District of Rhondda

Last updated

Rhondda
Welsh: Y Rhondda
Ystradyfodwg (1877–1897)
Local Government District (1877-1894)
Urban District (1894-1955)
Municipal Borough (1955-1974)
Borough (1974-1996)
Rhondda au pays de Galles (1974-1996).svg
Rhondda district (1974-1996) shown within Wales
History
 • Created1877 (as Ystradyfodwg)
 • Abolished31 March 1996
 • Succeeded by Rhondda Cynon Taf
Government
 •  HQ Pentre
 •  Motto Hwy Clod na Golud (Fame outlasts wealth)
Rhondda arms.png

Rhondda (Welsh : Y Rhondda) was a local government district in the geographical area of the Rhondda Valley, south Wales, from 1877 until 1996, with various statuses through its history.

Contents

History

The district was initially created in 1877 as the Ystradyfodwg Local Government District covering most of the parish of Ystradyfodwg, but excluding the Rhigos area north of the hills. [1] A local board was formed to govern the area. The district was enlarged in 1879 to take in parts of Llanwonno and Llantrisant parishes, bringing the Porth area into the district. [2] [3]

The Local Government Act 1894 reconstituted the area as Ystradyfodwg Urban District, with an elected urban district council replacing the local board. At the same time the parish boundaries were adjusted so that the civil parish of Ystradyfodwg matched the urban district. [4] It was renamed Rhondda Urban District in 1897 after the River Rhondda. [5] In 1955 Rhondda received a charter of incorporation to become the Municipal Borough of Rhondda. [6]

The Local Government Act 1972 completely reorganised local government in Wales in 1974. The Borough of Rhondda, with an identical area to the municipal borough, was one of six local government districts of the new county of Mid Glamorgan from 1974 to 1996.

The borough was abolished in 1996, with its area passing to the unitary Rhondda Cynon Taf county borough.

Political control

The first election to the council following the Local Government Act 1972 was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority before coming into its revised powers on 1 April 1974. From 1974 until the council's abolition in 1996, the Labour Party always held a majority of the seats on the council: [7]

Party in controlYears
Labour 1974–1996

Premises

The local board built itself a headquarters on Llewellyn Street in Pentre, with the building being formally opened on 2 May 1884. [8] [9] The building continued to serve as the headquarters for the subsequent urban district and borough councils until the abolition of the Rhondda Borough Council in 1996. The new Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council moved its headquarters to Clydach Vale, using the old building at Pentre as secondary offices for some years before selling it. [10] [11]

Coat of arms

On incorporation in 1955, the borough was granted a coat of arms. the blazon was as follows: [12]

Vert a pall wavy argent on a chief indented sable a balance between two acorns leaved and slipped Or, and for a Crest out of a mural crown Sable a demi-dragon gules gorged with a riband pendant therefrom an escutcheon Or charged with three chevrons of the second and supporting a torch erect of the first enflamed proper. Supporters: On either side a sea-dragon sable the tail proper gorged with a collar checky argent and azure.

In 1974 the arms were transferred to the Rhondda Borough Council. [13]

The shield was an heraldic map of the borough, with the white wavy "pall" depicting the confluence of the Rhondda Fach and Rhondda Fawr rivers. The indented edge of the "chief" or upper third of the shield represented the mountainous nature of the valley. The chief was coloured black symbolising coal-mining. On this were placed symbols in gold: acorns for the growth of new industries and a balance for balanced development. The crest featured a mural or walled crown symbolic of local government. From this rose the red dragon of Wales. The dragon supported a flaming torch for coal and allied industries. around the dragon's neck hung a shield bearing three chevrons, from the arms of the de Clares, Lords of Glamorgan. These formed the basis of the arms of both Glamorgan and Mid Glamorgan County Councils. The supporters were black sea-dragons, for Welsh sea-coal. Around their necks were silver and blue chequered collars. These were derived from the arms of the Marquess of Bute. The third Marquess was responsible for the initial exploitation of the coal reserves of the valley. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhondda Cynon Taf</span> County borough in Wales

