Editing Abergavenny

{{Short description|Market town in Monmouthshire, Wales}}
{{redirect|Y Fenni|the type of cheese|Y Fenni cheese}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox UK place
| coordinates                 = {{coord|51.824|-3.0167|display=inline,title}}
| country                     = Wales
| official_name               = Abergavenny
| welsh_name                  = Y Fenni
| community_wales             = Abergavenny
| unitary_wales               = [[Monmouthshire]]
| lieutenancy_wales           = [[Gwent (county)|Gwent]]
| constituency_westminster    = [[Monmouthshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Monmouthshire]]
| constituency_welsh_assembly = [[Monmouth (National Assembly for Wales constituency)|Monmouth]]
| post_town                   = ABERGAVENNY
| postcode_area               = NP
| postcode_district           = NP7
| dial_code                   = 01873
| os_grid_reference           = SO295145
| population                  = 13695
| population_ref              = (2021) <ref name="Census 2021">Within the dataset under 1d.{{Cite web |date=2 August 2023 |title=Towns and cities, characteristics of built-up areas, England and Wales: Census 2021 |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/datasets/townsandcitiescharacteristicsofbuiltupareasenglandandwalescensus2021 |access-date=3 August 2023}}</ref>
| static_image_name           = Abergavenny.jpg
| static_image_caption        = The clock tower of [[Abergavenny Town Hall]], Cross Street
| london_distance             =
| cardiff_distance            =  
| module= [[File:2024 Wales Monmouthshire Community Abergavenny map.svg|240px]]<br />Map of the community
}}
'''Abergavenny''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|æ|b|ər|ɡ|ə|ˈ|v|ɛ|n|i}}; {{langx|cy|Y Fenni}}, {{IPA|cy|ə ˈvɛnɪ|pron}}, archaically {{lang|cy|Abergafenni}}, {{gloss|mouth of the [[River Gavenny]]}}) is a [[market town]] and [[Community (Wales)|community]] in [[Monmouthshire]], [[Wales]]. Abergavenny is promoted as a "Gateway to Wales"; it is approximately {{convert|6|mi|0}} from the [[England–Wales border|border with England]] and is located where the [[A40 road|A40 trunk road]] and the recently upgraded [[A465 road|A465 Heads of the Valleys road]] meet.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/sites/abergavenny/pages/article_pip.shtml | title=The Gateway to Wales | author=BBC | access-date=8 February 2011}}</ref><ref name="Frommers">{{cite web | url=http://www.frommers.com/destinations/abergavenny/2501010001.html | title=Introduction to Abergavenny | author=Frommers | access-date=8 February 2011}}</ref>

Originally the site of a [[Castra|Roman fort]], [[Gobannium]], it became a [[Middle Ages|medieval]] [[Defensive wall|walled town]] within the [[Welsh Marches]]. The town contains the remains of a medieval stone [[castle]] built soon after the [[Norman invasion of Wales|Norman conquest of Wales]].

Abergavenny is situated at the [[confluence]] of the [[River Usk]] and a [[tributary]] stream, the Gavenny.<ref name=EB>{{cite encyclopedia |editor-first=Dale H. |editor-last=Hoiberg |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |title=Abergavenny |edition=15th |year=2010 |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. |volume=I: A-ak Bayes |location=Chicago, IL |isbn=978-1-59339-837-8 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/newencyclopaedia2009ency/page/29 29] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/newencyclopaedia2009ency/page/29 }}</ref> It is almost entirely surrounded by mountains and hills: the [[Blorenge]] ({{convert|559|m|abbr=on|disp=comma}}),<ref>Geograph British Isles – [https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/498684 The Blorenge from the B4598 road at Ty'r-pwll]</ref> the [[Sugar Loaf, Monmouthshire|Sugar Loaf]] ({{convert|596|m|abbr=on|disp=comma}}), [[Skirrid Fawr]] (Great Skirrid), [[Ysgyryd Fach]] (Little Skirrid), Deri, Rholben and Mynydd Llanwenarth, known locally as "[[Llanwenarth]] Breast". Abergavenny provides access to the nearby [[Black Mountains, Wales|Black Mountains]] and the wider [[Brecon Beacons|Brecon Beacons National Park]]. The [[Cambrian Way]], [[Beacons Way]] and [[Marches Way]] pass through Abergavenny whilst the [[Offa's Dyke Path]] passes through [[Pandy, Monmouthshire|Pandy]] five miles to the north and the [[Usk Valley Walk]] passes through nearby [[Llanfoist]].

