:Pontypridd

{{Short description|Town in Wales}}

{{Other uses}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}

{{Infobox UK place

|coordinates = {{coord|51.602|-3.342|display=inline,title}}

|static_image_name = {{multiple image

| border = infobox

| perrow = 1/2/2/2/2

| total_width = 250

| image1 = The Old Bridge, Pontypridd.jpg

| image2 = St. David's Foundation Hospice Care charity shop, Pontypridd - geograph.org.uk - 3437751.jpg

| image3 = Evan James and James James Statue (Close Up), Ynysangharad Park - geograph.org.uk - 421725.jpg

| footer = From the top, The Old Bridge, Town Centre, Monument to Evan James & James James in Ynysangharad Park}}

|static_image_caption =

|country = Wales

|constituency_welsh_assembly = Pontypridd,
South Wales Central Electoral Region

|map_type =

|official_name = Pontypridd

|population = 31,206

|population_ref = (2021){{Cite web |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/wales/rhondda_cynon_taf/W38000081__pontypridd/ |title=Pontypridd (Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales / Cymru, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information |website=Citypopulation.de}}

|community_wales = Pontypridd Town

|unitary_wales = Rhondda Cynon Taf

|lieutenancy_wales = Mid Glamorgan

|constituency_westminster = Pontypridd

|post_town = PONTYPRIDD

|postcode_district = CF37

|postcode_area = CF

|dial_code = 01443

|os_grid_reference = ST075895

| module= {{Collapsible list

| framestyle=border:none;text-align:center; padding:0; |title=Community map

|1=240px
Map of the community

}}

}}

Pontypridd ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|p|ɒ|n|t|ɪ|ˈ|p|r|iː|ð}} {{respell|PON|tih|PREEDH}},{{cite Collins Dictionary|Pontypridd}} {{IPA|cy|ˌpɔntəˈpriːð|lang}}), colloquially referred to as Ponty,{{Cite web |title=Lido Ponty {{!}} Outdoor Swimming in Pontypridd, South Wales |url=https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Resident/SportsandLeisure/Lido/Home.aspx |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=www.rctcbc.gov.uk}}{{Cite web |title=Home |url=http://www.ponty.net/ |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=Pontypridd-RFC |language=en-GB}} is a town and a community in Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Wales,{{Cite web |title=Rhondda Cynon Taf Local Development Plan |url=http://www.cartogold.co.uk/rhondda/text/06_sa_policies.html |website=Cartogold.co.uk |date=2007-12-07 |access-date=2016-02-21 |last=CHK}} approximately 10 miles north west of Cardiff city centre.

Geography

Pontypridd comprises the electoral wards of Cilfynydd, Glyncoch, Graig, Hawthorn, Pontypridd Town, 'Rhondda', Rhydyfelin Central/Ilan, Trallwng (Trallwn) and Treforest. The town mainly falls within the Senedd and UK parliamentary constituency by the same name, although the Cilfynydd and Glyncoch wards fall within the Cynon Valley Senedd constituency and the Cynon Valley UK parliamentary constituency. This change was effective for the 2007 Welsh Assembly election, and for the 2010 UK General Election.{{Cite web |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/1041/schedule/1/made |title=The Parliamentary Constituencies and Assembly Electoral Regions (Wales) Order 2006, Schedule 1 |website=Legislation.gov.uk |access-date=2021-09-02}}

The town sits at the junction of the Rhondda and Taff valleys, where the River Rhondda flows into the Taff just south of the town at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park.The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales. John Davies, Nigel Jenkins, Menna Baines and Peredur Lynch (2008) pg692 {{ISBN|978-0-7083-1953-6}} Pontypridd community recorded a population of about 32,700 in the 2011 census figures.The urban area with nearby communities has about 55,000 inhabitants. [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/census2001/ks_ua_ew_part1.pdf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226224626/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/census2001/ks_ua_ew_part1.pdf|date=26 February 2008}} while Pontypridd Town ward itself was recorded as having a population of 2,919 also as of 2011.{{Cite web |url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=3&b=5939138&c=Pontypridd&d=14&e=16&g=419433&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1214338952796&enc=1 |title=Office of National Statistics |access-date=24 June 2008 |archive-date=5 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005042549/http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=3&b=5939138&c=Pontypridd&d=14&e=16&g=419433&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1214338952796&enc=1 |url-status=dead}}

The town lies alongside the north–south dual carriageway A470 between Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil. The A4054, running north and south of the town, was the former main road, and like the A470, follows the Taff Valley. South of the town is the A473 for Llantrisant and Pencoed. To the west is the A4058, which follows the River Rhondda to Porth and the Rhondda Valley beyond.