Rhondda Cynon Taf is a county borough in the south-east of Wales. It consists of five valleys: the Rhondda Fawr, Rhondda Fach, Cynon, Taff and Ely valleys, plus a number of towns and villages away from the valleys. Results from the 2011 census showed 19.1% of its 234,410 residents self-identified as having some ability in the use of the Welsh language. The county borough borders Merthyr Tydfil County Borough and Caerphilly County Borough to the east, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan to the south, Bridgend County Borough and Neath Port Talbot to the west and Powys to the north. Its principal towns are - Aberdare, Llantrisant with Talbot Green and Pontypridd, with other key settlements/towns being - Maerdy, Ferndale, Hirwaun, Llanharan, Mountain Ash, Porth, Tonypandy, Tonyrefail and Treorchy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mid Glamorgan</span>

Mid Glamorgan is a preserved county of Wales. From 1974 until 1996 it was also an administrative county with a county council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cynon Valley</span>

Cynon Valley is a former coal mining valley in Wales. It lies between Rhondda and the Merthyr Valley and takes its name from the River Cynon. Aberdare is located in the north of the valley and Mountain Ash in the south. From 1974 to 1996, Cynon Valley was a local government district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf</span> Town in Cynon Valley, Wales

Mountain Ash is a town and former community in the Cynon Valley, within the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, with a population of 11,230 at the 2011 Census, estimated in 2019 at 11,339. It includes the districts and villages of Cefnpennar, Cwmpennar, Caegarw, Darranlas, Fernhill, Glenboi and Newtown, all within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Aberdare lies about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) north-west, Cardiff 19 miles (31 km) south-east, and Penrhiwceiber a mile to the south-east. It divides into two communities : West covers the town centre and the districts of Miskin, Darranlas, Fernhill and Glenboi, and East the districts of Cefnpennar, Cwmpennar, Caegarw and Newtown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ynysybwl</span> Human settlement in Wales

Ynysybwl is a village in Cwm Clydach in Wales. It is situated in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, roughly 15 miles (24 km) north-north-west of Cardiff, 4 miles (6 km) north of Pontypridd and 16 miles (26 km) south of Merthyr Tydfil, and forms part of the community of Ynysybwl and Coed-y-Cwm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ynyshir</span> Human settlement in Wales

Ynyshir is a village and community located in the Rhondda Valley, within Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Wales. The name of the village means "long island" in Welsh and takes its name from a farm in the area, falling within the historic parishes of Ystradyfodwg and Llanwynno (Llanwonno). The community of Ynyshir lies between the small adjoining village of Wattstown and the larger town of neighbouring Porth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhondda (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1974 onwards

Rhondda is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2001 by Chris Bryant of the Labour Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhondda</span> Urban area and district in South Wales

Rhondda, or the Rhondda Valley, is a former coalmining area in South Wales, historically in the county of Glamorgan. It takes its name from the River Rhondda, and embraces two valleys – the larger Rhondda Fawr valley and the smaller Rhondda Fach valley – so that the singular "Rhondda Valley" and the plural are both commonly used. The area forms part of the South Wales Valleys. From 1897 until 1996 there was a local government district of Rhondda. The former district at its abolition comprised sixteen communities. Since 1996 these sixteen communities of the Rhondda have been part of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough. The area of the former district is still used as the Rhondda Senedd constituency and Westminster constituency, having an estimated population in 2020 of 69,506. It is most noted for its historical coalmining industry, which peaked between 1840 and 1925. The valleys produced a strong Nonconformist movement manifest in the Baptist chapels that moulded Rhondda values in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is also known for its male voice choirs and in sport and politics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ystradyfodwg</span>

Ystradyfodwg or Ystrad Dyfodwg was an ancient upland parish in Glamorgan, Wales. It is believed to have been named after Dyfodwg a 6th-century saint or chieftain. The parish included most of the area which would later be known as Rhondda named for the parish rivers, Rhondda Fawr and Rhondda Fach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taff-Ely</span> Former district of Mid Glamorgan, Wales

Taff-Ely was a local government district with borough status in Wales from 1974 to 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council</span> Local government of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is the governing body for Rhondda Cynon Taf, one of the Principal Areas of Wales. The council headquarters are located in the community of Cwm Clydach on the outskirts of Tonypandy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Llanwonno</span> Human settlement in Wales

