Port Dinorwic

Port Dinorwic Welsh: Y Felinheli
Caernarfonshire
Dinorwic Marina
Location
Grid reference:	SH525675
Location:	53°10’59"N, 4°12’36"W
Data
Population:	2,081
Post town:	Y Felinheli
Postcode:	LL56
Dialling code:	01248
Local Government
Council:	Gwynedd
Parliamentary constituency:	Caernarfon

Port Dinorwic or Y Felinheli is a village in Caernarfonshire lying beside the Menai Strait between Bangor and Caernarfon. The population is estimated to be about 2,200.

Name of the village

During the late 18th century the Dinorwig quarries built an extensive harbour for the export of slate, which was transported to the quay on the purpose-built Dinorwic Railway, a narrow gauge railway later replaced by the Padarn Railway. It was this industrial expansion and specifically the new harbour which gave the village the name "Port Dinorwig" or "Port Dinorwic".

The older, name, still used in Welsh, is Y Felinheli, comes from y felin heli: the saltwater-mill. (An alternative view is that "Y Felinheli" comes from Y Felinheulyn, a mill on the river Heulyn, which runs into the village. There are several watermills in the local area dependent on the tidal power of the Menai Strait.

The demise of the slate industry and the development of the harbour for recreational sailing have recently contributed to the demise of the name 'Port Dinorwic' in English, and 'Y Felinheli' is appearing as a name in English as wel as in Welsh.

The village at present

The port now provides a centre for pleasure boating and sailing, it has moorings, a marina and a well-developed accompaniment of yacht support businesses, including rigging, sail making and boatyards.

The local sailing club is very active, with dinghy racing held on Saturday afternoons, and Wednesday and Friday evenings.

The village also has holiday accommodation. A by-pass constructed in 1993/4 has removed much of the traffic that congested the main street for many years.

Big society

Demographically, according to the United Kingdom Census 2001, the number of speakers of the Welsh language in all age groups was 72%, with the highest percentage of Welsh speakers being in the 5–9 range (97.8%). There is a very strong Welsh-speaking community, and almost all community activities held in the Welsh language.

Although most villagers work in Caernarfon or Bangor, the village has a strong sense of community. The local carnival committee organises the annual Gwyl y Felinheli (Felinheli Festival), and also a fireworks display at the beginning of November. Both of these events are very popular in the local area, and parts of the village close down to allow the visitors proper access.

There is a local football team.

Outside links

• Port Dinorwic Community Council
• Gwyl y Felinheli
• geograph photos of Port Dinorwic and surrounding area
• Port Dinorwic Marina