Shell Grotto, Pontypool Park 25 August 2025
A cast iron gatepost by Baker's of Newport by the entrance,
The Shell Grotto in Pontypool Park was originally constructed in 1794 by the Hanbury family, local landowners and ironmasters. The wife of Caple Hanbury-Leigh made improvements in 1830, and is credited with the interior design of shells and animal bones. Unfortunately, in my childhood in the 1960s, it was seriously damaged by vandals and was shut up and abandoned for thirty years. In 1996 it was painstakingly restored.
It is now only opened on some Bank Holidays.
A WA Baker surface water access cover.
WA Baker established the Westgate Works in Newport, Mon, in 1880. In 1938, the Whitehead Iron & Steel Co acquired a controlling interest. In 1957, after several years of close collaboration with the American firm Black Clawson (also seen as Clawsen) International, this firm acquired the works. It is still in operation today, manufacturing machinery for the recycling industry. In the 1914 Johns' Newport Street Directory an entry for "Baker, WA & Co Ltd (1910), Westgate Foundry".
Shell Grotto, Pontypool Park 25 August 2025
A cast iron gatepost by Baker's of Newport by the entrance,
The Shell Grotto in Pontypool Park was originally constructed in 1794 by the Hanbury family, local landowners and ironmasters. The wife of Caple Hanbury-Leigh made improvements in 1830, and is credited with the interior design of shells and animal bones. Unfortunately, in my childhood in the 1960s, it was seriously damaged by vandals and was shut up and abandoned for thirty years. In 1996 it was painstakingly restored.
It is now only opened on some Bank Holidays.
A WA Baker surface water access cover.
WA Baker established the Westgate Works in Newport, Mon, in 1880. In 1938, the Whitehead Iron & Steel Co acquired a controlling interest. In 1957, after several years of close collaboration with the American firm Black Clawson (also seen as Clawsen) International, this firm acquired the works. It is still in operation today, manufacturing machinery for the recycling industry. In the 1914 Johns' Newport Street Directory an entry for "Baker, WA & Co Ltd (1910), Westgate Foundry".