View source for Clwyd

{{otheruses}}
{{short description|Preserved county of Wales}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox historic subdivision|
|Name= Clwyd
|HQ=                   [[County Hall, Mold|Shire Hall]], [[Mold, Flintshire|Mold]]
|Government=           [[Clwyd County Council]]
|Status=               Non-metropolitan county (1974–1996) Preserved county (1996–)
|Start=                1974
|End=                  1996
|Replace=              [[Flintshire]]<br />[[Wrexham County Borough]]<br />[[Denbighshire]]<br />Parts of [[Conwy County Borough]]<br />Parts of [[Powys]]
|Map=                  {{Switcher
| [[File:Clwyd Preserved County in Wales.svg|200px|Clwyd shown within Wales as a preserved county]]<br />''Clwyd shown within Wales as a preserved county''<hr />
| Show county
| [[File:Districts Clwyd 1974-96 Wales.svg|200px|Clwyd shown as a county (in districts) between 1974 and 1996]]<br />[[History of local government in Wales#Local Government Act 1972: Counties and districts|1974–96 county boundaries]] (as [[Districts of Wales|districts]]) within Wales<hr />
| Show 1974–96 county in Wales
}}
|PopulationLast=       {{Welsh preserved counties|POP=Clwyd}}
|PopulationLastYear=   {{Welsh preserved counties|TXT=Year}}<ref name="ONS preserved counties population">{{Welsh preserved counties|TXT=Cite}}</ref>
|AreaFirst=            
|AreaFirstYear=        
|AreaLast=             {{Welsh preserved counties|ARE=Clwyd}} km²
|AreaLastYear=         {{Welsh preserved counties|TXT=Year}}<ref name="ONS preserved counties population" />
|Divisions=            
|DivisionsNames=       
|Arms=                 [[File:Coat of arms of Clwyd.svg|150px|Arms of Clwyd County Council]]
}}

[[File:Rhuddlan Castle, May 2012.jpg|thumb|right|[[Rhuddlan Castle]]]]

'''Clwyd''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|l|uː|ɪ|d}} {{respell|KLOO|id}}, {{IPA|cy|ˈklʊɨd|lang|Clwyd.ogg}})<ref>{{Cite LPD|3}}</ref> is a [[preserved counties of Wales|preserved county]] of [[Wales]], situated in the north-east corner of the country; it is named after the [[River Clwyd]], which runs through the area. To the north lies the [[Irish Sea]], with the English ceremonial counties of [[Cheshire]] to the east and [[Shropshire]] to the south-east. [[Powys]] and [[Gwynedd]] lie to the south and west respectively. Clwyd also shares a maritime boundary with [[Merseyside]] along the [[River Dee, Wales|River Dee]]. Between 1974 and 1996, a slightly different area had a [[county council]], with local government functions shared with six district councils. In 1996, Clwyd was abolished, and the new [[Principal areas of Wales|principal areas]] of [[Conwy County Borough]], [[Denbighshire]], [[Flintshire]] and [[Wrexham County Borough]] were created; under this reorganisation, "Clwyd" became a preserved county, with the name being retained for certain ceremonial functions.

This area of north-eastern Wales has been settled since prehistoric times; the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] built a fort beside a ford on the [[River Conwy]], and the [[Normans]] and Welsh disputed the territory. They built their castles at strategic locations as they advanced and retreated, but in the end England prevailed, and [[Edward I of England|Edward I]] conquered the country in 1282. The [[Laws in Wales Act 1535]] incorporated Wales under the [[List of English monarchs|English Crown]] and made it subject to English law.

Traditionally, agriculture was the mainstay of the economy of this part of Wales, but with the [[Industrial Revolution]], the [[North Wales Coalfield]] was developed and parts of eastern Clwyd around the Dee estuary and [[Wrexham]] became industrialised. The advent of the railway running from [[Chester]] along the North Wales coast in the mid-19th century made it easy for urban dwellers from [[Lancashire]] and Cheshire to visit the seaside towns of North Wales.

