Did you know?
Here are some fascinating facts about Pontypridd - let us know if you have any to add of your own.
Local hero Neil Jenkins (above) is the record points-scorer in international rugby with more than 1,000 points for Wales and the British Lions.Pontypridd railway station once had the longest platform in the world. During the industrial revolution more platforms were needed to transport coal to the ports but due to the geography of the area all they could do is make the platform longer. (Gareth Jones, ex-Pontypridd, now Leeds)The famous Grogg clay models are made and sold in Pontypridd.The Welsh National Anthem - Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau - was written in Pontypridd by weaver Evan James and his son James.Pontypridd Bridge, built in 1755, was once the largest single-span stone bridge in the world. It's the home town of Lee Gaze, lead guitarist with Welsh rock band Lostprophets (from Martin in Pontypridd)
It's also the home town of lead singer Ian Watkins and Mike Lewis from Lostprophets (from Julia in Derby)
Two great opera singers of the 20th century - Sir Geraint Evans and Stuart Burrows - were born in Cilfynydd (from Vincent in Southampton)
Motorhead guitarist Phil Campbell was born and still lives in Pontypridd (from Michelle Langford)
Artist Nicholas Stradling John who designed the Glyndwr memorial sculpture in the City of London was born and works in Pontypridd (from Dawn Lazarou)
The mother-in-law of President Mubarak of Egypt grew up in Pontypridd. Lily May Palmer, daughter of colliery manager Charles Henry Palmer, married Saleh Sabet and had a daughter Suzanne, who was born in the province of Menya (Upper Egypt) and later married Mubarak.
(From Safir Raafat's website about Egypt's First Ladies)
have your say
Do you know any fascinating or quirky facts about Pontypridd? Let us know and we'll add them to our list. If the information comes from a book, website or other publication, please make this clear as we may have to check its validity and credit the source.
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