Betws Garmon
Betws Garmon
| |
|---|---|
 Footbridge at Betws Garmon | |
  Betws Garmon Location within Gwynedd | |
| Population | 249 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SH535575 |
| Community |
|
| Principal area | |
| Preserved county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CAERNARFON |
| Postcode district | LL54 |
| Dialling code | 01286 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| UK Parliament | |
| Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament | |
Betws Garmon is a community and small hamlet outside Waunfawr and near Beddgelert in Gwynedd, Wales. It has a population of 249.[1]
The summit of Snowdon lies within the community boundaries. Bryn Gloch has the newly reopened narrow gauge Welsh Highland Railway passing alongside it. The hamlet of Rhyd-Ddu is in the community.
Over the road from Bryn Gloch there is a parish church. Along the mountain extensive slate workings can be seen.
Betws Garmon also has a park near it. Near the station there is a road which leads to Rhosgadfan. Up that road there is a footpath that leads to Y Fron. A river that flows through the hamlet is called Afon Gwyrfai.
There was a folk tale concerning the family of Pellings, who lived at Betws Garmon until the 19th century. It was said that they were descended from a man and a fairy named Penelope. Penelope lived happily with her human husband until she was accidentally touched with a piece of iron, whereupon she disappeared forever.[2]
Etymology
The first part of the name of the village comes from the Middle English word bedhus, meaning "prayer house", which became betws in Welsh.[3]
Demographics
Betws Garmon's population was 249, according to the 2011 census;[4] a 15.28% increase since the 216 people noted in 2001.[5]
The 2011 census showed 54.8% of the population could speak Welsh, a rise from 45.0% in 2001.[6]
Nearly half of the population was born in England. [7]
References
- ^ Office for National Statistics : Neighbourhood Statistics : Census 2001 : Gwynedd Archived 22 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Ash, Russell (1973). Folklore, Myths and Legends of Britain. Reader's Digest Association Limited. p. 382. ISBN 9780340165973.
- ^ Welsh Place Names Dictionary
- ^ "Area: Betws Garmon (Parish)". Office for National Statistics. 30 January 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "Area: Betws Garmon (Parish)". Office for National Statistics. 18 November 2004. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "2011 Census results by Community". Welsh Language Commissioner. 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Custom report - Nomis - Official Labour Market Statistics".
