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Pontypridd

Coordinates:51°36′07″N3°20′31″W/ 51.602°N 3.342°W/51.602; -3.342
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For other uses, seePontypridd (disambiguation).

Pontypridd
From the top,The Old Bridge,Town Centre, Monument toEvan James&James JamesinYnysangharad Park
Pontypridd is located in Rhondda Cynon Taf
Pontypridd
Pontypridd
Location withinRhondda Cynon Taf
Population31,206 (2021)[1]
OS grid referenceST075895
Community
  • Pontypridd Town
Principal area
Preserved county
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townPONTYPRIDD
Postcode districtCF37
Dialling code01443
PoliceSouth Wales
FireSouth Wales
AmbulanceWelsh
UK Parliament
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament
List of places
UK
Wales
Rhondda Cynon Taf
51°36′07″N3°20′31″W/ 51.602°N 3.342°W/51.602; -3.342

Pontypridd(Welsh pronunciation:[ˌpɔntəˈpriːð]) (colloquially:Ponty[2][3]) is a town and acommunityinRhondda Cynon Taf,South Wales,[4]approximately 10 miles north west ofCardiffcity centre.

Geography[edit]

Pontypridd comprises the electoral wards ofCilfynydd,Glyncoch,Graig,Hawthorn,Pontypridd Town, 'Rhondda',RhydyfelinCentral/Ilan, Trallwng (Trallwn) andTreforest.The town mainly falls within theSeneddandUK parliamentaryconstituency by the same name, although the Cilfynydd and Glyncoch wards fall within theCynon Valley Senedd constituencyand theCynon Valley UK parliamentary constituency.This change was effective for the2007 Welsh Assembly election,and for the2010 UK General Election.[5]

The town sits at the junction of theRhonddaandTaffvalleys, where theRiver Rhonddaflows into the Taff just south of the town at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park.[6]Pontypridd community recorded a population of about 32,700 in the2011 censusfigures.[7]while Pontypridd Town ward itself was recorded as having a population of 2,919 also as of 2011.[8]

The town lies alongside the north–south dual carriagewayA470between Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil. The A4054, running north and south of the town, was the former main road, and like the A470, follows theTaff Valley.South of the town is the A473 forLlantrisantandPencoed.To the west is the A4058, which follows theRiver RhonddatoPorthand theRhondda Valleybeyond.

History[edit]

Etymology[edit]

The name Pontypridd derives from the namePont y tŷ pridd,Welshfor "bridge by the earthen house", referring singly to successive wooden bridges that once spanned theRiver Taffat this point.

Old Bridge[edit]

Pontypridd is noted for itsOld Bridge,a stone construction across theRiver Taffbuilt in 1756 byWilliam Edwards.This was Edwards's fourth attempt, and at the time of construction, was the longest single-span stonearch bridgein the world. Rising 35 feet (11 m) above the level of the river, the bridge forms a perfect segment of a circle, thechordof which is 140 feet (43 m). Notable features are the three holes of differing diameters through each end of the bridge, the purpose of which is to reduce weight. On completion, questions were soon raised as to the utility of the bridge, with the steepness of the design making it difficult to get horses and carts across. As a result, a new bridge, the Victoria Bridge, paid for by public subscription, was built adjacent to the old one in 1857. Pontypridd was known as Newbridge from shortly after the construction of the Old Bridge until the 1860s.

The drinking fountain in Taff St, Pontypridd, donated in 1895 by Sir Alfred Thomas, MP for East Glamorgan
Old Bridge,dating from 1756

Coal[edit]

The history of Pontypridd is tied to thecoalandironindustries; before their development Pontypridd was a hamlet of a few farmsteads, withTreforestinitially becoming the main urban settlement in the area. Sited at the junction of three valleys, it became an important location for transporting coal from the Rhondda and iron fromMerthyr Tydfil,first by theGlamorganshire Canal,and later by theTaff Vale Railway,to the ports atCardiff,BarryandNewport.Its role in coal transport lengthened its railway platform, which is thought to have once been the longest in the world in its heyday.[9]Pontypridd in the second half of the 19th century was a hive of industry, once nicknamed the "Wild West".[10]There were several collieries within the Pontypridd area itself, including:

Tonypandy & Trealaw railway station during an early 1910s coal strike
Front page of the earliest surviving copy of the Welsh newspaperThe Pontypridd Chronicle;15 January 1881
  • Albion Colliery, Cilfynydd
  • Bodwenarth Colliery, Pontsionnorton
  • Daren Ddu Colliery, Graigwen & Glyncoch
  • Dynea Colliery, Rhydyfelen
  • Gelli-whion Colliery, Graig
  • Great Western/Gyfeillion Colliery, Hopkinstown
  • Lan Colliery, Hopkinstown
  • Newbridge Colliery, Graig
  • Pen-y-rhiw Colliery, Graig
  • Pontypridd/Maritime Collieries, Graig & Maesycoed
  • Pwllgwaun Colliery/'Dan's Muck Hole', Pwllgwaun
  • Red Ash Colliery, Cilfynydd
  • Ty-Mawr Colliery, Hopkinstown & Pantygraigwen
  • Typica Colliery, Hopkinstown & Pantygraigwen, and
  • Victoria Colliery, Maesycoed

As well as deep-mined collieries, there were many coal levels and trial shafts dug into the hillsides overlooking the town from Cilfynydd, Graig, Graigwen andHafod.The Albion Colliery in the village of Cilfynydd in 1894 underwent one of the worst explosions in the South Wales coalfield, with the death of 290 colliers (seeKeir Hardie).