==History==
North Wales has had human settlements since prehistoric times. By the time the Romans reached Britain, the area that is now Clwyd was occupied by the [[Celts|Celtic]] [[Deceangli]] tribe. They lived in a chain of hill forts running through the [[Clwydian Range]] and their tribal capital was [[Canovium]], at an important crossing of the [[River Conwy]].<ref name=Jones>{{cite book|title=Illustrated History of Chester|author=Jones, P.|year=2009|publisher=DB Publishing |isbn=9781859836842 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vb4lTZDtYOsC}}</ref> This fell to the Romans, who built their own fort here, in about AD 75; and the whole of Wales was soon under their control. After the [[End of Roman rule in Britain|Roman departure from Britain]] in AD 410, the successor states of Gwynedd and Powys controlled the area. From about 800 onwards, a series of dynastic marriages led to [[Rhodri the Great|Rhodri Mawr]] inheriting the kingdoms of [[Gwynedd]] and [[Powys]]. After his death, this kingdom was divided among his three sons and further strife followed: not only Welsh battles were fought, but there were also many raids by [[Danes (Germanic tribe)|Danes]] and [[Saxons]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Davies|first=John|author-link=John Davies (historian)|title=A History of Wales| publisher=Penguin| year=1994| location=London|isbn = 0-14-014581-8 |page=338}}</ref>

[[File:Denbigh town 02220.jpg|thumb|right|Denbigh in about 1775, from ''A tour in Wales'' by [[Thomas Pennant]]]]
The Normans conquest of England at first had little effect on North Wales. This was to change as the city of [[Chester]] on the River Dee became the base for successive campaigns against the country in the 13th century. The coastal plain of Clwyd was the main invasion route, and a number of castles were built there to assist these advances. The castles at [[Flint Castle|Flint]] and [[Rhuddlan Castle|Rhuddlan]] date from this period, and were the first to be built by [[Edward I of England]] in North Wales during his successful conquest in 1282.<ref name=Marsh>{{cite web |url=http://www.pathfinderwalks.co.uk/pathfinder-walking-in-north-wales/ |title=Pathfinder Guide: North Wales and Snowdonia |author=Marsh, Terry |publisher=Crimson Publishing Ltd. |work=Pathfinder Guides |access-date=20 April 2016}}</ref> After this, the rule of the Welsh princes was at an end and Wales was annexed to England. This area was known as the [[Principality of Wales]] from 1216 to 1536. From 1301, the Crown's lands in north and west Wales formed part of the [[appanage]] of England's heir apparent, who was given the title "Prince of Wales". Under the [[Laws in Wales Act 1535]], Wales became permanently incorporated under the English Crown and subject to English law.<ref name=Marsh/>

[[File:WXM-SDSC0053.jpg|thumb|right|Bersham Ironworks]]
Although the [[Industrial Revolution]] did not much affect the rural parts of the area, there was considerable industrial activity in the [[North Wales Coalfield]], particularly around [[Wrexham]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/rhagor/article/1912/|title=Wales: the first industrial nation of the World|publisher=[[Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales]]|date=5 October 2008|access-date=20 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003192341/http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/rhagor/article/1912/|archive-date=3 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Bersham Ironworks]] at [[Bersham]], in the same area, was at the forefront of technological advances and was most famous for being the original working site of the industrialist [[John Wilkinson (industrialist)|John Wilkinson]] who invented new processes for boring [[cannon]]s.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Le Nevez, Catherine|author2=Whitfield, Paul|title=The Rough Guide to Wales |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781405389815 |url-access=registration|year=2012 |publisher=Rough Guides Limited |isbn=978-1-4093-5902-9 |page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781405389815/page/311 311]}}</ref> The Williams-Wynn family of [[Wynnstay]] had become rich after the dissolution of the monasteries and owned vast estates in Clwyd with resources including lead, tin and copper as well as corn and timber.<ref name=Morris>{{cite book|author=Morris, Jan|title=Wales: Epic Views of a Small Country|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2EUEAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT234 |year=2014 |publisher=Penguin Books Limited |isbn=978-0-241-97024-9 |page=234}}</ref>

