18 Facts About Merthyr

Merthyr was close to reserves of iron ore, coal, limestone, timber and water, making it an ideal site for ironworks.

The inhabitants of China were seen as a separate class, away from the respectable areas of Merthyr, and were clearly recognisable by their lifestyle and appearance.

Merthyr Rising of 1831 was precipitated by ruthless collection of debts, frequent wage reductions, and imposition of truck shops.

The fortunes of Merthyr revived temporarily during World War II, as war industry reached the area.

In 2006 inventor Howard Stapleton, based in Merthyr Tydfil, developed the technology that gave rise to the recent mosquitotone or Teen Buzz phenomenon.

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Municipal Borough of Merthyr Tydfil was created in 1905, with eight electoral wards, with the council taking over the roles of Merthyr Tydfil Urban District Council.

Merthyr Tydfil was granted county status in 1908, which it retained until 1974.

Merthyr was regarded as a nonconformist stronghold in the 19th century, but the chapels declined rapidly from the 1920s onwards and most are now closed.

Griffith's move to Merthyr Tydfil saw him take over a much larger and more established parish than Aberdare.

Merthyr became less than popular with the church authorities as a result of his support for disestablishment.

Merthyr was notable in the 19th and early 20th centuries for a large number of nonconformist places of worship, most holding services in Welsh.

Merthyr Tydfil had the largest Jewish community in Wales in the 19th century, reaching 400 at its height.

Menter Iaith Merthyr Tudful has successfully transformed the Zoar Chapel and adjacent vestry building in Pontmorlais into a community arts venue, Canolfan Soar and Theatr Soar, which run a programme of performance events and activities in both Welsh and English, together with a cafe and a bookshop specialising in local interest and Welsh language books and CDs.

Merthyr hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1881 and 1901 and the national Urdd Gobaith Cymru Eisteddfod in 1987.

In modern Merthyr, behind the monument to Trevithick's locomotive, is a stone wall, the sole remainder of the former boundary wall of Penydarren House.

Merthyr relies on a combination of public sector, manufacturing and service sector companies to provide employment.

Merthyr has a football team, Merthyr Town or "The Martyrs", currently competes in England's Evostick Southern Football League and plays home games at Penydarren Park.

Notable descendants of Merthyr include the singer-songwriter Katell Keineg, whose mother is from Merthyr, the "Chariots of Fire" athlete Harold Abrahams' mother Esther Isaacs, and the grandfather of Rolf Harris.