Mold, Flintshire
Mold
| |
---|---|
County town | |
Mold High Street, with St Mary's Church to the top-right. | |
Location within Flintshire | |
Population | 10,058 (2011 census)[1] |
OS grid reference | SJ237640 |
Community |
|
Principal area | |
Preserved county | |
Country | Wales |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | MOLD |
Postcode district | CH7 |
Dialling code | 01352 |
Police | North Wales |
Fire | North Wales |
Ambulance | Welsh |
UK Parliament | |
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament | |
Website | moldtowncouncil.org.uk |
Mold (Welsh: Yr Wyddgrug ⓘ) is a town and community in Flintshire, Wales, on the River Alyn. It is the county town and administrative seat of Flintshire County Council, as it was of Clwyd from 1974 to 1996. According to the 2011 UK census, it had a population of 10,058.[1] A 2019 estimate puts it at 10,123.[3]
Origin of the name
The original Welsh-language place name, Yr Wyddgrug, was recorded as Gythe Gruc in a document of 1280–1281, and means "The Mound of the Tomb/Sepulchre".
The name "Mold" originates from the Norman-French mont-hault ("high hill"). The name was originally applied to the site of Mold Castle in connection with its builder Robert de Montalt, an Anglo-Norman lord. It is recorded as Mohald in a document of 1254.
History
A mile west of the town is Maes Garmon ("The Field of Germanus"), the traditional site of the "Alleluia Victory" by a force of Romano-Britons led by Germanus of Auxerre against the invading Picts and Scots, which occurred shortly after Easter, AD 430.[4]
Mold developed around
Anglo-Norman authority over the area began again in 1241 when
With the end of the Welsh Wars,
Nevertheless, tensions between the Welsh and the English remained. During the
By the late 15th century, the lordships around Mold had passed to the powerful
16th century onwards
In the 1530s, the Tudor antiquarian John Leland noted the weekly market had been abandoned. By now Mold had two main streets, Streate Byle (Beili) and Streate Dadlede (Dadleu-dy), and about 40 houses making up the settlement. By the beginning of the 17th century, the population was rising with the development of the coal industry near the town. By the 1630s there were more than 120 houses and huts in the area.
The
In 1833, workmen digging a Bronze Age mound at Bryn yr Ellyllon (Fairies' or Goblins' Hill) found a unique golden cape dating from 1900 to 1600 BCE. It weighs 560 grams (20 oz) and was made from a single gold ingot about the size of a golf ball. It was broken when found and the fragments shared among the workmen, with the largest piece for Mr Langford, tenant of the field in which the mound stood. The find was recorded by the Vicar of Mold and came to the notice of the British Museum. In 1836 Langford sold his piece to the museum, which has since acquired most of the pieces, though it is said that some wives of the workmen sported new jewellery after the find. The restored cape now belongs to the British Museum.[6][7]
Mold hosted the
Mold was linked to Chester by the
The Mold Riot
In summer 1869 there was a riot in the town[8] which had considerable effect on the subsequent policing of public disturbances in Britain.
On 17 May 1869, John Young, the English manager of the nearby colliery in
A large crowd assembled to hear the verdict. The
A coroner's inquest on the first three deaths was held on 5 June. The coroner, Peter Parry, was reportedly "exceedingly old and infirm", "so deaf as to be compelled to use a 'speaking' trumpet" and partially blind. He was assisted by the deputy coroner, his brother Robert Parry. The jury's verdict, after clear direction from the coroner and retiring for only five minutes to consider the matter, was justifiable homicide. Later that afternoon, a second inquest on the death of Elizabeth Jones reached the same verdict.
The following week several men – Isaac Jones, William Griffiths, Rowland Jones, Gomer Jones and William Hughes – were tried for involvement in the riot. They were found guilty of "felonious wounding" and Lord Chief Justice Bovill sentenced all to ten years' penal servitude.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]
Although denying the connection, Daniel Owen, who lived in the town, featured some similar events in his first novel, Rhys Lewis, which was published in instalments in 1882–1884.
Transport
Mold railway station closed to passengers in 1962.[19] The nearest station is now Buckley, which has services to Wrexham and Bidston. Flint railway station, to which Mold has regular bus services, is not much further and has direct trains to Cardiff, London and Manchester. There are frequent daytime bus services from the bus station to Chester, Wrexham, Denbigh, Holywell, Ruthin and other places.
