talking point - Rhondda Cynon Taf

Where the A473 meets the A4119, a right turn will take us towards the ancient town of Llantrisant.
A detour straight on, following the A473 for Bridgend and then the A4222 for Cowbridge will take
us through Pontyclun where the Talygarn Equestrian Centre have riding for all abilities. However,
back on the A4119 going north, the hills rise abruptly on either side of the Ely Valley plain, with
Llantrisant topping a high bluff. On the left we pass New Parc out-of-town shopping development,
with supermarkets, factory outlets, designer stores and ample carparking.
Llantrisant
At the traffic lights at the entrance to the valley we turn right up the
hill past the Leisure Centre and then sharp left to zig-zag up the cliff
until another left turn leads to Llantrisant’s main square, known as
the Bullring, and to a carpark.
Today, Llantrisant is a sleepy town, but its heart still beats to the
martial drum of history, for in 1346 the town’s bowmen, serving
under Edward Prince of Wales, rendered invaluable service to the
English King in his wars against the French. At the battle of Crecy, it
was the superior range of the Welsh longbow which allowed the
archers to destroy the French army without ever coming within reach
of enemy fire: a grateful King Edward III then gave a charter to the
men of Llantrisant and their descendants giving them the right to
graze cattle on Llantrisant Common free of all taxes in perpetuity, a
right which still exists today under the watchful eye of the Town Trust.
But for Llantrisant, 1346 is but a landmark in a much longer history,
the town being one of the oldest in Wales. At the top of the Bullring
stands the Model House, originally the Workhouse where inmates
were expected to lead a “model life” but now housing a centre for the
production, exhibition and sale of crafts of all kinds, which can also
be seen nearby at the Hill Top Studio and at the Butchers Arms
Gallery. Also fronting onto the Bullring are several delightful shops
and tea rooms, including a traditional General Store, a restorer of
dolls and teddy bears and the Bakehouse Pottery Studio.
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