In the UK 2011 census, the six relevant wards (Lansdown, Grofield, [[Castle (Abergavenny ward)|Castle]], Croesonen, Cantref and [[Priory (Abergavenny ward)|Priory]]) collectively listed Abergavenny's population as 12,515. The town hosted the 2016 [[National Eisteddfod of Wales]].

==Etymology==
The town derives its name from a [[Brythonic languages|Brythonic]] word ''Gobannia'' meaning "river of the blacksmiths", and relates to the town's pre-Roman importance in iron [[smelting|smelt]]ing. The name is related to the modern Welsh word ''gof'' ([[blacksmith]]), and so is also associated with the Welsh smith [[Gofannon]] from folklore. The river later became, in Welsh, ''Gafenni'', and the town's name became ''Abergafenni'', meaning "mouth of (Welsh: ''Aber'') the Gavenny (''Gafenni'')".  In Welsh, the shortened form ''Y Fenni'' may have come into use after about the 15th century, and is now used as the Welsh name. Abergavenny, the English spelling, is in general use.<ref>Hywel Wyn Owen, ''The Place-Names of Wales'', 1998, {{ISBN|0-7083-1458-9}}</ref>

==Geography==
The town originally developed on the high ground to the north of the [[floodplain]] of the River Usk and to the west of the valley of the much smaller Gavenny River though has since extended to the east of the latter. It has merged with the originally separate settlement of Mardy to the north but remains separate from that of Llanfoist to the south due to the presence of the river and its floodplain; nevertheless Llanfoist is in many ways a suburb of the town. The ground rises gradually in the north of the town before steepening to form the Deri and Rholben spurs of Sugar Loaf. The A4143 crossing of the Usk by means of the historic [[Abergavenny Bridge|Usk Bridge]] is sited at the narrowest point of the floodplain, a site also chosen for the former crossing of a tramroad and the later mainline railway. The high ground at either side is formed by a legacy of the last ice age, the [[moraine|recessional Llanfoist moraine]] which underlies both the village which gives it its name, the town centre and the [[Nevill Hall Hospital|Nevill Hall area]]. The older parts of the town north of its centre are built upon a relatively flat-lying [[alluvial fan]] extending west from the area of St Mary's Priory to Cantref and of similar age to the moraine.<ref>{{cite web |title=sheet 232 Abergavenny (solid and drift geology) |url=http://www.largeimages.bgs.ac.uk/iip/mapsportal.html?id=1003313 |website=Maps Portal |publisher=British Geological Survey |access-date=4 April 2020}}</ref>

In the UK 2011 census, the six relevant wards (Lansdown, Grofield, [[Castle (Abergavenny ward)|Castle]], Croesonen, Cantref and [[Priory (Abergavenny ward)|Priory]]) collectively listed Abergavenny's population as 12,515.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/lansdown-w05000804#sthash.HygKHVZV.dpbs|title=Lansdown – UK Census Data 2011|first=Good Stuff IT|last=Services|website=UK Census Data|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/grofield-w05000803#sthash.HOTIDnyK.dpbs|title=Grofield – UK Census Data 2011|first=Good Stuff IT|last=Services|website=UK Census Data|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/castle-w05000794#sthash.knocoV1p.dpbs|title=Castle – UK Census Data 2011|first=Good Stuff IT|last=Services|website=UK Census Data|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/croesonen-w05000795#sthash.XmKkhauU.dpbs|title=Croesonen – UK Census Data 2011|first=Good Stuff IT|last=Services|website=UK Census Data|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/cantref-w05000793#sthash.j9V632qF.dpbs|title=Cantref – UK Census Data 2011|first=Good Stuff IT|last=Services|website=UK Census Data|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/priory-w05000818#sthash.ycr8FMLn.dpbs|title=Priory – UK Census Data 2011|first=Good Stuff IT|last=Services|website=UK Census Data|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref>