==Geography==
Clwyd is in the northeastern corner of Wales. It is bounded by the Irish Sea to the north, the Welsh preserved counties of Gwynedd to the west and Powys to the south, and the English ceremonial counties of Shropshire and Cheshire to the southeast and east respectively; much of the eastern boundary follows the course of the [[River Dee, Wales|River Dee]] and its estuary. Other large rivers in the area include the [[River Alyn]], a tributary of the Dee, the [[River Clwyd]] and the River Conwy in the west. The northern coastal strip is heavily developed for tourism and has many resorts, including [[Llandudno]], [[Colwyn Bay]], [[Colwyn Bay|Colwyn]], [[Abergele]], [[Rhyl]] and [[Prestatyn]]. In the northeast lies [[Deeside]], the coastal plain beside the Dee estuary, and this part of Clwyd is heavily developed for industry. The area around Wrexham and the commuter settlements close to Chester are also heavily built up.<ref name=Atlas>{{cite book |title=Modern School Atlas|last=Philip's |year=1994 |publisher=George Philip & Son |isbn=0-540-05278-7 |page=26 }}</ref>

[[File:Llwyn Uchaf grazing. - geograph.org.uk - 274623.jpg|thumb|left|Sheep grazing with the Clwydian Range behind]]
To the west of this is a ridge of mountains with a steep [[Escarpment|scarp slope]] to the west, the Clwydian Range. The highest point of these hills is [[Moel Famau]] at {{convert|1820|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}. The north-central part is the broad [[Vale of Clwyd]], and the best agricultural land lies here. To the south of this, the land is much higher and more rugged, the [[Mynydd Hiraethog|Denbigh Moors]] and the [[Berwyn range]] are here. The central and western parts are much more rural than the coastal area and the east, with part of the [[Snowdonia National Park]] lying in the western part.<ref name=Atlas/>  The population as of 2007 is estimated at 491,100, based on figures for the four component unitary authority areas.<ref>[http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/Mid_2007_UK_England_&_Wales_Scotland_and_Northern_Ireland%20_21_08_08.zip Statistics.gov.uk] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728154121/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/Mid_2007_UK_England_%26_Wales_Scotland_and_Northern_Ireland%20_21_08_08.zip |date=2011-07-28 }}</ref>

Since the 2003 boundary changes, its coastline has extended from the [[Dee Estuary]] in Flintshire through to [[Llanfairfechan]].
Clwyd consists of the whole of the [[historic counties of Wales|historic]] county of [[Flintshire (historic)|Flintshire]], and most of [[Denbighshire (historic)|Denbighshire]]. Since 2003 it has also included the former [[district of Aberconwy]], which lies in the historic county of [[Caernarfonshire]], and also the former [[Edeirnion|Edeyrnion Rural District]] in the historic county of [[Merionethshire]].<ref name=2003Act/>

