Moel Famau

The Jubilee Tower, a prominent feature atop Moel Famau, stands as a testament to historical commemoration. Highest point: 1,821 ft (555 m) Prominence: 912 ft (278 m) Parent peak: Moel y Gamelin Listing: Marilyn, Council top Coordinates: 53°09′16″N 3°15′21″W / 53.1545°N 3.2559°W

The naming of Moel Famau, translating from Welsh as "the bare hill of 'Mama'", carries an echo of ancient tongues. The pronunciation, a gentle "ˈmɔɨ̯l ˈvama]", whispers of its origins.

Geography

Moel Famau, a sentinel in the Clwydian Range, UK, commands a significant presence. OS grid: SJ162627 Topo map: OS Landranger 116

Moel Famau (listen) ⓘ is not merely a hill; it is the zenith of the Clwydian Range and the proud highest point (county top) of Flintshire, encompassing both its historic county designation and its present-day council area. It straddles the very boundary between Denbighshire and Flintshire, a geographical nexus. This venerable hill, which has lent its name to the encompassing Moel Famau country park, has been recognized for its exceptional natural beauty, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty since 1985. The landscape is further adorned with several meticulously preserved Iron Age hill forts, silent witnesses to centuries past. While it holds the distinction of being the fourth-highest peak within the broader Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, it is sometimes mistakenly cited as the highest point in North-east Wales. That honor, in fact, belongs to Cadair Berwyn. Furthermore, Moel Famau is surpassed in elevation by its Clwydian Range neighbors, Moel y Gamelin and Moel Fferna, the highest points within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

A significant portion of the Offa's Dyke long-distance footpath, a celebrated National Trail in the UK, gracefully traverses the summit of Moel Famau, winding its way past the iconic Jubilee Tower. Nearby lies the picturesque Loggerheads Country Park, offering a complementary natural retreat.

Name

The nomenclature of Moel Famau, despite its seemingly straightforward appearance, is a subject of historical nuance and linguistic debate. Historical records reveal a tapestry of spellings, including "Moel Famma," "Moel Vamma," and "Moel Fammau." [1] Today, two forms hold sway: Moel Famau and Moel Fama. The initial element, "moel," is a ubiquitous Welsh place-name component, signifying "bare" or "bald." The latter part of the name, however, presents a more enigmatic puzzle, its meaning and preferred orthography remaining subjects of scholarly inquiry, though it is generally understood to translate loosely as "mothers."

Attestations dating as far back as the fourteenth century consistently feature the second element terminating in an "-a." This is not merely a historical artifact; it aligns perfectly with the local pronunciation, which resonates as "ˈvama]," and is recognized as "the preferred spelling" by the esteemed Dictionary of the Place-names of Wales. The precise meaning of "Fama" is somewhat obscure, but it is widely believed to be a lenited form of a personal name, specifically 'Mama'. [2]

The alternative rendition, Moel Famau, emerged from an "antiquarian perception" that first surfaced in the eighteenth century. This viewpoint posited that the final element was a lenited iteration of the common noun "mamau," meaning "mothers." [2] While this interpretation is widely adopted, it presents a linguistic conundrum, as it struggles to adequately explain the presence of the earlier "-a" endings. Nevertheless, the form Moel Famau has gained considerable traction and is still frequently cited as meaning "mothers' hill." [1] : 1

Country Park

The Moel Famau country park, a verdant expanse spanning over three square miles (8 km²), is meticulously managed by the Denbighshire Countryside Service. This dedicated team oversees the preservation of its heather moorland, the intricate network of dry stone walls, and the accessibility of its numerous paths, all while providing essential information and facilities for its many visitors. The park serves as a vital habitat for an array of wildlife, including the striking red grouse, the elusive European stonechat, and the evocative Eurasian curlew. It's worth noting that the actual summit of Moel Famau resides just within the Flintshire boundary, a subtle geographical detail.

Adjacent to the park, Natural Resources Wales diligently manages a neighboring forest, a carefully cultivated conifer plantation serving dual purposes: sustainable timber production and a valuable tourism asset.

Walking

A path, clearly marked and inviting, winds its way from Bwlch Penbarras towards the summit of Moel Famau, beckoning walkers to ascend.

The hill is crisscrossed by a network of well-maintained paths, catering to a range of abilities and offering diverse perspectives on the landscape. Two of the most accessible and widely frequented routes commence from the southern car parks located at Bwlch Penbarras. This strategic pass, nestled between Moel Famau and the imposing Foel Fenlli, lies approximately 1.25 miles (2.0 km) from the summit. For those venturing from the north, an alternative starting point is the car park situated south of the ancient Iron Age hill fort at Moel Arthur. A further option for reaching the pinnacle of Moel Famau involves embarking on a footpath that originates from the charming village of Cilcain.

From the commanding vantage point of Moel Famau's summit, on a clear day, a breathtaking panorama unfolds. The expansive vistas encompass much of North East Wales and even stretch across to North West England. One can discern the rolling landscapes of Denbighshire and Flintshire, the distinct contours of Cheshire, and the urban sprawl of Merseyside. To the west, the majestic peaks of Snowdonia pierce the horizon. To the north, the vast expanse of the Irish Sea shimmers. And to the east, the urban dynamism of Liverpool and the historic city of Chester are visible, alongside the distant Winter Hill and the iconic Blackpool Tower.

Jubilee Tower

The Moel Famau summit is crowned by the striking Jubilee Tower, captured here from an aerial perspective. Moel Famau viewed from aloft by drone Moel Famau viewed from aloft by drone (2)

The tower, an enduring monument erected to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of George III in 1810, was the brainchild of the esteemed Thomas Harrison of Chester and is now recognized as a Grade II listed building. [3] Its design, reminiscent of an Egyptian obelisk, was conceived in three distinct tiers. Despite the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone in 1810 by the distinguished George Kenyon, 2nd Baron Kenyon, the ambitious project was ultimately curtailed due to a critical shortfall in funds, leaving the tower famously incomplete. Had it been fully realized, three of its sides were intended to bear the following Latin inscription:

Georgia III Brittaniarum Regi, Pio Justo Patri Patrio Commitatus, Denbigh et Flint, Jubilantus Posuere, 25 Octobris, Anno Domino 1809.

In the year 1862, a ferocious storm descended, wreaking havoc and causing the premature collapse of the unfinished tower. The remaining upper vestiges of the structure were subsequently dismantled for safety reasons, leaving only the foundational base. The majority of the fallen masonry was meticulously cleared from the site; however, smaller fragments of stonework were repurposed by local farmers, finding new life in the construction of dry stone walls.

A significant moment of remembrance occurred in October 2010, when local communities across both Flintshire and Denbighshire united to observe the bicentennial anniversary of the Jubilee Tower's foundation stone laying. To mark this occasion, local authorities commissioned a captivating artistic light and laser installation, crafted by a local artist, to artfully illuminate the tower, casting it in a new and celebratory glow.

References

• ^ a b Stephenson, Charles (2008). Moel Famau and the Jubilee Tower of King George III . Stephensons. ISBN 9780956059000 .

• ^ a b • Owen, Hywel Wyn; Morgan, Richard (2007). Dictionary of the Place-names of Wales . Gomer. p. 324. ISBN 978-1843239017 .

• ^ • Cadw. "Jubilee Monument (Grade II) (16438)". National Historic Assets of Wales . Retrieved 3 April 2019.

External links

• Moel Famau News

• Walk up Moel Famau

• Computer generated summit panoramas Moel Famau index

• geograph.co.uk : photos of Moel Famau and surrounding area

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• v • t • e

Flintshire Principal settlements