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Aberystwyth

Coordinates:52°24′50″N4°04′52″W / 52.414°N 4.081°W /52.414; -4.081
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Aberystwyth
From the top, View of Aberystwyth from Constitution Hill, Millennium Clock Tower, The Old College
Aberystwyth is located in Ceredigion
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Location within Ceredigion
Population 14,640 (2021)[1]
OS grid reference SN585815
•Cardiff 90 mi (140 km)SE
Principal area
Preserved county
Country Wales
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town ABERYSTWYTH
Postcode district SY23
Dialling code 01970
Police Dyfed-Powys
Fire Mid and West Wales
Ambulance Welsh
UK Parliament
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament
Website www.aberystwyth.gov.uk
List of places
UK
Wales
Ceredigion
52°24′50″N4°04′52″W / 52.414°N 4.081°W /52.414; -4.081

Aberystwyth(/ˌæbəˈrɪstwɪθ/;[2][3]Welsh:[abɛˈrəstʊɨθ]ⓘ) is auniversityandseaside townand acommunityinCeredigion,Wales. It is the largest town in Ceredigion and 16 miles (26 km) fromAberaeron, the county's administrative centre. In 2021, the population of the town was 14,640.[1]

Located in thehistoric countyofCardiganshire,Aberystwythmeans "the mouth of theYstwyth". It has been a major educational location in Wales since the establishment of University College Wales, nowAberystwyth University, in 1872.

The town is situated onCardigan Bayon the west coast of Wales, near the confluence of the River Ystwyth andAfon Rheidol. Following the reconstruction of the harbour, the Ystwyth skirts the town. The Rheidol passes through the town. The seafront, with apier, stretches fromConstitution Hillat the north end of the Promenade to the harbour at the south. The beach is divided by the castle. The town is divided into five areas: Aberystwyth Town;Llanbadarn Fawr; Waunfawr; Trefechan; and the most populous,Penparcau.

Main features of the town

[edit]
Aberystwyth Bay from a 1748 survey by Lewis Morris (1701–1765)

Aberystwyth is a university town and tourist destination, and forms a cultural link betweenNorth WalesandSouth Wales. Constitution Hill, scaled by theAberystwyth Cliff Railway, gives access to panoramic views and to other attractions at the summit, including acamera obscura. ScenicMid Waleslandscape within easy reach of the town includes the wilderness of theCambrian Mountains, whose valleys contain forests and meadows which have changed little in centuries. A convenient way to access the interior is by the preserved narrow-gaugeVale of Rheidol Railway.

Although the town is relatively modern, there are a number of historic buildings, including the remains of thecastleand the Old College ofAberystwyth Universitynearby. The Old College was originally built and opened in 1865 as a hotel, but after the owner's bankruptcy the shell of the building was sold to the university in 1867.[4]

The new university campus overlooks Aberystwyth from Penglais Hill to the east of the town centre. Thestation, a terminus of the main railway, was built in 1924 in the typical style of the period, mainly in a mix ofGothic,Classical Revival, andVictorianarchitecture.

The town is the unofficial capital of Mid Wales, and several institutions have regional or national offices there. Public bodies located in the town include theNational Library of Wales, which incorporates theNational Screen and Sound Archive of Wales, one of six British regional film archives. TheRoyal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Walesmaintains and curates theNational Monuments Record of Wales(NMRW), providing the public with information about the built heritage of Wales. Aberystwyth is also the home to the national offices ofUCACandCymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg(Welsh Language Society), and the site of theInstitute of Grassland and Environmental Research, theWelsh Books Counciland the offices of the standard historical dictionary of Welsh,Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru. A purpose builtWelsh Governmentoffice and an adjoining office ofCeredigion County Councilare also located in the town.

