Underwood, Newport facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Underwood
|
|
|---|---|
 Underwood
|
|
| Population | 1,976 |
| Community | |
| Principal area |
|
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | NEWPORT |
| Postcode district | NP18 |
| Dialling code | 01633 Llanwern and Penhow exchanges |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament |
|
Underwood is a community located in the city of Newport, in South East Wales. It is a housing area that was mostly built in the early 1960s. In Underwood, you can find many homes, local shops, a leisure centre, and a Baptist church. There is also a social club called "Iscoed Tavern" and a community centre with a gym. The leisure centre is currently for sale.
How Underwood Grew
The land where Underwood now stands was once a World War II Prisoner of War camp. After the war ended, the camp was no longer needed. Some of the old huts from the camp were used as early community buildings. These huts were visible until the early 1990s when they were removed.
In the 1980s, more old huts and a water tower could be seen in the area now known as Waltwood Park Drive. This land belonged to the General Post Office, which used it to store old telephone equipment. When British Telecom took over in the 1980s, the site was sold. A company called Westbury Homes then built about 220 houses there. This area became the Waltwood Park Drive Development.
Underwood is built in a special natural spot. It is surrounded by wooded areas to the south and north. A small drainage ditch, or "reen," called "Monks Ditch" runs along the northern side. The community was built in three main stages, with the Waltwood Park Development being the last part.
Many people thought that Underwood was built for workers at the nearby Llanwern steelworks. This is partly true because the housing was built around the same time the "Spencer Works" steel plant was being constructed. Some people did move into the old huts after the war. However, the local council, Magor and St Mellons Rural District Council, planned the housing estate to help with the need for more homes after the war. This is why the second part of the housing development used a fast building method with poured concrete houses. These homes are very strong and sturdy.
Local Places and Features
Underwood once had a leisure centre that was considered one of the best in the area, even though it did not have a swimming pool. It was known as one of the first of its kind in Wales. The steelworks company, Richard Thomas and Baldwins, helped pay for its construction. The land for the centre was given to the community by a local farmer, Mr. Weeks. There are plans to change how this land is used, but many local residents are against these changes.
Near Underwood, in the Llanmartin area, there is a large man-made reservoir on Waltwood Hill. This reservoir has four sections that hold "grey water," which is water that has been used but is not sewage. This water is then used at the Llanwern steelworks. The reservoir is private property and is not open to the public.
Also close by is Pencoed Castle, an old castle with a long history. The small village of Llanmartin has farms and houses. An old barn from around 1800, called the Old Barn Llanmartin, has been turned into a local pub. Inside St. Martin's church, you can find a tomb of ancestors from Pencoed Castle.
