Prestatyn
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Prestatyn | |
---|---|
Overview of Prestatyn, 2020 | |
Location within Denbighshire | |
Population | 19,085 (2021) |
OS grid reference | SJ065825 |
• Cardiff | 171.9m |
• London | 233.9m |
Community |
|
Principal area | |
Preserved county | |
Country | Wales |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | PRESTATYN |
Postcode district | LL19 |
Dialling code | 01745 |
Police | North Wales |
Fire | North Wales |
Ambulance | Welsh |
UK Parliament | |
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament | |
Prestatyn (
Origin of name
The name Prestatyn derives from the
History
Prehistory
There is evidence that the current town location has been occupied since
Roman
Among a housing estate in the north of the town, there is a
Medieval
Prestatyn was included in the Domesday Book since it was at that time under English control. An earth mound, visible in fields to the east of the railway station, beyond Nant Hall, marks the site of an early wooden Prestatyn castle, probably built by the Norman Robert de Banastre about 1157, which was destroyed by the Welsh under Owain Gwynedd in 1167.[5] The Banastre family then moved to Bank Hall in Lancashire.
The town appears to have been primarily a fishing village for hundreds of years. The beginning and end of High Street today mark the location of two 'maenolau' (or manor houses) called Pendre (translated as "end of" or "top of town") and Penisadre ("lower end of town").
19th century to present
The town's population remained at less than 1,000 until the arrival of the
Prestatyn was the home of the first UK Kwik Save supermarket in 1965; Prestatyn was also the home of the firm's business headquarters. The Kwik Save store was renamed Somerfield following a takeover in 2007, and was finally demolished in 2008 when surrounding land was bought by Tesco.
The
Facilities and attractions
Although Prestatyn remains a tourist destination and resort town, the town is diversifying in response to the decline of the British seaside holiday.
The town is at the northern end of the
.Nova
Previously named the Lido, this leisure and entertainment complex was established in 1923 with an outdoor seawater swimming pool and ballroom.[6] A £4.4 million pound investment in 2015 has seen the redevelopment of this complex to include a new facade, entrance and reception area as well as a new bar/restaurant, 60 station fitness suite and children's soft play area.[7]
Governance
There are two tiers of local government covering Prestatyn, at community (town) and county level: Prestatyn Town Council and Denbighshire County Council. The town council is based at 7 Nant Hall Road.[8]
For elections to
The town was in the Delyn parliamentary constituency from 1983 to 1997, since when it has been in Vale of Clwyd.
Administrative history
Prestatyn was formerly part of the
Transport
to the east.Bus services are provided by Arriva Buses Wales.
Notable people
- Gordon Macdonald, 1st Baron Macdonald of Gwaenysgor (1888-1966) politician and Newfoundland's final British governor
- Sir Huw Wheldon (1916–1986) a broadcaster and BBC executive.
- Harold Bird-Wilson (1919–2000) senior Royal Air Force officer, and a flying ace in WWII.
- Emyr Humphreys (1919–2020), a Welsh novelist, poet and author.
- Peggy Cummins (1925–2017), an Irish actress
- John Prescott (born 1938), politician, UK Deputy Prime Minister, 1997 to 2007
- Neil Aspinall (1941–2008), music industry executive, head of the Beatles' co. Apple Corps.
- Gareth Williams, Baron Williams of Mostyn, (1941–2003), barrister and politician
- Barry Flanagan (1941–2009) sculptor of bronze statues of hares
- ornithologistand zoologist
- Philip Caveney (born 1951), a British children's author
- Karl Wallinger (born 1957), pop musician, songwriter and record producer.
- flat racingjockey
- Mike Peters (born 1959), pop musician, lead singer of The Alarm
- Carol Vorderman (born 1960) media personality, brought up in Prestatyn, co-hosted the game show Countdown for 26 years from 1982 until 2008
- Danny Coyne (born 1973), former goalkeeper with 442 club caps and 16 for Wales
Annual events
Flower Show
Prestatyn Flower Show is an annual event held in Prestatyn town centre on the last Friday and Saturday of July. The flower show has traditionally been held within the grounds of Cerrig Llwydion, High Street, Prestatyn, which was formerly a vicarage. The event also includes a small display of classic cars and vintage motorcycles on Saturday.
