Greenfield, Flintshire

Greenfield
Welsh: Maes-glas
Greenfield
 Greenfield shown within Flintshire
Population 2,741 (2001 Census)[1]
OS grid referenceSJ185755
Principal areaFlintshire
Ceremonial countyClwyd
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post town HOLYWELL
Postcode district CH8
Dialling code 01352
Police North Wales
Fire North Wales
Ambulance Welsh
EU Parliament Wales
UK ParliamentDelyn
Welsh AssemblyDelyn
List of places
UK
Wales
Flintshire

Coordinates: 53°17′20″N 3°12′36″W / 53.289°N 3.210°W

Greenfield (Welsh: Maes-glas) is a village on the outskirts of Holywell, Flintshire, north-east Wales, located on the edge of the River Dee estuary. At the 2001 Census, it had a population of 2,741.[1]

History

Greenfield is best known for its history of papermaking. A paper mill has been on this site since 1770. The site was chosen due to the constant water flow from the stream which comes from the St Winefride's Well. The speed this site developed was one of the reasons that Greenfield is still linked with the start of the Industrial Revolution. In the mid 19th century up to 80 businesses had set up in the mile stretch between Holywell and Greenfield The remains of some can now be seen as conservation and industrial archeological projects have been undertaken in recent years. Among the businesses were a copper mill, a flannel mill, a flour mill, shirt-makers and soft drink works, W Hall & Son (which still exists today). Greenfield was also home to two Courtaulds rayon factories and a sulphuric acid plant from 1936 to 1985.[2]

Greenfield's oldest building is Basingwerk Abbey, founded circa 1132 by Ranulph de Gernon, 2nd Earl of Chester. It was an important monastic centre in north Wales; both Llywelyn ap Iorwerth and Dafydd ap Llywelyn were patrons. In 1536, abbey life came to an end with the Dissolution of the Monasteries. In ruins since the time of Oliver Cromwell, it is in the care of Cadw (Welsh Heritage). The ruins are now part of Greenfield Valley Heritage Park, with the adjacent grounds home to an agricultural museum.[3] Many of the museum's buildings were moved stone by stone from the surrounding area, including an old school house.

Description

The B5121 road from Greenfield to Holywell is the road which passes the St Winefride's Well, which Holywell is known for.

Greenfield's main claim to fame in recent history is possibly the hidden Gatso speed camera, on the A548 road leading to Bagillt, near the old disused railway bridge. It was voted the worst-placed speed camera in the UK by the Association of British Drivers, despite the fact that until 2009 Arrive Alive conducted their Speed Awareness courses at the Greenfield Business Centre, based in the original paper mill building 200 yards away.

The old village primary school, which was over 100 years old, was demolished in 2003. A new school was built to replace it, but in a different part of Greenfield. Both the old and new schools were named Ysgol Maesglas.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ward Profile: Greenfield (PDF), Flintshire County Council, retrieved 14 November 2007
  2. ↑ http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1985/jun/17/courtaulds-greenfield-plant
  3. ↑ Map & visitor information, Greenfield Valley Heritage Park, retrieved 4 February 2009

External links