GAB Charity Walks

Three walks were organised for the Gwent Association for the Blind Charity in Pontypool. A group of us from Gelligaer Ramblers decided to join the 5 mile walk. We were 35 in total on the walk. The walk took us past St Cadoc’s Church, Trevethin up towards the Folly and down to the Shell Grotto (lucky for us it was open being their last day open for the season). The weather was grand and the walk was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.

‘Tower of Strength on a Hill of Dreams’

The tower was built c.1765 by John Hanbury Esq. of Park House, Pontypool. It served no practical purpose in that it had no floor or roof originally. It is said that it was fashionable at the time for landed gentlemen to build to 1,000 ft high, and the tower was built on the highest part of the ridge in order to achieve this. It was however 2ft short when completed! It commands views of both the rugged and beautiful parts of Gwent and it is said that no fewer than seven counties are visible from the tower on a clear day.

Shell Grotto

The cylindrical grotto in Pontypool Park is built from local sandstone with a conical roof, but its plain exterior gives no clue as to what lies within.

Set in the floor are bones and teeth of animals set in patterns to form arcs and circles, stars, hearts and diamonds. The walls are mostly bare stone, with calcite crystals and the remains of moss, trees and other vegetation in places. The two remaining windows contain coloured glass.

The ceiling is the glory of the Grotto. It is fan vaulted, six fans rising from six pillars, and in the centre of the dome large artificial stalactites hand down. The pillars and ceiling are covered with thousands of shells interspersed with minerals and real stalactites removed from local caves.