Penclawdd
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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|---|---|
| Ordnance Survey | |
| OS grid reference: | Maps for SS5495 |
| Geography | |
| Principal locality | Penclawdd |
| Total population | 3,672 (2001 census) |
| Land area (km²) | 14.27 (2001 census) |
| Administration | |
| Local council: | City and County of Swansea |
| Number of councillors: | 1 |
| Nation: | Wales |
| Post office and telephone | |
| PostCode(s): | SA4 |
| Dialling code: | +44-1792 |
| Politics | |
| Welsh Assembly: | Gower |
| UK Parliament: | Gower |
| European Parliament: | Wales |
Penclawdd is the name of an electoral ward and village which is situated on the Gower Peninsula in the City and County of Swansea, South Wales.
Contents |
[edit] Penclawdd village
The village of Penclawdd is situated on the north of the Gower Peninsula. Part of the village is perched on a high location, enjoying panoramic views over the Loughor estuary and surrounding Gower countryside, while the main part of the village stretches along the edge of the estuary. Being so close to an estuary, Penclawdd is thriving with wildlife. It is plentiful in birdlife and with wild horses that roam the estuary.
The electoral ward consists of some or all of the following areas: Blue Anchor, Penclawdd, Llanmorlais, Crofty and Wernffrwd in the parliamentary constituency of Gower. The ward is mainly rural and is fairly sparsely populated. However, it is one of the larger villages on Gower. It is bounded by Gower to the south west, and Fairwood; Gowerton to the east and the Loughor estuary to the north.
[edit] Brief history
Up until the end of the 19th century Penclawdd was a thriving sea port. The village was renowned for coal mining and its extensive tinplate, copper and brass works. There was a time when Penclawdd had a forge, twenty grocers, three butchers, three drapers, four fish and chip shops, eleven pubs, a cinema, the still remaining three chapels and a church and a busy railway station. The original railway platform still remains today. Also, built in 1807, a now derelict Hermon Chapel was used to help ships that were navigating the estuary.
Also, famous composer Karl Jenkins was born and raised in Penclawdd.
[edit] Local delicacies
Penclawdd is most famous for its local cockle industry which goes back for many years to Roman times. This is one of the only industries to survive. These cockles are collected from the extensive sandy flats in the Burry Estuary and the cockles harvested there are sold worldwide. Samples of these famous cockles can be purchased at the stalls in Swansea Market and locally in the village itself. Up until 1970s the cockles were gathered by women using hand rakes and riddles (coarse sieves) with the help of donkey carts, often braving very hard conditions. Now they are harvested mostly by men, still by hand but using tractors or Land Rovers. The original small, family-owned factories in Penclawdd have been demolished and cockles are now processed in two large, modern factories in the nearby village of Crofty; the product is largely exported to continental Europe.
Other local delicacies include laverbread (laver seaweed Porphyra umbilicalis washed and boiled; it is eaten dipped in oatmeal and fried in bacon fat) and salt marsh lamb. All of these and more are sold at an award winning local Penclawdd produce market.
[edit] Books on Penclawdd
There have been four books published on the vast history of Penclawdd:
- A Dark And Pagan Place - By R. N. Cooper
- Higher And Lower - By R. N. Cooper
- Estuary People - By Ann Roberts
- Service With A Smile - By Ann Roberts
[edit] External links
- Welcome to Penclawdd
- Holiday & background information on Penclawdd
- Information on Penclawdd
- Penclawdd Shellfish
Bishopston • Bon-y-maen • Castle • Clydach • Cockett • Cwmbwrla • Dunvant • Fairwood • Gorseinon • Gower • Gowerton • Killay North • Killay South • Kingsbridge • Landore • Llangyfelach • Llansamlet • Lower Loughor • Mawr • Mayals • Morriston • Mynydd-Bach • Newton • Oystermouth • Penclawdd • Penderry • Penllergaer • Pennard • Penyrheol • Pontarddulais • St. Thomas • Sketty • Townhill • Uplands • Upper Loughor • West Cross
