BASSALEG & RHIWDERIN DIRECTORY ISSUE 69 MAY/JUNE 2018 SW DIRECTORIES COPY DEADLINE FOR THE JULY/AUGUST EDITION Wednesday 30th May Welcome! Editor: Susan Woolford Sales & Distribution: If you are interested in advertising your business in the Leslie Woolford Directory, please contact us to find out about the very The editor cannot accept competitive advertising rates. You will always deal with us any liability to any party for directly, like many of the businesses that advertise in this loss or damage caused by errors or omissions. All magazine, we are a small, independent business and fully artwork is accepted on the appreciate how much your business means to you. strict condition that permission has been given Best wishes for use in the publication. SW Directories does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior Advertising enquiries: permission of the editor. 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David Williams@croesheolydd Call Shaun: 07890 996093 www.k9traintime.co.uk Call us for a FREE Quotation on 01633 615600 RBF Business Centre, Risca, Newport, NP11 6NP May/June 2018 swdirectories.com 3 T A X I MINIBUSES 0 1 6 3 3 NO METERS - FIXED PRICES Airport transfers catered for 5, 6, 7 & 8 Seaters Available @chowtaxis www.chowtaxis.com [email protected] ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED 4 swdirectories.com May/June 2018 L J SYMONDS ROOFING, BUILDING & MAINTENANCE ROOFING n Tiling n Slating n Fibreglass n Chimney stack repair n UPVC Fascias BUILDING n New Build n Extensions n Renovations n Garage Conversions MAINTENANCE n Gutter repair n UPVC cleaning n Roof repair n Misted glass repair n House painting Visit www.ljsymonds.co.uk Email [email protected] Tel: 01633 548688 Mob: 07506 292990 Unit 9 Pontymister Industrial Estate, Risca NP11 6NP May/June 2018 swdirectories.com 5 Bygones 8 by Steve Barber The Welsh Triangle ‘y Tair Tref’ (Part 4) white castle This castle can be reached from Skenfrith by returning along the B4521 road, in the direction of Abergavenny, and after nearly six miles taking a signposted left turn for White Castle. Gwyn ap Gwaethfoed was the original owner of this castle and as his name means ‘white’ in Welsh; White Castle is a simple translation of Castell Gwyn. There is also a theory that the castle Gwyn could not have retained the these towers, on the north side, takes its name from its original castle for very long, for soon after were constructed to form the colour, as traces of white plaster this time the Normans began to Gatehouse, and the remaining have been found on the stone strengthen the fortress. White towers are equally spaced around walls. Castle was the most vulnerable of the outer wall. The whole castle is Gwyn was another brother of the the three castles and the Normans' surrounded by a wide and deep Bach family, who built Skenfrith. construction turned this into the water-filled moat. The south side of The brothers were sons of Cadivor most formidable of the trilateral of the ward contained the hall and ap Gwaethfoed, a onetime prince of castles. keep. Cardigan, who was also an ancestor The present castle dates from the Over the moat on the north side of of the Morgan family who became early 13th century and is a good the gateway towers lies the outer lords of Tredegar. This family being the ancestors of the notorious pirate Henry Morgan. The original fortress was again most likely constructed of wood placed on top of an earlier defensive earthwork. Legend tells us that Gwyn was old and blind, when his castle was besieged and seized by the Normans. He appealed to King Rufus for the chance to fight his Norman opposer on equal terms in a darkened room. His claim to the right of trial by combat was granted, and the two fought it out in a locked and unlit room. The example of a concentric castle. The ward, a large open space again elderly blind Welshman succeeded fortress is shaped like an elongated enclosed by a strong wall with four in overcoming his Norman hexagon, with an inner ward projecting towers. This also is opponent and his property was completely surrounded by a lofty protected by an outer moat. These then restored so the legend claimed. curtain wall linked with six circular combined defences are designed to This old story may be true, but towers of great strength. Two of provide a powerful barbican. The 6 swdirectories.com May/June 2018 castle contains no identifiable Llanvetherine Church remains of accommodation for the defenders, who were likely to have been housed in wooden lean-to shelters. Look down into the waters of the moat and see if you can spot any of the giant carp that swim here, but beware of any of the swan guardians who sometimes inhabit the moat. Rudolph Hess, the deputy Reichführer, who was allowed to exercise in the castle grounds when imprisoned at a nearby mental hospital, once fed these carp and swans. Climb to the top of the gateway tower, where a wooden platform has been constructed to The tower contains two bells dated allow us to enjoy the impressive 1582 and 1653. An oak tablet, fixed views. to the west wall of the knave, The most dominant landscape illustrates the five wounds of Christ. feature is the Skirrid Fawr The chancel holds two life-sized sometimes known as the ‘Holy effigies of a 17th Century Rector Mountain’, because on the summit, and wife. The Rector, Reverend 1,600 feet above sea level, are still a David Powell, is dressed in splendid few stones from St. Michael's period costume but his facial chapel. The soil from this site was embellishments are most considered holy, and was gathered impressive. A noble moustache by local folk to spread on the floors sweeps back to his ears and his of their cattle sheds. This was beard is composed of five plaits. The intended to ward off disease, I Rector's wife stands on the left and wonder if it would have kept ‘foot is dressed in authentic Welsh and mouth’ at bay? The great gash costume of the time. It is interesting in the southern flank has been to note that she wears her wedding variously blamed by the grounding ring on the second finger of her of Noah's Ark or caused by right hand, as was customary at that lightning strike in the storm date. The lady's feet are depicted, by following the Crucifixion, - take the sculptor, as would be seen from your pick! the side. The odd thing about these two Llanvetherine stone memorials is that whilst the After leaving the castle and heading Reverend Powell is recorded as towards Abergavenny, it is worth dying in 1621, his wife's memorial while briefly, pausing here to is dated 22ndApril 1715. The dress examine the village church, which style of the couple is contemporary, contains a few interesting, features. but the dates suggest that his wife The church is normally kept locked, outlived the Reverend Powell, by but access can be obtained from the some 94 years. It seems more likely occupant of Brook Cottage. Just that some vandal has adjusted the follow the path from the church date of Mrs Powell's memorial. entrance, go through the gate then From Llanvetherine carry straight continue on and turn left and cross on along the B4521 to reach over the brook bridge to the Abergavenny and thus complete cottage. your visit to the trilateral of three The oldest part of the church is castles, probably the tower which has an upper section corbelled out to project over the lower construction. May/June 2018 swdirectories.com 7 8 swdirectories.com May/June 2018 AWARD WINNING GARDENS LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE FREE QUOTES Domestic & Commercial Fully Qualified with over 22 years’ experience Fully Insured and Local Authority Approved Professional & Reliable Competitive Rates & Friendly Staff Artificial grass G Turfing G Paving G Decking G Fencing G Driveways Patios G Block paving G Tree work G Hedge cutting G Grass cutting Pressure washing G Planting G Tidy ups G Invasive weed control We cover South Wales & West England. Whether it’s a one off visit or something regular you’re looking for Now proud members of the Marshalls register 01633 376226 [email protected] 07730 592009 Follow us for News and Offers You www.japonica.co.uk May/June 2018 swdirectories.com 9 DOG FOULING Toxocara canis is a round worm found in dog faeces which may cause stomach upsets and serious eye disorders.