Blaenavon
Blaenavon
| |
|---|---|
 Blaenavon | |
  Blaenavon | |
| Location within Torfaen | |
| Area | 17.83 km2 (6.88 sq mi) [1] |
| Population | 6,055 (2011)[2] |
| • Density | 340/km2 (880/sq mi) |
| GSS code | W04000760 |
| OS grid reference | SO 255 095 |
| Community |
|
| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | PONTYPOOL |
| Postcode district | NP4 |
| Dialling code | 01495 |
| Police | Gwent |
| Fire | South Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| UK Parliament | |
| Welsh Assembly | |
Blaenavon (Welsh: Blaenafon) is a town in southeastern Wales. It is on the south of Afon Lwyd and north of Pontypool. Parts of the town and surrounding country form the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape became part of the World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. There are about 6,057 people living there.[3][4]
History[change | change source]
Blaenavon literally means "front of the river" or loosely translated as "river's source" in the Welsh language.
Government[change | change source]
Blaenavon is a community represented by Blaenavon Town Council, and electoral ward of Torfaen County Borough Council. Blaenavon is often
twinned with Coutras in France.[5]
Geography[change | change source]
The town is near the source of the Afon Lwyd river. It is in the north of Cwmbran.
Landmarks[change | change source]
Parts of the town and surrounding country form the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape were recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. Some of the attractions in the town include:
- Big Pit National Coal Museum
- Blaenavon Ironworks [6]
- Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway
- Blaenavon Male Voice Choir
- Blaenavon Town Band
Education[change | change source]
After Samuel Hopkins death in 1815, his sister Sarah Hopkins of Rugeley, erected Blaenavon Endowed School in his memory.
Religious sites[change | change source]
St Peter's Church was constructed in 1804. It was gifted to the parish by Thomas Hill and Samuel Hopkins.
Sports[change | change source]
It had a Blaenavon Golf Club which was founded in 1906. The club closed in 1937.[7]
Notable people[change | change source]
Some of the most notable people from Blaenavon are:
- E. E. Clive - Broadway and film actor
- Dorothy Simpson - award-winning mystery writer
- Mark Taylor - international Rugby union player
- Ken Jones - international Rugby union player
- John Perkins - international Rugby union player
- Chris Huish - international Rugby union player
- Terry Cobner - international Rugby union player
- Nick Thomas-Symonds - elected MP for Torfaen (2015)
References[change | change source]
- ↑ "2011 Census:Quick Statistics:Population Density for Blaenavon". Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
- ↑ "2011 Census:Key Statistics:Key Figures for Blaenavon". Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ↑ "Regeneration - Blaenavon World Heritage Site". www.visitblaenavon.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2020-09-23. Retrieved 2020-08-10.
- ↑ "Blaenavon Wellbeing Infographics" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-01-26. Retrieved 2020-08-10.
- ↑ "Town Twinning". Torfaen County Borough Council. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
- ↑ Blaenavon Ironworks
- ↑ “Blaenavon Golf Club”, “Golf’s Missing Links”.
Other websites[change | change source]
- Welsh Coal Mines - all the pits, all the histories
- Blaenavon Town Council
- Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 4 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
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