==Economy==
[[File:Limestone Quarry, Minera - geograph.org.uk - 72267.jpg|thumb|left|Limestone quarry at Minera Mountain]]
The land uses of any region depend on the underlying geology which influences the soil types. In the Clwydian Range, lead and [[Spar (mineralogy)|spar minerals]] have been mined in the past, and limestone quarried from [[Llantysilio Mountain]], [[Ruabon Moors|Ruabon Mountain]] and [[Minera Mountain]] near Wrexham.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/geodiversity/ |title=Geodiversity |publisher=Clwydian Range and Dee Valley |access-date=20 April 2016}}</ref> The [[Minera Limeworks]] were once the largest lime workings in North Wales. Later, road building stone was extracted but the quarries closed in 1992.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.minerahistory.com/the_calch.html |title='The Calch' - Minera Limeworks |publisher=MineraHistory.com |access-date=20 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316041246/http://www.minerahistory.com/the_calch.html |archive-date=16 March 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Coal mining in the North Wales Coalfield ceased in the second half of the twentieth century but used to be a large source of employment in the area.<ref name=nwales>{{Citation|url=http://www.cmhrc.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/nwalescf.htm |title=The North Wales Coalfield |year=1953 |publisher=Coalmining History Research Centre |access-date=20 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030322/http://www.cmhrc.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/nwalescf.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 }}</ref> The main products being manufactured in industrial east Clwyd include aircraft components (Airbus), engines (Toyota), paper (Shotton Paper) and steel processing, and the port of [[Mostyn]] builds and supports [[Offshore wind power|offshore windfarms]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Business/Advice-and-guidance/Investing-in-Flintshire.aspx |title=Flintshire |work=Investing in Flintshire |publisher=Flintshire County Council |access-date=20 April 2016}}</ref>

Agriculture, largely based on livestock, has traditionally been the main occupation in the central and western parts. There are a mix of large and small farm businesses, and a thriving dairy sector in the Vale of Clwyd.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nfu-cymru.org.uk/contact-us/clwyd/ |title=Clwyd |date=5 December 2014 |publisher=NFU Cymru |access-date=19 April 2016 |archive-date=20 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320022906/http://www.nfu-cymru.org.uk/contact-us/clwyd/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Many of the towns have livestock markets and the farming industry supports farm machinery merchants, vets, feed merchants, contractors and all the ancillary trades connected with agriculture.<ref name=Morris/> With their incomes on the decline, farmers have found opportunities in tourism, rural crafts, specialist food shops, farmers' markets and value-added food products.<ref name=Nienaber>{{cite book|author=Nienaber, Birte|title=Globalization and Europe's Rural Regions |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RFurCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA79 |year=2016|publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-12709-3 |pages=76–83}}</ref>

[[File:The pier, Rhyl, Wales-LCCN2001703538.jpg|thumb|left|The Pier at [[Rhyl]], about 1900]]
The upland areas with their sheep farms and small, stone-walled fields are attractive to visitors, and redundant farm buildings are often converted to self-catering accommodation while the farmhouses themselves supply bed-and-breakfast opportunities. The arrival of the railway on the coast in the mid-nineteenth century opened up travel from Merseyside and caused a boom in tourism, with guesthouses in seaside towns offering board and lodging for the urban visitors. More recently caravan sites and holiday villages have blossomed and there has been an increase in the ownership of "second homes".<ref>{{cite book|author1=Boniface, Brian G. |author2=Cooper, Chris |author3=Cooper, Robyn|title=Worldwide Destinations: The Geography of Travel and Tourism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6abUvExxZiIC&pg=PA129 |year=2012 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-08-097040-0 |pages=129, 152–153}}</ref>

Various initiatives designed to boost the economy of North Wales are being attempted in 2016. These include the Northern Gateway project on the former [[MoD Sealand|Sealand RAF site]] on Deeside, and a redevelopment project for the former Rhyl seafront and [[funfair]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Six projects to kick-start the North Wales economy in 2016 |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/six-projects-kick-start-north-10669404 |newspaper=Daily Post |date=1 January 2016 |access-date=21 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507131203/http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/six-projects-kick-start-north-10669404 |archive-date=7 May 2016 }}</ref>

==Administrative history==
The Local Government Commission for Wales set up in 1958 was the first to recommend wholesale amalgamation of the [[administrative counties of Wales|administrative counties]] outside [[Glamorgan]] and [[Monmouthshire (historic)|Monmouthshire]], with extensive boundary changes; however the then [[Ministry of Housing and Local Government|Minister of Housing and Local Government]] Sir [[Keith Joseph]] decided not to accept the report, noting that county amalgamations in England had been highly unpopular when proposed.<ref name="Early reform">Bruce Wood, "The Process of Local Government Reform 1966–74", George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1976, p. 117-8.</ref>

