Builth Wells
Builth Wells
| |
---|---|
Bridge over the River Wye at Builth Wells | |
Location within Powys | |
Population | 2,568 (2011)[1] |
OS grid reference | SO035505 |
Community |
|
Principal area | |
Preserved county | |
Country | Wales |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | BUILTH WELLS |
Postcode district | LD2 |
Dialling code | 01982 |
Police | Dyfed-Powys |
Fire | Mid and West Wales |
Ambulance | Welsh |
Brecon & Radnorshire | |
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament | |
Website | builthwellstowncouncil.org.uk |
Builth Wells (/ˈbɪlθ ˈwɛlz/; Welsh: Llanfair-ym-Muallt ⓘ) is a market town and community in the county of Powys and historic county of Brecknockshire (Breconshire), mid Wales, lying at the confluence of rivers Wye and Irfon, in the Welsh (or upper) part of the Wye Valley. In 2011 it had a population of 2,568.
Etymology
Builth is a longstanding anglicization of the Old Welsh Buellt/Buallt, which combines bu ([bɨː]) "ox" and gellt (later gwellt) "lea or leas".
The town added "Wells" in the 19th century when its springs were promoted as a visitor attraction. Its modern Welsh name Llanfair-ym-Muallt means "Saint Mary in Ox Leas".[2][3]
In the centre of the town is a large mural (about 35 feet (11 m) by 30 feet (9.1 m) wide) depicting Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, who was killed at the Battle of Orewin Bridge on 11 December 1282.[4]
Governance
Builth Wells is in the
For elections to
Town councillors are elected every four years to serve on Builth Wells Town Council and represent the interests of the town's residents.[8]
Livestock breeds
The White Bull of Builth may be a reference to a herd of
The Beulah Speckled Face is a local breed of sheep. Nearby Mynydd Epynt was famous for its horses until it was seized for military training purposes.
The beef cattle market has vanished and economically sheep are now vastly more important than cattle with consequences for the traditional woodlands of the area, the salmon runs and other important ecological features.
Industry
Llanelwedd Quarry was the source of the stone used in many of Builth's buildings, and in the dams along the
Transport
The town is served by
A dedicated cycle route linking the town with
One of the main Wales north-south trunk roads, the A483, passes through the town, using the former railway route. As of June 2009 part of this road, along with the other main route through town (A470), is the subject of a transport study by the Welsh Assembly to help alleviate traffic congestion in the town centre.[12]
The bridge at Builth Wells carries vehicles on the A470. It dates from the 18th-century and has six masonry spans, with small cutwaters on the upstream side. The centre of the bridge has two pedestrian refuges. It was built in 1775 and widened in 1925. The river here marks the boundary between the old counties of
Education and recreation
The town features Wyeside Arts Centre, which has two cinemas and a live performance stage.[16]
Builth Wells has a rugby union team called Builth Wells RFC, also known as 'The Bulls', who play on the Groe. The team play in the WRU SWALEC National League 2.
The town's football team is Builth Wells F.C. who play in the Ardal Leagues, the third tier of Welsh football.
Builth Male Voice Choir has approximately fifty members and performs concerts to support local and national charities.[17]
Builth Wells also has a cricket pitch, tennis courts, a sports centre with squash courts, a 25m swimming pool and a bowling green.
Notable people
- Caesar Jenkyns (1866–1941), footballer with over 200 club caps and 8 for Wales
- Percy Benzie Abery (1876–1948), photographer, settled locally in 1898
- Grenville Morris (1877–1959), footballer with over 450 club caps and 21 for Wales
- David Milwyn Duggan (1879–1942), Canadian politician, emigrated in 1905
- Hilda Vaughan (1892–1985), novelist and short story writer
- Kevin Sheedy (born 1959), a football coach and former player with 391 club caps and 46 for Republic of Ireland.
- Iolo Williams (born 1962), ornithologist, nature observer, TV presenter and author
- Alice Hart-Davis (born 1963), journalist and author
- Jack Harris (born 1986), singer and songwriter
Buildings and landmarks
Builth Wells has a large number of Grade II listed buildings and fixtures.[18]
A plaque on the wall of the post office stakes its claim as the only in England and Wales to bear a contemporary inscription to less-than-one-year monarch Edward VIII.[19] The claim can be qualified to active post offices as the former one in Bradford-on-Avon has a similar insignia.[20]
After a small health centre opened in the town, Builth Wells Hospital closed in 2013.[21]
References
- ^ "Town and ward population 2011". Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
- ^ "What's in a name: Builth Wells". www.bbc.co.uk. BBC. 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
- ISBN 0191578479. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
- ^ "Unveiling of ancient prince mural". BBC News. 16 July 2003. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
- ^ "Powys County Council Election Results 1995-2012" (PDF). The Elections Centre. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
- ^ Twm Owen (5 May 2017). "Powys council election – the counting continues". Brecon & Radnor Express. Retrieved 5 October 2018.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Twm Owen (7 December 2016). "Councillor quits cabinet for Hong Kong". Brecon & Radnor Express. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
- ^ "Council Information". Builth Wells Town Council. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
- Wales Online. 13 December 2005.
- ^ "Llanelwedd Quarry, Builth Wells, Powys (Radnorshire), Wales, UK". Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- ^ "Builth Wells Quarry". Archived from the original on 23 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- ^ Builth Wells Transport Study wales.gov.uk/
- ^ Builth & District Heritage Society. "Builth Wells Town Walk". builth-wells.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 December 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
- ^ Anwen Parry (6 September 2018). "Ysgol Calon Cymru: Hundreds of pupils start back at Powys' newest school". Powys County Times. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
- ^ "Builth Wells High School" (PDF).
- ^ "Wyeside Arts Centre website". Retrieved 23 November 2016.
- ^ "Builth Male Voice Choir website". Retrieved 23 November 2016.
- ^ "Listed Buildings in Builth, Powys, Wales". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
- ^ "Geograph:: Plaque near the doorway © Bill Nicholls cc-by-sa/2.0".
- ^ BazzaDaRambler (7 November 2012), Bradford on Avon ... Edward VIII cipher at the post office., retrieved 20 June 2019
- ^ "Builth Wells hospital replaced by £5m health centre". BBC. 27 September 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2020.