Gwernaffield
| |
|---|---|
 Holy Trinity Church, Gwernaffield | |
  Gwernaffield Location withinFlintshire | |
| Population | 1,942 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SJ204644 |
| Community | |
| Principal area | |
| Preserved county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MOLD |
| Postcode district | CH7 |
| Dialling code | 01352 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| UK Parliament | |
| Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament | |
| |
Gwernaffield (Welsh:Y Waun)[1] is a village andelectoral ward inFlintshire, Wales. It lies about three miles west ofMold on the eastern side of theClwydian Range. The village is part of thecommunity ofGwernaffield with Pantymwyn, which has an area of 7.53 km2 and is bordered by theRiver Alyn on three sides.[2] The community includes the neighbouring village ofPantymwyn and had a population of 1,851 at the time of the2001 census,[3] increasing to 1,942 at the 2011 census.[4] The name of the village comes fromgwern (Welsh for 'alder-grove'),feld (Old English for 'field') andgwaun (Welsh for 'moorland').[5] Gwernaffield, which adjoinsPantymwyn, Itself had a population of around 900.[6]
The village was first mentioned in the 15th century.[7] In 1736, anobelisk was erected near Maesgarmon farm where, according to tradition,Saint Garmon defeated an army ofSaxons andPicts in the 5th century.[2] The village began to grow in the late 18th century aslead mines andlimestone quarries were developed in the area.[7] The last lead mine closed in the 1970s.[7] In the 20th century rectangular blocks of commuter housing were built in the village.[2]
In 1634, a large brick house was built at the Rhual estate; today it is the oldest house in the village.[7] The village's first church and school were built alongside each other in 1838.[7] The church was deliberately burned down in 1860 but a new building opened in 1872.[7] The old school is now used as a parish hall after a new school, Ysgol y Waun, was opened in 1973.[7] The village had two pubs until recently, the Miners Arms which closed in 2007 and the Hand Inn which remains open.[7]
