Editing Nefyn

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country                     = Wales
| welsh_name                  =
| coordinates                 = {{coord|52.935|-4.524|display=inline,title}}
| official_name               = Nefyn
| unitary_wales               = [[Gwynedd]]
| lieutenancy_wales           = [[Gwynedd]]
| community_wales             = Nefyn
| constituency_westminster    = [[Caernarfon (UK Parliament constituency)|Caernarfon]]
| constituency_welsh_assembly = [[Dwyfor Meirionnydd (Assembly constituency)|Dwyfor Meirionnydd]]
| post_town                   = PWLLHELI
| postcode_district           = LL53
| postcode_area               = LL
| dial_code                   = 01758
| static_image_name           = NEFYN.JPG
| static_image_caption        = A view over Nefyn
| os_grid_reference           = SH304405
| london_distance             = 
| population                  = 2,602
| population_ref              = ''(2011)'' 
| module= [[File:Wales Gwynedd Community Nefyn map.svg|240px]]<br />Map of the community
}}

'''Nefyn''' ({{IPA|cy|ˈnɛvɨn|audio=LL-Q9309 (cym)-Jason.nlw-Nefyn.wav}}, archaically anglicised as '''Nevin''') is a town and [[community (Wales)|community]] on the northwest coast of the [[Llŷn Peninsula]], [[Gwynedd]], [[Wales]]. Nefyn is popular with visitors for its sandy beach, and has one substantial hotel, a community pub and a beach cafe. The [[A497 road]] terminates in the town centre.

The community includes [[Edern, Gwynedd|Edern]] and [[Morfa Nefyn]]. In 2011, the population was 2,602,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/localarea?compare=W04000092|title=Custom report – Nomis – Official Labour Market Statistics|website=www.nomisweb.co.uk}}</ref> with Nefyn itself having 1,373 people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/localarea?compare=W37000288|title=Custom report – Nomis – Official Labour Market Statistics|website=www.nomisweb.co.uk}}</ref>

==History==
The history of the area can be traced back to 300 BC with the [[Iron Age]] [[hillfort]] of [[Garn Boduan]] overlooking Nefyn. The remains of 170 round stone huts and ramparts are still visible on top of the {{convert|917|ft|m}} hill.

The earliest known reference to Nefyn in documents dates from the latter part of the 11th century, when it is mentioned as a landing place of the Welsh prince, [[Gruffudd ap Cynan]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bond|first=Roland|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/262581774|title=Nefyn : the story of an ancient Gwynedd town and parish|date=2008|publisher=Llygad Gwalch|isbn=978-1-84524-124-7|location=Pwllheli|oclc=262581774}}</ref>

[[Gerald of Wales]], writing in his account of a journey around Wales in 1188, says that he slept at Nefyn on the eve of [[Palm Sunday]].

Nefyn was the location of the court of the [[commote]] of Dinlaen: part of the cantref of Llŷn.

[[Edward I of England]] held a [[jousting]] [[tournament]] in the town in 1284 to celebrate his victory over the Welsh, emphasising its importance at that time as a trading town. In 1355, it became a free [[borough]] and remained an important centre of commerce.

The sea was always an important part of the economy of Nefyn; and fishing, particularly for [[herring]], became the prime trade for most of the 18th and 19th centuries: so much so that the town's [[coat of arms]] bears three herrings. Herring were locally referred to as "Nefyn beef".<ref>Information display at the town's watch tower, produced by the Nefyn Town Trust</ref> In 1910, Nefyn had 40 herring fishing boats, but herring fishing ceased around the time of the [[First World War]]. The area nurtured many ships' captains in the age of sail, and shipbuilding was also an important local industry. About 3 miles to the south-west is [[Madryn Castle]], home of [[Sir Love Jones-Parry, 1st Baronet]], one of the founders of the settlement of [[Puerto Madryn]] in [[Argentina]].

