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Coordinates: 53°04′19″N 3°05′53″W / 53.072°N 3.098°W / 53.072; -3.098
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{{Short description|Village in Wales}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox UK place
{{Infobox UK place
|country= Wales
| country = Wales
|welsh_name=
| welsh_name = Bwlch-gwyn
|official_name= Bwlchgwyn
| official_name = Bwlchgwyn
|community_wales= [[Brymbo]]
| community_wales = [[Brymbo]]
| population = 855
| population = 855
| population_ref= (2011)
| population_ref = (2011)
|unitary_wales= [[Wrexham (county borough)|Wrexham]]
| unitary_wales = [[Wrexham (county borough)|Wrexham]]
|lieutenancy_wales= [[Clwyd]]
| lieutenancy_wales = [[Clwyd]]
|constituency_westminster= [[Clwyd South (UK Parliament constituency)|Clwyd South]]
| constituency_westminster = [[Clwyd South (UK Parliament constituency)|Clwyd South]]
|constituency_welsh_assembly= [[Clwyd South (Assembly constituency)|Clwyd South]]
| constituency_welsh_assembly = [[Clwyd South (Senedd constituency)|Clwyd South]]
|post_town= WREXHAM
| post_town = WREXHAM
|postcode_district= LL11
| postcode_district = LL11
|postcode_area= LL
| postcode_area = LL
|dial_code= 01978
| dial_code = 01978
|os_grid_reference= SJ264533
| os_grid_reference = SJ264533
|coordinates = {{coord|53.072|-3.098|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|53.072|-3.098|display=inline,title}}
|map_type=
| map_type =
|static_image_name= Kings Head Inn, Bwlchgwyn - geograph.org.uk - 1409946.jpg
| static_image_name = Kings Head Inn, Bwlchgwyn - geograph.org.uk - 1409946.jpg
|static_image_caption= Pub on the [[A525 road]] through Bwlchgwyn
| static_image_caption = Pub on the [[A525 road]] through Bwlchgwyn
}}
}}


'''Bwlchgwyn''' is a village in [[Wrexham (county borough)|Wrexham]] county borough, Wales, on the [[A525 road]], {{convert|5|mi|km|0}} west of the town of [[Wrexham]] and {{convert|10|mi|km}} south-east of the town of [[Ruthin]]. Bwlchgwyn is part of the [[Community (Wales)|community]] of [[Brymbo]]. In the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 Census]] the population of the village was 855.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/census/2011/ks101ew|author=Office for National Statistics|title=Census 2011 Usual resident population|accessdate=2 July 2013}}</ref>
'''Bwlchgwyn''' ({{lang-cy|Bwlch-gwyn}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Standardised Welsh Place names |url=https://www.welshlanguagecommissioner.wales/standardised-welsh-place-names |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=www.welshlanguagecommissioner.wales |language=en-GB}}</ref>) is a village in [[Wrexham County Borough]], Wales, on the [[A525 road]], {{convert|5|mi|km|0}} west of the city of [[Wrexham]] and {{convert|10|mi|km}} south-east of the town of [[Ruthin]]. Bwlchgwyn is part of the [[Community (Wales)|community]] of [[Brymbo]]. In the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 Census]] the population of the village was 855.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/census/2011/ks101ew|author=Office for National Statistics|title=Census 2011 Usual resident population|access-date=2 July 2013}}</ref>


