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| A postcard of Cwmbran Gardens Hotel |
Cwmbran Gardens Hotel used to be situated on the canal bank between Richmond Place and the recreation ground in Pontnewydd, which was originally part of the hotel.
The hotel building was first built as a depot for the Monmouthshire Canal Company but was purchased around 1873 by Richard Clarke. He made an application at Pontypool police court in September of that year for a license for fruit and recreation gardens in Cwmbran. Accompanying him was Mr Alexander Edwards who supported his application and stated that the house would not be open on Sundays. The license was granted.
Described as a 'palace at the disposal of the working man' by the Western Mail, the gates to Mr Clarke's gardens opened in July 1874 with free entry for all. Hundreds visited, mostly working class to whom a few hours in the gardens must have seemed like heaven compared to their work in the mines and other industries. The gardens had been created with much expense by Mr Clarke, a much needed facility that was not equalled anywhere else in the county according to the Western Mail who went on to describe the gardens on that opening day as -
'elegantly laid out with beds and borders of flowers, rockeries, ferneries, fountains, alcoves and pavilions, also croquet grounds, green lawns and leafy trees for shade. A brook runs nearby crossed by rustic bridges. Exotic plants in hot houses so large they require 3000 to 4000 feet of glass, seven feet wide. A saloon has been fitted up for refreshments. Good order is well preserved and only the well behaved can buy.There was also a Turkish bath and concerts held every Thursday evening.
In July 1878, a running track was added. The first race was one of 150 yards with the first prize of a silver watch, there were 17 entries.
In September, Mr Greenway, on behalf of Richard Clarke applied for a seven day license. The gardens were open on Sundays and attracting around 800 visitors. He wanted to be able to provide them with refreshments, however the application was refused.
Races took place at the gardens regularly. In October, one took place between G. Thomas of Newport and Lot James of Swansea. The race attracted a large crowd and Thomas won by a few yards. Jones then accepted a challenge from a spectator from Panteg Steel Works, and beat him.
The gardens began to attract all kinds of different entertainment that enticed people from near and far. Hutchinson and Tayleurs Circus gave two performances there in the summer of 1879 which was enjoyed by many but for some unknown at present reason, in February 1880, an auction was advertised in the Western Mail for the sale of fruit and ornamental trees from the gardens. The catalogue was said to include thousands of trees and shrubs, some of a rare variety. It seems there had been a depression in trade in the area and it is possibly this reason the plants were sold off. Visitor numbers were also down as an article in the Western Mail of 1880 implies. A fete was held at the gardens on Easter Monday when 'a larger number of persons were present than has been the case since the good times which preceded that depression of trade from which the neighbourhood has suffered recently'.
From this point on the gardens fortunes improved and they became a popular tourist attraction and sporting venue. In November 1882 a race between J. Harrington and J. Cronan of Newport took place. The distance was 120 yards with stakes of five pounds a side. Harrington won by a yard and a half.
Richard Clarke died in 1885 but the gardens remained open and were run by his wife and their son, James. Works day trips often visited. In the Weekly Mail of July 1886 it was reported that the employees of Elliot and Jeffrey, proprietors of the Cardiff Engine Works visited and also enjoyed dinner provided by Mrs Clarke. It also provided further information about the site. It was set in nine acres of ground and laid out with romantic walks of a mile an a half, interspersed with flower beds and tiny fountains. In the mountain stream that ran through the grounds trout fishing was possible.
The following month, workmen and friends numbering sixty five, in the employ of Mr James, a builder from Penarth enjoyed a days outing to the gardens where dinner and tea was provided by Mrs Clarke in the hotel. A week later, two hundred school children from Nantyglo visited and enjoyed different games. The children then met in the large hall of the hotel to sing songs and also to thank Mrs Clarke and James for the attention they bestowed on them.
Cwmbran Gardens Hotel was a very popular attraction but for reasons unknown at present, it was mentioned in the property sales of the South Wales Daily News in September 1893. The highest bid it received was £2500, and was withdrawn from sale. It was advertised again in July 1896, this time only receiving bids of £2000, so again was withdrawn.
By the beginning of the twentieth century the site was eventually sold. Mr Treharne became the landlord of the Cwmbran Gardens Hotel but it is unclear whether he had anything to do with the actual gardens. He is mentioned in the Evening Express of 10th May 1902 for refusing entry to George Thomas, a local footballer, for disorderly conduct.
It is possible around this point in time that the hotel and recreation grounds became separate entities. In the Pontypool Messenger of 9 March 1907, Mr Hornby, on behalf of owners Lloyd and Yoreth were looking to remove the license from the hotel to a new premises that was to be situated on the road from Pontnewydd to Upper Cwmbran. It does not mention whether they also owned the recreation grounds but the fact that the owners wanted to remove the license and move business to a new building shows interest in the Cwmbran Gardens Hotel was fading. Removing the license at this time though was opposed by the police and not granted.
The last event recorded in the news I have been able to find concerning the gardens, is a race in August 1908. It was a 120 yards flat race for £10 between W. Davies of Pontypool and F. Hobby of the Tranch. It created a large amount of local interest as events at the gardens always did and Davies won by a yard and a half.
Cwmbran Gardens Hotel was demolished in the late 1960s and all that is left today are the recreation grounds, some fragments of ivy covered wall where the hotel used to be and the street name of Clarke Avenue serving as a reminder of Richard Clarke and his 'palace for the working man'.
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| Remains of the hotel |
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| Site of Cwmbran Gardens Hotel |
