Penywaun


Penywaun is a community, electoral ward and north-western suburb of Aberdare in the Cynon Valley within the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. At the 2011 census, the population of the ward was registered as 3,063.

Etymology

Penywaun derives from two common Welsh toponyms "Pen" meaning top or head and "Gwaun" meaning moorland. Writing in 1887, Thomas Morgan states that the toponym indicates the end of the moor known as the Hirwaun Gwrgant or Gwrgan's "Waun".

Background

Much of the local housing was built by the local Aberdare urban district council after the Second World War in several stages, starting with simple pre-fabricated houses.
Shops and businesses trading in the village include a cafe, newsagents, hairdresser, a traditional fish and chip shop, and three grocery-type stores, one opposite the Colliers Arms pub. Most of the retail is in a retail precinct.

Schools

Winifred Church - see photograph - is in the centre of the village. St Lleurwg Church in Hirwaun is the sister church sharing the Parish of Hirwaun.
Penywaun Workingmen's Club and Institute began in the village in 1959. Many successful singers and entertainers have performed here, including Sir Tom Jones shortly before his rise to stardom in the 1960s.

Politics

Penywaun is also an electoral ward for Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council. The County Borough Councillor until 2012 was Glyn Roberts, a long-serving Director of the Tower Colliery company.

Sport, leisure and recreation

Penywaun F.C. plays soccer regularly in the Aberdare Valley Premier Division.
Penywaun is also home to an award-winning Tang Soo Do group which meet regularly at Penywaun Community Centre.
Two allotments are managed locally by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.
Aberdare Park and Dare Valley Country Park are within two miles.

Notable people

  • Kim Howells - Welsh Labour politician and MP for Pontypridd, born in Merthyr Tydfil, but raised in Penywaun
  • Dai Young - Lived in Penywaun for many years with his parents