, and Trerhondda chapel.

[edit] See also

Coordinates: 51°40′N, 3°27′W

[edit] References

  1. ^ Office for National Statistics (2001)
  2. ^ The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales. John Davies, Nigel Jenkins, Menna Baines and Peredur Lynch (2008) pg749 ISBN 9780708319536
  3. ^ The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales. John Davies, Nigel Jenkins, Menna Baines and Peredur Lynch (2008) pg280 ISBN 9780708319536
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