I am hoping someone with local knowledge of the Llanfrechfa/Llantarnam area
will be able to help me identify a house. It's not quite such a tall order
as you may think as the house used to be quite prominent and clearly visible
from the road - years ago that is! I realise that there may now be new roads
not to mention new housing in the area which may obscure the house these days
if indeed it still exists.
The house I am talking about was in open countryside (at least until the
1970s) and could be clearly seen from a bus when travelling from Newport towards
Pontypool. It was on the left in the region of Weston's Biscuit Factory
(You see how far I am going back!) which would have been on the left heading
towards Croesyceiliog. It was certainly after the high wall which lined the
road on the left (enclosing Llanfrechfa Grange or St Joseph's, I think) so it
may have been a little further towards Llantarnam.
I'm afraid this all sounds a bit vague so a little more information is that
the house was white, situated on slightly rising ground, and faced towards
Newport. I seem to remember that it may have had turrets or perhaps it had large
bays on either side of the front door. The detail wasn't so evident from
the distance (several hundred yards from the road) but gave the impression of
being quite an imposing residence.
Many thanks to anyone who has read this far!
Hoping someone has got some ideas,
Best Wishes,
Judith