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The [[Welsh placenames|placename]] Bwlchgwyn has in the past been translated into English as "White Pass", perhaps referring to the white [[limestone]] [[cliff]]s in the area. It has also been suggested that the original name was ''Bwlchgwynt'' meaning "Wind Pass".
The [[Welsh placenames|placename]] ''Bwlchgwyn'' has in the past been translated into English as "White Pass", perhaps referring to the white [[limestone]] [[cliff]]s in the area. These limestone outcrops were more prominent, in the north of the village on the high ground of Fronheulog and over to Gwynfryn, before the days of quarrying. It has also been suggested that the original name was ''Bwlchgwynt''; gwynt meaning wind. The translation "pass", however, does not entirely fit with the Welsh word ''bwlch'' in its usual usage in placenames across Wales. Meaning hollow, dip, gap, aperture or notch, when ''bwlch'' is used elsewhere in Wales, it is used as a prefix in a word describing a steep ravine. Other examples are Bwlch-y-Saethau, Bwlch Tryfan, Bwlch Main and Bwlch Eryl Farchog; all such cases are characterised by very steep-sided ravines. Bwlchgwyn has, at its edge, a deep-sided ravine [[Nant-y-Ffrith]], a prominent geographical feature. Before the forestry commission days, the farming community of Bwlchgwyn included many parts of the steep valley.


One suggestion of the ''gwyn'' in Bwlchgwyn, meaning "white", points to the area being the first and last place in the district where snow settles. Similarly, nearby [[Gwynfryn, Wrexham|Gwynfryn]] literally means "white hill". Gwyn, literally white, can in Welsh be used to suggest something being fair or beautiful. Gwyn is also used where there are river rapids or waterfalls, therefore 'gwyn', it has been suggested could point to the 'ravine's' (Nant-y-Ffrith) many waterfalls.
The translation 'pass' however doesn't entirely fit with the Welsh word 'Bwlch' and its usual usage in place names. Meaning hollow, dip, gap, aperture or notch, when 'Bwlch' is used elsewhere in Wales, it is used to as a prefix in a word describing a steep ravine. Other examples are Bwlch-y-Saethau, Bwlch Tryfan, Bwlch Main and Bwlch Eryl Farchog. All are characterised by very steep sided ravines.


The young organisers of the Bwlchgwyn Eisteddfod in 1903 referred to themselves as "'Gwyr Ieuainc y Bwlch" (the young men of the ravine), proudly associating themselves with this prominent feature.<ref name="ref">{{cite web |url=https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3840307/3840318/102/Eisteddfod%20Bwlchgwyn |title=Bwlchgwyn, Eisteddford Gadeiriol y Gwyr Ieuaingc – Gwyl y Bangciau |language=cy |newspaper=Baner ac Amserau Cymru |date=12 August 1903 |access-date=3 May 2020}}</ref>
Bwlchgwyn has at its edge the deep sided ravine of [[Nant-y-Ffrith]], a prominent geographical feature.

The 'gwyn' in Bwlchgwyn, meaning white, is thought to point to the area being the first and last place in the district where snow settles. Similarly, nearby [[Gwynfryn, Wrexham|Gwynfryn]] means "white hill".

The young organisers of the [https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3840307/3840318/102/Eisteddfod%20Bwlchgwyn Bwlchgwyn Eisteddfod in 1903] referred to themselves as 'Gwyr Ieuainc y Bwlch', (the young men of the ravine), proudly associating themselves with this prominent feature.


==Geography==
==Geography==
At a height of 1,090 feet (333 m) above [[sea level]], it claimed to be the highest village in [[Wales]] until December 2015, when it was discovered that [[Trefil]] in [[Blaenau Gwent]] is actually the highest by the [[Ordnance Survey]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapzone.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/didyouknow/longesthighest/q_13_60.html|title=MapZone|author=Ordnance Survey|authorlink=|publisher=|accessdate=2007-03-04}}</ref> As such, the village will now be removing the signs claiming to be the highest village.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/12067746/Highest-village-in-Wales-suffers-fall-from-grace.html|title=Highest village in Wales' suffers fall from grace|author=The Telegraph|authorlink=|publisher=|accessdate=2015-12-24}}</ref> As the village is so high, there is a good view of the [[Peak district]], Frodsham Hill and the [[Cheshire]] Plain; with [[Jodrell Bank]] being seen on clear days.
At a height of 1,090 feet (333 m) above [[sea level]], it claimed to be the highest village in [[Wales]] until December 2015, when it was discovered that [[Trefil]] in [[Blaenau Gwent]] is actually the highest by the [[Ordnance Survey]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapzone.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/didyouknow/longesthighest/q_13_60.html|title=MapZone|author=Ordnance Survey|access-date=2007-03-04}}</ref> As such, the village will now be removing the signs claiming to be the highest village.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/12067746/Highest-village-in-Wales-suffers-fall-from-grace.html|title=Highest village in Wales' suffers fall from grace|author=The Telegraph|access-date=2015-12-24}}</ref> As the village is so high, there is a good view of the [[Peak district]], Frodsham Hill and the [[Cheshire]] Plain; with [[Jodrell Bank]] being seen on clear days.


