Botwnnog is a village and community in Gwynedd in Wales, located on the Llŷn Peninsula 4 mi (6 km) west-northwest of Abersoch. It is in the historic county of Caernarfonshire. It had a population of 955 in 2001,[2] increasing to 996 at the 2011 Census. The community covers around 34 square kilometres (13.2 sq mi).[3]

Botwnnog
Ty'r Ysgol
Botwnnog is located in Gwynedd
Botwnnog
Botwnnog
Location within Gwynedd
Area34.27 km2 (13.23 sq mi)
Population996 (2011)[1]
• Density29/km2 (75/sq mi)
OS grid referenceSH260311
Community
  • Botwnnog
Principal area
Preserved county
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townPWLLHELI
Postcode districtLL53
Dialling code01758
PoliceNorth Wales
FireNorth Wales
AmbulanceWelsh
UK Parliament
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament
List of places
UK
Wales
Gwynedd
52°50′56″N 4°35′02″W / 52.849°N 4.584°W / 52.849; -4.584
St Beuno's Church, Botwnnog

It lies between Mynytho and Sarn Meyllteyrn (which is in the community), has two schools and a doctors' surgery, Meddygfa Rhydbach.[4]

The artist Moses Griffith (1749–1819) was born in Botwnnog and attended Ysgol Botwnnog. His watercolour Bottwnog church & free school is in the collection of the National Library of Wales.[5][6] Welsh band Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog come from the small settlement of Rhos Botwnnog.[7]

The community also includes the hamlets of Bryncroes and Llandegwning.

Education

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A Welsh-language playgroup Cylch Meithrin Pont Y Gof currently serves the community with the support of Mudiad Meithrin.[8]

Ysgol Gynradd Pont Y Gof provides Welsh-medium primary education to the village and the surrounding villages of Sarn Mellteyrn, Llaniestyn and Garn Fadryn. As of 2024, there were 89 pupils enrolled at the school.[9] 77.5 percent of pupils come from Welsh-speaking homes in 2024.[10]

Ysgol Botwnnog, a bilingual comprehensive school for pupils aged 11 to 16, is also situated in the village.

As of 2024, there are 474 pupils enrolled at the school.[11] According to the latest Estyn inspection report in 2019, three-quarters of pupils come from Welsh-speaking homes. 98 percent of pupils are fluent in Welsh, and Welsh is the main medium of teaching.[12]

Originally, Ysgol Botwnnog was a grammar school founded in 1616 by Henry Rowlands, Bishop of Bangor.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Community/Ward population 2011". Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  2. ^ Office for National Statistics : Neighbourhood Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Gwynedd Archived 22 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "Custom report - Nomis - Official Labour Market Statistics".
  4. ^ "Meddygfa Rhydbach".
  5. ^ Ellis, Megan (1959). "Moses Griffith". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. National Library of Wales.
  6. ^ "Botwnnog Church and Free School". National Library of Wales.
  7. ^ Hughes, Ian (17 September 2010) "Music profile: Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog", Daily Post (North Wales). Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  8. ^ "PONT Y GOF". Meithrin. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Ysgol Pont Y Gof". mylocalschool.gov.wales. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Ysgol Pont Y Gof | Estyn". www.estyn.gov.wales. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Ysgol Botwnnog". mylocalschool.gov.wales. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  12. ^ "Ysgol Botwnnog | Estyn". www.estyn.gov.wales. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  13. ^ Schools Inquiry Commission (1868). Report of the Commissioners. G .E. Eyre and W. Spottiswoode. p. Appendix 60. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
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