Pontymister

Pontymister (Welsh:Pont-y-meistr) is a small village in Caerphilly county borough in Wales.

Location

Pontymister is attached to its neighbour, the town of Risca.

History

Originally a farm called Tŷ Isaf, the village came about as a need for housing for the local steel mill and chemical works workforces. Most houses were built in 1920 - 1925.

From the late 1800s there were a number of heavy industries, (steel and chemical), based alongside the river Ebbw. The name Pontymister is said to have come about as the staff were paid from an office built alongside the bridge that connected Ty Isaf to Ochrwyth. The bridge became known as the master's bridge, Pont Y Mister.

Pontymister steel works was famous for being the grave yard for steam trains. Many were brought there in the early 1960s for their scrap value. Some were saved and moved onto Barry Docks.

Amenities

Many local pubs still bear the names of steel making; the Rolling Mill, the Forge and Hammer, etc. Although the Forge hammer is now [2009] an Indian restaurant - The Tamarind.

The Cistercian Way waymarked long distance footpath passes through Pontymister.

The village is served by Risca and Pontymister railway station which has direct train services to Cardiff Central and Ebbw Vale Parkway.

External links

• 'Development of Pontymister' on Risca Museum's website
• Old photos of Pontymister
• Pontymister and surrounding area on geograph.co.uk