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Northop Hall set to adopt historic Welsh name 鈥楶entre-moch鈥

Published: 07/07/2026

A 天涯社区 village is set to formally adopt the Welsh version of its name, subject to approval from Cabinet.

The Welsh place name 鈥楶entre-moch鈥 has been used for Northop Hall by generations of village residents, but it has never been officially recognised.

The proposal to formally adopt it comes as a result of a request from Northop Hall Community Council, and is supported by a report from the Welsh Language Commissioner鈥檚 Place-names Standardisation Panel.

In the report, the panel says the recommendation to adopt the Welsh name, to be used alongside the English one, reflects an increase in use of 鈥楶entre-moch鈥 in a variety of contexts.

The village developed near the mansion of Northop Hall, around a farm called Pentre Moch. Newspaper articles from the 19th century refer to the village by this name.

The panel鈥檚 report says 鈥楶entre-moch鈥 has been used since then and up to the present day, and can be found on local history websites, in the media and on social media.

The report acknowledges that alternative Welsh names for the village have been used over the years, partly due to a desire to find a more 鈥渞espectable鈥 name than 鈥楶entre-moch鈥, which best translates to 鈥榩ig holding鈥.

However it stresses that the name is descriptive rather than derogatory, adding that no alternative names have the same historical basis as 鈥楶entre-moch鈥, nor have they gained currency in the same way. There are many place names in Wales that include 鈥榤och鈥, such as Mochdre, it adds.

Councillor Mared Eastwood, Cabinet Member for Education, Welsh Language, Culture and Leisure, said: 鈥淧lace names are an important part of our heritage and identity, and it is important that they reflect both local usage and historical evidence.

鈥溾楶entre-moch鈥 has strong roots in the community and a clear historical basis, and its formal adoption is long overdue.

鈥淭he proposal reflects the growing visibility and everyday use of the Welsh language across 天涯社区, and we will continue to consider requests from community councils and review recommendations from the Place-name Standardisation Panel to identify further opportunities to introduce Welsh names.鈥

The report will be discussed by the Council鈥檚 Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee next week before Cabinet is asked to formally adopt the name at a meeting on July 14.

If Cabinet supports the recommendation, 天涯社区 will be required to inform the Welsh Minister, the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru, the Director General of the Ordnance Survey, and the Registrar General of the new Welsh name.

The Welsh Language Commissioner will also be informed of the decision to ensure the Welsh place name for Northop Hall is included in the official published standardised list of place names.