Two rivers have their sources near the village: the [[River Gwenfro]] rises on the south side of the village and the [[Nant-y-Ffrith]] flows through a wooded valley to the north.
Two rivers have their sources near the village: the [[River Gwenfro]] rises on the south side of the village and the [[Nant-y-Ffrith]] flows through a wooded valley to the north.
Line 43: Line 40:


==History==
==History==
Bwlchgwyn has been inhabited since at least the [[Bronze Age]] when a [[hill fort]] was built there (now destroyed by quarrying). A small Roman fort is also thought to have stood on the highest point of the village, but this too has been lost to quarrying. It is known the Romans worked the shallow lead veins of the Eisteddfod, with the small fort possibly being a base for these operations. Ancient hedgerows, dating from this period can also be found opposite George Edwards and son bus depot. It has been suggested (by Ivan Margary, pioneering historian of Roman roads) that the old road up from Glascoed and along the ridge above [[Nant-y-Ffrith]] is of Roman origin: followed, from Bwlchgwyn, by today’s main road, it runs to the hamlet near [[Landegla]] called Pen-y-stryt (“the end of the road“) and then across the moors.
Bwlchgwyn has been inhabited since at least the [[Bronze Age]] when a [[hill fort]] was built there (now destroyed by quarrying). It is thought that the original Brythonic inhabitants and later the Romans worked the shallow lead veins of the Eisteddfod, with the small fort possibly being a base for these operations. It has been suggested (by Ivan Margary, pioneering historian of Roman roads) that the old road up from Glascoed and along the ridge above [[Nant-y-Ffrith]] is of Roman origin: followed, from Bwlchgwyn, by today's main road, it runs to the hamlet near [[Llandegla]] called Pen-y-stryt (“the end of the road“) and then across the moors. Ancient hedgerows, dating from this period can also be found opposite George Edwards and son bus depot.


Until the 19th century the area was [[common land]] used for grazing with only a few houses. As with other villages in this area, such as [[Coedpoeth]], [[Gwynfryn, Wrexham|Gwynfryn]] and [[Minera]], the village prospered in the [[agricultural]] and [[industrial revolution]]s, benefiting from the rich deposit of [[silica]] underground. Local quarries and coal mines provided employment, and the village grew. The nearby [[Minera Limeworks]] was the largest employer in the area until it closed in the 1970s. In 1954 the Bwlchgwyn Silica Company even proposed to purchase the entire land of Bwlchgwyn for mining purposes and force residents to move. This plan was accepted, but after campaigns by local villagers and a councillor, Mr. Hooker, it was eventually denied and the company soon ceased to operate.
Until the 19th century the area was [[common land]] used for grazing with only a few houses. Under the [[Inclosure Acts|Inclosures Act]] for the adjacent township of [[Minera]] in July 1809, the 'common called Bwlch Gwym' was subdivided into 5 parcels of land which were then sold at public auction.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=7 July 1809 |title=Minera Enclosure |url= |work=Chester Chronicle | page=1 |location=British Newspaper Archive |access-date=}}</ref> As with other villages in this area, such as [[Coedpoeth]], [[Gwynfryn, Wrexham|Gwynfryn]] and [[Minera]], the village prospered in the [[agricultural]] and [[Industrial Revolution]]s, benefiting from the rich deposit of [[silica]] underground. Local quarries and coal mines provided employment, and the village grew. The nearby [[Minera Limeworks]] was the largest employer in the area until it closed in the 1970s. In 1954 the 'Bwlchgwyn Silica Company', a subsidiary company run by three shareholding directors of the 'Oughtibridge Silica Firebrick Co, based near Sheffield, England, even proposed to purchase the entire land of Bwlchgwyn for mining purposes and force residents to move. Whilst quarrying parts of the village was given the go-ahead, including removing Bwchgwyn's iron age hillfort at the top of Frodheulog, as well as the village side of the local beauty spot, Nant-y-Ffrith, eradication of the entire village was stopped after campaigns by local villagers and a councillor, Mr. Hooker. The campaign went to all the way to the House of Lords, plans for the full eradication of the village was denied and the subsidiary company later ceased to operate.


