About Porthgain
Porthgain is situated on the Pembrokeshire National Coast Path ~ Britains only coastal National Park, and has a long and interesting industrial history. The mining began in earnest around 1890 and employed roughly 200 men and boys in its heyday
The Harbour and bins
Slate was first quarried in 1841, and brought over from Abereiddy and was used principally for roofing. The quality of the slate,however was fairly poor compared to other slates, and had a relatively short life. A by - product of the slate was brick making, made in the Ty Mawr, (Big House) which were then fired in the kiln next to the shed, now sadly demolished. The quarries above Porthgain produced a hard granite which was extensively used in road making, but it is also rumoured to have been used somewhere in The Tate Gallery, London!
The buildings alongside the quay, known as the bins, each contained a different size of granite form 1/4 inch to 2". The main quarries lie up to the left of Porthgain and are accessible. Many of the old building still remain, and provide a unique insight into industrial heritage . Indeed, our Shed was once the machine shop for the engines, and the large building next door; Ty Mawr was where the bricks were made.
Y Strydd ~ The Street, Porthgain - ex quarry
workers cottages
We have a series of ten post cards which have been
reproduced from original black and white stills, given to us by
Rob's father Mervyn, and which depict the village at the turn of
the century and through the days of industry (samples
above). These
are available for order in complete sets for £6.50 inc. p&p.
There are also two booklets written by local historian and ex Park
Leader Roy Lewis, one which details the history of Porthgain and
the other, neighbouring Aberieddy, available for £3.50 each,
inc. p&p. To order either or both of these - please email
caroline@theshedporthgain.co.uk with details and we will respond
ASAP.
Today in Porthgain
Today, the industries of Porthgain are fishing and tourism but unlike many coastal villages it is still inhabited largely by locals who maintain a unique, thriving, colourful and very Welsh community.
Porthgain has two excellent art galleries, one
run by local artist, Ush, the renowned walkers' pub ~ The Sloop
Inn, and just next door, crab & lobster can be bought from
one of the village fishermen, Lee. A telephone box & post box
is on the left as you enter the village. During the summer months
a daily coastal bus connects all the local hamlets between St Davids & Fishguard.
A restricted service operates through the winter. A service bus
runs from Llanrhian everyday at various times linking St Davids
to Fishguard, with connections to Haverfordwest. The nearest Post
Office and Small shop is 11/2 miles away in Croes Goch and there
is a petrol station at The Square & Compass about 2 miles away,
both on the main road.
Local Sport
Local Sport - based at Porthgain Harbour, north
Pembrokeshire, Porthgain Rowing Club is currently the only club
in Wales that rows a Cornish Pilot Gig. - link to web site http://www.porthgain.org.uk/
Local Book
Book of local interest Alfred Centennial Johnson by Rob Morris
Three thousand miles of ocean lay between Gloucester and Liverpool, his destination
in the United Kingdom. Would man and boat make it safely across?