Valley ( ) is a village,
community
A community is a social unit (a group of people) with a shared socially-significant characteristic, such as place, set of norms, culture, religion, values, customs, or identity. Communities may share a sense of place situated in a given g ...
, and former
electoral ward
A ward is a local authority area, typically used for electoral purposes. In some countries, wards are usually named after neighbourhoods, thoroughfares, parishes, landmarks, geographical features and in some cases historical figures connected t ...
near
Holyhead
Holyhead (; , "Cybi's fort") is a historic port town, and is the list of Anglesey towns by population, largest town and a Community (Wales), community in the county of Isle of Anglesey, Wales. Holyhead is on Holy Island, Anglesey, Holy Island ...
on the west coast of
Anglesey
Anglesey ( ; ) is an island off the north-west coast of Wales. It forms the bulk of the Principal areas of Wales, county known as the Isle of Anglesey, which also includes Holy Island, Anglesey, Holy Island () and some islets and Skerry, sker ...
, North
Wales
Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...
. The population during the 2001 census was 2,413, decreasing to 2,361 at the 2011 census.
Toponym
The origin of the name has been the subject of much debate for more than a century.
Thomas Morgan derived the name as a corruption of "Mael-dy" (house of trade). Morgan links the name with the writings of
Tacitus
Publius Cornelius Tacitus, known simply as Tacitus ( , ; – ), was a Roman historian and politician. Tacitus is widely regarded as one of the greatest Roman historians by modern scholars.
Tacitus’ two major historical works, ''Annals'' ( ...
, who stated that trade with Ireland was conducted from here in the time of
Julius Agricola.
Gwilym T. Jones and Tomos Roberts state that early accounts name the area as ''Glan Môr Tŷ Coch'' and ''Glan Môr Castell Llyfaint''. They offer two further possible derivations of the name ''Valley''; firstly that the name derives from the
Irish word ''Baile'' (a settlement) and secondly that it developed when the
Stanley Embankment (known by locals as 'The Cob') was built in the 1820s and a depression (or valley) was dug to yield rubble for its construction. The cluster of dwellings nearby was then given the name by these labourers.
In
Modern Welsh it is referred to as either ''Y Dyffryn'' (meaning The Valley) or ''
Fali'' (pronounced as Valley).
Political boundaries
Prior to the
2012 Anglesey electoral boundary changes Valley was an electoral ward to the
Isle of Anglesey County Council
The Isle of Anglesey County Council () is the local authority for the Isle of Anglesey, a principal areas of Wales, principal area with county status in Wales. Since 2022 the council has 35 councillors who represent 14 multi-member electoral war ...
. It is now part of the larger Llifon ward, together with
Llanfaelog and
Llanfair-yn-Neubwll
Llanfair-yn-Neubwll is a village and community (Wales), community on the Isle of Anglesey in the north west of Wales. The community includes the villages of Llanfihangel yn Nhowyn and Caergeiliog, and had a population of 1,688, increasing to 1,8 ...
.
The community includes the village of
Llanynghenedl and part of
Four Mile Bridge.
About Valley Community Council
Valley Community Council is the statutory local authority for the Valley area, consisting of 13 elected councillors who represent the interests of the local community. Councillors are elected by local residents, with terms of office typically lasting four years. These elections are usually held in May, in line with other local or general elections. Should a vacancy arise between elections—such as through a resignation—it is filled either through election or co-option, depending on the circumstances.
As the tier of local government closest to the people, Community Councils have an essential role in representing and responding to the needs of residents. We listen carefully to the concerns, ideas, and aspirations of the community, and we make decisions and recommendations aimed at enhancing the quality of life and environment in our area.
Chair and Vice Chair:
Chairman: Cllr Neil Tuck
Vice-Chairman: Cllr Gordon Browne MBE, JP
Clerk and Financial Responsible Officer - Mrs Rhianwen Sheldon
Our Responsibilities and Powers
Valley Community Council has a wide range of responsibilities and statutory powers. In addition to providing and managing specific local services, we have the right to comment on matters such as planning applications, traffic and highway issues, and public rights of way. While we are no longer consulted on licensing issues, we continue to play a vital role in other areas of local governance.