Several [[public houses]] opened in the area, one of which still remains - The King's Head Inn, seen in the photograph above. Two [[Nonconformity in Wales|chapel]]s were built in the village: the Nebo Chapel was first built in 1852 and had a peak congregation of 150. Bwlchgwyn School opened in 1875; the building stood for over 100 years before being replaced by a new school. The Welsh-language author [[Edward Tegla Davies]] was a pupil and later a teacher there.
Several [[public houses]] opened in the area, one of which still remains - The King's Head Inn, seen in the photograph above. Four [[Nonconformity in Wales|chapel]]s were built in the village: Capel Nebo, on the main Rhuthun Road in the centre. It was first built in 1852 and had a peak congregation of 150. Capel Bethel was Wesleyan (nicknamed Capel-y-Gat) and was built on the main road to the north of the village. Ffordd Wesley, a road at the top of the village ended by the chapel; hence the name. Capel Salem was a Calvinistic Methodist and was built on Brymbo road whilst Capel Peniel sat on the outskirts of the village on the Old Road/Henffordd. Bwlchgwyn School opened in 1875; the building stood for over 100 years before being replaced by a new school. The Welsh-language author [[Edward Tegla Davies]] was a pupil and later a teacher there and lived at Brynthonfa on Wesley Road.
A gothic hall was situated on the top of Fron Heulog hill in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; known as Fron Heulog Hall. At one time it was a hotel, much famed for the restorative properties of the clear air. It was later demolished due to quarry work nearby.
A gothic hall was situated on the top of Fronheulog in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; known as Fronheulog Hall. At one time it was girls' school and at another time a hotel, much famed for the restorative properties of the clear air. It was later demolished due to quarry work nearby, along with the iron age hillfort, carried out by the Silica Company.


==Bwlchgwyn today==
==Bwlchgwyn today==
Line 59: Line 56:
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
* Gwenda Lewis (2005) ''I Remember... My Life in Bwlchgwyn 1939-1943.
* Gwenda Lewis (2005) ''I Remember... My Life in Bwlchgwyn 1939–1943.


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Bwlchgwyn}}
{{Commons category|Bwlchgwyn}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130725062818/http://belton.me.uk/Pages/Places_Pages/Bwlchgwynpages/bwlchgwyn.htm Bwlchgwyn Pictures]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130725062818/http://belton.me.uk/Pages/Places_Pages/Bwlchgwynpages/bwlchgwyn.htm Bwlchgwyn Pictures]
*[http://www.bwlchgwyn.minerahistory.com Bwlchgwyn Ancestry]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20181101055314/http://bwlchgwyn.minerahistory.com/ Bwlchgwyn Ancestry]
*[https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2741987 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Bwlchgwyn and surrounding area]
*[https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2741987 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Bwlchgwyn and surrounding area]



