Ponthir
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Entering Ponthir from Llanfrechfa |
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Ponthir shown within Torfaen | |
Area | 3.43 km2 (1.32 sq mi) |
Population | 1,482 |
• Density | 432/km2 (1,120/sq mi) |
OS grid reference | ST 327 928 |
Community |
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Principal area | |
Ceremonial county | |
Country | Wales |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | NEWPORT |
Postcode district | NP18 |
Dialling code | 01633 |
Police | Gwent |
Fire | South Wales |
Ambulance | Welsh |
EU Parliament | Wales |
UK Parliament | |
Welsh Assembly | |
Ponthir (Welsh: Pont-hir) is a village and community at the south-west of the county borough of Torfaen on the boundary of the counties of Monmouthshire and Newport. It is approximately six miles from Newport city centre and 3½ miles from Cwmbran, lying between the settlements of Caerleon and Llanfrechfa.
The Welsh language placename indicates the correct pronunciation; i.e. saying the 't' and 'h' separately. The name first appeared in print as Pontheere in 1605 and again as Pont hir in 1677. The name means 'long (hir) bridge (pont)' and refers to a previous bridge over the River Llwyd, the present one having been built in 1800.
Ponthir is primarily a residential area, with several new housing estates around the older village. It has a primary school, (Ponthir Church in Wales Primary School) which was for some time under threat of closure but was reprieved, and it now has the best SATs results in Torfaen. It also changed its category to a Voluntary aided school (church) school.
Ponthir has many amenities such as two nurseries, two children's playgrounds, two churches, a village hall, a cricket club, a football club (Ponthir United), 2 pubs - The Ponthir House and The Star, a grocery shop, a doctor and a dentist. There used to be a railway station but it closed in 1962. The railway is still in use. It is surrounded by the rolling hills of Monmouthshire, many farms, and the Afon Llwyd (meaning "grey river") runs through the village.