36-512: Rhondda Cynon Taf ( Welsh pronunciation: [ˈr̥ɔnða ˈkənɔn ˈtaːv] ; RCT ; also spelt as Rhondda Cynon Taff ) is a county borough in the south-east of Wales . It consists of five valleys: the Rhondda Fawr, Rhondda Fach, Cynon, Taff ( Welsh : Taf ) and Ely valleys, plus several towns and villages away from the valleys. Results from the 2011 census showed 19.1% of its 234,410 residents self-identified as having some ability in
72-448: A Meirionnydd ) ( Welsh : Caerdydd ) ( Welsh : Sir Aberteifi ) ( Welsh : Sir Gaerfyrddin ) ( Welsh : Sir Ddinbych ) ( Welsh : Sir y Fflint ) ( Welsh : Sir Fynwy ) ( Welsh : Sir Benfro ) ( Welsh : Abertawe ) ( Welsh : Aberconwy a Cholwyn ) ( Welsh : Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr ) ( Welsh : Caerffili ) ( Welsh : Merthyr Tudful ) ( Welsh : Castell-nedd Port Talbot ) ( Welsh : Castell-nedd
108-529: A Phort Talbot ) ( Welsh : Casnewydd ) Llanilid Llanilid is a small settlement of in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf , Wales. It is in the historic county of Glamorgan . Llanilid is part of the community of Llanharan along with the villages of Bryncae , Brynna , Ynysmaerdy , Peterston-super-Montem and Llanharan itself. Since the time of the Norman Conquest Llanilid and neighbouring Llanharan were part of
144-594: A council's constitution and general powers were set out in the Local Government Act 1972 , which simplified the existing local governing structure in Wales that existed prior . The later Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 restructured local government, by significantly amending the previous act. The councils of the principal areas are generally supervised by the Welsh Government . The names of
180-462: A large opencast mine. In 1848 Sophia Crichton-Stuart, Marchioness of Bute , wrote to her land agent, expressing concern at the actions of the Earl of Cottenham , then Lord Chancellor, who had the patronage of the parish, "where hardly anyone speaks English", for appointing as rector "a man without Welsh ". Despite the changes, the hamlet saw little growth or additional housing and in 1961 the population
216-410: A population of around a hundred people whose land was controlled by absentee landlords. By 1666 three land owners, Humphrey Wyndham of Dunraven, Sir Robert Thomas of Llanmihangel and David Jenkins of Hensol, owned most of the parish. Llanilid remained a rural parish throughout the 18th and 19th century, though with the coming of the industrialisation of South Wales its northern border was transformed by
252-588: Is Aberdare ( Welsh : Aberdâr ) with a population of 39,550 (2011), followed by Pontypridd with 32,694 (2011). The largest built-up area as defined by the Office for National Statistics is the Tonypandy built-up area, with a population of 62,545 (2011), which covers much of the Rhondda valley. The National Eisteddfod will be held at Rhondda Cynon Taf in 2024, postponed twice from 2022. The county borough
288-447: Is divided into 22 sub-divisions collectively called "principal areas" in the 1994 act. They may be styled as either a "county" or a "county borough". Each principal area is overseen by a " principal council ", which may also adopt their principal area style, being called a "county council" ( Welsh : cyngor sir ) or a "county borough council" (Welsh: cyngor bwrdeistref sirol ). The basic framework of local government and specifically
324-458: Is known of the early history of Llanilid after the end of Norman control, though it is known the region boasted an ancient church, a smithy and several displaced small holdings. Most of the farms dealt with livestock, with only the western area of Llanilid, in modern times known as Felindre, possessing fertile land. This portion of Llanilid was given over to the Knights of St. John before 1338 and
360-465: The Monsanto Company . Clean-up costs have been estimated to be over £100 million. A Dr Papageorge, formerly Monsanto's chief scientist, estimates that between 60,000 and 80,000 tonnes of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated wastes were dumped there. Works costing £1.25 million to reduce health risks to local residents and members of the public using a nearby footpath were completed at
396-572: The River Taff and the River Rhondda but the continued presence of man-made obstacles in the rivers is inhibiting regeneration of their pre-industrial numbers and condition. The chemical industry has also had adverse effects due to the dumping of toxic waste in the now disused Brofiscin Quarry in the village of Groes-faen . Dumping took place over a 6-year period between 1965 and 1970 by
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#1732780167035432-660: The Senedd (Welsh Parliament). From 2024, Rhondda Cynon Taf would be in five UK Parliament constituencies, Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare , Rhondda and Ogmore , Pontypridd , Cardiff West , and Cardiff North . Towns that have twinning arrangements in Rhondda Cynon Taf are: The following people and military units have received the Freedom of the Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf. As of the 2021 United Kingdom census ,
