Tal-y-bont, Ceredigion
Encyclopedia
Tal-y-bont is a village
in north Ceredigion
(also known as Talybont).
It is located on the A487 main road, about halfway between Aberystwyth
and Machynlleth
.
and Afon Ceulan riversides in the area of Genau'r Glyn, at the foot of Ceulan Maes-mawr (383 m). There are many old silver
and lead
mines and woollen
mills surrounding the village. Although silver and lead had been mined in the area since Roman
times, it was not until the 19th century that the village began to grow dramatically; many of the terraces were built during this period for workers who migrated to the area. Many of the houses, for example the pharmacy, are listed buildings and therefore maintain many of their original features such as sash windows. There were only 35 houses in Tal-y-bont in 1835, the majority were thatched roof cottages.
At one point there were 15 shops, a garage, two banks and three Nonconformist
chapels in the village; the Tabernacl was built in 1812, Eglwys Dewi Sant (St David's Church) in 1909, there is also Bethel, Capel yr Annibynwyr (Independent
chapel). The Memorial Hall was officially opened on 6 August 1924 in remembrance of those who died during the First World War. Since 1966 the village has been home to Y Lolfa
press. A garage, pharmacy, hairdressers and a SPAR
convenience store
still exist in the village.
There are two pubs
in Tal-y-bont, the Llew Gwyn (White Lion) and the Llew Du (Black Lion). The Tal-y-bont agricultural show
is held annually in the Black Lion's old fields, as it has been for several decades.
A few of Tal-y-bont's notable residents include the artist Ruth Jên
, who painted Y Lolfa's extremely famous mural; and the novelist, Mihangel Morgan
.
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
in north Ceredigion
Ceredigion
Ceredigion is a county and former kingdom in mid-west Wales. As Cardiganshire , it was created in 1282, and was reconstituted as a county under that name in 1996, reverting to Ceredigion a day later...
(also known as Talybont).
It is located on the A487 main road, about halfway between Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre and holiday resort within Ceredigion, Wales. Often colloquially known as Aber, it is located at the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol....
and Machynlleth
Machynlleth
Machynlleth is a market town in Powys, Wales. It is in the Dyfi Valley at the intersection of the A487 and the A489 roads.Machynlleth was the seat of Owain Glyndŵr's Welsh Parliament in 1404, and as such claims to be the "ancient capital of Wales". However, it has never held any official...
.
History and amenities
The village stands on the Afon LeriAfon Leri
The Afon Leri is a river in Ceredigion, Wales. It rises at Llyn Craig-y-Pistyll and is joined at Talybont by Afon Ceulan before passing behind Borth to its mouth in the Dyfi estuary at Ynyslas....
and Afon Ceulan riversides in the area of Genau'r Glyn, at the foot of Ceulan Maes-mawr (383 m). There are many old silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
and lead
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
mines and woollen
Woolen
Woolen or woollen is a type of yarn made from carded wool. Woolen yarn is soft, light, stretchy, and full of air. It is thus a good insulator, and makes a good knitting yarn...
mills surrounding the village. Although silver and lead had been mined in the area since Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
times, it was not until the 19th century that the village began to grow dramatically; many of the terraces were built during this period for workers who migrated to the area. Many of the houses, for example the pharmacy, are listed buildings and therefore maintain many of their original features such as sash windows. There were only 35 houses in Tal-y-bont in 1835, the majority were thatched roof cottages.
At one point there were 15 shops, a garage, two banks and three Nonconformist
Nonconformism
Nonconformity is the refusal to "conform" to, or follow, the governance and usages of the Church of England by the Protestant Christians of England and Wales.- Origins and use:...
chapels in the village; the Tabernacl was built in 1812, Eglwys Dewi Sant (St David's Church) in 1909, there is also Bethel, Capel yr Annibynwyr (Independent
Independent (religion)
In English church history, Independents advocated local congregational control of religious and church matters, without any wider geographical hierarchy, either ecclesiastical or political...
chapel). The Memorial Hall was officially opened on 6 August 1924 in remembrance of those who died during the First World War. Since 1966 the village has been home to Y Lolfa
Y Lolfa
Y Lolfa is a Welsh printing and publishing company based in Tal-y-bont, Ceredigion in Mid-Wales. It publishes a wide variety of books in Welsh and English. It also provides a commercial print service. Y Lolfa was established in 1967 by Robat Gruffudd...
press. A garage, pharmacy, hairdressers and a SPAR
SPAR
Spar , trades from approximately 12400 stores in 34 countries worldwide and is the world's largest independent voluntary retail trading chain. Spar was founded in the Netherlands in 1932 by retailer Adriaan Van Well and now, through its affiliate organisations, operates through most European...
convenience store
Convenience store
A convenience store, corner store, corner shop, commonly called a bodega in Spanish-speaking areas of the United States, is a small store or shop in a built up area that stocks a range of everyday items such as groceries, toiletries, alcoholic and soft drinks, and may also offer money order and...
still exist in the village.
There are two pubs
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
in Tal-y-bont, the Llew Gwyn (White Lion) and the Llew Du (Black Lion). The Tal-y-bont agricultural show
Agricultural show
An agricultural show is a public event showcasing the equipment, animals, sports and recreation associated with agriculture and animal husbandry. The largest comprise a livestock show , a trade fair, competitions, and entertainment...
is held annually in the Black Lion's old fields, as it has been for several decades.
A few of Tal-y-bont's notable residents include the artist Ruth Jên
Ruth Jên
Ruth Jên is a Welsh artist, working in the old shoe shop in the village of Tal-y-bont, Ceredigion.-Biography:Born Ruth Jên Evans at Cefn Llwyd, she studied on an Art Foundation Course...
, who painted Y Lolfa's extremely famous mural; and the novelist, Mihangel Morgan
Mihangel Morgan
Mihangel Morgan is a Welsh author.-Background and career:...
.