Tal-y-bont (also known as Talybont) 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.[1] Tal-y-bont is in the community of Ceulanamaesmawr.

Tal-y-bont Welsh: Tal-y-bont
Tal-y-bont, looking towards the Dyfi estuary
Tal-y-bont Location within Ceredigion
Population	662
OS grid reference	SN6589
• Cardiff	90 mi (140 km)SE
Principal area	Ceredigion
Ceremonial county	Dyfed
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	TALYBONT
Postcode district	SY24
Dialling code	01970
Police	Dyfed-Powys
Fire	Mid and West Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
UK Parliament	Ceredigion
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament	Ceredigion
List of places UK Wales Ceredigion 52.486°N 3.982°W / 52.486; -3.982

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 (383 m (1,257 ft)). 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.[2] There were only 35 houses in Tal-y-bont in 1835; the majority were thatched roof cottages.[3]

At one time, there were 15 shops, a garage, two banks and three Nonconformist chapels. The Tabernacl was built in 1812, Eglwys Dewi Sant (St David's Church) was built in 1909, and there is a Bethel, Capel yr Annibynwyr (Independent chapel). The Memorial Hall was officially opened on 6 August 1924[4] 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 (The White Lion) and Y Llew Du (The Black Lion). The Tal-y-bont annual agricultural show has been held in the Black Lion's old fields for several decades.[5]

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.

Notable residents

• Ruth Jên, artist who painted the Y Lolfa mural
• Mihangel Morgan, novelist
• Lewis Thomas, (1832-1913), known as 'The Coal King of Queensland', Australia[6]
• Dewi Jenkins, sheepdog trials Supreme Champion.[7][8]

Gallery

• 
  Cattle fair Tal-y-bont c. 1885
• 
  Tal-y-bont pharmacy (listed building)
• 
  Tabernacl, Tal-y-bont
• 
  Eglwys Dewi Sant
  Tal-y-bont
• 
  Bethel, Capel yr Annibynwyr, Tal-y-bont
• 
  Bible class at Nazareth (CM) chapel, c. 1885

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tal-y-bont, Ceredigion.

• tal-y-bont.org This has been hijacked by what appears to be a Japanese page.
• www.geograph.co.uk: photos of Tal-y-bont and surrounding area
• papurpawb.com
• www.ylolfa.com Archived 1 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine