Pontypridd

51°37N 3°22W, pop (2000e) 32 300. Valley town in Rhondda Cynon Taff, S Wales, UK; on the R Taff, 18 km/11 mi NW of Cardiff; railway; Glamorgan University (1992, formerly Polytechnic of Wales); chemicals, electronics, chains and cables.

Pontypridd is a town in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taff, South Wales.

The name Pontypridd is from the Welsh for bridge by the earthen house; Pontypridd is, however, more famous for the Old Bridge, a stone bridge across the Taff built in 1756 by William Edwards. The bridge was the fourth attempted by Edwards, and at the time of construction was the longest stone-built single-arch bridge in Europe. The bridge is a perfect segment of a circle, the chord of which is 140 feet (43 m), and 35 feet (11 m) above the level of the river.

Pontypridd was known as Newbridge from shortly after the construction of the Old Bridge until the 1860s.

The history of Pontypridd is closely tied to the coal and iron industries.

The town is also home to a large hospital, Dewi Sant Hospital and the famous rugby union team.

Pontypridd has it's very own comunity radio station GTFM, which is in partnership with the University Of Glamorgan.

Pontypridd RFC is one of Wales' most famous rugby clubs, with the one of the best junior rugby sections and academy that frequently contributes players to the national team.

Notable people from Pontypridd include:

Tom Jones, singer of such worldwide top 40 hits as Delilah and The Green Green Grass of Home, born in neighbouring Treforest Evan James and James James, writers of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, the national anthem of Wales William Price, who carried out the first cremation in the UK in modern times on Llantrisant Common Opera singers Stuart Burrows and Geraint Evans who were born in nearby Cilfynydd Freddie Welsh, world champion boxer Neil Jenkins, Michael Owen, Martyn Williams, Kevin Morgan, Ceri Sweeney and Gareth Wyatt, Welsh international rugby players Lostprophets, rock band Phil Campbell, guitarist with Motörhead Gareth Davies of Funeral For A Friend

Pontypridd hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1893.