Ynysddu | |
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High Street |
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Ynysddu shown within Caerphilly | |
Population | 3,948 (2011) |
OS grid reference | ST180925 |
Principal area | |
Ceremonial county | |
Country | Wales |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | NEWPORT |
Postcode district | NP11 |
Dialling code | 01495 |
Police | Gwent |
Fire | South Wales |
Ambulance | Welsh |
EU Parliament | Wales |
UK Parliament | |
Ynysddu is a small village in the Sirhowy valley of south-east Wales. It is part of the district of Caerphilly within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire. It is next to Cwmfelinfach, 4.3 miles (6.8 km) north of the town of Risca and 4 miles (5.1 km) south of the market town of Blackwood, about 10 minutes by road from the M4 motorway and 35 minutes from the Severn Bridge. The electorate in 2008 was 2,905, increasing to 3,948 at the 2011 Census.
Ynysddu was founded in the early 19th century by the enlightened local colliery owner John Hodder Moggridge, who lived at nearby Woodfield Park. It got its name from Ynsyddu Farm, which was built by Moggridge in 1804. Ynysddu comes from the Welsh descriptive words 'Ynys' ('island' or 'river meadow') and 'ddu' ('black'). 'Black river meadow' is appropriate for the landscape of the area.
After he became alarmed at the terrible living conditions of the poor in the 1820s Moggridge also built 'The Ranks'. Founded as a social experiment 'The Ranks', like similar properties in Blackwood, allowed a few workers to lease a plot of land to build a cottage and garden allotment. 'The Ranks' were situated near the Black Prince pub, but have long since disappeared.
In 1901 Kelly's Directory of Monmouthshire said:
"YNYSDDU is a hamlet of this parish, having a station on the Sirhowy section, London and North Western railway, 10¼ miles north-west from Newport. Here are Baptist and Calvinistic and Primitive Methodist chapels. Post Office.—John Hughes, sub-postmaster. Letters received through Newport at 8.55 a.m.; dispatched, 6.30 p.m. week days only. Postal orders are issued here, but not paid. Pontllanfraith is the nearest money order & Blackwood the nearest telegraph office
Ynysddu Primary School is located in the town; its headmaster as of 2009[update] was John Farmer.
Ynysddu Rugby Club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Newport Gwent Dragons. The first Ynysddu game recorded was in 1894 against Abercarn, and was played in the church field at Mynyddislwyn. Ynysddu originally played in an all-black strip, but now play in Black and Red.