Holywell
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Holywell Treffynnon |
|
| Population | 2300 [1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Principal area | Flintshire |
| Ceremonial county | Clwyd |
| Constituent country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HOLYWELL |
| Postcode district | CH8 |
| Dial code | 01352 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| UK Parliament | Delyn |
| European Parliament | Wales |
| List of places: UK • Wales • Flintshire | |
Holywell (Welsh: Treffynnon) is the fifth largest town in Flintshire, north Wales, lying to the west of the estuary of the River Dee.
The town is known for St Winefride's Well, a holy well surrounded by a chapel. The well has been known since at least the Roman period, and has been a site of pilgrimage since about 660 when Saint Winefride is said to have been beheaded there. The town bills itself as The Lourdes of Wales.
The well is one of the Seven Wonders of Wales.
The town is split into four distinct areas - Pen-Y-Maes, The Strand, The Holway and the town centre.
The Strand located on the north side of the town, is notorious throughout Flintshire for being a very run down area where the poor live compared to the other areas of Holywell. As a result, crime is high there. Also located in the Strand is the local High School, which unsurprisingly, is constantly vandalised with graffiti, smashed windows etc.
Pen-Y-Maes is the richer of the areas in Holywell in the NE side of the town(based on land prices), the old cottage hospital was located here until it closed. A new one will be built near the Football pitch of the local team.
The Holway, located on the W side of the town, is the largest of the residental areas of Holywell.
The town centre contains a Sport's Centre, many small businesses, a Somerfield's and a Woolworths. In the near future, a Lidl and a Tesco's will be built in Holywell, hoping to attract more people to Holywell.
More recently, the town grew around the lead mining and cotton milling industries.
Holywell hosted an unofficial National Eisteddfod event in 1869.
Dixie Dean the Everton Football Legend once had a near fatal motorbike accident in holywell in the late 1920s. this almost ended his professional career.
Holywell also has a local football team, Holywell Town who play in the Welsh Alliance League.
- Actor Jonathan Pryce was born in Holywell in 1947.
- Former Southampton & Wales footballer Ron Davies was born in Holywell in 1942.
[edit] External links
