Ystradgynlais & District

In recent years this pub has been Lowthers restaurant, and more recently The George. Historically it was the George IV, and was famous for having parts of the inn in 3 different counties - Breconshire, Glamorgan, and Carmarthenshire.

From the Llais

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 27th June 1914:-

CWMTWRCH'S DISTINCTION

Cwmtwrch, says a daily paper, contains a house - the George IV Hotel which stands in three counties. In one room of this house there is a three-legged table, with one leg in Glamorgan another in Breconshire, and the third in Carmarthenshire. If one must get drunk, why not in three counties at the same time?

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 10th April 1915 comes the news of Mr D.T. Morgan late of the George IV being appointed assistant-master on a Royal Navy training ship:-

OLD CWMTWRCH BOY

It is interesting to note that Mr D.T. Morgan, late of the George IV inn, has been appointed assistant-master on the Training Ship, "Exmouth" off Grays, Essex. Mr Morgan will have about 500 boys under his care. He was at one time a teacher at the Cwmtwrch Schools, where he was highly esteemed.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 19th May 1919:-

At the Swansea Registry Office on Saturday morning the marriage by special licence of Miss Alice Morgan, daughter of the late Mr John Morgan and Mrs Morgan, of the George IV Inn, Gwys, was performed. Harold Dixon, nephew of the bride accompanied the contracting parties. The bride's dress was a navy blue costume and she wore a picture hat. After the ceremony the party went to Porthcawl. They were the recipients of numerous useful presents and congratulations from their friends.

The Labour Voice for April 13th 1920 records, in two small articles, the retirement of Mrs Morgan as licensee of the George IV, Cwmtwrch, and the coming of Mr John Davies in her place:-

George IV Inn - Mrs Morgan, the licensee of the George IV Inn for a number of years, removed to a private residence on Monday. The new licensee is Mr John Davies, late of Ystalyfera. This noted old inn, which belonged to the Midland Railway Co, is now owned by the Crosswell Breweries, Co, Cardiff.

New Licensee - Mr John Davies, Wade Avenue (late fireman at "Next Week" Colliery), took over the license of the George IV Inn, Upper Cwmtwrch.

Some of the details about pubs in the Swansea Valley and Coelbren were sourced from 'The Village Pub' by William T. Davies,a detailed history of brewing in the Neath and Swansea valleys and the history and heritage of the local pubs of the area. All proceeds from sale of this book go towards Ystradgynlais Community Hospital. Published by Dinewfr Press, copies of the book can be ordered either by telephoning them on 01269-850576 or emailing the author direct on WilliamTD@yahoo.co.uk.

Ystradgynlais - South Wales

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