===Parish church and origin of the name Nefyn===
The foundations of the old St Mary's [[parish church]] date from the 6th century, although the present building was erected in 1827. It would have been an important staging post for [[pilgrimage]]s to [[Ynys Enlli]] (Bardsey Island). The old church is no longer a place of worship but houses a museum dedicated to the maritime history of Nefyn. Since 2013, archaeologists have been investigating the area under the church and have uncovered a 13th–14th century brooch and the remains of a lady buried sometime between 1180 and 1250 in an older form of entombment called a [[cist]] grave.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/medieval-tomb-uncovered-nefyn-church-8937636|title=Medieval tomb uncovered in Nefyn church by archaeologists|first=Ben|last=Butler|date=28 March 2015|website=North Wales Live}}</ref>

The place name is of uncertain origin. It is recorded as ''Newin'' in 1291, and as ''Nefyn'' in 1291. It may represent a personal name.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mills|first=A. D.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/54381298|title=A dictionary of British place-names|date=2003|publisher=Oxford University Press|others=A. D. Mills|isbn=978-0-19-173944-6|location=Oxford|oclc=54381298}}</ref> The official spelling of the name was changed from Nevin to Nefyn in 1955.<ref>{{cite book |title=Census 1961, England and Wales: County Reports |date=1963 |page=4 |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Census_1961_England_and_Wales/HwVAAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22local%20government%20act%201933%22%20waunfawr&dq=%22local%20government%20act%201933%22%20waunfawr&printsec=frontcover |access-date=25 November 2024}}</ref>

The [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] recorded a tribe occupying the peninsula called the 'Gangani', who are also recorded as a tribe in [[Ireland]].
<ref>{{Cite book|last=Cunliffe|first=Barry W.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/54529166|title=Iron Age communities in Britain : an account of England, Scotland and Wales from the seventh century BC until the Roman conquest|date=2005|publisher=Routledge|isbn=0-415-34779-3|edition=4th|location=London|pages=206|oclc=54529166}}</ref>

===20th century and after===

[[Nefyn & District Golf Club]] was formed in 1907. The course added a further 9 holes in 1912 and a third set of 9 holes in 1933. The current course is made up of a front ten with a choice of two back eights. It is set high on the sea cliffs of the narrow peninsula overlooking [[Porthdinllaen]] bay.

Since 1929, Nefyn has played host to a [[Children's Special Service Mission|Beach Mission]], which runs for two weeks at the beginning of August each year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/HelpingyougetintotheBible/SummerMissions/Nefyn/1583.id|title=Scripture Union – Nefyn|website=www.scriptureunion.org.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-06-24}}</ref>

Nefyn football club, [[Nefyn United F.C.]], was formed in 1932 and has enjoyed some success over the years, winning numerous league titles. At present, the senior team competes in the [[Welsh Alliance League]]: it was promoted from the Gwynedd League in 2005–06.

During the [[Second World War]], the [[Royal Air Force]] built a [[Chain Home]] [[radar]] station to the south-west of Nefyn.

In 1977, the Llŷn Maritime Museum was opened in the Church of St Mary<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004371-church-of-st-mary-nefyn|title=Church of St Mary, Nefyn, Gwynedd|publisher=Good Stuff|website=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk}}</ref> by a group of volunteers. It closed in 2000 on grounds of health and safety, but was redeveloped from 2007 and reopened in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.llyn-maritime-museum.co.uk/eng/hanes-yr-amgueddfa.html|title=Amgueddfa Morwrol Llyn Maritime Museum|website=www.llyn-maritime-museum.co.uk}}</ref>

The area has a history of earth tremors and landslides. A tremor in the area on 12 December 1940 was reported by the ''[[Cambrian News]]'' as having caused two fatalities including John Thomas of Nefyn who died of a [[heart attack]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Musson|first=R M W|date=February 2003|title=Fatalities in British earthquakes|journal=Astronomy and Geophysics|language=en|volume=44|issue=1|pages=1.14–1.16|doi=10.1046/j.1468-4004.2003.44114.x|issn=1366-8781|doi-access=free}}</ref> On 19 July 1984, an [[earthquake]] measuring 5.4 on the [[Richter magnitude scale|Richter scale]] had an [[epicentre]] near Nefyn. This was one of the strongest tremors recorded in Britain in recent times but caused little structural damage. A fatal landslide occurred at Y Lôn Gam on 2 January 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nefyn Bay, North Wales|url=https://www.bgs.ac.uk/case-studies/nefyn-bay-north-wales-landslide-case-study/|access-date=2021-10-30|website=British Geological Survey|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2001-01-04|title=Couple 'struggled' to escape landslide|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/1099606.stm|access-date=2021-10-30}}</ref> On 19 April 2021, a [[landslide]] resulted in a cliff collapse, which affected gardens in Rhodfa'r Môr, but there were no casualties.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-56799238|title=Nefyn beach landslide: People warned to keep away|work=BBC News|date=19 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/drone-video-shows-massive-scale-20417969|title=Drone video shows scale of beach landslide – and how close it came to houses|first=Harri|last=Evans|date=19 April 2021|website=North Wales Live}}</ref> A further landslide on 29 October 2021 blocked vehicular access to the beach at Y Lôn Gam and the adjacent cliff path was closed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-59097578|title=Wales weather: Landslide wrecks Nefyn road after heavy rain |publisher=BBC News|date=29 October 2021}}</ref>

Nefyn is [[town twinning|twinned]] with [[Puerto Madryn]], a town in [[Chubut Province]] in [[Argentina]] (see [[Welsh settlement in Argentina]]).

