Morriston
Encyclopedia : M : MO : MOR : Morriston
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|---|---|
| Ordnance Survey | |
| OS grid reference: | |
| Geography | |
| Principal locality | Morriston |
| Total population | 16,781 (2001 census) |
| Land area (km²) | 7.32 (2001 census) |
| Administration | |
| Local council: | City and County of Swansea |
| Nation: | Wales |
| Post office and telephone | |
| PostCode(s): | SA5, SA6 |
| Dialling code: | +44-1792 |
| Politics | |
| UK Parliament: | Swansea East |
| European Parliament: | Wales |
Morriston (Welsh: Treforys) is a town in the City and County of Swansea, South Wales. The name is also used to describe the electoral ward and the community, both of which include the town.
The electoral ward consists of some or all of the following areas: Caemawr, Cwmrhydyceirw, Morriston, Parc Gwernfadog, Pant-lasau, Ynysforgan and Ynystawe, in the parliamentary constituency of Swansea East.
Originally separate and distinct, Morriston is now regarded as a suburb of the city of Swansea, which lies three miles to the south-west.
Industrial heritage
Morriston was constructed as a new town on a grid pattern and was named after its founder, Sir John Morris, Bt. The grid pattern remains in evidence today. Morris originally named the town "Morris Town", but this was shortened into the single word "Morriston". The Welsh language translation of the name, Treforys, will also often be seen.Sir John Morris was also responsible for the construction between 1768 and 1774 known as Morris Castle, widely considered to have been the world's first accommodation built specifically for workers by their employer. Little of the structure remains today, although its ruins are visible on high ground above the nearby Landore district.
Morriston was initially constructed for the workers of the tinplate and copper industries that built up along the banks of the River Tawe in the 18th Century, and by the 19th Century it was the tinplate capital of the world. However, this industry went into decline with the invention of the strip mill, which required massive investment. Tinplating had almost vanished from the area by the end of the Second World War, with modern works being situated further east in Port Talbot.
Metalworking in Morriston came to an end in 1980 with the closure of the last tinplate works.
Morriston today
Morriston is now the most populous of all Swansea's suburbs.Morriston Hospital, the largest in the Swansea area, is located at Cwmrhydyceirw, approximately one mile north of Morriston town centre. In addition to general surgical and medical services, it houses the Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery and one of the two Cardiac Centres in Wales. Other services include renal medicine, neurology and neurosurgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, rheumatology and palliative care. The Tŷ Olwen hospice, a popular Swansea charity, is also located at Morriston Hospital.
All British driver registration is handled by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency which also is located in Clase, a suburb west of Morriston Town and is a major employer of local people.
The Morriston Orpheus Choir has an international reputation as a male voice choir.
Famous Morristonians
- William Richard Arnold, Welsh rugby international
- Anthony Clement, Welsh rugby international
External links
- [Morriston Orpheus Choir]
- [Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency]
- [Morriston Camera Club], includes pictures, local history and a map.
| Swansea electoral wards |
| Bishopston | Bon-y-maen | Castle | Clydach | Cockett | Cwmbwrla | Dunvant | Fairwood | Gorseinon | Gower | Gowerton | Killay North | Killay South | Kingsbridge | Landore | Llangyfelach | Llansamlet | Lower Loughor | Mawr | Mayals | Morriston | Mynydd-Bach | Newton | Oystermouth | Penclawdd | Penderry | Penllergaer | Pennard | Penyrheol | Pontarddulais | St. Thomas | Sketty | Townhill | Uplands | Upper Loughor | West Cross |
| Communities of Swansea |
| Birchgrove | Bishopston | Bon-y-maen | Castle | Clydach | Cockett | Cwmbwrla | Dunvant | Gorseinon | Gowerton | Grovesend | Ilston | Killay | Landore | Llangennith, Llanmadoc and Cheriton | Llangyfelach | Llanrhidian Higher | Llanrhidian Lower | Llansamlet | Llwchwr | Mawr | Morriston | Mumbles | Mynydd-Bach | Penderry | Penllergaer | Pennard | Penrice | Pontarddulais | Pont-Lliw | Port Eynon | Reynoldston | Rhossili | Sketty | St. Thomas | Townhill | Uplands | Upper Killay |
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