MOUNTAIN ASH

Welsh Aberpennar industrial town, Rhondda Cynon Taff county borough, historic county of Glamorgan (Morgannwg), Wales. The town's growth dates almost entirely from about 1850 with the exploitation of rich reserves of coal in the vicinity, but after about 1945 factory industries were introduced to offset the serious fall in local mining employment. By the end of the 20th century the last coal mines had closed, and many of the town's factories had ceased operation as well. New light industries and service activities only partly mitigated the resulting economic hardship. The town contains a huge pavilion, built in 1906 for the National Eisteddfod (Welsh festival of the arts). Pop. (1991) 21,301.