Pontypool is steeped in
history and quite a bit of mystery.
Jasper Tudor, the Lord of Abergavenny and uncle of King Henry
VII, on 10th October 1490, made a grant of land to one John
ap David, and in the conveyance fixes one boundary as "the
highway leading form the church of Trevethin towards the bridge
called Pont poell." It would seem therefore that the town
gains its name from the bridge placed near the swampy pool which
almost certainly would be greater than the forge pond that exists
today.
Take a stroll back in time.
Photographic memories of Pontypool,
Genealogy
- Family History.
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Brecknock and surrounding areas, I might be able to help.
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Foreword
It is with great pleasure
that I welcome you to this website, ‘Pontypool - A Valley
Town Rediscovering Itself’.
It is wonderful to see a website that
promotes the great businesses and sites of interest around the
Eastern Valley, whilst providing an interesting and valuable insight
into the history of the area. Whether you are a local person or
a potential visitor, I am sure that you will enjoy looking through
what Pontypool has to offer.
I am proud to have the honour of representing
Pontypool and the rest of Torfaen in Parliament. If you have never
been to Pontypool, hopefully this website will make you want to
visit soon.
Best Wishes,
The Rt. Hon Paul Murphy, MP
This Website is designed
to give you the reader an insight into the town of Pontypool,
through pictures and writings.
You will learn about Pontypool's important part in the Industrial
Revolution, the famous Hanbury Family, the Park with its Grotto
and Folly, the Japan Ware, Iron works, Coal mining, and more importantly
its people who helped "forge" Pontypool into a thriving
community.
LOCAL NEWS
For those of you who are abroad and
do not have access to The FREE PRESS, I have added a page which
will cover any important issues as and when they arise. I will
scan the paper each week and bring you the latest news stories
concerning our region.
In memory of Jenna Brookfield.
From all the people of Pontypool.
Tradition
however says that the name of the town is a corruption of Pont-ap-Howel,
or Howel's bridge. The legend tells that David ap Howel was a stout,
strong, broad shouldered parson, both "fond of a bottle and fond
of a song" but well able to take care of himself. After supper
one night David went down to the river and met the Devil himself;
an argument followed as to who should build a bridge across the water,
and it was agreed that they should join hands for a tug-of -war, and
whichever should be pulled across the stream, should build the bridge.
After many a pull and heave the Devil at last gave up, and the next
morning the villages beheld a newly built bridge of good mortar and
stone. But why it should be named after David's father no one can
explain.
Fancy a pub crawl? See
why Pontypool was just the place for one.
New page added on the infamous
Pontypool pubs and hotels
A Twmpath reunion is being organised for all
former pupils. If you are interested
please contact Clive Taylor
Also:
I am looking for information and pictures of ADDAWYNT Farm,
Trevethin Pontypool - Site of the now Pontypool Golf Club. If
anyone can help could you please get in touch.
Thank you all very much for your interest in my site.
