Clwb Acwsteg Pontardawe
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The Pontardawe Inn (Y Gwachel)
123 Herbert Street, Pontardawe, Swansea, SA8 4ED The home of live music in Ponty |
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Henry & Gertie
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For Generations, regulars at the Pontardawe Inn have known their
favorite watering hole by its traditional name
"Y Gwachel". The word Gwachel has many meanings to many people ranging from a coven, place of secrecy to a house of ill repute! An entry in the National Dictionary of the Welsh Language published in 1831 shows gwachel to mean hidden or partially concealed. The Inn occupies the site of an older ale-house which stood on the old drovers' road leadings to the stone bridge from which Pontardawe derives its name (Bridge on the River Tawe). The bridge completed in the 1760's was originally a stepped bridge suitable for people on foot and animals only. The bridge was then doubled in width and the steps were made into a smooth surface for wheeled carts and carriages. Being over 250 years old the Pontardawe Inn has a lot of history. You can still see the old bread ovens in the cellar and a flight of semi-circular stone steps. And not forgetting the ghost of Tom the cellar man! The Inn was renovated in 1995 by the Pontardawe Festival Organisation (remember Bobs famous duck races?) and was then bought by Carol and Peter Clayton (remember Carol's Geese Henry and Gertie?). The pub is now owned Marstons Plc and is run by founder member of pontyacoustic Hywel and his wife Beth. The Gwachel has been a popular venue for musicians of many styles for many years. With live music every Friday and Saturday evenings also the venue of the Pontardawe Acoustic Music Club every Wednesday evening. There are also 3 Boules Courts Come along to the famous Gwachel and enjoy the music, good food, real ale....and a game of Boules and who knows, you might see old Tom!
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