In 1967, after a change of government, the [[Secretary of State for Wales]] [[Cledwyn Hughes]] published a [[white paper]] which revived the idea of amalgamation, but instead of the boundary changes proposed in the previous report, treated each county as a whole. The report recommended a single new ''Gwynedd'' incorporating Denbighshire, Flintshire, Caernarfonshire, Merionethshire and [[Anglesey]]. The white paper stated that "the need for early action is particularly urgent in Wales", and so the issue was not referred to a [[Royal Commission]] as in England.<ref name="White paper">"Local Government in Wales", [[Command paper|Cmnd.]] 3340, July 1967.</ref> Opponents criticised the proposed new council for being too large, and in November 1968 a new Secretary of State announced that Gwynedd would be divided into two.<ref name="Division of Gwynedd">Bruce Wood, "The Process of Local Government Reform 1966–74", George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1976, p. 123.</ref>

This revised proposal was continued in a further white paper in March 1970, although this proposed that the councils be unitary authorities which would have no district councils below them. The incoming Conservative government resurrected two-tier local government in a consultative document published in February 1971, again with the same upper-tier boundaries.<ref name="Conservative proposal">Bruce Wood, "The Process of Local Government Reform 1966–74", George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1976, p. 125-6.</ref> Some minor changes having been made to the existing boundaries due to special local factors, the [[Local Government Act 1972]] duly created Clwyd as a merger of Flintshire with most of Denbighshire, along with the Edeyrnion Rural District from Merionethshire.<ref name="Later reform">Bruce Wood, "The Process of Local Government Reform 1966–74", George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1976, p. 127-130.</ref> The 1970 white paper had introduced the name of Clwyd by reference to the River Clwyd and the Clwydian range of hills; Clwyd was the only new Welsh county which did not take its name from an ancient kingdom.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ancient Welsh names restored in council titles|work=The Times|date=19 December 1972}}</ref>

[[Image:Clwyd districts.png|thumb|right|Districts of Clwyd:<br> 1, Colwyn<br>2, Rhuddlan<br>3, Glyndwr<br>4, Delyn<br>5, Alyn & Deeside<br>6, Wrexham Maelor]]

For second-tier local government purposes, Clwyd was divided into six districts: [[Alyn and Deeside (district)|Alyn and Deeside]], Colwyn, [[Delyn (district)|Delyn]], [[Glyndŵr (district)|Glyndŵr]], [[Rhuddlan]] and [[Wrexham Maelor]], each being operated by a [[Subdivisions of Wales|district]] or [[borough council]].<ref name="Later reform"/> These were abolished, along with the county itself, on 1&nbsp;April 1996.<ref name=1994Act>{{cite web |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/19/contents |title=Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 |work=The National Archives |publisher=legislation,gov.uk |access-date=21 April 2016}}</ref> [[Clwyd County Council]]'s [[coat of arms]] was granted in December 1974. The design of the shield, crest and motto includes elements taken from the arms of the former councils of Flintshire and Denbighshire. The green and white wave represents the Vale of Clwyd and the Clwydian Range lying between the two parts. The cross and [[chough]]s come from Flintshire's shield, which itself incorporated the traditional arms of [[Edwin of Tegeingl]], while the black lion of the Princes of Powys Fadog is taken from Denbighshire's shield. The motto, ''Tarian Cyfiawnder Duw'' can be translated as "The shield of Justice is God".<ref>{{cite web|title=Clwyd coat of arms|url=http://www.ngw.nl/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=West_Glamorgan|publisher=Heraldry of the World|access-date=20 April 2016}}</ref>

