Briton Ferry: Difference between revisions
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Briton Ferry is on the mouth of the [[River Neath]] where it enters [[Swansea Bay]] and was the first river crossing along the Roman road that followed the coastline along that part of [[South Wales]]. The river crossing was by boat some 2 miles from the bridge across the River Neath at [[Neath]]. |
Briton Ferry is on the mouth of the [[River Neath]] where it enters [[Swansea Bay]] and was the first river crossing along the Roman road that followed the coastline along that part of [[South Wales]]. The river crossing was by boat some 2 miles from the bridge across the River Neath at [[Neath]]. |
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The town was part of the Briton Ferry Estate |
There the remains of ancient stone age settlements on the hills above Briton Ferry. The town was part of the '''Briton Ferry Estate'''<ref>[http://www.archivesnetworkwales.info/cgi-bin/anw/fulldesc_nofr?inst_id=34&coll_id=1203&expand= West Glamorgan Archive service: Briton Ferry Estate]</ref>, which was part of the land of Margam Abbey.<ref>[http://cistercians.shef.ac.uk/abbeys/margam.php Margam Abbey]</ref> |
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===Industrial development=== |
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The industrial revolution brought the [[South Wales Railway]],<ref>[http://www.railscot.co.uk/South_Wales_Railway/frame.htm South Wales Railway]</ref> built by [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]] who also built the docks to serve the burgeoning industries in the area as the industrial revolution developed. There are many examples of the engineering talent of Brunel in the area including the South Wales Mineral Railway<ref>[http://www.irsociety.co.uk/Archives/25/south_wales_mineral_railway.htm South Wales Mineral Railway]</ref> with its cable powered incline. |
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The industrial revolution brought factories such as the Albion Steel Works, the English Crown Spelter Works and the Baglan Bay Tinplate Works were built on land close to the [[River Neath]] and the new [[South Wales Railway]],<ref>[http://www.railscot.co.uk/South_Wales_Railway/frame.htm South Wales Railway]</ref> built by [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]]. In [[1840]] an area of about 750 acres of land in [[Cwmavon]] was leased for 99 years to John Vigurs and subsequently passed to Wright, Butler & Co. Ltd, then to Baldwins Ltd. The terraces of houses built on this land were sublet for the remainder of the term of this lease in [[1897]] and [[1898]] - but many were declared unfit for habitation in the [[1930s]] and resultantly demolished<ref>http://www.archivesnetworkwales.info/cgi-bin/anw/fulldesc_nofr?inst_id=34&coll_id=1203&expand=</ref>. |
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The industrial development and industrialisation attracted other railways, inclduing the [[Swansea Vale Railway]], the [[Neath and Brecon Railway]], the [[Rhondda & Swansea Bay Railway]] and the [[South Wales Mineral Railway]]<ref>[http://www.irsociety.co.uk/Archives/25/south_wales_mineral_railway.htm South Wales Mineral Railway]</ref> with its cable powered incline. |
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===Briton Ferry floating dock=== |
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| ⚫ | A new bridge was built across the Neath river in 1950 and second one built to carry the M4 Motorway completed in 1993.<ref> [http://www.traffic-wales.com/about/about.php?lang=english&type=baglan M4 Baglan to Lonlas Construction]</ref> The main line railway still passes through but the industries have closed resulting in Briton Ferry being a dormitory suburb of the new Neath Port Talbot County Borough.<ref>[http://www.npt.gov.uk/ Neath Port Talbot County Borough council]</ref> |
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In the [[1850s]] the newly formed Briton Ferry Floating Dock Company purchased land from the [[Earl of Jersey]] to build the Briton Ferry Docks. The unique structure had a floating cassing designed by Brunel's father Sir Mark Brunel. The company later went bankrupt and was taken over as a going concern by the [[Great Western Railway]]. After [[World War II]], many warships were scrapped here. |
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===Wind down of industrialisation=== |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | The industrial revolution brought much expansion to Briton Ferry that included iron works, steel works, tinplate production and engineering that lasted until the 1970s. In [[1951]] as industry began to dwindle, portions of the estate were sold to the Principality Property Co., Estateways Builders, John Oliver Watkins, the City & Provincial Housing Association and Gwalia Land & Property Developments Ltd. |
