FERNDALE, RHONDDA CYNON TAFF

'Ferndale' (Welsh: ''Glynrhedynog'') is a small town located in the Rhondda Fach valley of the South Wales Valleys. Neighbouring villages are Maerdy and Tylorstown.
The population of Ferndale is about 7000.
Ferndale is perhaps most famous for being the birthplace of Welsh actor Stanley Baker and Kyle White of The Masonics.[1]
In Darran Park Woods in the village, there is a beautiful lake called ''Llyn y Forwyn'', which in English means "The Maiden's Lake." There is a legend surrounding the lake.[2]
Ferndale, like Maerdy, was a coal powerhouse, but now factories stand where the mines once did.
One of the community cornerstones is the village rugby club - Ferndale RFC - home to arguably the Rhondda's most ambitious rugby setup. The playing and membership facilities are second to none, and it is also home to the popular "Sir Stanley Baker Lounge", the opening of which was honoured in a BBC Radio special in 2006, and was attended by Sir Stanley's widow and family.
In a recent documentary, Griff Rhys Jones traced his mother's family roots back to Ferndale, and visited several areas and buildings that his mother used to frequent, namely his grandparents old greengrocers' shop, and Trerhondda Chapel.
Ferndale is home to up-and-coming light welterweight boxer 'Barrie Jones'.
The Welsh language is also on the increase in Ferndale after the village's language was changed to mainly English during the industrial revolution, as the English moved to the Rhondda Valleys (where Ferndale is) in search for jobs in the coal mines. A Welsh school is situated near the picturesque park where the lake is, therefore the school is called 'Llyn-y-Forwyn.'

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See also

See also

★ Ferndale Imperial Club

★ Ferndale RFC