Clwyd County Council and its districts were abolished by the [[Local Government (Wales) Act 1994]], and local government would be replaced by the four [[unitary authorities]] of [[Flintshire]], [[Wrexham County Borough]], [[Denbighshire]], and parts of [[Conwy (county borough)|Conwy]] (along with some smaller communities moving to Powys). The Act also abolished the County, and states the term "county" would be synonymous with the "principal areas" created by the 1994 Act. However the Act then created a further set of "preserved counties", which were based on the eight created by the 1972 Act. These Preserved Counties, similar in respect to [[England|English]] [[Ceremonial counties of England|Ceremonial counties]], would be retained for a variety of purposes, including [[Lieutenancy area|lieutenancy]] and [[shrievalty]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highsheriffs.com/Clwyd/ClwydHistory.htm |title=Clwyd: County history |year=2010 |publisher=High Sheriff's Association of England and Wales |access-date=21 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505103602/http://www.highsheriffs.com/Clwyd/ClwydHistory.htm |archive-date=5 May 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Clwyd County Council and its six districts ceased operations at midnight on 1 April 1996, and local government was immediately transferred to the new principal areas of Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and [[Wrexham (county borough)|Wrexham]]. However, although bearing the same names, the boundaries of Flintshire and Denbighshire were substantially different from those of the [[Historic counties of Wales|historic counties]]. As it happened, the county records for historic Flintshire had been retained at the [[Hawarden]] branch of the Clwyd Records Office while those for historic Denbighshire had continued to be held at the [[Ruthin]] branch, so there was no problem in segregating the records.<ref name=GenukiDenbighshire>{{cite web |url=https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/DEN |title=Denbighshire |publisher=Genuki |access-date=18 April 2016}}</ref>

The Preserved County of Clwyd came into effect on the same day that Clwyd County Council was abolished. The preserved county was almost identical to the 1974–96 county, but had a few minor changes in line with changes to local government boundaries, the communities of [[Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant]], [[Llansilin]] and [[Llangedwyn]] being transferred from Clwyd to Powys.<ref name=Review>{{cite web | url = http://www.lgbc-wales.gov.uk/preserved/preserved_final_proposals_e.htm | title = Review of Preserved County Boundaries Final Proposals | publisher = Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales | access-date = 18 April 2016 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160507120358/http://www.lgbc-wales.gov.uk/preserved/preserved_final_proposals_e.htm | archive-date = 7 May 2016 }}</ref>

==2003 boundary review==
[[Image:WalesCeremonialClwyd.png|frame|right|Clwyd as a [[Preserved counties of Wales|preserved county]] since 2003.]]
In 2003, the borders of Clwyd were changed to cover the remainder of Conwy (which had previously been part of Gwynedd), which was part of a Wales-wide re-organisation of the preserved counties, so that boundaries of the preserved counties would contain whole current principal areas only.<ref name=2003Act>[https://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/wales/wsi2003/20030974e.htm The Preserved Counties (Amendment to Boundaries) (Wales) Order 2003] Retrieved on 19 May 2009</ref>

This led to some areas, such as the Aberconwy district, moving to a preserved county it had never been administered by in the past, and therefore these moves went generally unreported due to the preserved county's limited status. The Boundary Commission proceeded to retain the eight preserved counties, and modified their borders in 2003 to match with the incumbent principal area boundaries. The 2003 arrangement brings towns such as Llandudno and [[Conwy]] into the preserved county of Clwyd.<ref name=2003Act/>

==Legacy==
Some local organisations still make use of the word "Clwyd" in their name, often because their membership covers a wider area than their present unitary authority. These organisations include the [[Theatr Clwyd]], which is based in [[Mold, Flintshire|Mold]] and is the largest producing arts centre in Wales. It provides young people the opportunity to get involved in drama. The [[Clwyd Family History Society]] can help its members to access many historical documents concerning northeastern Wales,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clwydfhs.org.uk/ |title=Clwyd Family History Society |access-date=20 April 2016}}</ref> and the [[Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust]] is one of four archaeological trusts covering the whole of Wales.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cpat.org.uk/ |title=Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust |access-date=20 April 2016}}</ref> The [[Clwyd County Darts Association]] organises tournaments and takes part in inter-county matches.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clwydcountydarts.co.uk/ |title=Clwyd County Darts Association |access-date=20 April 2016 |archive-date=9 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509150548/http://www.clwydcountydarts.co.uk/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Clwyd East Football League]] was created in 2011 to represent the North East Wales area at the fifth tier of Welsh Football. It has subsequently changed its name to the North East Wales Football League.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://clwydleagueeast.pitchero.com/ |title=North East Wales Football League |publisher=Pitchero |access-date=22 April 2016}}</ref> The Clwyd Pension Fund is the Local Government pension scheme inherited from Clwyd County Council, now providing pension schemes for Wrexham, Flintshire and Denbighshire unitary authorities and former districts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clwydpensionfund.org.uk/ |title=Clwyd Pension Fund |access-date=20 April 2016}}</ref>

