Underwood, Newport
Encyclopedia
Underwood is a housing development http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/406735 in the city of Newport
, South Wales
.
, Baptist
church and social club.
The Underwood Estate was originally developed from the former World War II
Prisoner of War camp after the end of the war. A few surviving examples of the former PoW huts were still visible until the early 1990s when they were demolished. The original huts stood as early community buildings. In the early 1980s several huts and a water tower were also visible on the now Waltwood Park Drive area, this area belonged to the General Post Office
and was used to house old telecommunications equipment until it was sold and demolished by British Telecom who took over the site when BT was privatised in the early 1980s. The land was subsequently sold to Westbury homes
who built the Waltwood Park Drive Development of around 220 houses on the land.
The estate is situated in a natural land formation within the falls of a wooded area on the south and north side and a small drainage ditch or reen
called "Monks Ditch" on the northern side of the development. Built in three phases, with the Waltwood Park Development being the last of the three phases.
Many people believe that the Underwood Estate was created for the local steelworks at Llanwern
, as it was constructed at the same time as the Richard Thomas and Baldwins "Spencer Works" was being built. This has some truth, as originally people moved into the huts after the war. However the local council at the time, Magor and St Mellons Rural District
Council, created the housing estate with post-war initiatives for more housing, hence why the second phase of the housing development consists of rapid construction poured concrete
houses which are very sturdy in construction and much stronger than traditional bricks-and-mortar houses.
s in the area,even though it has no swimming pool. In fact it is widely-known as one of the first in Wales
. It was built from funding provided by Richard Thomas and Baldwins, when the steelworks was constructed, built on land donated to the community by local farmer, Mr. Weeks, and still covered by a covenant on the land by the original donor. However there are moves to change this donation to build upon the land, of which the local residents are ardently opposed to.
Within the Llanmartin
area, a large man-made reservoir
is located. This reservoir is built on Waltwood Hill. It consists of four lagoons which contain Grey water. This water is used at the Llanwern steelworks. It remains private property and is off-limits to the public.
Also, Pencoed Castle is situated nearby. A small hamlet of Llanmartin consists of farms and a number of houses — the Old Barn Llanmartin is an old circa 1800 barn converted to a local public house serving quality food and drink. Within St. Martin
's church http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/100667 is a tomb of the ancestors from Pencoed Castle.
Newport
Newport is a city and unitary authority area in Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about east of Cardiff and is the largest urban area within the historic county boundaries of Monmouthshire and the preserved county of Gwent...
, South Wales
South Wales
South Wales is an area of Wales bordered by England and the Bristol Channel to the east and south, and Mid Wales and West Wales to the north and west. The most densely populated region in the south-west of the United Kingdom, it is home to around 2.1 million people and includes the capital city of...
.
Post War Development
Underwood is an early 1960s council housing estate that consists of houses http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/406741, shops, a leisure centreLeisure centre
A leisure centre in the UK and Canada is a purpose built building or site, usually owned and operated by the city, borough council or municipal district council, where people go to keep fit or relax through using the facilities.- Typical Facilities :...
, Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
church and social club.
The Underwood Estate was originally developed from the former World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Prisoner of War camp after the end of the war. A few surviving examples of the former PoW huts were still visible until the early 1990s when they were demolished. The original huts stood as early community buildings. In the early 1980s several huts and a water tower were also visible on the now Waltwood Park Drive area, this area belonged to the General Post Office
General Post Office
General Post Office is the name of the British postal system from 1660 until 1969.General Post Office may also refer to:* General Post Office, Perth* General Post Office, Sydney* General Post Office, Melbourne* General Post Office, Brisbane...
and was used to house old telecommunications equipment until it was sold and demolished by British Telecom who took over the site when BT was privatised in the early 1980s. The land was subsequently sold to Westbury homes
Westbury (housebuilder)
Westbury plc was a British housebuilding company based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index but was acquired by Persimmon plc in 2005.-History:...
who built the Waltwood Park Drive Development of around 220 houses on the land.
The estate is situated in a natural land formation within the falls of a wooded area on the south and north side and a small drainage ditch or reen
Rhyne
A rhyne , rhine/rhyne , or reen is a drainage ditch, or canal, used to turn areas of wetland at around sea level into useful pasture....
called "Monks Ditch" on the northern side of the development. Built in three phases, with the Waltwood Park Development being the last of the three phases.
Many people believe that the Underwood Estate was created for the local steelworks at Llanwern
Llanwern
Llanwern is an electoral ward and community in the urban-rural fringe of the City of Newport, South Wales. Llanwern ward is bounded by the M4 and Langstone to the north, Ringland, Liswerry and the River Usk to the west, the River Severn to the south and the city boundary to the east...
, as it was constructed at the same time as the Richard Thomas and Baldwins "Spencer Works" was being built. This has some truth, as originally people moved into the huts after the war. However the local council at the time, Magor and St Mellons Rural District
Magor and St Mellons Rural District
Magor and St Mellons Rural District was created on 1 April 1935 from Magor Rural District and St Mellons Rural District in the administrative county of Monmouthshire...
Council, created the housing estate with post-war initiatives for more housing, hence why the second phase of the housing development consists of rapid construction poured concrete
Concrete
Concrete is a composite construction material, composed of cement and other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate , water and chemical admixtures.The word concrete comes from the Latin word...
houses which are very sturdy in construction and much stronger than traditional bricks-and-mortar houses.
Amenities
The Leisure Centre is considered to be one of the best leisure centreLeisure centre
A leisure centre in the UK and Canada is a purpose built building or site, usually owned and operated by the city, borough council or municipal district council, where people go to keep fit or relax through using the facilities.- Typical Facilities :...
s in the area,even though it has no swimming pool. In fact it is widely-known as one of the first in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. It was built from funding provided by Richard Thomas and Baldwins, when the steelworks was constructed, built on land donated to the community by local farmer, Mr. Weeks, and still covered by a covenant on the land by the original donor. However there are moves to change this donation to build upon the land, of which the local residents are ardently opposed to.
Within the Llanmartin
Llanmartin
Llanmartin is a parish in the city of Newport, Wales.- The community :It consists of several groups of communities within the parish, which is centred on the parish church dedicated to St. Martin which gives the name "Llan" as in church or Holy Ground and Martin being the saint of the church...
area, a large man-made reservoir
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
is located. This reservoir is built on Waltwood Hill. It consists of four lagoons which contain Grey water. This water is used at the Llanwern steelworks. It remains private property and is off-limits to the public.
Also, Pencoed Castle is situated nearby. A small hamlet of Llanmartin consists of farms and a number of houses — the Old Barn Llanmartin is an old circa 1800 barn converted to a local public house serving quality food and drink. Within St. Martin
Martin of Tours
Martin of Tours was a Bishop of Tours whose shrine became a famous stopping-point for pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela. Around his name much legendary material accrued, and he has become one of the most familiar and recognizable Christian saints...
's church http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/100667 is a tomb of the ancestors from Pencoed Castle.