Netpool or Pwll y Rhwyd, Cardigan
There was once a ship-building industry in Netpool. The place-name applied to land on both sides of the river and the water between. Fishermen dried their nets on bars at Netpool (Pwll y Rhwyd). The abbot of St Dogmaels Abbey would stand on a large stone at Netpool (on the Pembrokeshire side) to bless the fishing at the start of the season in February.
Many ships were built here in the 18th and 19th centuries. Among the last was the schooner Heather Bell, 21 metres (63ft) long and made almost entirely of Welsh “heart of oak” (the densest timber). A crowd watched the vessel being launched from the yard of John Williams in August 1873. The ship was owned by a consortium led by Thomas Davies of Bank House, Cardigan. Three months later, crew member David Selby was setting the gaff topsail for departure from Cardigan when he fell to the deck and died instantly.
Fittings made locally included chains, anchors, ropes and sails. The slope across the river from Netpool was known as ‘Ropeyard Hill’.
Thomas Evans, bardic name ‘Telynog’, was born to a shipwright at Netpool in 1839. He was expected to become a sailor but only got as far as Milford Haven on his first voyage! After jumping ship, he made his way to Aberdare, where he became a coal miner and poet. He won many eisteddfod prizes but began to suffer ill health at the age of 24, and died aged 26.
The open space at Netpool was a venue for gatherings. In 1899 members of the Welsh Regiment’s 1st Volunteer Brigade had their annual inspection at Netpool Field, watched by a crowd. The soldiers performed their drill, marched and fired their guns to the satisfaction of Colonel Quirk, the inspecting officer.
In the 1860s a stage was erected at Netpool for the visit of the Rev J Davies of Cwmaman, one of the foremost Welsh preachers of his day. He drew an audience of thousands – including St Dogmaels residents who listened across the river! Netpool was also a place of baptism for local Baptists.
The stone circle at Netpool was installed for Gorsedd of the Bards ceremonies associated with the 1976 National Eisteddfod.
With thanks to the Welsh Place-Name Society archive and to Ceredigion Archives for the old photo
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