Pontypridd
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Pontypridd | ||
|---|---|---|
| Statistics | ||
| Population: | 33,000 | |
| Ordnance Survey | ||
| OS grid reference: | Maps for ST075895 | |
| Administration | ||
| Principal area: | Rhondda Cynon Taff | |
| Constituent country: | Wales | |
| Sovereign state: | United Kingdom | |
| Other | ||
| Police force: | South Wales Police | |
| Ceremonial county: | Mid Glamorgan | |
| Historic county: | Glamorganshire | |
| Post office and telephone | ||
| Post town: | PONTYPRIDD | |
| Postal district: | CF37-38 | |
| Dialling code: | +44-01443 | |
| Politics | ||
| UK Parliament: | Pontypridd | |
| European Parliament: | Wales | |
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Pontypridd is a town in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taff, South Wales. It has a population of roughly 33,000, and is situated 12 miles north of the capital city, Cardiff. It is correctly pronounced "Pont-uh-PREETHE", but is known locally as "Ponty" (pronounced "Pontee").
The name Pontypridd is from the Welsh for bridge by the earthen house; named for several wooden bridges that spanned the river Taff. Pontypridd is, however, more famous for the Old Bridge, a stone bridge across the Taff built in 1756 by William Edwards. The bridge was the fourth attempted by Edwards, and at the time of construction was the longest stone-built single-arch bridge in Europe. The bridge is a perfect segment of a circle, the chord of which is 140 feet (43 m), and 35 feet (11 m) above the level of the river. Notable features are three holes of differing diameters through each end of the bridge. These were to reduce the weight of the bridge; the aesthetic nature of them was merely a bonus. However, the utility of the bridge was debatable. The steepness of the design made it difficult to get carts across it, and in 1857, a new bridge, the Victoria Bridge, was built adjacent to the old one, paid for by public subscription.
Pontypridd was known as Newbridge from shortly after the construction of the Old Bridge until the 1860s.
The history of Pontypridd is closely tied to the coal and iron industries. Sited as it is at the junction of the Rhondda and Taff valleys, it became an important location for the transportation of coal from the Rhondda and iron from Merthyr Tydfil, first via the Glamorganshire Canal and later via the Taff Vale Railway, to the ports at Cardiff and Barry. Because of its role in transporting coal cargo, its train platform was at one time the longest in the world.
The town is also home to a large hospital, Dewi Sant Hospital and the famous rugby union team.
Pontypridd has it's very own comunity radio station GTFM, which is in partnership with the University Of Glamorgan. It has local news, information and music from the last four decades, and is run by a voluntary management committee. The Pontypridd and Llantrisant Observer is the local newspaper for the town.
Pontypridd RFC is one of Wales' most famous rugby clubs, with the one of the best junior rugby sections and academy that frequently contributes players to the national team.
Notable people from Pontypridd include:
- Tom Jones, singer of such worldwide top 40 hits as Delilah and The Green Green Grass of Home, born in neighbouring Treforest
- Evan James and James James, writers of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, the national anthem of Wales
- William Price, who carried out the first cremation in the UK in modern times on Llantrisant Common
- Opera singers Stuart Burrows and Geraint Evans who were born in nearby Cilfynydd
- Freddie Welsh, world champion boxer
- Neil Jenkins, Michael Owen, Martyn Williams, Kevin Morgan, Ceri Sweeney and Gareth Wyatt, Welsh international rugby players
- Lostprophets, rock band
- Phil Campbell, guitarist with Motörhead
- Gareth Davies of Funeral For A Friend
Pontypridd hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1893.
[edit] External links
- Pontytown.co.uk: a Pontypridd-based website.
- British strike - extra fodder for pit ponies, Pontypridd Photo from the Library of Congress's George Grantham Bain Collection
- Ynysangharad Surgery: a GP surgery situated near Ynysangharad Park