The Council is supported by a part-time Clerk, who also serves as the Responsible Financial Officer. The Clerk manages the Council’s administration and ensures the smooth day-to-day running of Council business.
Services We Provide
* Cemetery Management: We manage and maintain Ynys Wen Community Cemetery and hold the official Register of Burials.
* Recreational Facilities: We maintain Parc Mwd, located off Station Road, which includes football pitches, benches, boules area, and footpaths.
* Children’s Play Area: We lease and maintain the play area on Spencer Road, including upkeep of the equipment and grounds.
* Community Representation: We act as a voice for the Valley community, presenting residents’ concerns to the Council and, where appropriate, to Anglesey County Council, the Welsh Government, and other agencies.
* Communication & Engagement: We provide feedback to residents on issues that affect them and promote transparent and responsive governance.
* Consultation & Advocacy: We are consulted on and provide input into planning applications, highway maintenance, traffic calming measures, street naming, and more.
* Public Rights of Way: We are involved in the maintenance and improvement of footpaths and bridleways in the area.
* Village Amenities: We maintain public amenities such as bus shelters, the village clock, and community benches.
* Community Involvement: One of our councillors serves on the Board of Governors for Valley Community School. We also participate in other committees and boards to represent community interests.
* Local Funding: We have the authority to spend a limited budget on projects or initiatives that benefit the community, including grants and donations to local charitable causes.
Valley Community Council
Transport
RAF Valley is a nearby
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the Air force, air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of t ...
station concerned with the training of fast jet pilots. The runways are also used by
Anglesey Airport who make commercial flights to
Cardiff
Cardiff (; ) is the capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of Wales. Cardiff had a population of in and forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area officially known as the City and County of Ca ...
(and previously the
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man ( , also ), or Mann ( ), is a self-governing British Crown Dependency in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland. As head of state, Charles III holds the title Lord of Mann and is represented by a Lieutenant Govern ...
).
Valley railway station is on the
North Wales Coast Line
The North Wales Main Line ( or ; ), also known as the North Wales Coast Line (), is a major railway line in the north of Wales and Cheshire, England, running from Crewe on the West Coast Main Line to Holyhead on the Isle of Anglesey. The lin ...
and
its signal box is
Grade II listed
In the United Kingdom, a listed building is a structure of particular architectural or historic interest deserving of special protection. Such buildings are placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, H ...
.
Thomas Telford
Thomas Telford (9 August 1757 – 2 September 1834) was a Scottish civil engineer. After establishing himself as an engineer of road and canal projects in Shropshire, he designed numerous infrastructure projects in his native Scotland, as well ...
's
A5 road
A5 Road may refer to:
;Africa
* A5 highway (Nigeria), a road connecting Lagos and Ibadan
* A5 road (Zimbabwe), a road connecting Harare and Bulawayo
;Americas
* Quebec Autoroute 5, a road in Quebec, Canada
* County Route A5 (California) or Bowm ...
bisects the village.
Sport
Valley has a football club, whose senior team, CPD Y Fali, play in the
North Wales Coast West Football League Division One. They play their home matches on Station Road which is situated between the
North Wales Coast railway line and the
A55 North Wales Expressway.
Climate
Notable people
*
Gareth Williams (1978–2010) was a Welsh mathematician and employee of GCHQ seconded to the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS or MI6) who was found dead in suspicious circumstances; he came from Valley and is buried in Ynys Wen Cemetery.
*
George North is a professional rugby union player who plays for
Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship and for the
Wales
Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...
national team. He attended Ysgol Gymuned Y Fali.
References
External links
Valley Community Councilphotos of Valley, Anglesey and surrounding area on geograph.org.uk
{{Authority control
Former wards of Anglesey