Further Information
What's that mean? - Pontypool
'Pont ap Hywel' (Hywel's bridge) 'bridge of the pool'.
Pontypool (Pontypwl) is one of the major towns in Torfaen County Borough
The Iron Age
Richard Hanbury bought land there in 1588 for making iron, although iron was made from 1425 in Pontymoel. Although Poola is a valleys town, it was never a tradional coal-mining town. Pontypool owes much of its present position to iron.
What's Pontypool Japan?
In the seventeenth century the Hanbury's went all out in the production of iron Japan-ware with its decorated, lacquered finish. Pontypool Japan ware' became sought-after product. The process was a kept a secret process.
Who are the Hanbury family?
What is now Pontypool Park was once thier family home. The town grew very much around this area. The Napoleonic Wars increased the prosperity of the Hanbury's due to the demand for munitions -Capel Hanbury Leigh extended Pontypool Park House between 1779 and 1840.
Coal and Iron
The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway was opened in 1869 to meet demand for iron and coal.
Rugby
Pontypool Rugby Football Club was founded in 1868. In 1881 the club became a founder member of the Welsh Rugby Union.