==History==
===Roman period===
Gobannium was a Roman fort guarding the road along the valley of the River Usk,<ref name=EB/> which linked the legionary fortress of [[Burrium]] ([[Usk]]) and later [[Isca Augusta]] or Isca Silurum ([[Caerleon]]) in the south with [[Y Gaer, Brecon]] and [[Mid Wales]]. It was also built to keep the peace among the local [[British Iron Age]] tribe, the [[Silures]].<ref>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Silures |volume=25 |page=109 |first=Francis John |last=Haverfield}}</ref> [[Cadw]] considers that the fort was occupied from around CE50 to CE150.<ref>{{NHAW|uid=3153|num=MM193|desc=Abergavenny Roman Fort|class=SM|access-date=5 February 2023}}</ref> Remains of the walls of this fort were discovered west of the castle when excavating the foundations for a new [[post office]] and [[telephone exchange]] building in the late 1960s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abergavennystreetsurvey.co.uk/portfolio/flannel-street/|title=Flannel Street {{!}} Abergavenny Local History Society Street Survey|website=abergavennystreetsurvey.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-01-31}}</ref>

===11th century===
[[File:St Mary's Priory Church, Abergavenny - geograph.org.uk - 1328170.jpg|thumb|St Mary's Priory Church]]
Abergavenny grew as a town in early [[Normans|Norman]] times under the protection of the [[Baron Bergavenny|Baron Bergavenny (or Abergavenny)]]. The first Baron was [[Hamelin de Balun]], from [[Ballon, Sarthe|Ballon]], a small town with a castle in [[Maine-Anjou]] near [[Le Mans]]. Today it is in the [[Sarthe (département)|Sarthe département]] of France. He founded the [[Benedictine]] [[priory]], now the [[Priory Church of St Mary, Abergavenny|Priory Church of St Mary]], in the late 11th century. The Priory belonged originally to the [[Benedictine]] foundation of St. Vincent Abbaye at Le Mans. It was subsequently endowed by [[William de Braose, 4th Lord of Bramber|William de Braose]], with a [[tithe]] of the profits of the castle and town.<ref name="EB1911">{{EB1911|inline=1|wstitle=Abergavenny|volume=1|page=53}}</ref> The church contains some unique [[alabaster]] [[Effigy|effigies]], [[church monument]]s and unique medieval wood carving, such as the [[Tree of Jesse]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stmarys-priory.org/stmaryschurch/monuments.php|title=HISTORIC MONUMENTS AT ST MARY'S PARISH CHURCH: St Mary's Priory, Abergavenny|website=stmarys-priory.org|access-date=2018-02-24}}</ref>

===12th and 13th centuries===
Owing to its geographical location, the town was frequently embroiled in the border warfare and power play of the 12th and 13th centuries in the Welsh Marches. In 1175, [[Abergavenny Castle]] was the site of a massacre of [[Seisyll ap Dyfnwal]] and his associates by [[William de Braose, 4th Lord of Bramber]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Carradice|first1=Phil|title=Treachery, stealth and slaughter at Abergavenny Castle|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/a112ee9c-43cc-3e76-bc40-4974dd1be9ae|publisher=BBC blogs|date=9 December 2013}}</ref> Reference to a market at Abergavenny is found in a charter granted to the Prior by William de Braose.<ref name="EB1911"/>

===15th to 17th centuries===
[[File:Abergavenny and Holy Mountain, Wales, 1890-1900.jpg|thumb|Abergavenny and [[Ysgyryd Fawr]] at right in the 1890s]]
[[Owain Glyndŵr]] attacked Abergavenny in 1404. According to popular legend, his raiders gained access to the walled town with the aid of a local woman who sympathised with the rebellion, letting a small party in via the Market Street gate at midnight. They were able to open the gate and allow a much larger party who set fire to the town and plundered its churches and homes leaving Abergavenny Castle intact. Market Street has been referred to as "Traitors' Lane" thereafter. In 1404 Abergavenny was declared its own nation by [[Ieuan ab Owain Glyndŵr]], illegitimate son of [[Owain Glyndŵr]]. The arrangement lasted approximately two weeks.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Butters |first=Tim |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/987583154 |title=Secret Abergavenny |date=2017 |isbn=978-1-4456-6689-1 |location=Stroud |oclc=987583154}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-03 |title=Owain Glyndwr in Abergavenny |url=http://abergavennynow.com/2016/05/04/owain-glyndwr/ |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=Abergavenny Now |language=en-GB}}</ref>

