Gobowen

Gobowen is a large village in Shropshire, England, of population 3,927 (according to the 2001 census).

History
The village was previously called Bryn-y-Castell ("Hill of the Castle" in English), but the name in time changed to Gobowen. The name Gobowen is believed to originate from Gob (a pillow) and Owen (Owain Glyndŵr) who was believed to have rested his weary head there. However, this name may also originate from a man named Owen who starting mining there, and the old Welsh word for mine is 'gob' hence Gobowen (Owen's mine). The mines were filled in during the Second World War by displaced persons and prisoners of war by hand, and were in a camp at the nearby village of St.Martins, which is now called Bank Top Industrial Estate.

The population of Gobowen, however, grew up around the railway. The mainline route between Chester and Shrewsbury was diverted through Gobowen after permission was denied to route the railway through the local historic town of Oswestry. The village's main primary school was opened in 1907 with local educational provision previously being offered at the school hall attached to Preeshenlle Church. The Anglican church of All Saints was consecrated and opened in 1928.

All Saints Church
The Foundation Stone for All Saints' Church was laid in 1926 and the memorial to this event can be found on the east end of the building. The Church was built as a daughter church to St. Barnabas' Hengoed and remained as such until Hengoed Church was made redundant in 1981, at which point All Saints became the parish church for Hengoed with Gobowen. The parish of Hengoed with Gobowen was originally in the diocese of St. Asaph but transferred to the diocese of Lichfield when the Church in Wales disestablished. All Saints was officially opened in 1928 and its vicar was Revd George Owen Browne, the first of nine vicars to date who have served the parish. Others have included: Bertram Russell, Arthur Cecil Roberts, Glyn Owen Jones, John Michael Allen, Paul Wilkinson, Michael John Withey, Christopher John Groocock and Adrian Richard Bailey (the current vicar). The church was extended variously throughout its history including the extension of the West End, the addition of a second vestry (to the rear) and a bell tower. In 1979, the building was devastated by fire and services continued during that period in the hall next to the Church. It re-opened in 1981 with a brand new commissioned stained glass window to the East End, a donated window depicting the nativity in the West End, and various pieces of furniture donated from churches elsewhere.

Amenities and attractions
Derwen College, which provides residential further education for students with learning difficulties and disabilities, lies in the village. The college also operates a Garden Centre,Young Farmers shop, selling produce grown at the college,coffee shop and restaurant. (http://www.derwen.ac.uk/visitors/youngs-farm-shop.html)

The village has a railway station and various shops, medical facilities and schools. There are three churches, Anglican, Methodist and United Reformed. There are around 20 organisations offering activities in which to participate. Local tourist attractions include Park Hall Countryside Experience, Chirk Castle, Whittington Castle and the Shropshire Union Canal.

Transport
Gobowen lies on the A5/A483 roads between London and Holyhead. The village has regular bus links with Oswestry, St Martins, Ellesmere and Wrexham.

There is a railway station served by Arriva Trains Wales with regular trains connecting to Wrexham, Chester, Shrewsbury, Holyhead and the North Wales Coast, Cardiff and Birmingham.

Orthopaedic hospital
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital is sited nearby. It was established as a convalescent home for disabled children in 1900 at Baschurch by Agnes Hunt. In 1919 funds and premises became available and the hospital transferred to Park Hall into the hospital section of a former army camp. Much progress has been made since that time both with vast new buildings and pioneering medical treatments.