At the 2001 census, the population of the town was 15,935.[5]This reduced to 13,040 at the2011 census.[6]Including neighbouringLlanbadarn Fawr, the population was 16,420, and the greater Aberystwyth conurbation had a population of 18,749 in 2011.[7]

Climate

[edit]

Aberystwyth experiences anoceanic climate(Köppen climate classificationCfb) similar to almost all of the United Kingdom. This is particularly pronounced due to its west coast location facing the Irish Sea. Air undergoes little land moderation and so temperatures closely reflect the sea temperature when winds are coming from the predominant onshore (westerly) direction. The nearestMet Officeweather station isGogerddan, 3 miles to the northeast, and at a similar elevation.

The absolute maximum temperature is 34.6 °C (94.3 °F),[8]set during July 2006. This is also the July record maximum for all of Wales, suggesting that the area's low lying situation, aided by a possibleföhneffect when winds are offshore can act to achieve high temperatures on occasion. Typically the warmest day will average 28.0 °C (82.4 °F)[9]and 5.6 days[10]will achieve a maximum of 25.1 °C (77.2 °F) or above.

The absolute minimum temperature is −13.5 °C (7.7 °F),[11]set in January 2010. Typically 39.8 days will register an air frost.

Rainfall averages 1,112 mm (44 in) a year,[12]with over 1mm recorded on 161 days.[13]All averages refer to the 1981–2010 period.

Climate data for Gogerddan, elevation 31m, 1981–2010, extremes 1960–
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.1
(61.0)		 17.8
(64.0)		 22.8
(73.0)		 26.2
(79.2)		 27.5
(81.5)		 31.7
(89.1)		 34.6
(94.3)		 32.8
(91.0)		 31.1
(88.0)		 23.9
(75.0)		 18.1
(64.6)		 15.5
(59.9)		 34.6
(94.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 8.1
(46.6)		 8.2
(46.8)		 10.0
(50.0)		 12.4
(54.3)		 15.5
(59.9)		 17.6
(63.7)		 19.4
(66.9)		 19.2
(66.6)		 17.4
(63.3)		 14.2
(57.6)		 10.9
(51.6)		 8.6
(47.5)		 13.5
(56.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.5
(36.5)		 2.1
(35.8)		 3.7
(38.7)		 4.7
(40.5)		 7.3
(45.1)		 10.1
(50.2)		 12.4
(54.3)		 12.2
(54.0)		 10.2
(50.4)		 7.9
(46.2)		 4.9
(40.8)		 2.4
(36.3)		 6.7
(44.1)
Record low °C (°F) −13.5
(7.7)		 −11.1
(12.0)		 −9.4
(15.1)		 −5.1
(22.8)		 −2.6
(27.3)		 0.6
(33.1)		 2.8
(37.0)		 2.8
(37.0)		 0.0
(32.0)		 −4.3
(24.3)		 −11.9
(10.6)		 −12.4
(9.7)		 −13.5
(7.7)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 94.6
(3.72)		 71.4
(2.81)		 84.1
(3.31)		 60.6
(2.39)		 59.7
(2.35)		 73.6
(2.90)		 81.8
(3.22)		 86.6
(3.41)		 92.4
(3.64)		 130.5
(5.14)		 122.5
(4.82)		 116.9
(4.60)		 1,074.7
(42.31)
Mean monthlysunshine hours 51.1 73.7 101.8 166.1 206.0 183.1 183.7 169.4 131.0 98.6 57.2 45.9 1,467.4
Source 1: KNMI[14]
Source 2: Met Office[15]

History

[edit]

Mesolithic

[edit]

There is evidence that during theMesolithicAge the area of Tan-y-Bwlch at the foot of Pen Dinas (Penparcau) was used as aflint knappingfloor forhunter-gatherersmaking weapons from flint that was deposited as the ice retreated.[16]

Bronze and Iron Ages

[edit]

The remains of aCelticfortress onPen Dinas(or more correctly 'Dinas Maelor'), a hill in Penparcau overlooking Aberystwyth, indicates that the site was inhabited before 700 BC.[17][18]On a hill south of the present town, across the River Ystwyth, are the remains of a medievalringfortbelieved to be the castle from whichPrincess Nestwas abducted. This rare survival is now on private land and can only be accessed by arrangement.[19]

