Pontarddulais

infobox UK place
country = Wales
map_type=
latitude= 51.71
longitude=-04.04
official_name= Pontarddulais
unitary_wales= Swansea
lieutenancy_wales= West Glamorgan
post_town= SWANSEA
postcode_district = SA4
postcode_area= SA
dial_code= 01792
os_grid_reference= SN589037
population= 5,293 (2001 Census)
constituency_westminster= Gower
constituency_welsh_assembly=Gower

Pontarddulais ( [pɒntʌθi:lɑɪs] ) is a town in the City and County of Swansea, Wales, known by locals as "The Bont". It is situated 16 km (10 miles) north west of Swansea city centre. It falls within the Pontarddulais ward. The continuous built up area in and around Pontarddulais includes the village of Hendy just across the River Loughor.

Overview

A more literal English translation of the name is "Bridge on the Dulais". The existing bridge in the town actually crosses the River Loughor. However it is located near the confluence of the River Loughor and the Dulais stream.

The town's schools are Pontarddulais primary school, Pontarddulais Comprehensive School, Bryniago School and a few other Welsh language schools. The Comprehensive and primary schools are English-speaking schools, but do teach the Welsh language.

The local railway station is served by the Heart of Wales Line with trains to Swansea to the south and Shrewsbury to the north. The A48 road traverses thorough the town as St Teilo Street and Bolgoed Road. The M4 Motorway serves Pontarddulais at junction 48.

The town which is by far the largest settlement in the Pontarddulais ward has about 28% of its population being able to speak, read and write Welsh. [http://www.swansea.gov.uk/media/pdf/pontarddulais.pdf]

Pontarddulais is home to Cor Meibion Pontarddulais or Pontarddulais Male Voice Choir, the most successful competitive choir in Wales, having won the main choir prize at the Welsh National Eisteddfod a record 14 times and the International Eisteddfod prize on two occasions. [http://www.pontarddulaismalechoir.com/] The choir also performed choral parts in the Pink Floyd film 'The Wall' [http://www.pontarddulaismalechoir.com/choir_history.php] and recorded with Roger Waters on his hit single 'The Tide is Turnng'

Pontarddulais is also home to Pontardulais Town Band, currently ranked 172 in the world. The band has many national and local accolades, and is one of the oldest Town Brass Bands in Wales. Having survived both world wars, the band continues to move from strength to strength. The band room is located off Station Road Pontarddulais. The Band continues to support local events, such as the Hendy and Pontarddulais canival, and Rememberance day Parade. Their Web site is currently in the stages of being constructed.

Famous people

*Ieuan Evans, Welsh international (Wales) rugby player
*John Miles, Llanelli rfc (Scarlets) rugby player 1957-1959
*Dan Mathews, drama director
*John Walters, from Fforest, produced English/Welsh Dictionary 1770-94
*Eifion Jones, Glamorgan CCC county cricketer
*Derwyn Jones, Wales rugby international
*Terry Price, Hendy, Wales rugby international
*Eric Jones, composer
*Robert Croft, from Fforest, Glamorgan county cricketer and England cricketer
* James Harris, Glamorgan county cricketer
*Dennis O'Neill, tenor
*Wyn Matthews, Welsh Bowls International
*Michael Richards, AKA "Mike the Bike" Welsh Paperboy Champion 2001 to 2008

External links

* [http://www.pontarddulais.com/index.htm Pontarddulais]
* [http://www.page-net.com/swansea.localhistory/pontarddulais/index.html History]
* [http://Pontardulais.p.names.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ Place-names]
* [http://www.pontarddulais-rfc.co.uk Pontarddulais RFC]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2733641 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Pontarddulais and surrounding area]