Latest revision as of 11:51, 30 July 2024

Bwlchgwyn
Pub on the A525 road through Bwlchgwyn
Bwlchgwyn is located in Wrexham
Bwlchgwyn
Bwlchgwyn
Location within Wrexham
Population855 (2011)
OS grid referenceSJ264533
Community
Principal area
Preserved county
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townWREXHAM
Postcode districtLL11
Dialling code01978
PoliceNorth Wales
FireNorth Wales
AmbulanceWelsh
UK Parliament
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament
List of places
UK
Wales
Wrexham
53°04′19″N 3°05′53″W / 53.072°N 3.098°W / 53.072; -3.098

Bwlchgwyn (Welsh: Bwlch-gwyn[1]) is a village in Wrexham County Borough, Wales, on the A525 road, 5 miles (8 km) west of the city of Wrexham and 10 miles (16 km) south-east of the town of Ruthin. Bwlchgwyn is part of the community of Brymbo. In the 2011 Census the population of the village was 855.[2]

Etymology

[edit]

The placename Bwlchgwyn has in the past been translated into English as "White Pass", perhaps referring to the white limestone cliffs in the area. These limestone outcrops were more prominent, in the north of the village on the high ground of Fronheulog and over to Gwynfryn, before the days of quarrying. It has also been suggested that the original name was Bwlchgwynt; gwynt meaning wind. The translation "pass", however, does not entirely fit with the Welsh word bwlch in its usual usage in placenames across Wales. Meaning hollow, dip, gap, aperture or notch, when bwlch is used elsewhere in Wales, it is used as a prefix in a word describing a steep ravine. Other examples are Bwlch-y-Saethau, Bwlch Tryfan, Bwlch Main and Bwlch Eryl Farchog; all such cases are characterised by very steep-sided ravines. Bwlchgwyn has, at its edge, a deep-sided ravine Nant-y-Ffrith, a prominent geographical feature. Before the forestry commission days, the farming community of Bwlchgwyn included many parts of the steep valley.

One suggestion of the gwyn in Bwlchgwyn, meaning "white", points to the area being the first and last place in the district where snow settles. Similarly, nearby Gwynfryn literally means "white hill". Gwyn, literally white, can in Welsh be used to suggest something being fair or beautiful. Gwyn is also used where there are river rapids or waterfalls, therefore 'gwyn', it has been suggested could point to the 'ravine's' (Nant-y-Ffrith) many waterfalls.

The young organisers of the Bwlchgwyn Eisteddfod in 1903 referred to themselves as "'Gwyr Ieuainc y Bwlch" (the young men of the ravine), proudly associating themselves with this prominent feature.[3]

Geography

[edit]

At a height of 1,090 feet (333 m) above sea level, it claimed to be the highest village in Wales until December 2015, when it was discovered that Trefil in Blaenau Gwent is actually the highest by the Ordnance Survey.[4] As such, the village will now be removing the signs claiming to be the highest village.[5] As the village is so high, there is a good view of the Peak district, Frodsham Hill and the Cheshire Plain; with Jodrell Bank being seen on clear days.

Two rivers have their sources near the village: the River Gwenfro rises on the south side of the village and the Nant-y-Ffrith flows through a wooded valley to the north.

The village is built on Cefn-y-fedw sandstone, a type of Millstone Grit from the Carboniferous period. It contains veins of lead ore and various other minerals.

History

[edit]

Bwlchgwyn has been inhabited since at least the Bronze Age when a hill fort was built there (now destroyed by quarrying). It is thought that the original Brythonic inhabitants and later the Romans worked the shallow lead veins of the Eisteddfod, with the small fort possibly being a base for these operations. It has been suggested (by Ivan Margary, pioneering historian of Roman roads) that the old road up from Glascoed and along the ridge above Nant-y-Ffrith is of Roman origin: followed, from Bwlchgwyn, by today's main road, it runs to the hamlet near Llandegla called Pen-y-stryt (“the end of the road“) and then across the moors. Ancient hedgerows, dating from this period can also be found opposite George Edwards and son bus depot.