Carnival
Prestatyn Carnival is an annual summer event in the town, and features field events, competitions and a procession. Each year, thousands take part in the festivities. The carnival celebrated its diamond jubilee in 2011.
The traditional Carnival Parade takes place on the Saturday, and is followed by a Carnival Baby Competition later in the day. In 2008 the carnival became a two-day event, with the Sunday designated "Fun on the Field" day, with many events including a talent show and dance competition. In 2011 the event reverted to its original one–day format.[15]
In 2008, Prestatyn Carnival Association revived the 'Miss Prestatyn' title.
Classic Car Show
The largest free classic car show in North Wales with over 400 vehicles taking part in 2019.[16] The show is an annual event taking place on the last Bank Holiday Monday in May since 2000. It usually takes place on Ty Nant car park in Prestatyn town centre, but expanded in 2019 to include the majority of the High Street. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a virtual show.[17]
Cultural references
The town also appears in The Royle Family 2009 Christmas special "The Golden Egg Cup", in which the family visits Prestatyn to celebrate Jim and Barb's fiftieth wedding anniversary.
Sport
The town is host to two major football teams within the Welsh football league pyramid, Prestatyn Town and the recently formed Prestatyn Sports.
Local football side Prestatyn Town gained promotion to the
Many qualification rounds in
Founded in 1895, Prestatyn Cricket Club has recently celebrated its 125th anniversary. As of 1 November 2020 they play in Liverpool and District Comp (LDDC) 1st XI division.[23]
References
- ^ "Prestatyn (Community, United Kingdom)", Office for National Statistics, CityPopulation.de, retrieved 11 December 2022
- ^ Cheshire (places now in Wales): Prestatyn, The Domesday Book Online, retrieved 11 November 2008
- )
- ^ Denise Allen and Mike Bryan (2020). Roman Britain and Where to Find It; pp. 158-59. Retrieved 18 May 2024
- ^ "Prestatyn Castle". www.castlewales.com.
- ^ "History Points - Prestatyn Nova Centre". historypoints.org. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
- ^ Williams, Kelly (23 November 2015). "Take a look inside the £4.4m Nova Centre in Prestatyn which opens today". North Wales Live. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
- ^ "Prestatyn Town Council". Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ Gareth Joy (5 May 2017) Election 2017: Denbighshire Council results Archived 30 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Point FM. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ^ Councillors and Wards, Prestatyn Town Council website. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ^ Local Government Act 1894
- ^ Annual Report of the Local Government Board. 1897. p. 278. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ Local Government Act 1972
- ^ Local Government (Wales) Act 1994
- ^ Prestatyn Carnival, Prestatyn Carnival Association, retrieved 6 January 2016
- ^ "Plenty to see and do this bank holiday and half term in Abergele, Prestatyn, Rhyl and surrounding areas". Rhyl Journal. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
- ^ "Prestatyn Classic Car Show - in its 21st year - goes virtual. The show is back to la later date in the year. It now is held on the last Bank Holiday Monday in August". Rhyl Journal. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
- ^ Poetry Connection
- ISBN 0-86359-516-2
- ^ Football club's floodlight plan given go ahead, Rhyl Journal, 23 April 2008, archived from the original on 29 September 2008, retrieved 25 April 2008
- ^ Prestatyn Town FC are Cymru Alliance champions, Rhyl & Prestatyn Visitor, 9 April 2008, retrieved 25 April 2008
- ^ Prestatyn Town FC: Latest News, 15 May 2008, retrieved 20 June 2008
- ^ "Liverpool and District Cricket Competition". ldcc.play-cricket.com. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
External links
Media related to Prestatyn at Wikimedia Commons