Pontnewydd Royal British Legion

George William Lennard was born in 1851 in Yorkshire.  In 1880 he married Lavinia Williams of Pontnewydd.  His occupation was a master mariner.  In the 1880's he built a ten room home for his family and called it The Laurels.

By 1891 George and Lavinia had two children - Evelyn aged 9 and Gertrude aged 6.  They also employed a servant, Caroline Morgan, aged 18.

In 1907 Gertrude married Engineer Lieutenant Vernon ver Teen.  The details of the wedding were recorded in the Evening Express of 1 August.  It described Holy Trinity Church as being prettily decorated for the big day.  The vicar was D I Mackintosh.  The bride groom was dressed in naval uniform.  The bride was given away by her mother as Captain Lennard was away in China.  She wore chiffon satin.  Her corsage was in the romany style trimmed with chiffon and silver tissue.  She woere a tulle veil over a coronet of orange blossom and myrtle.  Her train was of Carrickmacross lace draped over a full skirt.  She wore an opal and diamond ring and pearl and tourmaline pendant, gifts from the groom.  Sister Evelyn was bridesmaid and was dressed in ivory chiffon.  After the service a large party was held at the Laurels.

In 1912 Evelyn married Frederick J Hooper.  Unfortunately I could not find anything in the papers about their wedding.

George William Lennard died in 1930.  Lavinia continued to live at the house by herself and is registered there in 1939.  She died in the mid 1960's.

In the early 1970's The Laurels became the home of Pontnewydd Royal British Legion.  Community groups met there and it was also the meeting point for Remebrance Day parades..  I attended a dance school there when I was about 5.  The lessons were held in the big room at the back however it didn't look like it does today.  There was no carpet on the floor just tiles, no disco lights and no big screen.  The room to the side where buffets are now served was the same, tiled flooring, ideal for dance lessons.

Pontnewydd Legion is probably the friendliest club in Cwmbran, there's always something going on.  There are also rumours of ghostly activity - orbs caught on the security cameras, the front bedroom always feeling icy cold.  A presence has also been felt in the same room!