Tredegar is located in Monmouthshire on the banks of the Sirhowy River. It is said to have been an early centre of the Industrial Revolution in South Wales. The Tredegar Iron Works located in in Richmond, Virginia, United States were named after the town.
History
Samuel Homfray who is said to be the founding father of the town along with his partners needed accommodation for their workers, and thus the need to develop a suitable town. Lt.Col. Sir Charles Gould Morgan owned the land on the east side of the Sirhowy river, who granted a lease in 1799 to build Tredegar Ironworks Company. The lease was further extended with Homfray marrying Sir Charles daughter Jane.
To his workers, he paid in his own currency so that they could not spend outside the town.By 1805, the parish had grown with horse carriages being operated as a mode of transport.
Governance – Facts
- Tredegar is the birthplace of Aneurin Bevan who is said to have introduced the system of British National Health Service. Aneurin Bevan was also involved in the management of Tredegar General Hospital.
- Leader of the Labour Party from 1983 to 1992, Neil Kinnock, was born in Tredegar in 1942 and lived there for most of his early life
- Michael Foot, the predecessor to Neil Kinnock, was MP for the local constituency — Ebbw Vale — during his time as party leader.
- For a few years Tredegar, once considered a Labour seat was represented by the left-wing independent Dai Davies until the general election of 2010.
Architecture
The two architectural marvels in Tredegar are its Bedwellty House and the Town Clock. The Bedwellty House is known for being the home of the founder of Tredegar – Samuel Homfray. The house is surrounded by a huge 26-acre Victorian garden without any gates. It also includes the Long Shelter.
The clock came into being as a generous gift from Mrs R.P. Davies, wife of the manager of Tredegar Ironworks, who conceived the idea as well. The clock was made by JB Joyce & Co of Whitchurch, Shropshire and erected in the Circle as per the wishes of Mrs.Davies.
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