Blaenavon

Blaenavon () is a town in southeastern Wales. It is on the south of Afon Lwyd and north of Pontypool. Parts of the town and surrounding country form the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape became part of the World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. There are about 6,057 people living there.

 History 
Blaenavon literally means "front of the river" or loosely translated as "river's source" in the Welsh language. 

 Government 
Blaenavon is a community represented by Blaenavon Town Council, and electoral ward of Torfaen County Borough Council. Blaenavon is often

twinned with Coutras in France.

 Geography 
The town is near the source of the Afon Lwyd river. It is in the north of Cwmbran.

 Landmarks 
Parts of the town and surrounding country form the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape were recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. Some of the attractions in the town include: 

 Big Pit National Coal Museum 
 Blaenavon Ironworks Blaenavon Ironworks 
 Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway 
 Blaenavon Male Voice Choir 
 Blaenavon Town Band 

 Education 
After Samuel Hopkins death in 1815, his sister Sarah Hopkins of Rugeley, erected Blaenavon Endowed School in his memory.

 Religious sites 
St Peter's Church was constructed in 1804. It was gifted to the parish by Thomas Hill and Samuel Hopkins.

 Sports 
It had a Blaenavon Golf Club which was founded in 1906. The club closed in 1937.“Blaenavon Golf Club”, “Golf’s Missing Links”.

 Notable people 
Some of the most notable people from Blaenavon are: 

 E. E. Clive - Broadway and film actor
 Dorothy Simpson - award-winning mystery writer
 Mark Taylor - international Rugby union player
 Ken Jones - international Rugby union player
 John Perkins - international Rugby union player
 Chris Huish - international Rugby union player
 Terry Cobner - international Rugby union player
 Nick Thomas-Symonds - elected MP for Torfaen (2015)

 References 

 Other websites 

 Welsh Coal Mines - all the pits, all the histories
 Blaenavon Town Council


Category:Towns in Wales