Llanelly

The community lies in the Clydach Gorge. It is bisected by the Heads of the Valleys Road, and lies between Brynmawr in the west and Abergavenny in the east. ==Settlements==

The main settlements of the community are: Llanelly Hill, Blackrock, Clydach, Maesygwartha and Gilwern. Llanelly Hill is the north-west hilltop of the Clydach Gorge. It developed as a result of coal mining and limestone quarrying for the nearby ironworks which included the Clydach Ironworks and further west, the Ebbw Vale Ironworks. Blackrock and Clydach North (which is also referred to as 'Cheltenham') were built up along the turnpike road that ran on the north side of the river between Govilon and Merthyr Tydfil. Clydach South developed on the south side of the river above the ironworks. It climbs the north-west slopes towards Llanelly Hill. Gilwern is located at the mouth of the River Clydach, where it meets the River Usk. Maesygwartha lies between Clydach and Gilwern along one of the many tramroads in the gorge. ==History==

The Church of St Elli dates from the 14th century or earlier. In the 1890s the highest part of the parish, the southwest, was transferred into the new urban district of Brynmawr. Subsequently, from the local government reorganisation of 1974 until that of 1996, the community was part of the district of Blaenau Gwent. However, the electors overwhelmingly voted to be transferred out of the district. ==Governance==

The electoral ward of Llanelly Hill is coterminous with the Llanelly community and elects one county councillor to Monmouthshire County Council. ==Notable persons==

• Sir Henry Bartle Frere (1815–1884), Governor-General of South Africa at the outbreak of the Anglo-Zulu War • Thomas Phillips (1801–1867), Mayor of Newport during the Newport Rising ==See also==