Solva

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Solva
Welsh: Solfach
Solva shown within the United Kingdom
Population	1420 (2001 census)
Principal area	Pembrokeshire
Ceremonial county	Dyfed
Constituent country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	HAVERFORDWEST
Postcode district	SA62
Dialling code	01437
Police	Dyfed-Powys
Fire	Mid and West Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
European Parliament	Wales
UK Parliament	Preseli Pembrokeshire
List of places: UK • Wales • Pembrokeshire

Coordinates: 51°31′20″N 5°06′46″W / 51.5223, -5.1128

Solva (Welsh: Solfach) is a village in the parish of Whitchurch, Pembrokeshire, West Wales.

Contents 1 Location 2 History & Amenities 3 Tradition 4 Geology 5 Notable people 6 References 7 Images of Solva 8 External links

[edit] Location

Solva lies on the north side of St Bride's Bay, in North Pembrokeshire in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. It lies on a deep ravine at the mouth of the River Solva. In the ravine is Lower Solva, consisting of a long street ending at the small harbour. Most of the modern development has been in Upper Solva, on the cliff top to the west of the harbour.

[edit] History & Amenities

The rocks at the entrance to Solva Harbour made it one of the the most sheltered anchorages between Fishguard and Milford Haven^[1]. Solva became the main trading centre of St Bride's Bay in the medieval period, and was important for lime burning. Several lime kilns are preserved in the harbour area. In the 19th century, Solva had around 30 registered trading ships^[2]. The fading coastal trade has been replaced by tourism, and the harbour is now a popular boating centre. The spectacular local cliff coast is popular with walkers, and the classic cliff exposures of Cambrian rocks attracts amateur and professional geologists.

[edit] Tradition

Every year on Easter Monday Solva hosts a Duck Race for charity when villagers and tourists have the opportunity to buy a 20th stakehold in a duck for around £1. The ducks are released into the River Solva at Middle Mill and float down stream to Solva harbour. The winner is the first to cross under the footbridge in lower Solva car park.^[3]

[edit] Geology

Solva Harbour is a good example of a glaciated meltwater channel known as a Ria and rocks contain fossils from the Cambrian age. ^[4]

[edit] Notable people

The musician David Gray lived in Solva for much of his childhood.

Professional footballer Simon Davies, who plays for Fulham FC and has represented Wales, was brought up in Solva.

[edit] References