History - including oral history links
An Industrial Artery
The Glamorganshire Canal and its importance for the establishment of the Newbridge Cable and Anchor works - Brown Lenox - are well documented. The canal provided a means of transport for raw materials and products which continued into the 20th century.
The works was served by two docks for canal boats, the upper dock receiving the raw material for processing and the lower dock connecting with the canal basin below the Ynysangharad locks. The Bunch of Grapes Inn served the area in the 19th century and is still in business. We recommend a visit to the Bunch of Grapes if you're visiting the locks. The use of the canal for Brown Lenox products ceased well before the closure of the canal for commercial transport in 1942. From 1915, when the canal was breached at Cilfynydd, operations had been limited to shipments between Pontypridd and Cardiff. At the end, the transport of flour to the Hopkin Morgan bakery at Trallwn was the principal local traffic.
Decline
Following closure, the canal deteriorated rapidly. At the Trallwn wharf the filled-in canal was used by W Davies, local builders merchants. Lock gates were removed from most parts of the canal but there is anecdotal evidence of the gates at the Ynysangharad locks being retained for a period to provide containment for water used by Brown Lenox.
The canal continued to be used as a surface water drain with water flowing into the River Taff at the weirs at Coedpenmaen and Nightingales Bush.
The works was served by two docks for canal boats, the upper dock receiving the raw material for processing and the lower dock connecting with the canal basin below the Ynysangharad locks. The Bunch of Grapes Inn served the area in the 19th century and is still in business. We recommend a visit to the Bunch of Grapes if you're visiting the locks. The use of the canal for Brown Lenox products ceased well before the closure of the canal for commercial transport in 1942. From 1915, when the canal was breached at Cilfynydd, operations had been limited to shipments between Pontypridd and Cardiff. At the end, the transport of flour to the Hopkin Morgan bakery at Trallwn was the principal local traffic.
Decline
Following closure, the canal deteriorated rapidly. At the Trallwn wharf the filled-in canal was used by W Davies, local builders merchants. Lock gates were removed from most parts of the canal but there is anecdotal evidence of the gates at the Ynysangharad locks being retained for a period to provide containment for water used by Brown Lenox.
The canal continued to be used as a surface water drain with water flowing into the River Taff at the weirs at Coedpenmaen and Nightingales Bush.
More Change
During the 1960s and 70s major changes to the area resulted from the development of the southern Brown Lenox works on the Bush playing field. The company also purchased canal land which resulted in a reduction in size of the basin and the loss of the central canal section. The southern length of canal at Nightingales Bush and the basin were connected by a new footpath on the "wrong" side of the canal. A concrete culvert was provided for drainage water from the new site.
The old northern works were sold and the site developed as the Brown Lenox Retail Park, a part of the former canal basin then becoming an extension to the overflow car park.
In the 1970s about 150 metres of the southern section were purchased by The Glamorgan Naturalist Trust. This Trust carried out clearance work on this section, this work being recognised by a Prince of Wales Award.
The 1970s also saw the building of the A470 trunk road during which much of the canal bed and locks in other parts of Pontypridd were destroyed. In 1990 the only other lock remaining, Lock 26 at Coedpenmaen, was demolished for housing development. Lock Cottage, which overlooks the basin, was purchased from Brown Lenox in 1986 and converted into a two storey residence.
In 1990 the locks, bridge and canal basin were purchased by Pontypridd Town Council. In 2001 they were granted Grade II listed status.
The old northern works were sold and the site developed as the Brown Lenox Retail Park, a part of the former canal basin then becoming an extension to the overflow car park.
In the 1970s about 150 metres of the southern section were purchased by The Glamorgan Naturalist Trust. This Trust carried out clearance work on this section, this work being recognised by a Prince of Wales Award.
The 1970s also saw the building of the A470 trunk road during which much of the canal bed and locks in other parts of Pontypridd were destroyed. In 1990 the only other lock remaining, Lock 26 at Coedpenmaen, was demolished for housing development. Lock Cottage, which overlooks the basin, was purchased from Brown Lenox in 1986 and converted into a two storey residence.
In 1990 the locks, bridge and canal basin were purchased by Pontypridd Town Council. In 2001 they were granted Grade II listed status.
A Bright Future?
The business at Brown Lenox in its last years moved away from its traditional heavy forging work when it was purchased by Kue-Ken Crushers and used for the manufacture and servicing of plant used for masonry crushing and recycling. The company ceased operation in 2000 and the site was left to be vandalised.
Commercial interest in the site led in 2005 to an unsuccessful planning application by Morrisons for a food retail store. The developers had included the intention to carry out a degree of restoration of the canal-side environment. A later outline planning application for a non-food retail development was granted but this was overtaken in 2010 by an application by Sainsbury's for a food retail store which opened in June 2012.
Commercial interest in the site led in 2005 to an unsuccessful planning application by Morrisons for a food retail store. The developers had included the intention to carry out a degree of restoration of the canal-side environment. A later outline planning application for a non-food retail development was granted but this was overtaken in 2010 by an application by Sainsbury's for a food retail store which opened in June 2012.
The following photos, provided by David Tromans,show scenes from 1977 and 1978
A Mike Ashcroft Creation
This composite photograph shows a canal loading scene with Nightingales Bush cottages and Pontypridd town in the background.
Oral Histories
Read Janet Collier's canal memories on this link.
Read Janet Collier's canal memories on this link.
* A full account of the early canal history can be found in 'The Glamorganshire and Aberdare Canals' by Stephen Rowson and Ian L Wright.
If you are interested in industrial history the Risca Industrial Museum and the Oxford House Industrial History Society run a programme of talks and guided walks. Details are available on their web site.
If you are interested in industrial history the Risca Industrial Museum and the Oxford House Industrial History Society run a programme of talks and guided walks. Details are available on their web site.