GENUKI - GenealogyAcknowledgements
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| Photos: Prince of Wales Inn, Kenfig | Steve Parker | Ton Kenfig, Bridgend |
History around the area - NewtonHistory around the Area
Newton - BackgroundThe village of Newton dates from about the 12th century - it was founded close to the Saxon settlement of Nottage.
In 1538 it was mentioned as a pretty little village and there is a station for ships... during the 17th century Newton
was a thriving port (Being the only harbour on the coastline between Briton Ferry in the west and Aberthaw in the east).
Many ships were wrecked on the Black Rocks and on Tusker Rock in the bay of Newton and local peoples took advantage
of these causing a Customs Officer to state at the time that 'the country people are quite outrageous and threaten our lives'.
The first Inn in the village of Newton is reputed to be The Jolly Sailor, this Inn is also reputed to be closely associated
with smuggling activities - there is supposed to be a tunnel leading from the beach, past the church to the Inn.
The port of Newton came to an end in 1825 with the construction of a proper harbour at nearby Porthcawl - eventually
the town of Porthcawl became more prominent leaving Newton to revert to a quite little hamlet adjoining a sheltered beach.
Newton church was built around 1204 originally as a fortress and was probably founded by the Order of St John of Jerusalem.
St Johns Well is located to the south of the church which in the middle ages was claimed to have magical, curative
and holy properties.
The Legend of NewtonThere is a prophetic legend that claims that one day the distant sea would come back to the area and
that when this happens, a ship would be able to be moored near to Clevis Hill in the village.
A sycamore tree was therefore planted near a cottage on the top the hill. During a very high tide, the sea rushed
in as far as St John's Well - the villagers thought that the prophecy was about to be fulfilled.
Bibliography:
(1) Bridgend County Borough Council
(2) Bridgend Library & Information Services, Coed Parc, Bridgend
(3) Kenfig.org LCG
Webpage Author:
Mr Rob Bowen, Kenfig.org Local Community Group, 2008.
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