== Demographics ==

=== Welsh language ===
According to the 2011 Census, Nefyn is the community with the 28th highest percentage of [[Welsh language|Welsh]] speakers in Wales. 74.2% of residents aged three and over reported being able to speak Welsh in the 2011 Census, as compared to 77.9% reporting being able to do so in the 2001 Census.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Comisiynydd y Gymraeg – 2011 Census results by Community|url=http://www.comisiynyddygymraeg.cymru/English/Policy%20research%20and%20data/Census%20Data/Pages/2011CensusresultsbyCommunity.aspx|access-date=2020-09-04|website=www.comisiynyddygymraeg.cymru}}</ref>

==Governance==
There are two Nefyn [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|electoral wards]] (Nefyn and Morfa Nefyn).<ref>{{cite web |title=Ward and area profiles |url=https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Council/Key-statistics-and-data/Ward-and-area-profiles.aspx |website=Gwynedd Council |access-date=30 December 2019}}</ref> The population of Nefyn Ward at the 2011 census was 1,373.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/nefyn-w05000091#sthash.5jBMt5O4.dpbs|title=Nefyn Ward population 2011|access-date=17 May 2015}}</ref>

==Nefyn landslide, April 2021==
<gallery>
Nefyn marine landslide - coastal erosion as a result of Climate Change - Wales 19 April 2021 09.jpg
Nefyn marine landslide - coastal erosion as a result of Climate Change - Wales 19 April 2021 07.jpg
Nefyn marine landslide -Nefyn, Gwynedd, Wales - looking towards yr Eifl - May 2021 03.jpg
Nefyn marine landslide - coastal erosion as a result of Climate Change - Wales 19 April 2021 31.jpg
Nefyn marine landslide - coastal erosion as a result of Climate Change - Wales 19 April 2021 23.jpg
</gallery>

==Notable people==
* Harpist [[John Parry (harpist)|John Parry]] (ca. 1710–1782), known as Parry Ddall Rhiwabon (Blind Parry of Rhiwabon).
* [[Sir Love Jones-Parry, 1st Baronet|Sir Thomas Duncombe Love Jones-Parry]] (1832–1891), 1st [[Baronet]], [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal]] [[Member of Parliament|MP]] and one of the founders of the [[Welsh settlement in Argentina]], inherited the Madryn estate near Nefyn in 1853.
* [[Elizabeth Watkin-Jones]] (1887–1966), author of children's books in the [[Welsh language]], was born in Nefyn on 13 July 1887.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://biography.wales/article/s2-WATK-ELI-1887|title=Elizabeth Watkin-Jones|last=Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru |access-date=2009-05-29}}</ref>
* Singer [[Duffy (singer)|Duffy]] was born in Nefyn.<ref>''Radio Times'' interview, 22 November 2008</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/2007/11/30/singing-sensation-duffy-shows-her-emotions-91466-20181443/|title=Singing sensation Duffy shows her emotions – icWales|date=8 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108211954/http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/2007/11/30/singing-sensation-duffy-shows-her-emotions-91466-20181443/|archive-date=8 January 2008}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
Office for National Statistics – Neighbourhood Statistics – Welsh Language – 2011 Census 
[http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=11126818&c=LL53+6TW&d=16&e=61&g=6489158&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=0&s=1386320144608&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2501]

Office for National Statistics – Neighbourhood Statistics – Full List – Parish of Nefyn – 2011 Census
[http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadPage.do?pageId=1004&tc=1386319396594&a=7&b=11126818&c=LL53+6TW&d=16&e=61&f=30639&g=6489158&i=1001x1003x1032x1004x1005&l=2493&o=362&m=0&r=0&s=1386319396594&enc=1]

==External links==
{{commons category|Nefyn}}
* [http://www.nefyn.com/Stories/RelativesInAmerica.aspx Former Nefyn resident's relatives in America]
* [https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=3490474 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Nefyn and surrounding area]

{{gwynedd}}

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[[Category:Nefyn| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Gwynedd]]