Gowerton
| Gowerton | |
| Welsh: Tre-gŵyr | |
 |
|
  Gowerton |
|
| Population | 8,183 [1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | SS595965 |
| Principal area | Swansea |
| Ceremonial county | West Glamorgan |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SWANSEA |
| Postcode district | SA4 |
| Dialling code | 01792 |
| Police | South Wales |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | Gower |
| Welsh Assembly | Gower |
Coordinates: 51°38′53″N 4°02′35″W / 51.648°N 4.043°W
Gowerton (Welsh: Tregŵyr) is a village and community in Swansea situated about 4 miles north west of Swansea city centre, Wales. Gowerton is often known as the gateway to Gower. Gowerton's original name was Ffosfelin. The village falls within the Gowerton electoral ward of Swansea.
In 1980, the Welsh National Eisteddfod was hosted on the 'Elba' area of the village, the Eisteddfod stone (Gorsedd stones) is located on the round-about opposite the garage on the road to Penclawdd.
Geography
Gowerton is bordered by Penclawdd, Dunvant, Waunarlwydd, Kingsbridge, Three Crosses, Loughor and Garden Village
People from Gowerton are often referred to as 'starch' on account of when the local area processed Steel destined for the far reaches of the Empire. The Steel owners and white collar workers all resided in the Gowerton area hence the name 'starch'.
This contrasts with the manual workers who resided in neighbouring Penclawdd and are known by the affectionate term 'donks', though there is some debate as to whether this is a referral to the predominance of donkeys on the marshes gathering the world famous cockles.
Gowerton is twinned with La Gacilly in the Bretagne région of France.
Politics
Gowerton elects a community council of nine members.[2]
Education
Gowerton has three schools: Gowerton Primary school, Gowerton Comprehensive School and Ysgol Gyfun Gŵyr (Welsh medium comprehensive school).
Religion
Gowerton once had five church buildings: St John's Church (built 1882), Tabernacl, Temple United Reformed Church, Bethel and Bethania. However, only two, St John's Church and Temple URC still remain. The Bethel and Tabernacl buildings lie ruined and Bethania has been demolished.
Transport
Bus services are provided by First Cymru and NAT.[3] These depart Gowerton from Hill Street or Sterry Road.
First Cymru provide a half-hourly service through the village to Swansea and Gorseinon with the service 16,[4]
Gowerton railway station is served by the West Wales Line. Gowerton once had two railway stations, but today only one remains. This was made single-track in 1986. Work began in November 2012 to restore the double track to Gowerton by mid-2013, this has now been completed.[5]
Sport
The local rugby club is Gowerton RFC.
Gowerton's Elba Sports Complex is home to Swansea Senior League Second Division, Gowerton FC.
Gowerton is also notable for both its golf range and a nine-hole, par 3 golf course.
See also
References
- ↑ 2011 Census
- ↑ Councillors, Gowerton Community Council. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ↑ http://www.natgroup.co.uk/bus-services
- ↑ http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/south_west_wales/journey_planning/timetables/index.php?operator=24&page=1&redirect=no
- ↑ http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Revamped-Gowerton-train-station-track-fine-future/story-19519832-detail/story.html