Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taff

Mountain Ash ( _cy. Aberpennar) is a town in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taff, and within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan, Wales. It lies in the Cynon Valley.

Mountain Ash hosted the National Eisteddfod in both 1905 and 1946.

The town is served by Mountain Ash railway station on the Aberdare line of the Valley Lines rail network

Postally, the outlying villages of Glenboi, Fernhill, Wales, Cwmpennar, Cefnpennar and Abercynon all come under the town.

Mountain Ash is served by Mountain Ash Comprehensive School for students aged 11-18. The comprehensive school is situated on the site of the former estate of Lord Aberdare, the main house, Dyffryn House, was still used by the school until its demolition in the 1980s. Opposite the site of the secondary school is the proposed site for a future Community hospital that aims to serve the Cynon Valley. Local primary schools include Caegarw, Glenboi, Darranlas, Miskin, Penguelan and Penrhiwceiber Primary Schools.

The town is steeped in history, as rows of terraced houses pose a constant reminder of the town's coal mining past. The valley sides provide scenic mountain walks and picturesque surroundings. Mountain Ash RFC has an established Male voice choir who perform regularly in local events and have previously toured abroad.

Mountain Ash RFC Singers were formed in 1974 from a group of ex-players the male voice choir has performed for charities, public and private functions all over the UK. A small but enthusiastic and talented choir with the increasingly rare feature of singing without musical accompaniment, enabling them to entertain almost anywhere.

The choir performs a wide and varied repertoire of musical styles, from traditional male voice pieces through to songs from shows, musicals (old & new), grand opera & pop classis from the 60's to the present day. Asked for the secret of the choir's success Mr David Lewis, Musical Director said "it's simple, we sing songs that people know!"

Further to Mountain Ash train station, the village of Fernhill is also served by the Aberdare line.

Notable people

* Michael Ball, a West End singer, performer and TV star has ancestors in the town, with his uncle Tom still living in Mountain Ash. Michael Is also a member of the Mountain Ash RFC Singers.
* Geraint Benney, an entertainer and actor was born in Mountain Ash
* Guto Nyth Bran
* Danny Wallace, author of bestselling book "Yes Man", devoted a whole chapter about his visit to a Hypnodog in Mountain Ash
* Howard Collins, a prominent karate instructor

External links

* [http://www.shape-it.org/Community/Music/LocalMusicGroupsRCT/MountainAshRFCSingrs/ Mountain Ash RFC Singers]
* [http://www.mountchoral.org/ Mountain Ash & District Choral Society]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2734164 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Mountain Ash and surrounding area]