Llanwonno is a hamlet high up in the hills between the historic mining valleys of the Rhondda and the Cynon in Rhondda Cynon Taf, deep in the heart of the South Wales Valleys. Llanwonno consists of St Gwynno's Church and an inn – The Brynffynon Hotel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glyntaff</span> Human settlement in Wales

Glyntaff is a small village to the south-east of Pontypridd, in the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales situated in the Treforest ward along with the village of Trefforest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church Village</span> Village in Rhonda Cynon Taf, Wales

Church Village is a large village in the historic parish and community of Llantwit Fardre, located within the Taff Ely district of the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf in Wales. The village is centrally located being around 4 miles (6.4 km) from the local principal towns of Llantrisant to the southwest and Pontypridd to the north and is situated around 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Cardiff city centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonteg</span> Human settlement in Wales

Tonteg is a village around three and a half miles (6 km) from Pontypridd, south Wales. It is 9 miles (14.5 km) north west of Cardiff and four miles (6.5 km) north east of Llantrisant. The village is within the community of Llantwit Fardre. Tonteg is to the north west of the Garth Mountain, on the west side of the River Taff valley, at the top of a hill known locally as Powerstation Hill. The hill gets its name from the Upper Boat power station which was situated at the bottom of the hill until it was demolished in 1972. Tonteg is next to Church Village and the boundaries between the two villages are blurred. A significant part of the Treforest Industrial Estate falls within the Willowford area of Tonteg.

Hawthorn is a village and electoral ward within the community of the town of Pontypridd in the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, located 10 miles north west of Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. Historically this fell within the parish of Eglwysilan within Mid Glamorgan.

Pentre is a village, community and electoral ward near Treorchy in the Rhondda valley, falling within the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. The village's name is taken from the Welsh word Pentref, which translates as homestead, though Pentre is named after a large farm that dominated the area before the coming of industrialisation. The community takes in the neighbouring village of Ton Pentre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graig, Pontypridd</span> Human settlement in Wales

Graig is a historic district of the town of Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Wales. It is also the name of an electoral ward for the town and county councils.

Rhondda Urban District Council was a local authority in Glamorgan, Wales. It was created in 1894 as a result of the 1894 Local Government of England and Wales Act and the 1894 election saw the election of the first members of the authority, initially known as the Ystradyfodwg Urban District Council. The Council existed until 1973 and replaced the Ystradyfodwg Local Board of Health which had functioned since the 1870s.. Initially, the Council had fifteen members but this was increased to twenty in 1906, as a result of the increase in population. There were five wards.

References

  1. ↑ Parliamentary papers. London: House of Commons. 1877. p. 41. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  2. ↑ "Ystradyfodwg Urban Sanitary District". A Vision of Britain through Time. GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  3. ↑ Public Works. London: House of Lords. 1879. p. 23. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  4. ↑ Annual Report of the Local Government Board. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office. 1895. p. 250. Retrieved 19 October 2022. The County of Glamorgan (Pontypridd, &c.) Confirmation Order, 1894
  5. ↑ "Rhondda Urban District Council: The change of name sanctioned". Glamorgan Free Press. Pontypridd. 24 July 1897. p. 3. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  6. ↑ Archives Network Wales
  7. ↑ "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  8. ↑ "Opening of the Ystradyfodwg Public Offices". Western Mail. Cardiff. 5 May 1884. p. 4. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  9. ↑ Cadw. "Former Rhondda Borough Council Offices (Grade II) (18105)". National Historic Assets of Wales . Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  10. ↑ "Pavilions 'perfect' site for council". Rhondda Leader. 8 June 1995. p. 2. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  11. ↑ "What is happening to the old Pentre Town Hall building?". Wales Online. 23 January 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  12. ↑ Geoffrey Briggs, Civic and Corporate Heraldry, London, 1972
  13. ↑ The Local Authorities (Armorial Bearings) Order 1974 (S.I. 1974/869)
  14. ↑ "Rhondda Borough Council". Civic Heraldry of England and Wales. Retrieved 21 July 2008.

Coordinates: 51°38′N3°28′W / 51.633°N 3.467°W / 51.633; -3.467

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.