Ystrad Mynach

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Ystrad Mynach
Population 10,000
OS grid reference ST145945
Principal area Caerphilly
Ceremonial county Gwent
Constituent country Wales
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town HENGOED
Postcode district CF82
Dialling code 01443
Police Gwent
Fire South Wales
Ambulance Welsh
European Parliament Wales
UK Parliament Caerphilly
List of places: UKWalesCaerphilly

Ystrad Mynach is a town in the county borough of Caerphilly, previously within the ancient traditional county of Glamorgan, South Wales, and is 5 miles north of Caerphilly town. It has a population of around 10,000 and stands in the Rhymney Valley [1].

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[edit] Origin of the name

In the Welsh language, ystrad is a wide flat bottomed valley and mynach means monk. before the Industrial Revolution and the coming of coal mining in the South Wales coalfield the valley was rural and farmed [2].

[edit] Amenities & History

The town houses a number of council offices, as well as Ystrad Mynach College, a further education college established in 1959 to provide training for local coal miners and now claiming a roster of over 12,000 students.

The nearby Penallta Colliery [3] was the last coal mine to close in the valley [4]. Other notable buildings and structures are the Ystrad Mynach railway station [5], opened in 1890, the viaduct [6], a sculpture to commemorate the areas industrial heritage [7], a community hospital, a number of schools, and the Beech Tree, Coopers Arms and Royal Oak pubs.

From 1927 to 1996 Ystrad Mynach hosted the 'F' division headquarters of Glamorgan Constabulary (from 1968, South Wales Police).

Ystard Mynach railway station was a location for one of Ronnie Barker's Porridge (TV series) episodes. Records show that Ystrad Mynach railway station was in existence in 1857.

A new Local General Hospital is planned to be built in the town. Work is planned to start on the Ystrad Fawr site in September 2007, with the hospital being completed towards the end of 2010.[1]

[edit] External Links

[edit] Notable natives / residents

  • Author and historian Hywel Davies
  • Gwynfor Roberts
  • Ken Burrows

[edit] Penallta Rugby Football Club

Penallta RFC is a rugby union club is based in Ystrad Mynach. The Rugby Club was inaugurated by a group of miners from Penallta colliery in 1952.

It is an affiliated member of the WRU and plays in the Welsh National League.

[edit] References