Iron and steel[edit]

Other instrumental industries in Pontypridd were theBrown Lenox/Newbridge Chain & Anchor Works south-east of the town, andCrawshay's Forest Iron, Steel & Tin Plate Works and the Taff Vale Iron Works, both in Treforest near the nowUniversity of South Wales.

Buildings[edit]

The town has a hospital,Dewi Sant Hospitaland acts as theheadquartersofTransport for Wales Railat Llys Cadwyn.

Government[edit]

Pontypridd Urban District Counciloperated from 1894 to 1974, when it was incorporated intoTaff Ely Borough Council.That in turn came under the unitaryRhondda Cynon TafCouncil in 1996. Pontypridd Town Council functions as a community council.Labouris the dominant political force and has been since the First World War. The community elects 23 town councillors from 11 community wards:Cilfynydd,Glyncoch,Graig,Hawthorn,Ilan, Pontypridd,Rhondda,Rhydfelen Central, Rhydfelen Lower, Trallwng and Treforest.[11]

Pontypridd community[edit]

The Cilfynydd Commercial Hotel inCilfynydd
St. David's Church inHopkinstown(closed Feb 2022)[12]

Pontypridd community comprises the town centre itself, with the following key villages/settlements:

Pontypridd serves as the postal town for the community ofLlantwit Fardreunder the CF38 postcode district, although the area is not considered part of Pontypridd.

Transport links[edit]

Pontypridd came into being because of transport, as it was on thedrovers'route from the south Wales coast and theBristol Channel,to Merthyr, and onwards into the hills ofBrecon.Although initial expansion in the valleys occurred at Treforest due to the slower speed of the River Taff at that point, the establishment of better bridge building meant a natural flow of power to Pontypridd.

Railway[edit]

Main article:Pontypridd railway station
Railway station

The establishment of Pontypridd over Treforest was finally confirmed with the building of theGlamorganshire Canalto serve the coalmines of the Rhondda Valley. However, the volumes of coal extraction soon led to construction of theTaff Vale Railway,which at its peak meant a train passed throughPontypridd railway station(including the freight lines immediately to its west) every two or three minutes.[13]The station was originally built as a long single island, at one point the world's longest platform, a reflection of both the narrow available geography of the steep valley side and the need to accommodate many converging railways lines at what became the 19th-century hub of the valleys.

Due to the restrictive geography, only parcels and mail were handled at Pontypridd. Heavy freight went toTreforest.The station today is operated byTransport for Wales,which is headquartered in the town. It reflects the fewer destinations served since theBeechingand earlier cuts, with one up (valley) platform, one down (through) platform, a down bay platform (opened in December 2014), and one passing loop.

Trams, trolleybuses, and buses[edit]

Atramservice began on 6 March 1905 fromCilfynyddthrough Pontypridd to Treforest. It gave way on 18 September 1930 totrolleybuses,which on 31 January 1957 were replaced by buses following the same route.

Education[edit]

Glamorgan Business School (university)

Entertainment and social history[edit]

Sport and recreation[edit]

Sardis Road rugby ground
The former paddling pool in Ynysangharad Park, now removed
The pitch and putt golf course in Ynysangharad Park, now removed
The bandstand in Ynysangharad Park

Media[edit]

  • GTFMis the localcommunity radio stationbased in Pontypridd and broadcasts on 107.9FM to the town and the surrounding areas of Rhondda Cynon Taf.[16]Its studios are based in Rhydyfelin, near Cardinal Newman School.
  • ThePontypridd and Llantrisant Observer[17]is the local weekly newspaper.[18]

Culture[edit]

A memorial in Ynysangharad Park to Evan James and James James, composers of the Welsh national anthem

In popular culture[edit]

  • The name of the fictional Welsh town of Pontypandy, where children's television programmeFireman Samis set, is aportmanteauof Pontypridd andTonypandy.[23]
  • The Welsh TV showBelongingwas shot in Pontypridd.
  • TheBBC'sDoctor WhoandTorchwoodhave been filmed at locations in and around Pontypridd, such as at theMarket Tavern,a pub in Market Street, and the Lido inYnysangharadPark. Other locations include Treforest, Hawthorn, Graigwen, Upper Boat, Trallwng, andYnysybwl.

