Welshpool
Encyclopedia
Welshpool is a town
in Powys
, Wales
, or ancient county Montgomeryshire
, 4 miles (6 km) from the Wales-England border. The town is low-lying on the River Severn
; the Welsh language
name Y Trallwng literally meaning 'the marshy or sinking land'. Welshpool is the fourth largest town in Powys
.
In English
it was initially known as Pool but its name was changed to Welshpool in 1835 to distinguish it from the English town of Poole
. It has a population of 6,269 (United Kingdom Census 2001
), contains much Georgian architecture
and is just north of Powis Castle
.
or South Powys after its prince was forced to flee the traditional Welsh royal site at Mathrafal
in 1212. After 1284 Powys Wenwynwyn ceased to exist. The Long Mountain
plays as a backdrop to most of Welshpool, which once served as the ultimate grounds for defence for fortresses in the times when the town was just a swampy marsh.
The town was devastated by the forces of Owain Glyndwr
in 1400 at the start of his rebellion against the English king Henry IV
. Today the waymarked long-distance footpath and National Trail Glyndwr's Way
runs through the town.
In 1411 the priest
at the church of St. Mary's and St. Cynfelin's was Adam of Usk
.
St Cynfelin (he is also known as St Matu) is reputed to be the founder of the church in "the age of the saints in Wales" in the 5th and 6th centuries.
There is a six-sided brick cockpit which was built in the early 18th century and was in continual use for cockfight
ing until the practice was outlawed by the Cruelty to Animals Act 1835
. This is the only unaltered cockpit preserved on its original site in Britain.
is on the Cambrian Line
and is served by Arriva Trains Wales
. The town is also the starting point of the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway
, a narrow-gauge heritage railway
popular with tourists, with its terminus station at Raven Square
. The light railway once ran through the town to the Cambrian Line railway station, but today Raven Square, located on the western edge of the town, is the eastern terminus of the line.
A small network of bus services link surrounding towns and villages, mainly operated by Tanat Valley Coaches
. Notable is service No X75, serving Shrewsbury
to the east and Newtown and Llanidloes
to the south west, also service No D71 to Oswestry
via Guilsfield and Llanymynech
. In addition there is a local town service operated by Owen's Coaches. The semi-disused Montgomery Canal
also runs through Welshpool. To the south of the town is Welshpool Airport
which is also known as the Mid Wales Airport.
Due to the town's small size and population the attraction of high street stores is limited, meaning many of the residents are forced to shop in neighbouring towns like Newtown and Shrewsbury
.
is a secondary school
which teaches a range of pupils from ages 11–18 and is consistently set to a very high standard of education throughout Key Stage 3 and 4 and A Level studies.
club, the former being Welshpool Town F.C.
and the latter, Welshpool Rugby Football Club. The town also has hockey
and cricket
clubs. The Montgomeryshire Marauders Rugby League Club are also nominally based in Welshpool, as this is where the majority of their home fixtures take place.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in Powys
Powys
Powys is a local-government county and preserved county in Wales.-Geography:Powys covers the historic counties of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, most of Brecknockshire , and a small part of Denbighshire — an area of 5,179 km², making it the largest county in Wales by land area.It is...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, or ancient county Montgomeryshire
Montgomeryshire
Montgomeryshire, also known as Maldwyn is one of thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. Montgomeryshire is still used as a vice-county for wildlife recording...
, 4 miles (6 km) from the Wales-England border. The town is low-lying on the River Severn
River Severn
The River Severn is the longest river in Great Britain, at about , but the second longest on the British Isles, behind the River Shannon. It rises at an altitude of on Plynlimon, Ceredigion near Llanidloes, Powys, in the Cambrian Mountains of mid Wales...
; the Welsh language
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
name Y Trallwng literally meaning 'the marshy or sinking land'. Welshpool is the fourth largest town in Powys
Powys
Powys is a local-government county and preserved county in Wales.-Geography:Powys covers the historic counties of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, most of Brecknockshire , and a small part of Denbighshire — an area of 5,179 km², making it the largest county in Wales by land area.It is...
.
In English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
it was initially known as Pool but its name was changed to Welshpool in 1835 to distinguish it from the English town of Poole
Poole
Poole is a large coastal town and seaport in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester, and Bournemouth adjoins Poole to the east. The Borough of Poole was made a unitary authority in 1997, gaining administrative independence from Dorset County Council...
