Left to right: Blaenavon World Heritage Site includes Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Llanfoist Wharf c. 1850, a hive of activity Llanfoist Wharf 2012, a tranquil setting


1790s Two separate canals were being planned for this part of Wales to improve the transportation of coal, lime, iron ore and agricultural produce. For commercial reasons, the companies building the canals decided to link them at Pontymoile Basin, near Pontypool.


1799 The Monmouthshire Canal opened; it had two arms – Newport to Pontnewynydd, near Pontypool and Newport to Crumlin.


1812 The Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal, from Brecon, reached Pontymoile Basin, joining the two canals together. It linked with over 200 miles of horse-drawn tramroads to convey goods to the busy port of Newport and to other towns in South Wales and the Midlands.


1820s The heyday of the two canals; every few miles there were busy wharves and lime kilns, full of the noises of men and horses at work.


1865 The Monmouthshire Canal Company bought the Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal Company.


1880 The Great Western Railway purchased the canal and changed its name to the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.


1920s Trade on the canal had virtually ceased as railways came to the fore. Over the next 30 years the Monmouthshire canal stretch was adversely affected by road and bridge building but the Brecknock & Abergavenny canal survived as a water feeder, although it was no longer navigable.


1950s The Inland Waterways Association campaigned to restore the canal.


visitwyevalley.com


1970 The stretch from Brecon to Pontymoile Basin reopened to navigation.


1985 Monmouthshire, Brecon & Abergavenny Canals Trust was formed to fight the closure of the canal through Cwmbran.


1990s A further 2 miles was restored, from Pontymoile Basin to Five Locks, Cwmbran.


Since 21st century Enthusiastic volunteers continue working towards their dream of full navigation. Recent successes include restoration work on the impressive Fourteen Locks Flight on the Crumlin arm, which originally raised the canal 155ft in just ½ mile.


2012 Another chapter in the canal’s history begins as British Waterways becomes a charity – the Canal & River Trust.


Blaenavon World Heritage Site The canal forms part of Blaenavon World Heritage Site, which also boasts Big Pit National Coal Museum, Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway, Blaenavon World Heritage Visitor Centre, Blaenavon Ironworks and themed walking routes. museumwales.ac.uk pontypool-and-blaenavon.co.uk world-heritage-blaenavon.org.uk


Puddlers Launching in this bicentennial year is the Mon & Brec’s only floating café-restaurant boat. Its name, Puddlers, draws inspiration from the men who built the canal (puddling the clay to make a watertight lining to the canal) and the men who worked in the local ironworks (puddling the molten metal to produce a better quality iron). Moored at Llanfoist Wharf, just outside Abergavenny, this Edwardian-style boat has a luxury oak interior, brass light fittings and elegant seating. Delicious breakfasts, pastries, light lunches and scrumptious tea and cakes are served every day from 10am to 4pm – sit inside or take-away. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings it slips its mooring and guests enjoy an evening cruise as they dine; dinner reservations are essential. puddlers.co.uk


New Mon & Brec Book To mark this bicentennary, artist Michael Blackmore and Alasdair Kirkpatrick from Beacon Park Boats have produced a commemorative book 200 Years of The Monmouthshire and Brecknock & Abergavenny Canals: an illustrated history. For a chance to win one of five copies of this beautiful coffee table book, please answer this question: Which author included Llanfoist Wharf and the Mon & Brec Canal in his 1959 novel? Email your answer, together with your name and address to tourism@monmouthshire.gov.uk. Closing date is 30 September. See visitwyevalley.com for terms and conditions. Visit beaconparkboats.com for more information.


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Win


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