Middle Ages

[edit]
Site of original Aberystwyth Castle at Tan y Castell

The recorded history of Aberystwyth may be said to date from the building of a fortress in 1109 byGilbert Fitz Richard(grandfather ofRichard de Clare, known as Strongbow, theCambro-Normanlord notable for his leading role in theNorman invasion of Ireland). Gilbert Fitz Richard was granted lands and the lordship ofCardiganbyHenry I, includingCardigan Castle. The fortress built in Aberystwyth was located about a mile and a half south of today's town, on a hill over the south bank of the Ystwyth River, thus giving the settlement of Aberystwyth its name. The location is now known as Tan-Y-Castell.[20]

Aberystwyth was usually under the control of the princes ofDeheubarth, but its position close to the border withGwyneddandPowysleft it vulnerable to attacks from the leaders of those polities. The town was attacked byGwenwynwyn ab Owainin 1197, an assault in whichMaelgwn ap Rhyswas captured.Llywelyn the Greatattacked and seized the town in late 1208, building a castle there before withdrawing.

Edward Ireplaced Strongbow's castle in 1277,[21]after its destruction by the Welsh.[22]His castle was, however, built in a different location, at the current Castle Hill, the high point of the town. Between the years 1404 and 1408 Aberystwyth Castle was in the hands ofOwain Glyndŵrbut finally surrendered to Prince Harry (the future KingHenry V of England). Shortly after this, the town was incorporated under the title of Ville de Lampadarn (the ancient name of the place being Llanbadarn Gaerog or the fortified Llanbadarn, to distinguish it from Llanbadarn Fawr, the village one mile (1.6 km) inland. It is thus styled in aRoyal chartergranted byHenry VIIIbut, byElizabeth I'stime, the town was invariably named Aberystwyth in all documents.[23]

Early modern era

[edit]
Aberystwyth at around 1840. Crane, W., fl. ca. 1835–1850, lithographer.

From 1639 to 1642, silver coins were minted at Aberystwyth Castle on behalf of theRoyal Mint, using silver from local mines. £10,500 in currency was produced, equivalent to 2.5 millionsilver pennies.[24]

In 1649, Parliamentarian troops razed the castle,[25]although portions of three towers still exist. In 1988, an excavation within the castle area revealed a complete male skeleton, deliberately buried. Though skeletons rarely survive in Wales' acidic soil, this skeleton was probably preserved by the addition of lime from the collapsed building. Affectionately known as "Charlie" and now housed in theCeredigion Museumin the town, he probably dates from theEnglish Civil Warperiod, and is likely to have died during the Parliamentarian siege. His image is featured in one of nine mosaics created to adorn the castle's walls.[26]

The development ofAberystwyth's Portcontributed to the town’s economic development during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Port improvements were carried out in both 1780 and 1836, with a new Customs House constructed in 1828.[27]Rural industries and craftsmen were also an important part of life in this country town. The local trade directory for 1830 shows that there were in Aberystwyth: Twentybootmakers, eight bakers, twocorn millers, elevencarpentersand joiners, onecooper, seven tailors, twodressmakers, two straw hat makers, twohat makers, threecurriers, foursaddlers, twotinsmiths, sixmaltsters, two skinners, fourtanners, eightstonemasons, onebrewer, fourlime burners, threeshipwrights, threewheelwrights, fivecabinet makers, one nail maker, one rope maker and onesail maker.[28]

Victorian era

[edit]
The Queen's Hotel, Aberystwyth
The first Pier at Aberystwyth c.1865

TheCambrian Railwaysline from Machynlleth reached Aberystwyth in 1864, closely followed by rail links toCarmarthen, which resulted in the construction of the town's impressive station. The Cambrian line opened onGood Friday1869, the same day that the new 292 metres (958 ft)Royal Pier(designed byEugenius Birch) opened, attracting 7,000 visitors.[29]

