Pontyglasier Explained

Country:Wales
Coordinates:51.99°N -4.71°W
Official Name:Pontyglasier
Community Wales:Eglwyswrw
Unitary Wales:Pembrokeshire
Postcode Area:SA
Os Grid Reference:SN1436

Pontyglasier (English: Bridge of the glacier - origin obscure), sometimes recorded as Pontyglazier, is a small village 1.3miles south of Eglwyswrw in Pembrokeshire, Wales, on an unclassified road 1miles east of Crosswell. It is a scattered rural settlement with few amenities.

Situation

Pontyglasier is in the community of Eglwyswrw[1] and sits near the confluence of two streams, Afon Bannon and Afon Clun-Maen, just south of the point where they join the River Nevern. The bridge referred to in the name spans the Bannon. Pontyglasier is set in undulating farmland in the Welsh-speaking north of the county and is a dispersed settlement centred around the chapel.[2] It is on the border of two parishes: Meline and Eglwyswen[3] and falls ecclesiastically within the latter.[4]

History

In 1891, seven clergymen, including Thomas Morris of Pontyglasier, were charged with beating a bailiff attempting to recover tithe arrears. They were remanded on bail of £40 each.[5] They appeared before magistrates a month later, in which the Reverend Morris was accused of knocking the bailiff's hat off three times during a scuffle. The magistrates found the assault proved against three of the defendants, including Morris, who was fined £3 plus costs for his part.[6] [7]

A Sunday School trip in 1900 was a rare event to be photographed.[8]

Chapel

Bethabara Welsh Baptist Chapel is a Grade II listed building constructed in 1873 replacing the former chapel built in 1826. The present chapel is built from Cilgerran stone, and there was originally an eleventh-hour clock face painted on the façade but this has since been rendered over.[9] [10]

Amenities

There is a Land Rover and general vehicle maintenance business, Yr Efail Garage (suggesting the presence of a former smithy), in Pontyglasier and an animal boarding establishment.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Eglwyswrw Community Council. 11 February 2016.
  2. Web site: Dyfed Archaeology: Eglwyswrw. 11 February 2016.
  3. Web site: GENUKI: Parish maps. 11 February 2016.
  4. Web site: GENUKI: Eglwyswen. 11 February 2016.
  5. News: Tithe agitation in Pembrokeshire. South Wales Daily News. 7 July 1891. 11 February 2016. British Newspaper Archive. subscription.
  6. News: Police-court proceedings at Newchapel. South Wales Daily News. 5 August 1891. 12 February 2016. British Newspaper Archive. subscription.
  7. News: Police-court proceedings at Newchapel: Result of the cases. South Wales Daily News. 6 August 1891. 12 February 2016. British Newspaper Archive. subscription.
  8. Web site: People's Collection Wales: Pontyglasier Sunday school trip. 11 February 2016.
  9. Web site: British Listed Buildings. 11 February 2016.
  10. Yale University Press. Pembrokeshire. Lloyd, T., Orbach, J. and Scourfield, R.. 367. 2004. 9780300101782. 11 February 2016.
  11. Web site: Pembrokeshire County Council: Animal Establishment Licences. 11 February 2016.