Prestatyn
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Prestatyn | |
  Prestatyn shown within the United Kingdom |
|
| Population | 18,496 (2001 Census)[1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| - Cardiff | 171.9m |
| - London | 233.9m |
| Principal area | Denbighshire |
| Ceremonial county | Clwyd |
| Constituent country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | PRESTATYN |
| Postcode district | LL19 |
| Dialling code | 01745 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| European Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | Vale of Clwyd |
| Welsh Assembly | Vale of Clwyd |
| List of places: UK • Wales • Denbighshire | |
Prestatyn (pronounced /prɛs-tə-tin/) is a seaside resort in Denbighshire, North Wales. It is located on the Irish Sea coast, to the east of Rhyl. At the 2001 Census, Prestatyn had a population of 18,496.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Prehistory
The town is believed to be one of the oldest inhabited places in north Wales. Prehistoric tools found in the caves of Craig Fawr, in the nearby village of Meliden, have revealed the existence of early human habitation in the area.
[edit] Roman
The Roman bathhouse is believed to be part of a fort on the road from Chester to Caernarfon. However, much of 'Roman Prestatyn' has been destroyed as houses have been built over unexcavated land.
[edit] Medieval
An earth mound, visible in fields to the south of the railway station (near Nant Hall), marks the site of an early wooden motte and bailey castle, destroyed by Owain Gwynedd's men in the 9th century. The town was primarily a fishing village for hundreds of years. The beginning and end of the high street today marks the location of two 'faenols' (or manor houses) called Pendre (translated as "end of" or "top of town") and Penisadre ("lower end of the town").
The name Prestatyn derives from the Old English preosta ("priest") and tun ("farm"), and was recorded in the Domesday Book as Prestetone. Unlike similarly derived names in England, which generally lost their penultimate syllable and became Preston, this village's name developed a typically Welsh emphasis on the penultimate syllable and a modification of "ton" to "tyn", as also happened at Mostyn.[2]
[edit] 19th century to present
The town's population remained at less than a thousand until the arrival of the railways and the holidaymakers in the 19th and 20th centuries. "Sunny Prestatyn" became famous for its beach, clean seas and promenade entertainers, and visiting for a bathe was considered very healthful by city dwelling Victorians. During the Second World War the holiday camps were used as billets for British soldiers, many of whom were also sent to live with locals. Despite being close to Liverpool, the area was not bombed by the Luftwaffe, and many evacuees came to Denbighshire from various northern cities.
Prestatyn was the home of the first ever UK Kwik Save supermarkets in 1965.
[edit] Description
Although Prestatyn remains a tourist destination and resort town, the decline of the British holiday means the town is diversifying. The NHS is planning to open an elderly care facility in the town to serve north Denbighshire, and the opening of big name shops and supermarkets looks set to increase the town's status as a shopping district. Construction of the Scala cinema started in February 2007, it will help regenerate the town, increase employment, improve tourism and provide much needed facilities for community volunteer groups whilst providing a digital cinema with films, exhibition and theatre venues. Prestatyn has the steepest High Street in the United Kingdom.[citation needed]
Work is underway on the revival of the Ffrith Beach Festival Gardens. After a troubled few years when the seafront site has lain deserted, attractions are planned (eg 10-pin bowling, [[quad bike]s, dance studio and Yoghurt bar) to breathe fresh life into the resort.
[edit] Attractions
The town is located at the northern end of the Offa's Dyke Path, although not on Offa's Dyke itself. It also marks the eastern end of the North Wales Path, a long-distance coastal route to Bangor. Other attractions include the remains of Roman baths, the Scala Cinema (now closed due to structural damage but undergoing renovation), opened in 1913, and the nearby Neolithic mound, The Gop.
[edit] Transport
A railway station connects the town to Holyhead to the west and Chester to the east via the North Wales Coast railway line. Bus services are provided by Arriva North West and Wales.
[edit] Wind farm
The North Hoyle Offshore Wind Farm was opened in 2003. Situated in Liverpool Bay, 5 miles (7.5km) off the coast of Prestatyn, it was the UK's first major offshore wind farm. It comprises 30 wind turbines with a combined maximum capacity of 60 megawatts - enough to power 40,000 homes.
[edit] Notable people
Notable people from the town include Neil Aspinall, Peggy Cummins, John Prescott, Mike Peters (The Alarm), Carol Vorderman (who was brought up here), Karl Wallinger (of the band World Party) authors Jake Davies and Emyr Humphreys, and the leading ornithologist Jonathan Elphick. It hosts the qualifying tournament for many snooker tournaments at the Pontin's Holiday Centre, which was the location for a 1973 movie of the popular British TV series, On The Buses.
[edit] Cultural references
Philip Larkin once wrote a poem entitled 'Sunny Prestatyn'. He was inspired by a roadside advert and probably never visited the town.
[edit] Sport
Local football side Prestatyn Town F.C. gained promotion to the Welsh Premiership football league having been crowned champions of the Cymru Alliance League 2007-08 season. As of the 23rd of April 2008 planning permission for flood lights and seating has been granted[3] in order to meet the Welsh Premier grading requirements. The deadline for these upgrades was 1 May 2008[4], and having passed these requirements their promotion was ratified by the Welsh Premier League on 15 May.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ a b "2001 Census: Prestatyn". Office for National Statistics. Retrieved on 20 June 2008.
- ^ Wyn Owen, Hywel (1998). The Place-Names of Wales. ISBN 0-7083-1458-9.
- ^ "Football club's floodlight plan given go ahead". Rhyl Journal (23 April 2008). Retrieved on 25 April 2008.
- ^ "Prestatyn Town FC are Cymru Alliance champions". Rhyl & Prestatyn Visitor. icNorthWales (9 April 2008). Retrieved on 25 April 2008.
- ^ "Prestatyn Town FC: Latest News" (15 May 2008). Retrieved on 20 June 2008.
[edit] External links
- BBC Wales's Prestatyn website
- Prestatyn Town Council
- The Parish of Prestatyn News of Prestatyn's parish churches
- Prestatyn's Evangelical Church, Deva
- Friends of the Scala Information, history on the Scala Cinema and Arts Centre.
- Rhyl, Prestatyn and Abergele Journal Local newspaper
- Prestatyn Cricket Club
- www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Prestatyn and surrounding area
