Tongwynlais

The name Tongwynlais is believed to be derived from the word meaning 'ley land', i.e. 'pasture, grassland or unploughed land'; and Gwynlais, the name of the stream that runs through the village, Nant Gwynlais, thus "pasture by the Gwynlais". Gwynlais means pure voice in Welsh. (See also Tonna.) == Overview ==

Tongwynlais lies in the River Taff Valley. Its population was 1946 at the 2001 census. and it is a popular resting point between sections. The Cardiff Railway once ran through Tongwynlais. It passed through a tunnel just beneath Castell Coch. Tongwynlais railway station opened in 1911 and closed in 1931. The nearest station on the Coryton Line is Coryton. Radyr railway station is also nearby. == Government ==

;Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament :Tongwynlais is in the Cardiff North constituency for the Senedd, currently represented by Julie Morgan MS, a member of the Welsh Labour Party. ;Houses of Parliament :Cardiff North is currently represented by Anna McMorrin MP, a member of the Labour Party. ;Local Government - City Council :Tongwynlais is part of the Whitchurch & Tongwynlais electoral ward of Cardiff City Council and is represented by 4 councillors all of the Welsh Labour Party. In addition, Tongwynlais is also governed by a community council. ;Local Government - Community Council :There are nine seats on the community council, which is funded by a precept on council tax bills in Tongwynlais and supports a number of local services. Elections are held every five years. The last election was held at the same time as the 2022 Cardiff Council election. The next election is due to be held in May 2027. == Castell Coch ==

Tongwynlais' most notable building is the Victorian era folly castle called Castell Coch (Red Castle) which is open to the public. It was built on top of the ruins of a 13th-century castle thought to have belonged to Ifor Bach, a local Welsh ruler.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qr41AAAAMAAJ&dq=ivor+bach&pg=PA113 It was rebuilt and transformed in the late 1870s by William Burges for the 3rd Marquess of Bute. == Places of worship ==

There is a parish church and two Nonconformist chapels still open to worshippers in the village: • St Michael and All Angels (Church in Wales) (built 1875–77) • Ainon Baptist Church (built 1832) • St Garabed Armenian Church (built 1861) There were once two other chapels in the village (both Nonconformist), which have since closed and been converted into private residences. There was also Bethesda United Reformed Church, with this building now used as the St Garabed Armenian Church. == Music ==

The band RocketGoldStar wrote a song about the village, recording it on their 1996 album. They recorded it for a BBC Radio 1 Maida Vale Session. Tongwynlais Brass Band has been in existence since the 19th century and continues to compete in national competitions as well as performing concerts. Castell Coch Choral Society also does a lot of charitable work and has recently performed in the Czech Republic. The Welsh glam metal band Tigertailz named a song on Disc 1 of their Thrill Pistol album "Tongwynlais Fly". ==Images==

File:Castellcoch2.JPG|Castell Coch in autumn. == References ==