At the [[Dissolution of the Monasteries]] in 1541, the priory's endowment went towards the foundation of a free [[grammar school]], [[King Henry VIII Grammar School]], the site itself passing to the Gunter family.<ref name="EB1911"/> During the [[English Civil War|Civil War]], prior to the siege of [[Raglan Castle]] in 1645, [[Charles I of England|King Charles I]] visited Abergavenny and presided in person over the trial of [[Sir Trevor Williams, 1st Baronet|Sir Trefor Williams, 1st Baronet]] of [[Llangybi, Monmouthshire|Llangibby]], a [[Royalist]] who changed sides, and other [[Roundhead|Parliamentarians]].<ref name="EB1911"/> In 1639, Abergavenny received a [[charter]] of incorporation under the title of [[bailiff]] and [[Burgess (word)|burgesses]]. A charter with extended privileges was drafted in 1657, but appears never to have been enrolled or to have come into effect. Owing to the refusal of the chief officers of the corporation to take the [[oath of allegiance]] to [[William III of England|William III]] in 1688, the charter was annulled, and the town subsequently declined in prosperity. Chapter 28 of the [[Laws in Wales Acts 1535–1542|1535 Act of Henry VIII]], which provided that Monmouth, as [[county town]], should return one burgess to Parliament, further stated that other [[Monmouthshire (historic)|ancient Monmouthshire boroughs]] were to contribute towards the payment of the member. In consequence of this clause Abergavenny on various occasions shared in the election, the last instance being in 1685.<ref name="EB1911"/>

The right to hold two weekly markets and three yearly [[fair]]s, beginning in the 13th century, was held ever since as confirmed in 1657.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Chisholm|first1=Hugh|title=Encyclopaedia Britannica:a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature, and General Information|date=1922|publisher=New York: Encyclopaedia Britannica|pages=53|edition=11}}</ref> Abergavenny was celebrated for the production of Welsh [[flannel]], and also for the manufacture, whilst the fashion prevailed, of goats' hair [[periwig]]s.<ref name="EB1911"/>

===19th and 20th centuries===
[[File:Abergavenny boys national school (3374847).jpg|thumb|Abergavenny Boys National School (1865)]]
[[Abergavenny railway station]], situated southeast of the town centre, opened on 2 January 1854 as part of the [[Newport, Abergavenny and Hereford Railway]]. The [[London North Western Railway]] sponsored the construction of the railway linking [[Newport railway station|Newport station]] to [[Hereford railway station|Hereford station]]. The line was taken over by the [[West Midland Railway]] in 1860 before becoming part of the [[Great Western Railway]] in 1863. A railway line also ran up the valley towards [[Brynmawr]] and to [[Merthyr Tydfil]]; this was closed during the [[Beeching cuts]] in the 1960s and the line to [[Clydach Gorge]] is now a cycle track and footpath. The [[Baker Street drill hall, Abergavenny|Baker Street drill hall]] was completed in 1896.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drillhalls.org/TownAbergavenny.htm|title= Abergavenny|publisher=The Drill Hall Project|access-date=21 August 2017}}</ref> [[Adolf Hitler]]'s deputy, [[Rudolf Hess]], was kept under escort at [[Maindiff Court Hospital]] during the [[World War II|Second World War]], after his flight to Britain.<ref>BBC. WW2 People's War – [https://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/40/a5279240.shtml Marjorie's War]</ref> In 1964, the [[Royal Observer Corps]] opened a small monitoring bunker to be used in the event of a nuclear attack. It was closed in 1968 but reopened in 1973 due to the closure of a bunker near [[Brynmawr]]. It closed in 1991 on the stand down of the ROC. It remains mostly intact.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Abergavenny ROC Post – Subterranea Britannica |url=https://www.subbrit.org.uk/sites/abergavenny-roc-post/ |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=www.subbrit.org.uk}}</ref>

==Baron of Abergavenny==
The title of [[Baron Bergavenny|Baron Abergavenny]] was first held by the Beauchamp family. In the late 14th century the [[reversion (law)|reversion]] of the feudal marcher barony (with the castle, town and surrounding lands appurtenant) was purchased from John Hastings, 3rd Earl of Pembroke, who had no heirs, by William Beauchamp, the second son of the Earl of Warwick; and he was elevated to the House of Lords as Baron Bergavenny. On his death, his wife Joan held the entire barony in survivorship for life until 1435, at which time it passed into the Nevill family; Joan's granddaughter Elizabeth, heir to the barony, married a Neville, [[Edward Nevill, 3rd Baron Bergavenny]].<ref>{{cite ODNB |last=Pugh |date=2004 |first=T.B. |title=Neville, Edward, first Baron Bergavenny (d. 1476), nobleman |url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/19929 |type=online |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/19929 }}</ref> From him it has descended continuously, the title being increased to an [[earl]]dom in 1784; and in 1876 [[William Nevill, 1st Marquess of Abergavenny|William Nevill]] {{sic}} 5th Earl, an indefatigable and powerful supporter of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], was created 1st [[Marquess of Abergavenny]].<ref name="EB1911"/>