The position of [[Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd]] also continues as the [[Monarch]]'s personal representative, as with the other seven preserved counties of Wales. The current Lord Lieutenant is Henry George Fetherstonhaugh, who was appointed in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lord-lieutenant-for-county-clwyd |title=Lord Lieutenant for County Clwyd |date=17 January 2013 |publisher=Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street |access-date=20 April 2016}}</ref>

==Landmarks==
[[File:Traphont Pontcysyllte Sir Wrecsam 03.JPG|thumb|left|[[Narrowboat]] crossing the [[Pontcysyllte Aqueduct]]]]
The [[Pontcysyllte Aqueduct]] was built by [[Thomas Telford]] in 1805 and is the largest aqueduct in the United Kingdom; it carries the [[Llangollen Canal]] over the River Dee and is a [[World Heritage Site]], being considered a masterpiece of civil engineering.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1303 |title=Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal |publisher=UNESCO |access-date=21 April 2016}}</ref> The [[Clwydian Range and Dee Valley]] constitute an [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]], [[Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Wales|one of just five in the whole of Wales]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.northeastwales.co.uk/what-to-see-and-do/denbighshire/clwydian-range.aspx |title=Clwydian Range |publisher=North East Wales |access-date=21 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419025918/http://www.northeastwales.co.uk/what-to-see-and-do/denbighshire/clwydian-range.aspx |archive-date=19 April 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Denbigh]], Colwyn and Ruthin are historic towns and [[Llangollen]] hosts the [[Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod]] in July each year.<ref name=Attractions>{{cite web |url=https://www.britainexpress.com/attraction-county.htm?County=Clwyd |title=Attractions in Clwyd |publisher=Britain Express |access-date=21 April 2016}}</ref>

[[The Gop]] is a [[Neolithic]] mound, the second largest such structure in Britain being only superseded by [[Silbury Hill]]. [[Caer Drewyn]] is one of many [[Iron Age]] hill forts in Clwyd that attest to human occupation of this area for millennia. [[Maen Achwyfan Cross]] is a carved 10th century wheel cross depicting Celtic and Viking symbols.<ref name=Attractions/> The castles of Rhuddlan and Flint were built by the Normans during their invasion of North Wales and [[Castell Dinas Brân]] was a Welsh fortress of the same period. [[St Asaph Cathedral]] also dates from the thirteenth century as does the medieval Cistercian abbey of [[Valle Crucis Abbey|Valle Crucis]].<ref name=Attractions/>

[[Bodnant Garden]] is a formal garden in a landscaped setting,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodnant-garden |title=Bodnant Garden |publisher=National Trust |access-date=21 April 2016}}</ref> and [[Erddig|Erddig Hall]] is a stately home, both owned by the [[National Trust]]. Other fine country houses in Clwyd include [[Trevor Hall, Denbighshire|Trevor Hall]] and [[Faenol Fawr, Bodelwyddan]], while [[Plas Mawr]] and [[Aberconwy House]] are historic town houses in Conwy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/aberconwy-house |title=Aberconwy House |publisher=National Trust |access-date=21 April 2016}}</ref> Also in Conwy is the [[Conwy Suspension Bridge]], one of the first such bridges in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/conwy-suspension-bridge |title=Conwy Suspension Bridge |publisher=National Trust |access-date=21 April 2016}}</ref>