Landmarks
- Mold Town Hall was completed in 1912.[20]
- Loggerheads Country Park is nearby.
- St Mary's Church, Mold is the town's parish church, dating from the 15th century.
Amenities
Mold Library shares a building with the local tourist information office, which also provides a sales outlet for local arts and crafts.
Mold is a cittaslow – the first town in Wales to achieve the distinction.[21] It has a street market on Wednesday and Saturday for fresh produce and other goods. For speciality and fresh local food, Celyn Farmers' Market is held on the first and third Saturdays of each month.[22]
The Mold Food and Drink Festival is held each September, with a main event area on the edge of the town centre and many central and nearby businesses contributing.[23] 2012 saw Mold's first annual November Fest, a beer festival held at venues in and around Mold to promote real ale, cider and wine.[24]
Schools
Two
The town also has the largest primary school in the county, Ysgol Bryn Coch, with about 650 pupils. Ysgol Glanrafon is bilingual.
Business
Companies based in Mold include NWN Media, publisher of The Leader.
Climate
Mold has a typical British
The highest temperature recorded was 31.7 °C (89.1 °F) in August 1990.[26] However, the warmest day is typically around 26.4 °C (79.5 °F),[27] one of around four days to reach a temperature of 25.1 °C (77.2 °F) or above.[28]
The lowest temperature recorded was −18.7 °C (−1.7 °F) in December 1981.[29] On average the coldest night of the year is −9.7 °C (14.5 °F),[30] with a total of 62.1 frosty nights.[31]
Annual rainfall averages 925 mm. Almost 152 days have at least 1 mm of precipitation.[32]
Climate data for Loggerheads 210m asl, 1971–2000, Extremes 1961–2005 (Weather Station 3 Miles West of Mold) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 15.7 (60.3) |
16.7 (62.1) |
22.2 (72.0) |
23.2 (73.8) |
25.0 (77.0) |
29.4 (84.9) |
30.1 (86.2) |
31.7 (89.1) |
27.2 (81.0) |
23.9 (75.0) |
17.6 (63.7) |
14.6 (58.3) |
31.7 (89.1) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 6.3 (43.3) |
6.4 (43.5) |
8.5 (47.3) |
10.8 (51.4) |
14.4 (57.9) |
16.7 (62.1) |
19.0 (66.2) |
18.6 (65.5) |
15.8 (60.4) |
12.4 (54.3) |
8.8 (47.8) |
7.1 (44.8) |
12.1 (53.7) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 0.3 (32.5) |
0.2 (32.4) |
1.7 (35.1) |
2.6 (36.7) |
4.9 (40.8) |
8.0 (46.4) |
10.2 (50.4) |
10.0 (50.0) |
8.1 (46.6) |
5.4 (41.7) |
2.6 (36.7) |
0.9 (33.6) |
4.6 (40.2) |
Record low °C (°F) | −18.3 (−0.9) |
−16.7 (1.9) |
−18.3 (−0.9) |
−11.0 (12.2) |
−4.3 (24.3) |
−2.1 (28.2) |
0.7 (33.3) |
1.1 (34.0) |
−2.0 (28.4) |
−6.2 (20.8) |
−10.9 (12.4) |
−18.7 (−1.7) |
−18.7 (−1.7) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 82.24 (3.24) |
62.74 (2.47) |
72.38 (2.85) |
62.72 (2.47) |
60.88 (2.40) |
70.82 (2.79) |
62.32 (2.45) |
74.31 (2.93) |
86.96 (3.42) |
90.74 (3.57) |
104.03 (4.10) |
95.65 (3.77) |
925.79 (36.46) |
Source: Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute[33]
|
Notable people
- Jane Brereton (1685–1740), poet, born at Bryn Gruffydd near Mold[34]
- Royal Academy, settled in Mold in 1781[35]
- Thomas Henry Blythe (1822–1883), emigrated to San Francisco, U.S., and became a wealthy businessman[36]
- Daniel Owen (1836–1895), novelist writing in Welsh[37]
- Wilfred Trubshaw (1870–1944), solicitor, police officer & Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary, 1927 to 1935[38]
- Henry Gregory Thompson (1871–1942), Roman Catholic prelate, Bishop of Gibraltar, 1910 to 1927[39]
- Raymond Davies Hughes (1923–1999), airman and Nazi collaborator[40]
- Jo Stevens (born 1966), Member of Parliament, grew up in Mold[41]
- Rhys Ifans (born 1967), actor in films, attended Ysgol Maes Garmon school[42]
- Adam Walton (born 1971), BBC Radio Wales DJ, brought up at nearby Nannerch and attended Alun School[43]
- Sian Gibson (born 1976), comedy actress and TV writer[44]
- Rhodri Meilir (born 1978), actor, raised in the town and educated at Ysgol Maes Garmon school[45]
- Rhiannon "Ritzy" Bryan (born 1985) and Rhydian Dafydd (born 1981), members of alternative rock band The Joy Formidable[46]
Sport
- Ron Hughes (1930–2019), footballer with 399 club caps with Chester City F.C.[47]
- Caldy[48]
- Simon Spender (born 1985), football coach and former footballer with over 400 club caps[49]
References
- ^ Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
- ^ "Home - Mold Town Council".