History

=Etymology=

The name Pontypridd derives from the name {{lang|cy|Pont y tŷ pridd}}, Welsh for "bridge by the earthen house", referring singly to successive wooden bridges that once spanned the River Taff at this point.

=Old Bridge=

Pontypridd is noted for its Old Bridge, a stone construction across the River Taff built in 1756 by William Edwards. This was Edwards's fourth attempt, and at the time of construction, was the longest single-span stone arch bridge in the world. Rising {{convert|35|ft}} above the level of the river, the bridge forms a perfect segment of a circle, the chord of which is {{convert|140|ft}}. 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.

File:Drinking fountain, Taff St, Pontypridd.jpg

File:Pontypridd New Bridge (b).jpg, dating from 1756]]

=Coal=

The history of Pontypridd is tied to the coal and iron industries; before their development Pontypridd was a hamlet of a few farmsteads, with Treforest initially 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 from Merthyr Tydfil, first by the Glamorganshire Canal, and later by the Taff Vale Railway, to the ports at Cardiff, Barry and Newport. Its role in coal transport lengthened its railway platform, which is thought to have once been the longest in the world in its heyday.Huw Williams, 1981. Pontypridd: Essays on the History of an Industrial Community. University College, Department of Extra-Mural Studies. Pontypridd in the second half of the 19th century was a hive of industry, once nicknamed the "Wild West".Lucy Ellis, 2009. Tom Jones Close Up. 0711975493 There were several collieries within the Pontypridd area itself, including:

File:Pontypridd Railway Station 1910s.jpg

File:The Pontypridd Chronicle Jan 15 1881.jpg

  • 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 and Hafod. 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 (see Keir Hardie).

=Iron and steel=

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

=Buildings=

The town has a hospital, Dewi Sant Hospital and acts as the headquarters of Transport for Wales Rail at Llys Cadwyn.

Government

File:Municipal Buildings, Pontypridd - geograph.org.uk - 4260756.jpg]]

Pontypridd Urban District Council operated from 1894 to 1974, when it was incorporated into Taff Ely Borough Council. That in turn came under the unitary Rhondda Cynon Taf Council in 1996. Pontypridd Town Council functions as a community council. Labour is 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.{{Cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2016/1156/pdfs/wsi_20161156_mi.pdf |title=The Rhondda Cynon Taf (Communities) Order 2016 |website=Legislation.gov.uk |access-date=1 April 2018}} Pontypridd Municipal Buildings was completed in 1904.{{NHAW|desc= Pontypridd Municipal Buildings |num=13532|access-date=4 December 2024}}

Pontypridd community

File:Cilfynydd Commercial Hotel.jpg]]

File:St David's Church, Hopkinstown.jpg (closed Feb 2022){{cite web|title=Meet the Team|url=https://www.pontypriddministryarea.org.uk/meet-the-team.html|website= Pontypridd Ministry Area|accessdate=28 July 2022| archive-date=28 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728165856/https://www.pontypriddministryarea.org.uk/meet-the-team.html/|url-status=dead}}]]

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

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

=Railway=

{{Main|Pontypridd railway station}}

File:Pontypridd railway station.jpg

The establishment of Pontypridd over Treforest was finally confirmed with the building of the Glamorganshire Canal to serve the coalmines of the Rhondda Valley. However, the volumes of coal extraction soon led to construction of the Taff Vale Railway, which at its peak meant a train passed through Pontypridd railway station (including the freight lines immediately to its west) every two or three minutes."Pontypridd and The Taff Vale Railway", E. Mountford, in The Railway and Industrial Heritage of Pontypridd & District p. 16, 1985, Taff-Ely BC. 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 to {{Stnlnk|Treforest}}. The station today is operated by Transport for Wales, which is headquartered in the town. It reflects the fewer destinations served since the Beeching and 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=

A tram service began on 6 March 1905 from Cilfynydd through Pontypridd to Treforest. It gave way on 18 September 1930 to trolleybuses, which on 31 January 1957 were replaced by buses following the same route.

