Crumlin, Caerphilly
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| Crumlin | |
| Welsh: Crymlyn | |
| Population | 5724[1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Principal area | Caerphilly |
| Ceremonial county | Gwent |
| Constituent country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | NEWPORT |
| Postcode district | NP11 |
| Dialling code | 01495 |
| Police | Gwent |
| Fire | South Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| European Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | Islwyn |
| List of places: UK • Wales • Caerphilly | |
Crumlin (Welsh: Crymlyn) is a town in Caerphilly county borough in South Wales, situated in the Ebbw River valley [1], five miles west of Pontypool, within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire.
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[edit] Crumlin Viaduct
Crumlin is famous for its former railway viaduct. Opened in June 1857 for the Taff Vale Extension to the Newport, Abergavenny and Hereford Railway and closed in 1964, at 220 feet high and 1650 feet in length in two spans (1066 feet and 584 feet) it remained the highest railway viaduct in Great Britain throughout its working life. Work by the contractor T. W. Kennard commenced in autumn 1853.
Nearby were the railway stations, both at high (viaduct) and valley levels.
Plans for preservation were discussed, but the poor state of repair made this impossible, and the viaduct was dismantled in 1967. Even while demolition work was in progress, scenes for the film Arabesque which starred Sophia Loren and Gregory Peck were being shot on it. As of 2008 the abutments remain visble on the valley sides.
[edit] Historic industry
Crumlin was the northern terminus of the Crumlin Arm of the Monmouthshire canal. The canal was built from Crumlin southwards towards Newport, opening in 1794, but not completed at Fourteen Locks until 1799. Tramroads from the ironworks at Ebbw Vale and Nantyglo were built to the canal at Crumlin basin, where the iron was transhipped into canal boats.
When the viaduct was built, the canal was shortened as one of the pillars needed to be located in its path. The canal is no longer in evidence as it was filled in the late 1960s for the construction of the A465 road.
The Navigation Colliery was in Crumlin. Sinking commenced in 1907 and completed in 1911, and it was finally closed in 1967[2]. Some mine buildings remain preserved to the north of the town.
[edit] New industries
In the 1980s, Marcheast Ltd. made the Land Master, a four-wheel drive vehicle at Crumlin.[2]
Conway Stewart, the pen manufacturer relocated to Crumlin in 1968, but the plant was closed in 1975.
Crumlin is home to the popular snack, Pot Noodle. As of 2006 it appeared in a series of TV adverts for the product. The main manufacturing plant, offices and distribution centre are situated there.
[edit] Sport and leisure
Crumlin is home to rugby union club team, Crumlin RFC; the team is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and was founded in 1880. Crumlin Cricket Club is the local cricket team and it is a member of the Welsh Cricket Association.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