==Transport==
[[File:Virgin Voyager, Flint railway station (geograph 4031998).jpg|thumb|right|Virgin Voyager approaching [[Flint railway station]]]]
The [[North Wales Coast Line]] is the railway line from [[Crewe railway station|Crewe]] to [[Holyhead railway station|Holyhead]], served by [[Transport for Wales Rail|Transport for Wales]] and [[Avanti West Coast]] services. Trains leaving Crewe pass through Chester, cross the River Dee into Wales, and continue through stations such as: [[Shotton railway station|Shotton]], [[Flint railway station|Flint]], [[Prestatyn railway station|Prestatyn]], [[Rhyl railway station|Rhyl]], [[Colwyn Bay railway station|Colwyn Bay]], [[Llandudno Junction railway station|Llandudno Junction]], [[Conwy railway station|Conwy]] and [[Bangor (Gwynedd) railway station|Bangor]], to Holyhead, from where there is a ferry service to Ireland. Passengers can change at Shotton for the [[Borderlands Line]], which links Wrexham with [[Bidston]] on the [[Wirral Peninsula]] in England.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nwroute1.htm |title=Crewe to Holyhead  |year=2012 |publisher=North Wales Coast Railway |access-date=22 April 2016}}</ref> The [[Conwy Valley Line]] links Llandudno Junction to [[Blaenau Ffestiniog]] via [[Betws-y-Coed]] and was constructed mainly for use as a freight line for the transport of [[slate]] to the quay at [[Deganwy]] for export by sea. It is a scenic route with a number of request stops.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nwrvall.htm |title=The Conwy Valley Line |author=Sallery, Dave |year=2014 |publisher=North Wales Coast Railway |access-date=22 April 2016}}</ref> The [[Shrewsbury–Chester line]] connects {{rws|Wrexham General}}, northwards to Chester and southwards to other stations in the present-day county borough and to {{rws|Shrewsbury}}.

There are no motorways in Clwyd. The [[A55 road|A55]] dual carriageway road passes from Chester through [[St Asaph]] to the North Wales coast at Abergele, after which it runs parallel to the railway line through Conwy and Bangor to terminate at Holyhead. The [[A483 road|A483]] connects Wrexham northwards to Chester, and southwards to Ruabon and Chirk. The [[A548 road|A548]] passes from Chester to Abergele through Deeside and along the coast, before leaving the coast and terminating at [[Llanrwst]]. The main road from London is the [[A5 road (Great Britain)|A5]] which enters Clwyd at [[Chirk]] and passes northwestwards through Llangollen, [[Corwen]] and Betws-y-Coed to join the A55 and terminate at Bangor. The [[A543 road|A543]] crosses the Denbigh Moors from southeast to northwest, and the [[A525 road|A525]] links Ruthin with St Asaph.<ref>{{cite book |title=Concise Road Atlas: Britain |year=2015 |publisher=AA Publishing |isbn=978-0-7495-7743-8 |pages=47–55 }}</ref> There are local bus services between the main centres of population. Several services by [[Arriva Buses Wales]] run along the main coast road between Chester and Holyhead, linking the coastal resorts. Other routes include: Llandudno to Llanrwst and Betws-y-Coed via Conwy and [[Dolgarrog]]; Rhyl to Denbigh; Wrexham to Chester; and Wrexham to Mold.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/wales/ |title=Discover the towns of Wales |work=Arriva Wales |publisher=Arriva Buses Wales |access-date=22 April 2016}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd|List of Lord Lieutenants of Clwyd]]
* [[High Sheriff of Clwyd|List of High Sheriffs of Clwyd]]
* [[List of places in Denbighshire]]
* [[List of places in Flintshire]]
* [[List of places in Conwy County Borough]]
* [[List of places in Wrexham County Borough]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

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{{Wales preserved counties|state=collapsed}}
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[[Category:Clwyd| ]]
[[Category:Preserved counties of Wales]]