Until the 19th century the area was common land used for grazing with only a few houses. Under the Inclosures Act for the adjacent township of Minera in July 1809, the 'common called Bwlch Gwym' was subdivided into 5 parcels of land which were then sold at public auction.[6] As with other villages in this area, such as Coedpoeth, Gwynfryn and Minera, the village prospered in the agricultural and Industrial Revolutions, benefiting from the rich deposit of silica underground. Local quarries and coal mines provided employment, and the village grew. The nearby Minera Limeworks was the largest employer in the area until it closed in the 1970s. In 1954 the 'Bwlchgwyn Silica Company', a subsidiary company run by three shareholding directors of the 'Oughtibridge Silica Firebrick Co, based near Sheffield, England, even proposed to purchase the entire land of Bwlchgwyn for mining purposes and force residents to move. Whilst quarrying parts of the village was given the go-ahead, including removing Bwchgwyn's iron age hillfort at the top of Frodheulog, as well as the village side of the local beauty spot, Nant-y-Ffrith, eradication of the entire village was stopped after campaigns by local villagers and a councillor, Mr. Hooker. The campaign went to all the way to the House of Lords, plans for the full eradication of the village was denied and the subsidiary company later ceased to operate.

Several public houses opened in the area, one of which still remains - The King's Head Inn, seen in the photograph above. Four chapels were built in the village: Capel Nebo, on the main Rhuthun Road in the centre. It was first built in 1852 and had a peak congregation of 150. Capel Bethel was Wesleyan (nicknamed Capel-y-Gat) and was built on the main road to the north of the village. Ffordd Wesley, a road at the top of the village ended by the chapel; hence the name. Capel Salem was a Calvinistic Methodist and was built on Brymbo road whilst Capel Peniel sat on the outskirts of the village on the Old Road/Henffordd. Bwlchgwyn School opened in 1875; the building stood for over 100 years before being replaced by a new school. The Welsh-language author Edward Tegla Davies was a pupil and later a teacher there and lived at Brynthonfa on Wesley Road. A gothic hall was situated on the top of Fronheulog in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; known as Fronheulog Hall. At one time it was girls' school and at another time a hotel, much famed for the restorative properties of the clear air. It was later demolished due to quarry work nearby, along with the iron age hillfort, carried out by the Silica Company.

Bwlchgwyn today

[edit]

Today the village has its own primary school, with secondary schooling in Wrexham. The bus company George Edwards and Son is based in Bwlchgwyn. It formerly operated the village bus service but now only runs coach trips. The main road through the village is the A525 between Newcastle-under-Lyme and Rhyl. This creates a high volume of traffic through the village, although this was calmed by road improvements to a parallel route going around the village.

There is a well-used community centre which is also home to the local toddler group, an indoor bowls club, WI, Craft Club, Scouts and Beavers. The community centre can be found inside the park, with outside play area with climbing frames and also includes two tennis courts which can be freely accessed by the public.

Recently, a Motor safari has been developed in the Silica quarry in Bwlchgwyn. Notably, attendees include Top Gear.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Standardised Welsh Place names". www.welshlanguagecommissioner.wales. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  2. ^ Office for National Statistics. "Census 2011 Usual resident population". Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  3. ^ "Bwlchgwyn, Eisteddford Gadeiriol y Gwyr Ieuaingc – Gwyl y Bangciau". Baner ac Amserau Cymru (in Welsh). 12 August 1903. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  4. ^ Ordnance Survey. "MapZone". Retrieved 4 March 2007.
  5. ^ The Telegraph. "Highest village in Wales' suffers fall from grace". Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  6. ^ "Minera Enclosure". Chester Chronicle. British Newspaper Archive. 7 July 1809. p. 1.
  • Gwenda Lewis (2005) I Remember... My Life in Bwlchgwyn 1939–1943.
[edit]