Twinning[edit]

Pontypridd istwinnedwithNürtingen,Baden-Württemberg,Germany. Initial contact was made between them in 1965, with a visit byCôr Meibion PontypriddWelsh male voiceChoirto a choir calledLiederkranz( "Coronet of Songs" ) based in the Oberensingen area of Nürtingen. The visit was returned a year later. Reciprocal choir visits have continued and the partnership prompted Pontypridd Urban District Council to join with Nürtingen in formal twinning relations, under an agreement signed in July 1968 by John Cheesman, Chairman of Pontypridd UDC, and Karl Gonser, Mayor of Nürtingen.[24]

Pontypridd is twinned withMbale,Uganda, since an official twinning ceremony in 2005, following links by local churches and health-care workers under the charitable Partnerships Overseas Networking Trust.[25][26]

Notable people[edit]

SeeCategory:People from Pontypridd

Sports people[edit]

Bibliography[edit]

  • Tobin, Patrick F. (1991).The Bridge and the Song, Some chapters in the story of Pontypridd.Bridgend: Mid Glamorgan County Libraries.ISBN1-872430-05-8.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Pontypridd (Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales / Cymru, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information".Citypopulation.de.
  2. ^"Lido Ponty | Outdoor Swimming in Pontypridd, South Wales".www.rctcbc.gov.uk.Retrieved10 July2022.
  3. ^"Home".Pontypridd-RFC.Retrieved10 July2022.
  4. ^CHK (7 December 2007)."Rhondda Cynon Taf Local Development Plan".Cartogold.co.uk.Retrieved21 February2016.
  5. ^"The Parliamentary Constituencies and Assembly Electoral Regions (Wales) Order 2006, Schedule 1".Legislation.gov.uk.Retrieved2 September2021.
  6. ^The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales.John Davies,Nigel Jenkins,Menna Baines and Peredur Lynch (2008) pg692ISBN978-0-7083-1953-6
  7. ^The urban area with nearby communities has about 55,000 inhabitants.[1]Archived26 February 2008 at theWayback Machine
  8. ^"Office of National Statistics".Archived fromthe originalon 5 October 2013.Retrieved24 June2008.
  9. ^Huw Williams, 1981.Pontypridd: Essays on the History of an Industrial Community.University College, Department of Extra-Mural Studies.
  10. ^Lucy Ellis, 2009.Tom Jones Close Up.0711975493
  11. ^"The Rhondda Cynon Taf (Communities) Order 2016"(PDF).Legislation.gov.uk.Retrieved1 April2018.
  12. ^"Meet the Team".Pontypridd Ministry Area.Archived fromthe originalon 28 July 2022.Retrieved28 July2022.
  13. ^"Pontypridd and The Taff Vale Railway", E. Mountford, inThe Railway and Industrial Heritage of Pontypridd & Districtp. 16, 1985, Taff-Ely BC.
  14. ^Fields of Praise, The Official History of the Welsh Rugby Union 1881–1981,David Smith, Gareth Williams (1980), 26 pp.
  15. ^"British and Irish Cup draw announced | Club News | News & Views".Ponty.net.13 May 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 4 March 2012.Retrieved23 May2013.
  16. ^"About GTFM".GTFM.Retrieved26 April2023.
  17. ^"WalesOnline: News, sport, weather and events from across Wales".icWales.Archived fromthe originalon 20 October 2006.
  18. ^"Pontypridd and Llantrisant Observer".Reach Solutions.
  19. ^"Archived copy".Archived fromthe originalon 8 August 2007.Retrieved6 October2007.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  20. ^"Home – Poetry Competition".Welshpoetry.co.uk.Archived fromthe originalon 11 January 2022.Retrieved11 January2022.
  21. ^"Tom Jones".13 November 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 13 November 2006.Retrieved11 January2022.
  22. ^"Home town welcomes back Tom Jones".BBC News.28 May 2005.Retrieved22 May2010.
  23. ^"Wales – Arts – Children – Fireman Sam".BBC. 11 February 2009.Retrieved23 May2013.
  24. ^"The History of Twinning in Rhondda Cynon Taf".31 August 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 31 August 2012.Retrieved11 January2022.
  25. ^"Q: Are Pontypridd and Rhondda Cynon Taf really twinned with places in Uganda?".2 April 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 2 April 2012.Retrieved11 January2022.
  26. ^"Background".1 May 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 1 May 2012.Retrieved11 January2022.
  27. ^"Catrin Collier".Contactanauthor.co.uk.Archived fromthe originalon 14 October 2008.Retrieved2 June2013.
  28. ^Matthew, H. C. G.; Harrison, B., eds. (23 September 2004)."Joyce Daniel".Oxford Dictionary of National Biography(online ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/54992.Retrieved19 July2023.(Subscription orUK public library membershiprequired.)
  29. ^"The Supreme Court – Biographies of the Justices".Supremecourt.uk.Retrieved26 August2021.
  30. ^O'Connell-Davidson, Michael (23 December 2013)."Pontypridd Isn't Proud of Ian Watkins Any More".VICE.Retrieved28 March2023.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toPontypridd.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide forPontypridd.
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