:Bethel, Gwynedd
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country = Wales
| official_name = Bethel
| welsh_name =
| coordinates = {{coord|53.164|-4.209|display=inline,title}}
| static_image_name = Capel Bethel, Bethel (geograph 2329036).jpg
| static_image_caption = Capel Bethel, Bethel
| population = 1,395
| population_ref = (2011)
| community_wales = Llanddeiniolen
| unitary_wales = Gwynedd
| lieutenancy_wales =
| constituency_welsh_assembly = Arfon
| constituency_westminster = Arfon
| post_town = CAERNARFON
| postcode_district = LL55
| postcode_area = LL
| dial_code = 01248
| os_grid_reference = SH522653
| cardiff_distance =
}}
Bethel is a village in Gwynedd, Wales. It lies east of Caernarfon on the B4366 road. Bethel Primary School is located in the village. The population of Bethel electoral ward was measured in the 2011 Census, and found to be 1,395.{{cite web|url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/arllechwedd-w05000046#sthash.jkrkyPAa.dpbs|title=Ward population 2011|access-date=14 May 2015}} The village population is 1,171 with 87.3% having some form of Welsh identity one of the highest figures in the north of Wales.{{NOMIS2011|id=W37000222|title=Bethel statistics|access-date=31 May 2019}}
Welsh Language
According to the 2011 UK Census, 85.8% of the electoral ward's population could speak Welsh.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Council/Documents---Council/Key-statistics-and-data/Area-Profiles---Gwynedd-and-comparable-areas/Arfon/Ward-Profile-Bethel.pdf|title=Ward and Area Profiles - Bethel|website=Gwynedd Council|publisher=Office For National Statistics|access-date=18 November 2016}} 40.2% of the population born outside Wales can speak Welsh - the highest figure in Gwynedd.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/council/documents---council/strategies-and-policies/environment-and-planning/planning-policy/supporting-documents/supporting-documents-2015/welsh-language-and-culture.pdf|title=Anglesey & Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan - Topic Paper 10: Welsh Language & Culture|website=Gwynedd County Council|publisher=Gwynedd County Council|access-date=18 November 2016}} 93.7% of the population who were born in Wales could speak Welsh.
Ysgol Gynradd Bethel
Ysgol Gynradd Bethel is the main serving primary school for most children from Bethel, the community of Llanddeiniolen and the surrounding rural areas. The school educates children aged between 3–11 years old. In 2015, the school had 153 pupils on roll.{{Cite web|url=http://mylocalschool.wales.gov.uk/school.htm?451979745&estab=6612011&iaith=eng|title=mylocalschool.wales.gov.uk/school.htm?451979745&estab=6612011&iaith=eng|website=mylocalschool.wales.gov.uk|access-date=2016-08-24}}
Welsh is the school's main language medium. According to the last inspection conducted by Estyn in 2019, approximately 90% of the pupils spoke Welsh at home.{{Cite web |title=Ysgol Gynradd Bethel {{!}} Estyn |url=https://www.estyn.gov.wales/provider/6612011 |access-date=2022-05-24 |website=www.estyn.gov.wales}} In 2015, approximately 96% of pupils were fluent in Welsh.{{Cite news|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ystadegau_am_iaith_disgyblion_io?unfold=1|title=Ystadegau am iaith disgyblion, Ionawr 2014 a 2015 - a Freedom of Information request to Welsh Government|date=2015-09-11|newspaper=WhatDoTheyKnow|access-date=2016-11-25}}
Ysgol Gynradd Bethel was previously named Bethel British School and was located on a different site. The old school was opened on 11 April 1864 with 71 pupils. In October 1881 the school was reopened, with the current name.
Sport
Bethel Juniors Football Club is one of the most successful junior clubs in North Wales, producing many players who go on to play at Academy level. In the 2009/10 season, the under 16s became only the second Gwyrfai League team to win the North Wales Coast F.A. Cup, beating Towyn Rangers in the final 2–1 at Denbigh Town F.C.
Notable people
- Selwyn Griffith (1928–2011), bardic name Selwyn Iolen, Archdruid for the National Eisteddfod, 2005-2008.
- Angharad Price (born 1972), a Welsh academic, novelist and recipient of the Glyndŵr Award
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Bethel, Llanddeiniolen|Bethel}}
- [https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=3499482 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Bethel and surrounding area]
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