- ^ City Population site. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ John T. Koch: Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia, Volume 1, p. 806.
- ^ John Marius Wilson. "Descriptive Gazetteer Entry for Mold". Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870–72). Retrieved 16 October 2012.
- ^ "The Mold gold cape". British Museum. Archived from the original on 10 October 2008. Retrieved 25 September 2008.
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ "Mold cape". BBC Wales. Retrieved 19 October 2007.
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ a b "Mold Riot of 1869". Historic UK. Retrieved 2 August 2009.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ North Wales Chronicle, 5 June 1869.
- ^ Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 5 June 1869.
- ^ Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 11 August 1869.
- ^ Liverpool Mercury, 8 June 1869.
- ^ County of Flint record of assizes at Mold 5 August 1869.
- ^ Liverpool Mercury, 10 June 1869.
- ^ Kentish Gazette, 15 June 1869.
- ^ The Daily Post, 5 June 1869.
- ^ Liverpool Daily Post, 7 June 1869.
- ^ 1871 Census of England.
- ^ "Station Name: Mold". Disused Stations. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
- National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Cittaslow Status for Mold". Mold Town Council. Archived from the original on 3 July 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2008.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ "Celyn Farmers' Market". Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- ^ Food festival site. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
- ^ [1] Archived 2013-11-03 at the Wayback Machine
- MetOffice. Archived from the originalon 2 July 2001.
- KNMI.
- KNMI.
- KNMI.
- KNMI.
- KNMI.
- KNMI.
- KNMI.
- ^ "Loggerheads-Colomendy 1971–2000 averages". Met Office. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
- ^ Turner, Katherine. "Brereton [née Hughes], Jane (1685–1740), poet". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved 17 July 2008.
- ^ Steegman, John Edward Horatio; Peate, Iorwerth Cyfeiliog (1959). "Wilson, Richard (1713-1782), landscape painter". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. National Library of Wales.
- ^ Brown and Boyd, (John Brown Jr and James Boyd), History of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, The Western Historical Association, 1922, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., pp. 588-589
- ^ "Daniel Owen". René & Peter van der Krogt. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- ^ 1911 England Census
- ^ "Bishop Henry Gregory Thompson, O.S.B." Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
- ^ "The story of Hitler's Welshman". BBC News. 1 April 2000. Retrieved 23 July 2008.
- ^ "Labour's Jo Stevens: "Culture is culture, there shouldn't be a war element to it"". Politics Home. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- ^ "Castle yn cyd-ddathlu gydag ysgol hanesyddol". BBC Lleol. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ "Adam Walton: He ain't heavy, he's my brother". Liverpool Daily Post. 11 June 2004. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- ^ Alice Jones (13 January 2016). "Sian Gibson interview: How a phone call from Peter Kay changed the actress's life". The Independent. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ "Five Minutes With...Rhodri Meilir". The Leader. 9 June 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ^ Perpetua, Matthew (25 January 2011). "Joy Formidable Revive Female-Fronted Nineties Rock". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
- ^ Powell, Dave (31 July 2019). "Chester FC legend and Hall of Famer, Ronnie Hughes, dies aged 89". chesterchronicle.
- ^ "Gav's kicks keep Mold undefeated". Wales Online. 30 April 2006.
- ^ "Simon Spender". FBREF. Retrieved 28 November 2022.