. It has a population of 6,269 (United Kingdom Census 2001
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
), contains much Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
and is just north of Powis Castle
Powis Castle
Powis Castle is a medieval castle, fortress and grand country mansion located near the town of Welshpool, in Powys, Mid Wales.The residence of the Earl of Powis, the castle is known for its extensive, attractive formal gardens, terraces, parkland, deerpark and landscaped estate...
.
History
Welshpool served briefly as the capital of Powys WenwynwynPowys Wenwynwyn
Powys Wenwynwyn or Powys Cyfeiliog was the southern portion of the former princely state of Powys which split following the death of Madog ap Maredudd of Powys in 1160...
or South Powys after its prince was forced to flee the traditional Welsh royal site at Mathrafal
Mathrafal
Mathrafal near Welshpool, in Powys, Mid Wales, was the seat of the Kings and Princes of Powys probably from the 9th century until its destruction in 1212 by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth of Gwynedd.- Location :...
in 1212. After 1284 Powys Wenwynwyn ceased to exist. The Long Mountain
Long Mountain (Powys)
The Long Mountain is a hill to the east of Welshpool in Powys, Wales. It rises to a height of 408m at Beacon Ring, where there is a hill fort.The Long Mountain extends from Forden in the southwest to Vennington in Shropshire to the northeast...
plays as a backdrop to most of Welshpool, which once served as the ultimate grounds for defence for fortresses in the times when the town was just a swampy marsh.
The town was devastated by the forces of Owain Glyndwr
Owain Glyndwr
Owain Glyndŵr , or Owain Glyn Dŵr, anglicised by William Shakespeare as Owen Glendower , was a Welsh ruler and the last native Welshman to hold the title Prince of Wales...
in 1400 at the start of his rebellion against the English king Henry IV
Henry IV of England
Henry IV was King of England and Lord of Ireland . He was the ninth King of England of the House of Plantagenet and also asserted his grandfather's claim to the title King of France. He was born at Bolingbroke Castle in Lincolnshire, hence his other name, Henry Bolingbroke...
. Today the waymarked long-distance footpath and National Trail Glyndwr's Way
Glyndwr's Way
Glyndŵr's Way is a long distance footpath in mid Wales. It runs for in an extended loop through Powys between Knighton and Welshpool.- History :...
runs through the town.
In 1411 the priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
at the church of St. Mary's and St. Cynfelin's was Adam of Usk
Adam of Usk
Adam of Usk was a Welsh priest, canonist, and late medieval historian and chronicler.- Patronage :Born at Usk in what is now Monmouthshire, southeast Wales, Adam received the patronage of Edmund Mortimer, 3rd Earl of March, who inherited the Lordship of Usk through his wife Philippa...
.
St Cynfelin (he is also known as St Matu) is reputed to be the founder of the church in "the age of the saints in Wales" in the 5th and 6th centuries.
There is a six-sided brick cockpit which was built in the early 18th century and was in continual use for cockfight
Cockfight
A cockfight is a blood sport between two roosters , held in a ring called a cockpit. Cockfighting is now illegal throughout all states in the United States, Brazil, Australia and in most of Europe. It is still legal in several U.S. territories....
ing until the practice was outlawed by the Cruelty to Animals Act 1835
Cruelty to Animals Act 1835
The Cruelty to Animals Act 1835 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom , which was intended to protect animals from mistreatment....
. This is the only unaltered cockpit preserved on its original site in Britain.
Transport
Welshpool railway stationWelshpool railway station
Welshpool railway station is a railway station on the Cambrian Line, in Powys, mid-Wales. It serves the town of Welshpool.The modern station is a single island platform between the two railway lines, reached by a large pedestrian bridge over the eastbound railway line and the A483 road. It has no...
is on the Cambrian Line
Cambrian Line
The Cambrian Line is a railway from Shrewsbury to Welshpool, Aberystwyth and Pwllheli. The railway runs first through the central part of Wales and then along the coast of Cardigan Bay....
and is served by Arriva Trains Wales
Arriva Trains Wales
Arriva Trains Wales is a train operating company, owned by Arriva, that operates urban and inter urban passenger services in Wales and the Welsh Marches...
. The town is also the starting point of the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway
Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway
The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway is a narrow gauge heritage railway in Powys, Wales. The line is around long and runs westwards from the town of Welshpool via Castle Caereinion to the village of Llanfair Caereinion. The track gauge is ....