The railway's arrival gave rise to something of aVictoriantourist boom, with Aberystwyth becoming a significant holiday destination for working and middle class families from South Wales in particular.[27]The town was once even billed as the "Biarritz of Wales".[30]During this time, a number of hotels and finetownhouseswere built including the Queens Hotel, later renamedSwyddfa'r Sir(County Office) when used as offices by the town council, and most recently used as the external scenes of the police station in the television showHinterland. One of the largest of these hotels, "The Castle Hotel", was never completed as a hotel but, following bankruptcy, was sold cheaply to the Welsh National University Committee, a group of people dedicated to the creation of a Welsh University. The University College of Wales (later to become Aberystwyth University) was founded in 1872 in this building.[31]

Aberystwyth was a contributoryparliamentary boroughuntil theThird Reform Act, which merged its representation into that of the county in 1885.

In 1895, various businessmen who had been behind the Aberystwyth New Harbour Company formed the Aberystwyth Improvement Company (AIC) to take over the works of the defunct Bourne Engineering & Electrical. In 1896, the AIC completed three projects: the new landside pavilion for the Royal Pier;[32]built the Cambria Hotel (later theUnited Theological College) and formedConstitution Hill Ltd, to develop a Victoriantheme park. Chief engineerGeorge Croydon Marksdesigned all the AIC developments, including the United Kingdom's second longest funicular railway,[33]which takes passengers up a 50% gradient to a park and camera obscura.

1901 to present

[edit]
Aberystwyth Harbour

Aberystwyth hosted theNational Eisteddfodin 1865, 1916, 1952 and 1992.[34]

On the night of Friday, 14 January 1938, a storm with estimated wind speeds of up to 90 mph (140 km/h) struck the town. Most of the promenade was destroyed, along with 200 feet (60 m) of the pier. Many properties on the seafront were damaged, with every property from the King's Hall north affected; those on Victoria Terrace suffered the greatest damage. Work commenced on a protectivecoffer damwhich continued into 1940, with total costs of construction coming to £70,000 (equivalent to £2.5 million today).[35]

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Society) held their historic first protest on Trefechan Bridge in Aberystwyth, on 2 February 1963.[36]The first independent WelshEvangelicalChurch was established in Aberystwyth (seeEvangelical Movement of Wales).

On 1 March 2005, Aberystwyth was grantedFairtrade Townstatus.[37]

In March 2009 mayorSue Jones-Davies, who had played the role of Judith Iscariot in the filmMonty Python's Life of Brian(1979), organised a charity screening of the film. Principal actorsTerry JonesandMichael Palinalso attended. There is a popular, but incorrect,urban myththat the town had banned the film (as some authorities did) when it was first released.[38]

During the aftermath storms fromCyclone Dirkon Friday 3 January 2014, the town was one of the worst hit in Wales.[39][40]Properties on the adjoining promenade were then evacuated for the next five days, including 250 students from the University.[41]Ceredigion Council appealed to the Welsh Assembly Government for funds, whilstNatural Resources Walesundertook surveys and emergency preventative measures.[42]

North Parade, Aberystwyth was reported to be the most expensive street in Wales in 2018, based on property prices.[43]

Geography

[edit]

Penglais Nature Park (Welsh:Parc Natur Penglais) is a woodland overlooking the town. The park was created in 1995 from a disused quarry and surrounding woodland that had formerly been part of the Richardes family estate. In spring a carpet ofbluebellsbloom, in common with the many otherbluebell woods.[44]

The park covers 27 acres (11 ha). It was the firstNature reserveto open in Ceredigion and is the onlyUNESCOMan and Biosphere urban reserve in Wales.[45]

Governance

[edit]

Aberystwyth's local government administration has a two-tier structure consisting of two separate councils. As local government is a devolved matter in Wales, the legislation for both Councils is a responsibility of theSenedd.

