Church Wood

The Coed-y-Grib bridge and the disused railway bridge above it

The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (popularly referred to as the Mon & Brec) was originally two separate canals: the Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal, and the Monmouthshire Canal. The 35-mile navigable section seen today is mostly the former. Following discussions in the 1790s, it was decided to link the two canals at Pontymoile. The Monmouthshire Canal, including a branch from Malpas to Crumlin, was opened in 1799 with the Brecknock & Abergavenny extending from Brecon to Gilwern by 1800, finally reaching Pontymoile by 1812. Though originally constructed to transport coal, lime and agricultural products the canal was used extensively by ironmasters and industrialists as their main transport network, bringing the raw iron ore up the canal from Newport to Llanfoist Wharf and thence by tramroads to the iron works and returning with trams loaded with iron, the finished product. In 1880 the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canals were taken over by the Great Western Railway. Within 35 years, commercial carrying had all but ceased. Throughout the 20th century various parts of the Monmouthshire Canal were filled in for road construction. Both canals were abandoned by the early 1960s but restoration work from Brecon to Pontymoile began in 1968 following vigorous campaigning by canal enthusiasts. Recent developments have included a complete regeneration of the terminus at Brecon, and various works continue to reclaim the navigation between Pontymoile and Newport. The Blaenavon area and a section of the canal were granted World Heritage status in 2000 in recognition of its historical significance. Link Canal and River Trust

Facing the large roundabout at the A4042 / A472 junction viewed in May 2022. Skewfields is the location of the new Aldi Pontypool store which is scheduled to open in September 2022.

A small part of the roundabout at the A4042 / A472 junction viewed from the entrance to Skewfields in May 2022.

Recently installed sign viewed in May 2022. Skewfields is the location of the new Aldi Pontypool store which is scheduled to open in September 2022.

Facing the A4042 near the entrance to FLS (Freight Logistics Solutions) Head Office in Skewfields.

From the A4042 viewed in May 2022. The fenced-off area on the right is the site of the new Aldi Pontypool store which is scheduled to open in September 2022.

A 10mph speed limit applies in Skewfields. Link

Viewed in May 2022. The board facing the A4042 lists the businesses occupying Units A, B, 1, 2, 3, 4

Viewed in February 2023. Accessed from the A4042 opposite Pontypool Roundabout, this Aldi opened in September 2022.

In February 2023 the board below the Aldi name sign shows that the nearby supermarket Link is open from 10am to 4pm today, a Sunday. It is open from 8am to 10pm on the other six days each week.

The cabinet is a National Grid electricity substation.

Welsh / English sign alongside the A4042. McDonald's is in the background.

St Michael's Church at Llanvihangel Pontymoel. Services are held here on two Sundays each month, three if a month includes five Sundays.

The churchyard of St Michael's at Llanvihangel Pontymoel, on a grey October afternoon.

A stile leading onto a hillside from the churchyard of St Michael's, Llanvihangel Pontymoel.

Winter ice