Treherbert: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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There is evidence of settlement in the area going back to [[celtic]] times, but prior to industrialisation, the villages of Treherbert, Tynewydd, Blaenrhondda and Blaencwm consisted of a number of isolated farms and scattered homesteads. In [[1841]] there were only 218 people residing in the 'Middle hamlet of Treherbert', which had risen to 1,203 by [[1861]]<ref>http://webapps.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk/heritagetrail/rhondda/treherbert/Treherbert.htm</ref>. |
There is evidence of settlement in the area going back to [[Celt|celtic]] times, but prior to industrialisation, the villages of Treherbert, Tynewydd, Blaenrhondda and Blaencwm consisted of a number of isolated farms and scattered homesteads. In [[1841]] there were only 218 people residing in the 'Middle hamlet of Treherbert', which had risen to 1,203 by [[1861]]<ref>http://webapps.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk/heritagetrail/rhondda/treherbert/Treherbert.htm</ref>. |
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In August [[1845]], the trustees of the [[Marquess of Bute]] bought the Cwmsaebren farm from William Davies for a fee of £11,000 to sink the first steam coal pit in the Rhondda valley. A trial pit was sunk from [[1850]], but progress was slow due to the fact that all equipment was carried over rough tracks by horse and cart from the [[Taff Vale Railway]]'s then terminus at [[Dinas]]. In April [[1853]] the first seam of what was called the '''Bute Merthyr colliery''' was struck at a depth of 125 yards, and production was begun in early [[1855]]. |
In August [[1845]], the trustees of the [[Marquess of Bute]] bought the Cwmsaebren farm from William Davies for a fee of £11,000 to sink the first steam coal pit in the Rhondda valley. A trial pit was sunk from [[1850]], but progress was slow due to the fact that all equipment was carried over rough tracks by horse and cart from the [[Taff Vale Railway]]'s then terminus at [[Dinas]]. In April [[1853]] the first seam of what was called the '''Bute Merthyr colliery''' was struck at a depth of 125 yards, and production was begun in early [[1855]]. |
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Revision as of 00:33, 23 April 2007
Treherbert is a village situated at the head of the Rhondda Fawr valley in south-east Wales, UK.
As you enter the area from the direction of Treorchy you view the mountain of Pen Pych, a distinct table-top mountain. On the left hand side of Pen Pych you find the village of Blaencwm and on its right is Blaenrhondda. At the base of the mountain are the villages of Tynewydd, Treherbert and Penyrenglyn.
History
There is evidence of settlement in the area going back to celtic times, but prior to industrialisation, the villages of Treherbert, Tynewydd, Blaenrhondda and Blaencwm consisted of a number of isolated farms and scattered homesteads. In 1841 there were only 218 people residing in the 'Middle hamlet of Treherbert', which had risen to 1,203 by 1861[1].
In August 1845, the trustees of the Marquess of Bute bought the Cwmsaebren farm from William Davies for a fee of £11,000 to sink the first steam coal pit in the Rhondda valley. A trial pit was sunk from 1850, but progress was slow due to the fact that all equipment was carried over rough tracks by horse and cart from the Taff Vale Railway's then terminus at Dinas. In April 1853 the first seam of what was called the Bute Merthyr colliery was struck at a depth of 125 yards, and production was begun in early 1855.
From January 1855, the Parish records showed the first use of the name Treherbert, commemorating one of the family names of the Marquess of Bute. The first 38 wagons of steam coal were transported from the newly extended Taff Vale Railway station at Gelligaled (Ystrad) to Cardiff dcoks on 21 December, 1855. The facilitated the rapid expansion of the village, and the need to build new houses, the first rows of which were built at Bute Street, Dumfries Street, and Baglan Street.
Present day
During the early 21st century a lot of the 'old' Treherbert was demolished. Buildings that disappeared were: Treherbert Hospital, Treherbert Police Station, Dunraven School (Tynewydd), Blaencwm School, Blaenrhondda School, Penyrenglyn Infants and Junior School, Treherbert Infants School and Libanus Chapel.
Until recently, a daily bus took residents over to Asda in Merthyr Tydfill, but this was stopped when the Treherbert passengers realised it was cheaper for them to get the Asda bus but shop in a German supermarket next to Asda.
Film set
The battle scenes of the film "Zulu" were shot at the base of Pen-Pych, and Michael Caine resided at the Top Club for some months. King Solomon's mines was filmed up in Fernhill Houses, with the production crew staying in Mort's. Ervil's builder's yard supplied many of the materials used in the film.
Transport
The main road out of Treherbert is via the Rhigos Mountain Road, like other roads in the area it is often referred to as the 'New Road'.
Railway
Treherbert is the end-of-the-line for the Taff Vale Railway. Prior to the Dr Beeching plans in the 1960s the railway line continued from Treherbert through Tynewydd up to Blaencwm. The station at Tynewydd was called 'Blaenrhondda Station' even though it was in Tynewydd. From here it turns left at Pen Pych into Blaencwm. Here it desended into a tunnel through a mountain in Blaencwm and came out at Blaengwnfi in the nearby valley. Residents would often catch this train for a day out at Aberavon. It was often spoken that the best way to solve a cough was to put your head out of the train while it travelled through the mountain. The journey would take approximately 8 minutes.
British Rail used the tunnel through to Blaengwynfi to test the new experimental 'Maglev' train under cover of darkness, and several Blaenycym locals reported seeing flying saucers as the Maglev train zipped thru and back several times a minute.
References
- Sean James Cameron , "Then & Now. Rhondda: From Cwmparc to Blaencwm"
- Sean James Cameron, "Rhondda Voices"
External links
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