Town Council

[edit]

Aberystwyth Town Councilis the first tier of local government, which is the closest to the general public; there are 19 elected town councillors from five wards. Thelast electionswere held in 2022. The council is responsible forcycle paths,public footpaths,CCTV,public Wi-Fi,bus shelters, parks, gardens (including the castle grounds and the skateboard park) andallotments. The council is a statutory body which is consulted regarding planning decisions in the town area and makes recommendations to the planning authority, Ceredigion County Council. The Town Council is also involved inleisure, tourism, business[46](through providing more than half of Menter Aberystwyth's funding in grants),licence applications,wellbeing[47]andenvironmental health,recyclingandrefuse collection.

A borough council existed in Aberystwyth from 1832 and theAberystwyth School Boardwas established in 1870.

County Council

[edit]

Ceredigion County Council is another statutory body incorporated byAct of Parliament. It is the second tier of local government in the area and is aunitary authoritywith a wide range of powers and responsibility. The Council deals with roads (except trunk roads), street lighting, some highways, social services, children and family care, schools and public libraries. Aberystwyth elects six of the 42 councillors in five separate wards (Bronglais, Central, North andRheidolwards elect one councillor each while Penparcau ward elects two).

Senedd

[edit]

Aberystwyth has five Senedd members, one of whom (Elin Jones) was elected as a constituency MS forCeredigion, and four who are elected on the regional list forMid and West Wales.

UK Parliament

[edit]

The town is in theCeredigionconstituency for elections to theHouse of Commons. Since June 2017, Aberystwyth's MP has beenPlaid Cymru'sBen Lake.

Culture

[edit]

Town library

[edit]
The former Aberystwyth Town Hall, now a library

The first ever public library in Aberystwyth was opened in Compton House, Pier Street on 13 October 1874. In 1882 the library was moved to the Assembly Rooms which were leased to the council for 21 years. The lease expired in 1903 and the library returned to Pier Street, this time to the Old Banking Library at the corner with Eastgate Street, although this was short lived.[48]ACarnegie librarywas built in Aberystwyth in 1905, with a grant of £3,000. Located in Corporation Street, it was designed by the architect Walter Payton ofBirmingham, who was one of 48 who entered the competition to design the building. It was formally opened on 20 April 1906 by Mrs Vaughan Davies, wife of the local MP.[48]The town library moved toAberystwyth Town Hall, now known as Canolfan Alun R. Edwards, following the building's refurbishment in 2012.[49]

National Library of Wales

[edit]
National Library of Wales
Main article: National Library of Wales

The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, is the nationallegal depositlibrary of Wales. Established in 1907, it is aWelsh Government sponsored body. According to Cyril Evans, the library's centenary events co-ordinator, "The library is considered to be one of the world's greatest libraries, and its international reputation is certainly something that all Welsh men and women are intensely ... proud of".[50]Welshis the main medium of communication within the organisation; it aims to deliver all public services in Welsh and English.[51]

Arts

[edit]
The Arts Centre
Main article: Aberystwyth Arts Centre

Aberystwyth Arts Centreis one of the largest and busiest arts centres in Wales.[52]It encompasses a 312-seat theatre, 900-seat concert hall, 125-seat cinema, and has accompanied studio, galleries, plus public spaces which include cafes and a bar.[53]Arad Goch is an Arts Council funded community theatre and art gallery based in the town. The premises holds a theatre, gallery, several art studios and meeting rooms, and a darkroom.

Public art

[edit]

The town has three works by the Italian sculptorMario Rutelli; the War Memorial on the promenade,[54]the Tabernacle Chapel Memorial on Powell Street,[55]and the statue ofEdward VIIIasPrince of Walesin theOld College.[56]All areGrade II listed structures.[54][55][56]Rutelli’s connection with the town came through Thomas Jenkins of Aberystwyth, who ran ashippingbusiness. Jenkins was a frequent visitor to Italy where he admired Rutelli’s work.[57]Jo Darke, in her work,The Monument Guide to England and Wales: A National Portrait in Bronze and Stone, describes Rutelli’s war memorial as “striking and rare” and suggests that the life-size statue of Edward VIII is the only recorded example.[58]

The tower of theOld Collegehas atriptychofmosaicmuralsdesigned byCharles Vosey.[59]