468-854: The Welsh Ministers and the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales . The 1972 changes were enacted in 1974 by the then Conservative administration . The principal areas' councils are unitary authorities , and are sub-divided into communities and electoral wards . Some of the principal areas have county borough status, a largely historical status that reflects their historical existence as major population centres. The eleven county boroughs of Wales are Blaenau Gwent , Bridgend , Caerphilly , Conwy , Merthyr Tydfil , Neath Port Talbot , Newport , Rhondda Cynon Taf , Torfaen , Vale of Glamorgan and Wrexham . County borough status does not award any different rights compared to
504-475: The counties and county boroughs of Wales , are a form of subdivision in Wales . There are currently 22 principal areas in Wales, and they were established in 1996. They are a single-tier form of local government , each governed by a principal council . They replaced the previous two-tier system of eight counties and 32 districts that were in place in Wales from 1974 to 1996 . For local government , Wales
540-558: The "principal areas". The 1994 act also created the communities and preserved counties. In 2014, plans were announced to reform local government in Wales, reducing the number of principal areas from 22 to a smaller number of unitary authorities, similar to the counties that they replaced in 1996. During the COVID-19 pandemic in Wales in 2020, the principal areas were used as a basis for local lockdowns . ( Welsh : Ynys Môn ) ( Welsh : Sir Fôn ) ( Welsh : Sir Gaernarfon
576-559: The Normans left the region fairly untouched, though the motte in Llanilid, believed to be Norman in construct, show evidence of encroachment into the area. Eventually the lordship of Ruthin was partitioned, and by 1245 Richard Seward of the neighbouring lordship of Talyfan had wrested the region of Ruthin away from its Welsh rulers. In 1245 Ruthin, along with Talyfan and Llanblethian , were confiscated by Richard de Clare . Little
612-673: The Opposition Andrew RT Davies MS ( C ) Shadow Cabinet ( current ) Prime Minister Rt Hon Keir Starmer MP ( L ) Secretary of State for Wales Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP (L) Principal councils ( leader list ) Corporate Joint Committees Local twinning see also: Regional terms and Regional economy United Kingdom Parliament elections European Parliament elections (1979–2020) Local elections Police and crime commissioner elections Referendums The principal areas of Wales , comprising
648-452: The Welsh lordship of Ruthin , one of the lordships of Glamorgan in the cantref of Penychen . The region was wild and heavily wooded , consisting of scattered hamlets in the clearings and the land was predominantly taken to pastoralism . Tradition states that Rhys ap Jestyn was granted lordship of the region by the Normans, but there is little historical proof of this. It is known that
684-465: The capital city of Cardiff. Pontypridd is often abbreviated “Ponty” by local residents. Some of Wales' most notorious unsolved murders occurred in Rhondda Cynon Taf in 1993, the murders of Harry and Megan Tooze in Llanharry . The district developed from the discovery and mining, primarily for export, of high-quality Welsh coals , such as steam coal , via Cardiff and Barry docks. The landscape
720-439: The church is unknown, but the lower foundation stones are ancient in origin, believed to be pre-Norman Conquest. The rebuild date is unknown but architectural historians, such as John Newman, find comparisons in the design of Ruperra Castle (1626); also the south wall contains two light Tudor windows. The square tower has corbelled battlements with two-light Tudor bell-openings, though these are described as being later than
756-495: The council renamed the area immediately, with the changes taking effect on 2 April 1996. The changes were: Other simpler changes also took place such as: Following the enacting of the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 , the pre-existing eight counties of Wales (now largely the ceremonial preserved counties of Wales ) and its 37 districts in place since 1974 were replaced on 1 April 1996, with 22 unitary authorities,
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#1732780167035792-661: The county borough's ethnic groups are as follows: As of the 2021 United Kingdom census , the county borough's religious make-up is as follows: Principal areas of Wales Charles III Heir Apparent William, Prince of Wales First Minister ( list ) Rt Hon Eluned Morgan MS ( L ) Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MS ( L ) Counsel General-designate – Elisabeth Jones Chief Whip and Trefnydd – Jane Hutt MS (L) Permanent Secretary Sixth Senedd Llywydd (Presiding Officer) Elin Jones MS ( PC ) Leader of
828-487: The north of the area. The Welsh Development Agency , which was formed in 1976 to help reverse the economic down-turn in Wales caused by the recession in both the coal and steel industries, was very active in the Rhondda Cynon Taf area in supporting and encouraging industrial and commercial regeneration. Recent investment in the area has included the Dragon International Film Studios , on
864-584: The oldest recognised structure in Llanilid is the Castle ringwork datable to the 12th century. The ringwork and raised motte , which is roughly circular, are described as one of the best preserved in Glamorgan and contains a visible bank and ditch. It is classed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and comes under the care of Cadw , but it is not one of its protected sites. To the ringwork's immediate south-west sits St. Ilid & St Curig's church. The origin of
