Tal-y-bont, Ceredigion


Tal-y-bont is a village in Ceredigion, Wales, located on the A487 road about halfway between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth. At the 2011 census the population was 662 with 63% born in Wales. Tal-y-bont is in the community of Ceulanamaesmawr.

History

The village stands on the Afon Leri and the Afon Ceulan in the area of Genau'r Glyn, at the foot of Ceulan Maes-mawr. There are old silver and lead mines and woolen mills surrounding the village. Although silver and lead had been mined in the area since Roman times, it was not until the 19th century that the village began to grow dramatically; the terraces were built during this period for workers who migrated to the area. Many of the houses, for example the pharmacy, are listed buildings and maintain original features such as sliding sash windows. There were only 35 houses in Tal-y-bont in 1835; the majority were thatched roof cottages.
At one time, there were 15 shops, a garage, two banks and three Nonconformist chapels. The Tabernacl was built in 1812, Eglwys Dewi Sant was built in 1909, and there is a Bethel, Capel yr Annibynwyr. The Memorial Hall was officially opened on 6 August 1924 in remembrance of those who died during the First World War. Since 1966 the village has been home to Y Lolfa printers and publishers, which is a local employer, as well as to a garage, a pharmacy, a hairdresser and a SPAR convenience store.
There are two pubs in Tal-y-bont: Y Llew Gwyn and Y Llew Du. The Tal-y-bont annual agricultural show has been held in the Black Lion's old fields for several decades.
The village was briefly served by Tal-y-bont railway station on the Plynlimon and Hafan Tramway.
The village was twinned with Woodbridge near Ipswich, Suffolk in 1922.

Education

The Welsh-medium primary school, Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol Tal-y-bont, is located in the north of the village. It has about 100 pupils between 4 and 11 years old. There is also a part-time nursery school, and a Ti a Fi group every Friday afternoon.

Other industry and organisations

The village has an old people's society, a Young Farmers Club, Merched y Wawr serves the Tal-y-bont, Taliesin and Tre'r Ddôl area, and is edited and printed in the village.

Notable residents