Fochriw

infobox UK place
static_

static_image_caption=Fochriw from the air"
country = Wales
welsh_name=Fochriw
constituency_welsh_assembly=
official_name= Fochriw
unitary_wales= Caerphilly
lieutenancy_wales= Mid Glamorgan
constituency_westminster= Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
post_town= Bargoed
postcode_district = CF81
postcode_area= CF
dial_code= 01685
map_type=
os_grid_reference= SO107058
population=

Fochriw is a village located in the county borough of Caerphilly, within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan, Wales, United Kingdom. It was well known for its neighbouring collieries, which employed nearly the entire local population in the early 20th century.

The village is noted for inspiring the name of local heavy metal band Prince of Fochriw and appears as the backdrop on the BBC Wales sitcom "High Hopes" credits.

History

Fochriw’s growth was germinated to a lesser extent by the Rhymney Iron Company’s requirement for ironstone, and to a greater extent by the Dowlais Ironworks’ requirement for coal, which was converted into coke, an essential ingredient in the production of iron.

Over a period of about 130 years, the landscape changed from rural to industrial, and back to rural, as it is today. However, the latter changes did not take place until relatively recently when nearly all the remnants of the coal mining industry were removed from around the village.

The memories of the industrial landmarks, or eye-sores, that remained following the closure of the Fochriw and South Tunnel collieries are only retained by those of a certain age, and the younger generation no longer have the “experience” of living in a community which is centred around coal.

Location

Fochriw is a typical South Wales Valleys coal mining village that developed from its rural existence by the need for iron and coal during the 19th century.

It is located on the north-east flank of Mynydd Fochriw at the head of the Bargoed Fach (now called the Darran) valley, approximately 5 miles north of Bargoed, and 5 miles south east of Merthyr Tydfil.

The village straddles two ancient hamlets in the parish of Gelligaer, these being the Ysgwyddgwyn and Brithdir hamlets, the dividing line being the brook (Bargoed Fach) which flows in the bottom of the valley.

The boundaries of these hamlets were walked by a number of parishioners of the parish on 24th day of May, 1750, and a document detailing the boundaries of each hamlet, namely Keven, Hengode, Garthgynyd, Ysgwyddgwyn, and Brithdecr (Brithdir) was produced, extracts of same are reproduced below.

Origin of the name

It was identified as Brohru Carn in the 12th century, and a reference to Fforch y Rhiw is made in the book Parish of Gelligaer by T.V.Davies, in the section dealing with Roman History and the route of Heol Adam. It states that “The holding called Fforch y Rhiw, the fork in the roadFact|date=July 2007, is mentioned in several Gelligaer leases of the 17 century. The name probably arises from a number of old tracks in the Brithdir Hamlet which tend to converge near Fochriw”.

It has also been known as Boch Rhiw Carn, Ffochreiw, Fochrhiw, Vochriw, Vochrhiw, and, currently, Fochriw.

Education

The first school in the area was a National School at Pentwyn. It was opened in 1856 by the Gellygaer Charities which were left to the parish by Edward Lewis of Gilfach Bargoed in 1715.

The new infant school was opened in July 1910 and was attended for instruction by the scholars for the first time on the first Monday of September 1910. In April 1911 a half acre of land adjacent to the existing school was bought for £20. It was not until September 1912 that a letter was written to the building committee of the County Council recommending that a new school be built.

On 1 April 1971 both Infants and Junior schools combined under one Head Teacher to become Fochriw Primary School. A Nursery was opened at Plantation Terrace in 1973.

History of Fochriw in Photographs Book - Vol 1 & 2

High on the hills overlooking the Rhymney Valley is the once thronging industrial village of Fochriw, and its nearby hamlets of Pentwyn and Pantywaun. The topics include many scene changes which have affected the area, particularly with the disappearance of the coal mines.

This volume includes views of the Villages, Religion, Industry, Schooldays, Transport, Local Inhabitants, Leisure & Entertainment, Sport & Recreation. Volume 2 is also available, which contains additional material which complements that contained in Volume 1.

External links

*cite web|url=http://www.fochriwhistory.co.uk/index.htm|title=Fochriw History - A history of a South Wales mining village|year=2007|author=Ifor Coggan|accessdate=2007-09-25

chools

*cite web|url=http://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/learning/schools/schoollisting/primaryschools/fochriwprimary.htm|title=Fochriw Primary School|work=Caerphilly County Borough Council|accessdate=2007-09-25

Bands

* [http://www.myspace.com/princeoffochriw/ Prince of Fochriw]

ee also

*Rhymney Valley

External links

* [http://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk Welsh Coal Mines - all the pits, all the histories]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2802661 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Fochriw and surrounding area]