Music

[edit]

Aberystwyth has a live music scene which has produced bands and artists such as:The Crocketts;[60]The Hot Puppies;[61]Murry the Hump;[62]and The Lowland Hundred.[63]The University Music Centre promotes a varied programme for instrumentalists, singers and listeners from the university and the wider community. The University chamber choir,The Elizabethan Madrigal Singers, have been singing in the town since 1950 and continue to hold a number of concerts throughout the year.[64]Aberystwyth gives its name to a well knownhymn tunecomposed byJoseph Parry.[65]

Sport

[edit]

Aberystwyth RFCis the localrugby unionclub and acts as afeeder clubto professional sideScarlets. It was formed in 1947 and for the 2017/18 season played in theWRU Division One West.[66]Aberystwyth Town F.C.is a semi-professional football club that was formed in 1884. The team currently compete in theCymru Premier, Wales' top division.[67]The town also has a cricket club which plays in local leagues,[68]an athletics club (founded 1955),[69]and boxing club in Penparcau.[70]The town's golf course opened in 1911.[71]

Welsh language

[edit]

Ceredigion, the county in which Aberystwyth is located, is one of the four most Welsh-speaking counties in Wales and remained majority Welsh speaking until the 2011 census.[72][73]Since the town's growth as a seaside resort in the Victorian era, it has been more anglicised than its hinterland and the rest of the county in general. The university has also attracted many English-speaking students from England, non-Welsh speaking parts of Wales and elsewhere. The 1891 census recorded that, of the 6635 inhabitants who completed the language section, 3482 (52.5%) were bilingual, 1751 (26.4%) were Welsh monoglots, and 1402 people (21.1%) were returned as English monoglots. Ceredigion (then named Cardiganshire) as a whole was 95.2% Welsh-speaking and 74.5% monoglot Welsh.[74]Although the town remained majority Welsh-speaking for many more decades, English had already replaced Welsh in certain domains, such as entertainment and tourism. By 1961, only 50.0% of the town's population could speak Welsh, compared to 79.5% for Cardiganshire as a whole;[75]by 1971, these numbers had fallen to 44.9% and 67.6% respectively.[76]The 2001 census reported that, in the seven wards of Aberystwyth, 39% of the residents self-identified as able to speak or read or write Welsh. This is lower than Ceredigion as a whole (54%) but higher than Wales overall (19%).[77]

Churches

[edit]
St Michael's, with the Old Collegeto the left

Aberystwyth parish church isSt Michael's and All Angels, located inLaura Place. The parish was a Rectoral Benefice until 2019, incorporating the Anglican churches of Holy Trinity, Santes Fair (services in Welsh) and Saint Anne's, Penparcau. The Rectoral Benefice has now been converted to a local ministry area (LMA).[78]The church was built between 1886 and 1890, replacing an earlier church. It was designed in aGothic Revivalstyle and is aGrade II listed building.[79]

In addition to the Anglican churches, there are many existing and former Welsh Calvinistic Methodist chapels that have these days merged into Saint David's (United Reformed)[80]and Capel y Morfa (Welsh language services).[81]A former Calvinistic Methodist Sunday school house, Ysgoldy Tanycae, is now the meeting place of the Elim Pentecostal church.[82]Meanwhile there is a Wesleyan Methodist church, Saint Paul's Methodist Centre, located in Bath Street.[83]An Independent Baptist church is located in Alfred Place.[84]In 2021, amid some controversy, Aberystwyth's Catholic church, Saint Winefride's,[85]was closed and the congregation relocated to a new-build church located in Penparcau.[86]

There are a number of other smaller congregations, and many former churches that have now been converted to alternative use, such as the Academy bar.[87]

Education

[edit]

Schools

[edit]

Aberystwyth has twocomprehensive schoolsserving the town and a wide rural area:Ysgol Gyfun Gymunedol PenweddigandYsgol Penglais School. Ysgol Gyfun Gymunedol Penweddig uses Welsh as the primary language of tuition; Ysgol Penglais School teaches in English and in Welsh as a subject.