, a narrow-gauge heritage railway
Heritage railway
thumb|right|the Historical [[Khyber train safari|Khyber Railway]] goes through the [[Khyber Pass]], [[Pakistan]]A heritage railway , preserved railway , tourist railway , or tourist railroad is a railway that is run as a tourist attraction, in some cases by volunteers, and...
popular with tourists, with its terminus station at Raven Square
Welshpool Raven Square railway station
Welshpool Raven Square railway station, located in Welshpool, is the eastern terminus of the narrow gauge Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway .-History:...
. The light railway once ran through the town to the Cambrian Line railway station, but today Raven Square, located on the western edge of the town, is the eastern terminus of the line.
A small network of bus services link surrounding towns and villages, mainly operated by Tanat Valley Coaches
Tanat Valley Coaches
Tanat Valley Coaches operates bus and coach services in Montgomeryshire and across the Shropshire-Welsh borderland, in the United Kingdom.The family-run firm is based in the village of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, west of Oswestry. It also has a depot in the nearby village of Pentrefelin, in addition...
. Notable is service No X75, serving Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England. Lying on the River Severn, it is a civil parish home to some 70,000 inhabitants, and is the primary settlement and headquarters of Shropshire Council...
to the east and Newtown and Llanidloes
Llanidloes
Llanidloes is a town along the A470 road and B4518 road in Powys, within the historic county boundaries of Montgomeryshire , Mid Wales.It is the first town on the River Severn...
to the south west, also service No D71 to Oswestry
Oswestry
Oswestry is a town and civil parish in Shropshire, England, close to the Welsh border. It is at the junction of the A5, A483, and A495 roads....
via Guilsfield and Llanymynech
Llanymynech
Llanymynech is a village straddling the border between Montgomeryshire/Powys, Wales and Shropshire, England about 9 miles north of the Welsh town of Welshpool. The name is Welsh for "Church of the Monks"....
. In addition there is a local town service operated by Owen's Coaches. The semi-disused Montgomery Canal
Montgomery Canal
The Montgomery Canal , known colloquially as "The Monty", is a partially restored canal in Powys, in eastern Wales, and in northwest Shropshire, in western England...
also runs through Welshpool. To the south of the town is Welshpool Airport
Welshpool Airport
Welshpool Airport is located south of Welshpool, Powys, Wales.Welshpool Aerodrome has a CAA Ordinary Licence that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee...
which is also known as the Mid Wales Airport.
Economy
The local economy is primarily based upon agriculture and local industry. The Smithfield Livestock Market is the largest one-day sheep market in Europe, whilst the town's industrial estates are home to numerous different types of small industry.Due to the town's small size and population the attraction of high street stores is limited, meaning many of the residents are forced to shop in neighbouring towns like Newtown and Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England. Lying on the River Severn, it is a civil parish home to some 70,000 inhabitants, and is the primary settlement and headquarters of Shropshire Council...
.
Education
The town is the home of Ardwyn Nursery and Infants School, Oldford Nursery and Infants School, Gungrog Nursery and Infants School, Maes-y-dre Primary School and Welshpool High SchoolWelshpool High School
Welshpool High School is located in Welshpool, Powys. It is a combined secondary school and sixth form, catering for pupils aged 11 – 19.-Motto & The School:...
is a secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
which teaches a range of pupils from ages 11–18 and is consistently set to a very high standard of education throughout Key Stage 3 and 4 and A Level studies.
Sport
Welshpool has a football club and a rugby unionRugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
club, the former being Welshpool Town F.C.
Welshpool Town F.C.
Welshpool F.C. is a football team, based in Welshpool, playing in the Spar Mid Wales League.The club was founded as Welshpool Town F.C. in 1878 and plays at the Maes y Dre Recreation Ground, Welshpool, which accommodates 2000 spectators ....
and the latter, Welshpool Rugby Football Club. The town also has hockey
Hockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
and cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
clubs. The Montgomeryshire Marauders Rugby League Club are also nominally based in Welshpool, as this is where the majority of their home fixtures take place.
External links
- Welshpooltownfc.co.uk - Welshpool Town Football Club
- Welshpool Hockey Club- Website of Welshpool Hockey Club, who compete in the North Wales League
- Welshpool Rugby Club- Website of Welshpool Rugby Union Football Club, who compete in the Welsh National League
- photos of Welshpool and surrounding area on geograph