Ponthir

Ponthir (Welsh: Pont-hir) is a large village at the south-west of the county borough of Torfaen on the boundary of the city of Newport, South Wales.

Etymology

The Welsh language name indicates the correct pronunciation; i.e. saying the 't' and 'h' separately. The name means 'long (hir) bridge (pont)'.

History & amenities

It is primarily a residential area with many new estates of large houses. It has one primary school which was for some time under threat of closure but is now up and running again with the best SATs results in Torfaen. It also changed its category to a Voluntary Aided (church) school. The school's name is Ponthir Church in Wales Primary School. It does however welcome pupils from any faith.

Ponthir has many amenities such as a nursery, 2 churches, a village hall, cricket club, and football (soccer) club called Ponthir United, pubs - The Ponthir House and The Star, a grocery shop, a farm shop, a pharmacy, and 2 children's playgrounds.

It is surrounded by rolling hills of Monmouthshire, many farms and the Afon Llwyd (grey river) runs through it.

It also has a sewage and water treatment plant for the surrounding area.

Ponthir Baptist Church

The church was opened in 1800. It opened as a mixed Church with nine Baptists and three independents, and adopted open communion. Baptisms took place in the Dowlais Brook, which flowed into the Afon Llwyd just above the Mill Weir.

It still gathers in the same building on Station Road (next door to 'Park Stores'). It meets twice on Sundays (a 10:30am contemporary family service and a 3pm more traditional service). It also has a thriving youth club and play club (Which meets at the village hall as it outgrew the facilities the church building could offer).

Visit www.ponthir.org for more information on the church and to see up and coming events.

External links

• http://www.ponthir.org : The home of Ponthir Baptist Church on the internet
• www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Ponthir and surrounding area
• www.ponthirchurchschool.co.uk : Link to Ponthir Church in Wales Primary School's Website