Llys Talybont Halls of Residence
Encyclopedia
Llys Talybont Halls of Residence otherwise known simply as "Talybont" are the largest halls of residence in Cardiff
, located in Maindy
. It is owned by Cardiff University
and operated by the Residences and Catering Division.
Talybont is inhabited predominantly by first year students. The halls of residence are separated into three different areas: Talybont North, Talybont South and Talybont Court. Talybont Court, the newest of the three was opened in September 2005, and suffered bouts of flood
ing in October of that year.
Talybont North is the least expensive of the three and due to its negative reputation it has been affectionately nicknamed "Talybronx" after the Bronx in New York City. Appropriately, the east side is known to contain the oldest and most run-down blocks. Since 2005 there has been an ongoing program to refurbish the more run down-blocks, so far four blocks (A,C,D and F) have been refurbished. However, a few of the buildings, such as House W, were built slightly later and are of a better standard.
All rooms in the Talybont residences offer access to the internet via the university's RESLAN network. In 2006 Talybont North, the only halls not to offer internet access, was finally connected to the RESLAN network. There have been many complaints of silverfish
infestations with the complaints procedure is still ongoing. Whilst these insects do not provide any hygenic problems for human habitation, they are understandably a source of discomfort for many.
The Talybont Halls of Residence contain many amenities for residents including a sports centre, with a gym and a separate bar. The gymnasium at the halls is used for university examinations. There is also a convenience store
/off-licence in Talybont South and a laundrette located in each area.
The main University campus is located about 20–30 minutes walk away from Talybont and Bute Park
and the Taff Trail
are less than 5 minutes walk away from the halls. Talybont is also just a 15 minute walk from Heath Park so is a good place for any healthcare students i.e. medics, dentists. The Taff Trail, which runs along the River Taff
through Bute Park
can be used as a route to the main campus. The trail however is often avoided after dark because of the possible risk of crime due to the Trail's isolated location and lack of passing pedestrians/vehicles.
The residences are maintained throughout the year by a team of groundsmen, handymen and domestic assistants. 'Student Wardens', students employed by the Residences Division who live on site, are on-call during out of office hours until midnight to help students with any problems they may encounter during their stay at the halls.
Llys Talybont refers to the manor house
that once stood at this location on the river River Taff which separates the halls from Bute Park. The oldest building of the Llys Talybont Halls dates to the original estate, when it was a thatched-roof
farmhouse.
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, located in Maindy
Maindy
Maindy is a district of the city of Cardiff, Wales. It lies between the districts of Cathays and Penylan. It falls within the Cathays ward.A notable facility in the area is the Maindy Centre consisting of a cycle track and swimming pool. The cycle track was used in the 1958 British Empire and...
. It is owned by Cardiff University
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
and operated by the Residences and Catering Division.
Talybont is inhabited predominantly by first year students. The halls of residence are separated into three different areas: Talybont North, Talybont South and Talybont Court. Talybont Court, the newest of the three was opened in September 2005, and suffered bouts of flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
ing in October of that year.
Talybont North is the least expensive of the three and due to its negative reputation it has been affectionately nicknamed "Talybronx" after the Bronx in New York City. Appropriately, the east side is known to contain the oldest and most run-down blocks. Since 2005 there has been an ongoing program to refurbish the more run down-blocks, so far four blocks (A,C,D and F) have been refurbished. However, a few of the buildings, such as House W, were built slightly later and are of a better standard.
All rooms in the Talybont residences offer access to the internet via the university's RESLAN network. In 2006 Talybont North, the only halls not to offer internet access, was finally connected to the RESLAN network. There have been many complaints of silverfish
Silverfish
Lepisma saccharina, frequently called silverfish, fishmoths, carpet sharks or paramites, are small, wingless insects in the order Thysanura...
infestations with the complaints procedure is still ongoing. Whilst these insects do not provide any hygenic problems for human habitation, they are understandably a source of discomfort for many.
The Talybont Halls of Residence contain many amenities for residents including a sports centre, with a gym and a separate bar. The gymnasium at the halls is used for university examinations. There is also a convenience store
Convenience store
A convenience store, corner store, corner shop, commonly called a bodega in Spanish-speaking areas of the United States, is a small store or shop in a built up area that stocks a range of everyday items such as groceries, toiletries, alcoholic and soft drinks, and may also offer money order and...
/off-licence in Talybont South and a laundrette located in each area.
The main University campus is located about 20–30 minutes walk away from Talybont and Bute Park
Bute Park
Bute Park in Cardiff, Wales, is an extensive area of mature parkland easily accessible from the city centre. Flanked by the River Taff, Sophia Gardens, Pontcanna Fields and Cardiff Castle, Bute Park is a very popular 'green lung' full of historic and wildlife interest. Few cities have such a...
and the Taff Trail
Taff Trail
The Taff Trail is a popular walking and cycle path that runs for between Cardiff Bay and Brecon in Wales. It is named so because it follows the course of the River Taff...
are less than 5 minutes walk away from the halls. Talybont is also just a 15 minute walk from Heath Park so is a good place for any healthcare students i.e. medics, dentists. The Taff Trail, which runs along the River Taff
River Taff
The River Taff is a large river in Wales. It rises as two rivers in the Brecon Beacons — the Taf Fechan and the Taf Fawr — before joining to form the Taff north of Merthyr Tydfil...
through Bute Park
Bute Park
Bute Park in Cardiff, Wales, is an extensive area of mature parkland easily accessible from the city centre. Flanked by the River Taff, Sophia Gardens, Pontcanna Fields and Cardiff Castle, Bute Park is a very popular 'green lung' full of historic and wildlife interest. Few cities have such a...
can be used as a route to the main campus. The trail however is often avoided after dark because of the possible risk of crime due to the Trail's isolated location and lack of passing pedestrians/vehicles.
The residences are maintained throughout the year by a team of groundsmen, handymen and domestic assistants. 'Student Wardens', students employed by the Residences Division who live on site, are on-call during out of office hours until midnight to help students with any problems they may encounter during their stay at the halls.
Llys Talybont refers to the manor house
Manor house
A manor house is a country house that historically formed the administrative centre of a manor, the lowest unit of territorial organisation in the feudal system in Europe. The term is applied to country houses that belonged to the gentry and other grand stately homes...
that once stood at this location on the river River Taff which separates the halls from Bute Park. The oldest building of the Llys Talybont Halls dates to the original estate, when it was a thatched-roof
Thatching
Thatching is the craft of building a roof with dry vegetation such as straw, water reed, sedge , rushes, or heather, layering the vegetation so as to shed water away from the inner roof. It is a very old roofing method and has been used in both tropical and temperate climates...
farmhouse.