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===Modern development=== |
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There the remains of ancient stone age settlements on the hills above Briton Ferry. |
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| ⚫ | A new bridge was built across the Neath river in 1950 and second one built to carry the M4 Motorway completed in 1993.<ref> [http://www.traffic-wales.com/about/about.php?lang=english&type=baglan M4 Baglan to Lonlas Construction]</ref> The main line railway still passes through but the industries have closed resulting in Briton Ferry being a dormitory suburb of the new Neath Port Talbot County Borough.<ref>[http://www.npt.gov.uk/ Neath Port Talbot County Borough council]</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The sailing ships with destinations all over the world that used to berth in Brunel’s magnificent ports have disappeared as has the docks, which is now filled in with only a few remains to be seen. But work has now started to restore Brunel's tower, with a restoration group presently trying to restore what remains of the unique Brunel dock to working order (the only one in the world to use a floating chamber), for use by fishing boats and [[yacht]]'s<ref>http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/page.cfm?objectid=12875038&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=Brunel%20Dock's%20kiss%20of%20life%3F</ref> |
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Briton Ferry Woods is a natural woods that has never been felled and remains one of the most ancient wooded areas since the last [[Ice Age]] covered [[Great Britain]]. |
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==Briton Ferry Woods== |
==Briton Ferry Woods== |
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Briton Ferry Woods is a natural wood that has never been felled and remains one of the most ancient wooded areas since the last [[Ice Age]] covered [[Great Britain]]. The majestic [[beech]] trees, which display vivid orange hues in autumn and cool shelter from the sun in summer, welcome visitors to the wood. In spring time [[Bluebell]]s put on their show. Ancient upland [[oak]] woods cover much of the slopes, which give way to healthy [[scrubland]] towards the top of the hill. There is also an area of [[fir]]s within the wood, a remnant of a very old plantation. The wood is full of birdsong during spring and summer, and in the evening you may see [[bat]]s feeding on insects throughout the wood. |
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The woods used to provide a huge safe play area for the children of Briton Ferry before the advent of TV. Camping on the 'Fighting Bank' playing 'cowboys and Indians' on the 'Rock-yn -Wen'or just enjoying the 'Ladies Walk' which went from Briton Ferry to [[Baglan, Wales|Baglan]]. |
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How to get there: Come into Briton Ferry from the [[Port Talbot]] side, drive through on the main road, turn right at the traffic lights onto Ynysymaerdy Road, follow the road past the cemetery, turn right and your within 100 yards of the entrance to the woods. |
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==Giant's Grave and Briton Ferry Docks== |
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Briton Ferry still has an operational docks. After [[World War II]], many warships were scrapped here. There is a restoration group presently trying to restore what remains of the unique Brunel dock to working order (the only one in the world to use a floating chamber), for use by fishing boats and [[yacht]]'s<ref>http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/page.cfm?objectid=12875038&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=Brunel%20Dock's%20kiss%20of%20life%3F</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.archivesnetworkwales.info/cgi-bin/anw/fulldesc_nofr?inst_id=34&coll_id=1203&expand= History of Briton Ferry estate] |
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*[http://www.tlysau.org.uk/en/blowup1/11598 2000 photograph of Briton ferry floating dock] |
*[http://www.tlysau.org.uk/en/blowup1/11598 2000 photograph of Briton ferry floating dock] |
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Revision as of 23:37, 12 April 2007
| Briton Ferry | |
|---|---|
| Population | 7,186 |
| OS grid reference | SS735945 |
| Principal area | |
| Preserved county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | NEATH |
| Postcode district | SA11 |
| Dialling code | 01639 |
| Police | South Wales |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| UK Parliament | |
Briton Ferry (Welsh: Llansawel) is a town and community in the county borough of Neath Port Talbot, traditional county of Glamorgan, south Wales. The town encompasses the electoral wards of Briton Ferry East and Briton Ferry West.