900-540: The original design. John Prichard , whose work on Llandaff Cathedral saw him work on many buildings of the Diocese of Llandaff , of which St Ilid and St Cruig's belongs, 'refixed' the chancel roof in its original style, but new-roofed the nave . This work was completed around 1881 after a sum of £380 was found to repair the building from its then ruinous state. The font appears to have been taken from an earlier building, dated as 13th century. In 2005, work started on
936-450: The other counties. The 1994 act stated they should not be treated as a " borough " as defined by earlier legislation. The other eleven have county status, and are styled as "counties". The principal areas' boundaries are made up of its electoral wards, and the average number of electoral wards in a principal area is 40. Five of the principal areas use different names to those given in the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 . In each case
972-405: The principal areas, in both English and Welsh, are set out in the 1994 amended version of the 1972 act, under Schedule 4. Section 74 of the 1972 act allows principal councils to change their names, if there is a two-third majority support for such in a specially convened meeting. Since their establishment, multiple councils have pursued a name change. Any notice of a name change has to be submitted to
1008-700: The quarry in 2012. Monsanto, BP and Veolia contributed to the cost of the clean-up while continuing to deny liability. The area is governed by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council from headquarters in Pontypridd and is the host authority to the South East Wales Improvement Collaborative (SEWIC), Excellence Wales award winner 2010. Rhondda Cynon Taf is represented by four MPs in the UK Parliament until 2024. There are also four constituencies represented in
1044-425: The site of Llanilid open-cast mine. The location of the project has led it to become known locally as "Valleywood", even though the Welsh valleys are some miles away. The coal industry has had major adverse impacts on the quality of the environment, such that most of the rivers were severely polluted to the exclusion of all fish life. Recent decades have shown great improvement with the return of salmon recorded in
1080-728: The use of the Welsh language . The county borough borders Merthyr Tydfil County Borough and Caerphilly County Borough to the east, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan to the south, Bridgend County Borough and Neath Port Talbot to the west and Powys to the north. Its principal towns are - Aberdare , Llantrisant with Talbot Green and Pontypridd , with other key settlements/towns being - Maerdy , Ferndale , Hirwaun , Llanharan , Mountain Ash , Porth , Tonypandy , Tonyrefail and Treorchy . The most populous individual town in Rhondda Cynon Taf
1116-503: Was 95. According to Thomas Morgan, Llanilid follows the tradition of Welsh place names attached to a parish in taking its title from the dedicated saint of the local church. In Llanilid the local church is St. Ilid & St Curig's church, and Morgan states that this relates to Ilid a person who introduced Wales to Christianity in the 1st century. This research may be connected to that of famed literary forger Iolo Morganwg , who produced elaborate tales of Ilid going as far as stating that it
Rhondda Cynon Taf - Misplaced Pages Continue
1152-583: Was dedicated to Ilid and Curig, whom he connects to the saints more commonly known in Christian tradition as Julietta and Quiricus . He links this through the Appendix of the Book of Llandaff which states that the church at Llanilid is first given as the 'Church of St Julitta'. With a sparse population and made up mainly of farm houses, Llanilid still contains several buildings and structures of note. Arguably
1188-485: Was dominated by coal waste heaps and deep mine pit-heads. Many of the roads are lined with semi-ribbon development of closely packed Victorian terraces of houses which have given the Rhondda and Cynon valleys their distinctive appearance. In the nineteenth century the Rhondda had over 60 mines. As deep mines closed, a number of very large open-cast coal mines were created and remain in operation, especially towards
1224-405: Was formed on 1 April 1996, by the merger of the former Mid Glamorgan districts of Rhondda , Cynon Valley and Taff-Ely (with the exceptions of Creigiau and Pentyrch , which were added to Cardiff). Its name reflects all these, and thus also the rivers Rhondda , Cynon and Taff . Pontypridd, a University and Market Town, is the principal town of Rhondda Cynon Taf; situated 12 miles north of
1260-624: Was known as the manor of Milton. The manor of Milton was the chief possession of the Knight of St. John within Glamorgan and its primary form of income for the order was a water mill which sat on the banks of the River Ewenny . This demesne and the mill was let and its oversight entrusted to a separate seneschal . When the order was dissolved in 1540, Milton was purchased by John Thomas Bassett of Bonvilston . Around this time, Llanilid had
1296-508: Was the Welsh names of Joseph of Arimathea . Morgan relates that " Llan " – "Ilid", refers to the 'parish of St Ilid'. This is challenged by R.W.D. Fenn, who, after studying the Book of Llandaff and Nennius 's Historia Brittonum writes in 1962 that the Latin equivalent of Ilid represents the name of a district, similar to Llandovery , and not a person. Fenn then writes that in 1566 Llanilid
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