Neyland
| Neyland | |
|---|---|
 View of Neyland High Street and Town Hall | |
  Neyland Location within Pembrokeshire | |
| Population | 3,464 (2011 census)[1] |
| OS grid reference | SM965055 |
| Principal area | |
| Preserved county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MILFORD HAVEN |
| Postcode district | SA73 |
| Dialling code | 01646 |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| UK Parliament | |
| Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament | |
Neyland is a town and community in Pembrokeshire, Wales, lying on the River Cleddau and the upstream end of the Milford Haven estuary. The Cleddau Bridge, a toll bridge carrying the A477, links Pembroke Dock with Neyland.
History
Neyland was a small fishing village in the parish of Llanstadwell, but in 1856 it became the site for the western terminus of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Great Western Railway[2][3] with a transatlantic terminal for the largest ships of the time. It was selected instead of the other possible location Abermawr.[4] The town then grew rapidly to serve the port.
The construction of a more substantial port at Goodwick based on an earlier plan of 1846, was revived in 1899, and opened in 1906. Many people relocated from Neyland to Goodwick and Fishguard at that time. Neyland was partially reprieved because silting of Goodwick harbour restricted its use, and for a little over one hundred years, Neyland was a busy rail and sea port. The Neyland terminal ceased operation in 1964.
The rail terminus used to link with the ferry that crossed the Cleddau to Hobbs Point in Pembroke Dock until 1975 when the Cleddau Bridge opened. The redevelopment of the 1980s saw the creation of a new marina and rehabilitation of the old railway yard. Some of the original Brunel iron wide gauge railway tracks can be seen today in use as safety barriers around the quay.
In August 2010, an 8 ft bronze statue of Brunel was stolen from its site in the town's marina, presumably for its metallurgic value.[5]
Sport and leisure
Neyland has a long sporting history and is home to many sporting groups. These include Neyland Cricket Club (a founder member of the Pembroke County Cricket Club) established in 1889, Neyland RFC (a rugby union club established in 1885) and Neyland AFC.
Watersports such as sailing are also popular in the area and the town has its own yacht club.
Attractions include the neighbouring Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and a marina.
Notable people
- Lord Gordon Parry of Neyland (1925–2004), Labour politician
- Sarah Waters, novelist, Tipping the Velvet
- Barry John MBE, artist, soldier
Further reading
- Hancock, Simon,Chronicle of a Ministry, CIT Brace Harvatt, Haverfordwest, copyright 2002.
- Bill Morgan and Bette Meyrick, Behind the Steam, KRB Publications. Autobiography of a GWR driver from Neyland with much background about the town.
References
- ^ "Wards and community population 2011". Retrieved 20 April 2015.
- ^ History of Neyland Simon Hancock - bbc.co.uk - 09 Nov 2006
- ^ Jones, Stephen K. (2006). Brunel in South Wales. Vol. II: Communications and Coal. Stroud: The History Press. p. 167. ISBN 9780752439181.
- ^ British beach of the week: Abermawr telegraph.co.uk 3.Sept.2007
- ^ BBC News: Brunel statue stolen from plinth
External links
