Find us on the
Map
(Please be patient: you will see a list of local attractions before the map
appears)
Kelly's Directory of Monmouthshire dated 1901 has this entry for the area.
Shirenewton stands some 500 feet above sea level, with a good view of the
Severn Estuary and the Bristol Channel. At the 1851 census the population was
given as 933, compared with the population of Caldicot at 661. It has expanded
considerably in the second half of this century, with several housing estates
and "fill-in" houses being built.
The name Shirenewton has had several variations over the years, such as
Sheref Newton, Neweton Nether Went, and Nova Villa. The present name derives
from the creation of the village in a forest clearing by the Sheriff of
Gloucester, Walter Fitzherbert, around 1100 AD. It means "Sheriff's New
Tun"; tun is the old word for a homestead. There are two
versions of the Welsh name for the village: Trenewydd Gelli Fach, which means "New
Homestead in the little grove", and Trenewydd Gelli Farch which means "New
Homestead in the stallion's grove". According to
"The
Place Names of Eastern Gwent" by Osborne and Hobbs, farch
(stallion) may in fact refer to the Celtic goddess Epona (later Welsh Rhiannon)
who was reputed to appear in the form of a horse or stallion. The grove may
have been a place where the goddess was worshipped or venerated.
A detailed review of the Pre-history of the Shirenewton area is in preparation.
Shirenewton has a church, two pubs and a village shop and petrol station. Go back to the previous page to browse these and other amenities
Back to Top of page
Mynyddbach is a village separated by the width of a single field from
Shirenewton. There has been much pressure over the years to allow the two
villages to merge, but the local residents have guarded the existance of this
green separator by objecting to all plans to build on it Although Mynyddbach
had its own shop and place of worship well within living memory, these have now
gone and we have to make the quarter mile walk to Shirenewton. It does however,
have a primary school, an
hotel and a
pub. Go back to the previous
page to browse these and other amenities
Mynyddbach, or Mynydd Bach as it is often written, is a Welsh phrase which means "Little Mountain". Although many newcomers to the area wrongly pronounce it "Minnid Back", the local pronunciation "Money Back" is arguably closer to the original Welsh. If your computer is suitably equipped, you can listen to the sound file for a genuine Welsh pronunciation.
Back to Top of page
Earlswood was once a small forest, part of the Lordship of Caldicot, a one time possession of the Earls of Hereford, hence the name.
Awaiting contribution of more detailed information. Please contact me.
Back to Top of page
Awaiting contribution of more detailed information. Please contact me.
Back to Top of page
Kelly's Directory of 1901 has this to say about the area.
Awaiting contribution of more detailed information. Please contact
me.
Back to Top of page
This village was taken over and enclosed by the RAF, and the inhabitants evacuated. Kelly's Directory of 1901 has this to say about it.
If you have any comments, or notice any mistakes or omissions, please do not hesitate to contact the Webmaster.