Briton Ferry is on the mouth of the River Neath where it enters Swansea Bay and was the first river crossing along the Roman road that followed the coastline along that part of South Wales. The river crossing was by boat some 2 miles from the bridge across the River Neath at Neath.
There the remains of ancient stone age settlements on the hills above Briton Ferry. The town was part of the Briton Ferry Estate[1], which was part of the land of Margam Abbey.[2]
Industrial development
The industrial revolution brought factories such as the Albion Steel Works, the English Crown Spelter Works and the Baglan Bay Tinplate Works were built on land close to the River Neath and the new South Wales Railway,[3] built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. In 1840 an area of about 750 acres of land in Cwmavon was leased for 99 years to John Vigurs and subsequently passed to Wright, Butler & Co. Ltd, then to Baldwins Ltd. The terraces of houses built on this land were sublet for the remainder of the term of this lease in 1897 and 1898 - but many were declared unfit for habitation in the 1930s and resultantly demolished[4].
The industrial development and industrialisation attracted other railways, inclduing the Swansea Vale Railway, the Neath and Brecon Railway, the Rhondda & Swansea Bay Railway and the South Wales Mineral Railway[5] with its cable powered incline.
Briton Ferry floating dock
In the 1850s the newly formed Briton Ferry Floating Dock Company purchased land from the Earl of Jersey to build the Briton Ferry Docks. The unique structure had a floating cassing designed by Brunel's father Sir Mark Brunel. The company later went bankrupt and was taken over as a going concern by the Great Western Railway. After World War II, many warships were scrapped here.
Wind down of industrialisation
The industrial revolution brought much expansion to Briton Ferry that included iron works, steel works, tinplate production and engineering that lasted until the 1970s. In 1951 as industry began to dwindle, portions of the estate were sold to the Principality Property Co., Estateways Builders, John Oliver Watkins, the City & Provincial Housing Association and Gwalia Land & Property Developments Ltd.
Modern development
A new bridge was built across the Neath river in 1950 and second one built to carry the M4 Motorway completed in 1993.[6] The main line railway still passes through but the industries have closed resulting in Briton Ferry being a dormitory suburb of the new Neath Port Talbot County Borough.[7]
The sailing ships with destinations all over the world that used to berth in Brunel’s magnificent ports have disappeared as has the docks, which is now filled in with only a few remains to be seen. But work has now started to restore Brunel's tower, with a restoration group presently trying to restore what remains of the unique Brunel dock to working order (the only one in the world to use a floating chamber), for use by fishing boats and yacht's[8]
Briton Ferry Woods
Briton Ferry Woods is a natural wood that has never been felled and remains one of the most ancient wooded areas since the last Ice Age covered Great Britain. The majestic beech trees, which display vivid orange hues in autumn and cool shelter from the sun in summer, welcome visitors to the wood. In spring time Bluebells put on their show. Ancient upland oak woods cover much of the slopes, which give way to healthy scrubland towards the top of the hill. There is also an area of firs within the wood, a remnant of a very old plantation. The wood is full of birdsong during spring and summer, and in the evening you may see bats feeding on insects throughout the wood.
References
- ^ West Glamorgan Archive service: Briton Ferry Estate
- ^ Margam Abbey
- ^ South Wales Railway
- ^ http://www.archivesnetworkwales.info/cgi-bin/anw/fulldesc_nofr?inst_id=34&coll_id=1203&expand=
- ^ South Wales Mineral Railway
- ^ M4 Baglan to Lonlas Construction
- ^ Neath Port Talbot County Borough council
- ^ http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/page.cfm?objectid=12875038&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=Brunel%20Dock's%20kiss%20of%20life%3F