Penywaun


Penywaun is a community, electoral ward and north-western suburb of Aberdare in the Cynon Valley within the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. At the 2011 census, the population of the ward was registered as 3,063.

Background

Much of the local housing was built by the local Aberdare urban district council after the Second World War in several stages, starting with simple pre-fabricated houses.
Shops and businesses trading in the village include a post office, a newsagents, hairdresser, a traditional fish and chip shop, and three grocery-type stores, one opposite the Colliers Arms pub. Most of the retail is in a retail precinct.

Schools

Winifreds Church - see photograph - is in the centre of the village. St Lleurwg's Church in Hirwaun is the sister church sharing the Parish of Hirwaun.
Penywaun Workingmen's Club and Institute began in the village in 1959. Many successful singers and entertainers have performed here, including Sir Tom Jones shortly before his rise to stardom in the 1960s.

Politics

Penywaun is also an electoral ward for Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council. The County Borough Councillor until 2012 was Glyn Roberts, a long-serving Director of the Tower Colliery company. Since May 2012 the councillor has been Helen Boggis.

Sport, Leisure and Recreation

Penywaun Football Club plays regularly in the Aberdare Valley Premier Division.
Penywaun is also home to an award-winning Tang Soo Do group which meet regularly at Penywaun Community Centre.
Two allotments are managed locally by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.
Aberdare Park and Dare Valley Country Park are within two miles.

Notable people