There are currently three primary schools within the town limits, which are: Plascrug, Saint Padarns (Roman Catholic) andYsgol Gymraeg.[88]Ysgol Gymraeg was the first designated Welsh medium school in Wales, originally established as a private school in 1939 by Sir Ifan ab Owen Edwards as Ysgol Gymraeg yr Urdd.[89]

Aberystwyth University

[edit]
Main article: Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth is home to Aberystwyth University (Welsh:Prifysgol Aberystwyth) whose predecessor, University College Wales, was founded in 1872[21]and renamed the 'University of Wales, Aberystwyth' in the mid-1990s. Prior to the college's establishment, Wales had very limited academic-degree capability throughSt David's College, Lampeter(founded in 1822, now theUniversity of Wales, Trinity Saint David).

Tourism and local economy

[edit]
View of Aberystwyth and Cardigan Bayfrom the National Library of Wales

As well as having two cinemas and agolf course, the town's attractions include:

The allorganicdairy unit ofRachel's Organicis based in Glan yr Afon, and is the largest private sector employer in Aberystwyth.[90][91]

TheCambrian Newsnewspaper came to Aberystwyth fromBalain 1870, after it was purchased by Sir John Gibson. Printed inOswestry, in May 1880 the paper integrated operations in a formerMalthousein Mill Street. Owned by the Read family from 1926, in 1993 printing was contracted out, enabling the move of editorial staff to the current open-plan offices on Llanbadarn Fawr Science Park. On the death of Henry Read, the paper was purchased in 1999 by SirRay Tindle, whose company owns more than 200 weekly newspapers in Britain. Now printed intabloidformat,Cambrian Newsis the second-largest weekly-print circulation newspaper in Wales, with 24,000 copies in six regional editorial versions, read by 60,000 weekly readers. The circulation area of mid, west and north Wales covers 3,000 square miles (7,800 km2).[92]

Since the TV seriesHinterlandhas been filmed in and around Aberystwyth, the area is being promoted as an opportunity for tourists to visit filming locations; many are well publicised.[93][94]

Transport

[edit]

Rail

[edit]
An Arriva Trains Walesservice awaiting departure from Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth railway stationis situated in the town centre and is the terminus of the scenicCambrian Line.Transport for Wales Railoperate a mostly hourly service (with some two-hour intervals) toShrewsburyviaMachynllethand Mid Wales, with nearly all trains continuing toBirmingham International. Connecting services fromDovey Junctionprovide a link to Gwynedd's west coast as far asPwllheli, along the Cambrian Coast Line. There is no longer a southbound connection: theCarmarthen–Aberystwyth linewas closed in 1965 as part of theBeeching cuts.

The Vale of Rheidol Railway runs through the spectacular Rheidol Valley

Aberystwyth station is also the terminus of the Vale of Rheidol Railway, asteam-operatednarrow gaugeheritage railway. Constructed between 1901 and 1902, it was intended to ship mineral cargo, primarily lead, fromDevil's Bridgedown to Aberystwyth for trans-shipment. By the time it was finished, lead mining was in a deep downturn and—thanks to the Aberystwyth Improvement Company—the railway came to rely largely on the tourist industry, opening for passengers in December 1902. It still remains open for the summer season, with a journey of 12 miles (19 km).

In 1896, the Aberystwyth Improvement Company formed Constitution Hill Ltd which, under the direction of chief engineer George Croydon Marks, developed the United Kingdom's second longestfunicular railway, the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway, which takes passengers up a 50% gradient.[32][33]

Bus

[edit]
A TrawsCymruT1 service on the A4120in Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth is a hub for theTrawsCymrubus network, with four routes serving the town:

(TrawsCymru services run less-frequently on Sundays.)

There is a dailyNational Expresscoach, service 409 toLondonviaBirmingham, along with local bus services within the town and into the surrounding area.[99]

Road

[edit]

TheA44andA487meet with much traffic between North Wales andSouth West Walespassing through the town. TheA4120links the A44 and A487 between Llanbadarn Fawr and Penparcau, allowing through traffic to bypass the town centre.

