Mochdre, Conwy

Coordinates: 53°17′N 3°46′W / 53.29°N 3.76°W / 53.29; -3.76

Mochdre, Conwy
Welsh: Mochdre
Mochdre, Conwy  Mochdre, Conwy shown within Conwy
Population	1,862 (2001 census)
OS grid reference	SH825785
Principal area	Conwy
Ceremonial county	Clwyd
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	COLWYN BAY
Postcode district	LL28
Dialling code	01492
Police	North Wales
Fire	North Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
EU Parliament	Wales
UK Parliament	Clwyd West (UK Parliament constituency)
Welsh Assembly	Clwyd West (National Assembly for Wales constituency)
List of places: UK • Wales • Conwy

Mochdre is a village to the west of Colwyn Bay in Conwy County Borough, Wales. Originally part of the Municipal Borough of Colwyn Bay prior to local government reorganisation in April 1974, it is now a separate community whose population at the 2001 census was 1,862.^[1]

Origin of the name

The name of the village comes from Welsh language words meaning pig (moch) and town (tref). The origin of the name is explained in one of the mythological Welsh tales known as The Four Branches of the Mabinogi, which were first written down in the early Middle Ages, but which actually go much further back into the history of oral Welsh storytelling. An incident in one of these tales, Math fab Mathonwy, concerns the theft of a herd of sacred pigs. One of the places where the stolen animals were kept overnight became known as Mochdre ("Pigtown") as a result.^[2]

History & Amenities

The village of Mochdre is noted for its parish church, which is actually the church of the parish of Llangwstennin as it allegedly sits on the site of the oldest Early Christian church in Wales.

Mochdre has a place in railway history. Sited on the North Wales Coast Line from Chester to Holyhead, it was the location of experimental trackside water troughs, from which passing steam locomotives could scoop up fresh water supplies without having to stop. These devices became commonplace around the world, but Mochdre was the first place they were ever used, around October 1860. Ironically the exact spot is now a stretch of the A55 dual carriageway, the railway line having been realigned slightly to the west when this section of the road was built in the mid-1980s. Here too was Mochdre and Pabo station, closed originally in January 1917 as a World War I economy measure, reopened in May 1919, and finally closed for good in January 1931.

References

External links

• http://www.msfc.co.uk
• www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Mochdre and surrounding area

v t e Conwy County Borough Principal settlements Abergele Colwyn Bay Conwy Llandudno Llandudno Junction Llanfairfechan Llanrwst Old Colwyn Penmaenmawr Penrhyn Bay Towns and villages Bettws-y-Coed Caerhun Capel Curig Capel Garmon Cerrig-y-drudion Deganwy Dinmael Dolgarrog Dolwyddelan Eglwysbach Glan Conwy Henryd Kinmel Bay Llanbedr-y-Cennin Llanddoged Llanddulas Llanfair Talhaiarn Llangernyw Llanrhychwyn Llysfaen Maenan Mochdre Pandy Tudur Penmachno Pentrefoelas Rhos-on-Sea Rowen Tal-y-bont Tal-y-Cafn Trefriw Towyn Ysbyty Ifan Rivers River Conwy River Crafnant River Geirionydd River Lledr River Llugwy River Machno Afon Ddu Afon Ddu (Drum) Afon Dulyn Afon Eigiau Afon Lloer Afon Melynllyn Afon Porth-llwyd Afon Roe Afon Tafolog Castles and forts Canovium Conwy Castle Deganwy Castle Dolwyddelan Castle Gwrych Castle Gwydir Castle Pen y Gaer