Rachub

Rachub is a small village of about 700 people in the Ogwen Valley, about half a mile away from the nearby, larger village of Bethesda, Gwynedd.

Origins

The name Rachub is thought to have come from Yr Achub, which would roughly translates as The Saving or Safe place. The origin of this is the belief that when enemy forces were in the area the locals would flee to Rachub for safety (though the village itself did not exist then), although the story is probably a myth. Rachub was considered no more than a part of Llanllechid parish until the 19th century, when the slate industry expanded in the valley, and Rachub grew as a seperate village.

Day to day life

Welsh is the major tongue of the village, although it is in decline. In 1991 83% of residents spoke Welsh. In 2001, Gwynedd council had changed its local ward boundaries, so the figure today is unclear, but is certainly still over 75%. The higher part of the village, which goes up the Carneddau mountains, is more English-speaking, while the lower parts tend towards Welsh.

Most residents communte to work from the village, with very little having the opportunity not to do so. The main gathering points include the local pub (The Royal Oak or Y Dderwen Frenhinol) and the local post office. Rachub is also home to Ysgol Llanllechid (a Welsh-language primary school), a bakery and has three chapels.

Though not noted for much, perhaps Gruff Rhys, the Super Furry Animals' lead singer is its most famous export. The Welsh-language band, Celt, are a very popular band in the Welsh music scene, and hail from the village.

External Links

Gruff Rhys - BBC guide to the singer

Popty Cae Groes - Information on Rachub's local bakery

Blog Hogyn o Rachub - Welsh-language blog from a Rachub resident