TheB4574mountain road linking the town toRhayaderis described by theAAas one of the ten most scenic drives in the world.[100][101]

Port

[edit]

The port of Aberystwyth, although it is small and relatively inconsequential today, used to be an importantAtlantic Oceanentryway. It was used to ship locally, to Ireland and as a transatlantic departure point. Commercially, the once importantCardiganshirelead mines exported from this location.[21]

The importance of maritime trade in the 19th century is reflected in the fact that alifeboathas been based at Aberystwyth since 1843, when a 27 ft (8.2 m) boat powered by six oars was funded by public subscription and placed under the control of the harbourmaster. The RNLI took over the service in 1861 and establishedAberystwyth Lifeboat Stationwhich celebrated 150 years in 2011. The station uses theAtlantic 85-classinshore lifeboatSpirit of Friendship.

Notable people

[edit]
Main category: People from Aberystwyth

In fiction

[edit]

Literature

[edit]
  • The Owl ServicebyAlan Garner, a well-known and -loved multi-award-winning classic published 1967, is set in north Wales and has two of its core characters —Gwyn and his mam (mother) Nancy— recently arrived from Aberystwyth for 3 weeks' work, with Nancy repeatedly threatening to return there immediately. They and the Welsh locals refer to it as "Aber"; the English characters use its full name.[102]
  • Aberystwyth (albeit an alternative universe version) is the setting for the cultLouie Knightseries byMalcolm Pryce, which transfersChandleresque "noir"stories and dialogue to this small seaside town.[103]This alternative reality features many landmarks of Aberystwyth, such asthe Universityand theNational Library of Wales, but the social situation is radically altered to more closely resemble the pulp/noir stereotypical "Dirty Town" that the narrative plays off. Most of the humour in the books is derived from the almost seamless juxtaposition of the real Aberystwyth and the fictional, noir Aberystwyth. Various aspects ofWelsh cultureare reflections of what you might expect to see in reality, but with a pulp twist – for example, prostitutes wearWelsh stovepipe hats.[104]
  • Stripping Penguins Bare, the book 2 ofMichael Carson's Benson Trilogy of comic novels, is set in the town and university in the 1960s.[105]
  • The local writerNiall Griffithshas set many of his novels here and reflects local slang, settings, and even individuals.GritsandSheepshaggerare set wholly in Aberystwyth, which also features prominently in his other novels such asKelly and VictorandStump. He portrays a more gritty side of Aberystwyth.[106][107]
  • ‘Cofiwch Aberystwyth’ byscience fictionwriter Val Nolan, is a near-future post-apocalyptic novelette about three young urban explorers visiting Aberystwyth years after a nuclear disaster on the west coast of Wales. It was originally published inInterzone(magazine)and later anthologised inBest of British Science Fiction 2020. The title references theCofiwch Dryweryngraffiti outside nearbyLlanrhystyd,Ceredigion.[108]

Television

[edit]
  • Y Gwyll(2013–2016), a Welsh-language television programme, and the English-language versionHinterland, broadcast onS4C,BBC One Wales,BBC Four, and syndicated around the world, is set in Aberystwyth. It is filmed in and around the town, often in rural locations.[94][109]

Film

[edit]
  • Y Llyfrgell(2017) is a Welsh language film set in and around the National Library, which was filmed on location in 2016.[110]The 2009 book on which it was based was released in English in 2022.

Freedom of the Town

[edit]

The following people and military units have received theFreedom of the Townof Aberystwyth.[111]

Individuals

[edit]

Military Units

[edit]

Twinning

[edit]

See also

[edit]
  • Elysian Grove, an Edwardian outdoor entertainment venue
  • Pen Dinas, the Iron Age hill fort overlooking the town

References

[edit]
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[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Aberystwyth.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aberystwyth.
Wikisourcehas the text of the 1911Encyclopædia Britannicaarticle " Aberystwyth".


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