Caerau, Cardiff

Caerau
Western Leisure Centre
Population	10,189 (2001)
Community	Caerau
Principal area	Cardiff
Preserved county	South Glamorgan
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	CARDIFF
Postcode district	CF5
Dialling code	029
Police	South Wales
Fire	South Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
UK Parliament	Cardiff West
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament	Cardiff West

Caerau is a community in the west of Cardiff, capital city of Wales. It is often considered part of Wenvoe. Heol Trelai is the main road or avenue, lined with large trees and shrubbery. Dominated mostly by private housing, it has the Western Leisure Centre, supermarkets, schools and churches (the historic parish church of St. Mary is now in an advanced state of ruin).

Caerau also has successful rugby and football clubs, Caerau Rugby Football Club that has won the Mallet Cup in 2000 and 2007 and Caerau Football Club that was formed in 1955 and has become one of the most successful clubs in Cardiff.

History

Caerau, named after the Welsh word for 'Fort', sits at the base of a hill slope on the edge of Cardiff, it officially became part of Cardiff in 1922. Many homes and schools were built on the old racecourse, although enough of it was preserved to become Trelai Park. The remains of an Iron Age hill fort overlook the modern housing estate, though much reduced in size, the earthworks remain clearly visible. At the summit, a wooden palisade would have provided cover for defenders to bombard their enemy with stones. In 1894, a Roman villa was discovered on the Racecourse and excavations were carried out in 1922. The results showed several outbuildings and bathing facilities used to exist there.

Archeological discoveries

In 2012, Caerau hillfort underwent a dig by British archaeological television programme Time Team to investigate Iron Age Caerau.

Time Team's research showed that the site consists of a substantial hilltop surrounded by multi-vallate earthworks (rings of banks and ditches) that have been cut through at the southeastern extent by a major road. It also uncovered that Caerau was likely a tribal capital for the Silures, who were powerful local people who strongly resisted Roman incursions into their land. The dig unearthed pottery and armoury that dated back to 1,000 B.C.

Politics

Caerau electoral ward in Cardiff

The electoral ward of Caerau falls within the parliamentary constituency of Cardiff West. It is bounded by Ely to the northwest; Canton to the northeast; and the Vale of Glamorgan to the south. It is represented by Labour councillors Peter Bradbury and Elaine Simmons.

Transport

The district is on Cardiff Bus's Capital City Red bus route, with high frequency articulated buses operating on routes 17 (Ely /Canton /Central Stn) and 18 (Canton/Central Stn) through Caerau. Services 12 (Canton/Central Stn/Splott/Tremorfa) and 13 (Culverhouse Cross/Drope/Ely) also run along Cowbridge Road West (A48), along the very northern edge of Caerau, which is the main road for the area, linking it to Culverhouse Cross to the west and Ely, Canton and the city centre to the east.

Amenities

Caerau features numerous shopping parades. Two large supermarkets (Aldi and Farmfoods) are located just off Cowbridge Road West on nearby Treseder Way, Caerau. The area also has a large Lidl store and a small Lloyds Pharmacy on Careau Lane. Other amenities include a laundrette, pet supply store and multiple newspaper and convenience stores.

Education

St Mary's Church, Caerau

Primary Schools in Caerau:

• Millbank Primary School
• Pencaerau Primary School
• Trelai Primary School
• Ysgol Gymraeg Nant Caerau

Secondary Schools in Caerau:

• Glyn Derw High School
• Mary Immaculate High School

Notable people

• Noel Sullivan, member of early 2000s pop group Hear'Say.
• Jason Mohammad, BBC Wales newsreader.
• Nicky Piper, (born 5 May 1966) Super middleweight and light heavyweight boxer. His career was at its peak in the 1990s.
• Henry Morgan, 16th century pirate

External links

• www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Caerau and surrounding area