Upper Swansea Valley
This paragraph will introduce the topic of Penwyllt, mention its associations with Adelina Patti, and how it was once a thriving community but is now a disappeared town, with many of its buildings gone, and those few remaining having been put to a different use. How came it to die? And so on. Stuff like that, yeah? Right!
Penwyllt Railway Station
The railway station, where Adelina Patti would alight from the train to be taken to the castle, is preserved in good condition, and visitors can walk on the platforms and along the track bed.
The Penwyllt Inn
The Penwyllt Inn was probably constructed in the late 1860s when the railway came to Penwyllt, and was certainly up and running by 1871. The inn, known locally as "the Stump", closed in 1949. It is located beyond Penywyllt railway station and is owned and used by South Wales Caving Club.
Penwyllt Sunday School
Penwyllt Sunday School met at the Mission Hall, at 9 Powell Street. The venue was a community resource, used regularly for sewing and knitting classes and frequently for concerts and performances. It had been inaugurated prior to 1915 but in January of that year the two rooms it had until then comprised of were knocked into one, the better to provide space for entertainments.
Education in Penwyllt
The children of Penwyllt attended Glytawe Council School, on the valley floor, near to Callwen Church. There were discussions as to whether Penwyllt should have its own school, but it was not considered necessary. From the Brecon County Times 31st December 1914
Penycae Ratepayers' Meeting
On Wednesday evening of last week a joint ratepayers' meeting for the parishes of Glyntawe and Ystradgynlais Higher was held at Penycae School, for the purposes of considering a petition sent by the householders of Penwyllt to the Education Committee to establish a school there. Mr T.J. Williams, clerk to the Glyntawe Parish Council, presided over a fair number of ratepayers, and at the outset explained the object of the meeting and read out the petition together with a letter from Mr A. Leonard, Secretary of the Education Committee. The meeting resolved that, in view of the Education Committee having a few years ago, erected Glyntawe Council School in the most convenient place to meet the Educational demands of Penwyllt, Glyntawe, and Trianglas (part thereof), the present application of Penwyllt householders does not warrant the expenditure called for, as the number of children attending Glyntawe School from Penwyllt is comparatively small. The petition was not supported by a single ratepayer from Penwyllt.
Shops and Trades
Information will go here. Link goes to the sections of the same page further down.
Penwyllt People in the World Wars
During the wars, the Llais newspaper often did small "back home" sections on servicemen on leave, at Penwyllt. In addition, Penwyllt had its own war dead, commemorated now on the Ystradgynlais war memorial.
Upper Swansea Valley
This section down here can be used to have Businesses and Trades information in it, rather than creating new pages. The sections below maybe can be duplicated as necessary.
Introduction
Information Information Information Information Information Information Information Information Information Information Information Information Information Information Information Information
The Llais newspaper usually included a section on Penwyllt. Relevant information can go here.
Upper Swansea Valley
This section down here can be used to have In The Wars information in it, rather than creating new pages. The sections below maybe can be duplicated as necessary.
Warren Ivor Boucher of 8 Powell Street, Penwyllt was killed during the Dardanelles Campaign in the First World War, on the 9th August 1915. He is commemorated on the Ystradgynlais War Memorial.
William John Doyle of Penwyllt, died after the fall of Singapore during World War Two. He is commemorated on the Ystradgynlais War Memorial under the Glyntawe sub-section.
The Llais newspaper usually included a section on Penwyllt. During the war, this included information of soldiers home on leave, and of the war-duration welfare bodies.
From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 3rd January 1942:-
PENWYLLT NEWS
HOME ON LEAVE - The inhabitants of Penwyllt accorded a hearty welcome to A/C John Rees Morgan, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Morgan Morgan, Kershaw Terraces, when he arrived home last Saturday week. On his return on Tuesday he took with him the best wishes of a large circle of relatives and friends.
ANNUAL SOCIAL - With decorations hanging overhead the inhabitants of Penwyllt and Glyntawe assembled at Glyntawe Council School on Christmas night, the occasion being the annual Christmas social heald under the auspices of the Children's Welfare Committee. After the social the remainder of the evening was devoted to community singing and the customary games, from which much amusement was derived. Mrs J Lewis, Tynmawr, Penwyllt, provided the accompaniment throughout.
Peter Burgess
Penwyllt has a fascinating past. Around the village can be found the evidence of early tramroads, lime-burning, brick-making, and the Neath and Brecon Railway as well as the physical infrastructure of the close-knit former working community. The book describes these various facets of Penwyllt, as well as an overview of the geology, landscape and caves. The book includes three field walks which guide you around what can still be seen in this fascinating and beautiful area.
The second edition is NOW published, including many colour photos, new historical information, revision of three field walks taking account of local owners' wishes, being in A4 format with improved paper quality. There are also additional anecdotes and stories of interest gleaned from extensive searches of newspaper archives.
The book costs £14 plus £2 postage, and can be ordered by emailing Peter Burgess at wealdenpete@gmail.com