Education

File:Glamorgan Business School.jpg

Entertainment and social history

=Sport and recreation=

File:Sardis Road Rugby Ground, Pontypridd - Geograph-3442821-by-Jaggery.jpg

File:Paddling pool, Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd.jpg

File:PitchAndPuttGolfPontypriddPark.jpg

File:BandstandPontypriddPark.jpg

=Media=

  • GTFM is the local community radio station based in Pontypridd and broadcasts on 107.9FM to the town and the surrounding areas of Rhondda Cynon Taf.{{cite web |title=About GTFM |url=https://www.gtfm.co.uk/about/ |website=GTFM |access-date=26 April 2023}} Its studios are based in Rhydyfelin, near Cardinal Newman School.
  • The Pontypridd and Llantrisant Observer{{Cite web |url=http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/2000localinfo/pontypriddobserver/ |title=WalesOnline: News, sport, weather and events from across Wales |website=icWales |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061020015729/http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/2000localinfo/pontypriddobserver/ |archive-date=20 October 2006}} is the local weekly newspaper.{{cite web |title=Pontypridd and Llantrisant Observer |url=https://www.reachsolutions.co.uk/brands/pontypridd-llantrisant-observer |website=Reach Solutions}}

=Culture=

File:JamesJamesEvanJamesMemorialPontypriddPark.jpg

  • The Welsh national anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau ('The Land of my Fathers') was composed in Pontypridd by local poets/musicians Evan James and James James.
  • Pontypridd was home to the eccentric Dr William Price who performed the first modern cremation in the United Kingdom.
  • Pontypridd hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1893 and also hosted the 2024 Eisteddfod.
  • Côr Meibion Pontypridd (Pontypridd Male Voice Choir){{Cite web |url=http://www.malechoir.com/index.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=6 October 2007 |archive-date=8 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808144825/http://www.malechoir.com/index.htm |url-status=dead }}
  • Pontypridd holds the Welsh Poetry Competition, the biggest of its kind in Wales.{{Cite web |url=https://www.welshpoetry.co.uk/ |title=Home – Poetry Competition |website=Welshpoetry.co.uk |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111190611/https://www.welshpoetry.co.uk/ |url-status=dead }}
  • The singer Tom Jones was born in Treforest and often mentions his home town in interviews.{{Cite web |url=http://www.tomjones.com/news/index.aspx?newsid=32 |title=Tom Jones |date=13 November 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061113032502/http://www.tomjones.com/news/index.aspx?newsid=32 |access-date=11 January 2022|archive-date=13 November 2006 }}{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/4588611.stm |work=BBC News |title=Home town welcomes back Tom Jones |date=28 May 2005 |access-date=22 May 2010}} He headlined in a 65th birthday concert at the town's Ynysangharad Park.
  • The Pontypridd Market and Town Hall contained an auditorium, latterly known as the Town Hall Theatre, which closed in 1982.{{cite web|url= https://wsa-ondisplay.co.uk/2020/category/undergraduate/year-2/pontypridd-performance-space/ |title=Pontypridd Performance Space| publisher= Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University |access-date=3 December 2024}}

=Twinning=

Pontypridd is twinned with Nürtingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Initial contact was made between them in 1965, with a visit by Côr Meibion Pontypridd Welsh male voice Choir to a choir called {{lang|de|italic=no|Liederkranz}} ("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.{{Cite web |url=http://www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk/EN/LeisureLibrariesCulture/TourismandTravel/Towntwinning/HistoryOfTownTwinning.aspx |title=The History of Twinning in Rhondda Cynon Taf |date=31 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831103311/http://www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk/EN/LeisureLibrariesCulture/TourismandTravel/Towntwinning/HistoryOfTownTwinning.aspx |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-date=31 August 2012}}

Pontypridd is twinned with Mbale, Uganda, since an official twinning ceremony in 2005, following links by local churches and health-care workers under the charitable Partnerships Overseas Networking Trust.{{Cite web |url=http://pont-mbale.org.uk/main/en/faqs/214-faq6 |title=Q: Are Pontypridd and Rhondda Cynon Taf really twinned with places in Uganda? |date=2 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402021356/http://pont-mbale.org.uk/main/en/faqs/214-faq6 |access-date=11 January 2022|archive-date=2 April 2012 }}{{Cite web |url=http://pont-mbale.org.uk/main/en/overview/background |title=Background |date=1 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501230356/http://pont-mbale.org.uk/main/en/overview/background |access-date=11 January 2022|archive-date=1 May 2012}}

Notable people

:See :Category:People from Pontypridd

=Sports people=

Bibliography

  • {{Cite book |last=Tobin |first=Patrick F. |title=The Bridge and the Song, Some chapters in the story of Pontypridd|year=1991 |publisher=Mid Glamorgan County Libraries |location=Bridgend |isbn=1-872430-05-8}}

See also

References

{{reflist}}