[[Coldbrook Park]] was a country house in an estate some {{convert|2|km|mi|frac=4|order=flip}} southeast of the town. The house was originally built in the 14th century and belonged to the Herbert family for many generations until purchased by John Hanbury for his son, the diplomat Sir [[Charles Hanbury Williams]].<ref>{{cite book|title= An Historical Tour in Monmouthshire |volume =2|page=270}}</ref> Sir Charles reconstructed the house in 1746 with the addition of a nine-[[bay window|bay]] two-storey [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] [[façade]] with a [[Doric order|Doric]] [[portico]]. It was subsequently passed down in the Hanbury Williams family until it was demolished in 1954.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/36701/details/COLDBROOK+HOUSE+%28DEMOLISHED%29/|title= COLDBROOK HOUSE (DEMOLISHED)|publisher= Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Sites of Wales|access-date= 3 July 2013}}</ref>

==Events==
Held during the first week of August every year, the [[National Eisteddfod]] is a celebration of the culture and language in Wales. The festival travels from place to place, alternating between north and south Wales, attracting around 150,000 visitors and over 250 tradestands and stalls. In 2016 it was held in Abergavenny for the first time since 1913.  The Chair and Crown for 2016 were presented to the festival's Executive Committee at a ceremony held in Monmouth on 14 June 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abergavennynow.com/2016/06/14/crown-chair-presented-eisteddfod-committee/|title=Crown and Chair Presented to the Eisteddfod Committee – Abergavenny Now|date=14 June 2016|website=abergavennynow.com|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref>

The [[Abergavenny Food Festival]] is held in the second week of September each year. The Steam, Veteran and Vintage Rally takes place in May every year. The event expands year on year with the 2016 rally including a rock choir, shire horses, motorcycling stunts, vintage cars and steam engines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abergavennynow.com/2016/05/26/abergavenny-steam-rally/|title=Abergavenny Steam Rally 2016 – Abergavenny Now|date=26 May 2016|website=abergavennynow.com|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> The Country and Western Music Festival is attended by enthusiasts of [[country music]]. It marked its third year in 2016 and was attended by acts including Ben Thompson, LA Country and many more. The event was last held in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abergavennynow.com/2016/04/26/abergavenny-country-western-music-festival/|title=Abergavenny Country & Western Music Festival 2016|date=26 April 2016|website=abergavennynow.com|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Community/acwmf/posts/|title=Abergavenny Country & Western Music Festival|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2019-08-22}}</ref> The Abergavenny Writing Festival began in April 2016 and is a celebration of writing and the written word.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abergavennynow.com/2016/04/09/whats-on-at-the-abergavenny-writing-festival/|title=What's on at the Abergavenny Writing Festival? – Abergavenny Now|date=9 April 2016|website=abergavennynow.com|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> The Abergavenny Arts Festival, first held in 2018, celebrates arts in their broadest sense and showcases amateur and professional artists from the vibrant local arts scene together with some from further afield.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://abergavennyartsfestival.com/|title=Abergavenny Arts Festival 29th & 30th June 2019|website=Abergavenny Arts Festival|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-08-22}}</ref>

==Welsh language==
In recent decades, the number of Welsh speakers in the town has increased dramatically. The 2001 census recorded that 10% of the local population spoke the language, a five-fold increase over ten years from the figure of 2% recorded in 1991.<ref name="Welsh Language Board">{{cite web|url=http://www.byig-wlb.org.uk/english/news/pages/abergavennywelshspeakerseagertopromotelanguage.aspx |archive-url=https://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20081121163021/http://www.byig-wlb.org.uk/english/news/pages/abergavennywelshspeakerseagertopromotelanguage.aspx |url-status = dead|archive-date=2008-11-21 |title=Abergavenny Welsh speakers eager to promote language }}</ref> The town has one of the two Welsh-medium primary schools in Monmouthshire, Ysgol Gymraeg y Fenni,<ref name="Ysgol Gymraeg y Fenni">{{cite web|title=Ysgol Gymraeg y Fenni|website=ysgolgymraegyfenni.co.uk | url=http://www.ysgolgymraegyfenni.co.uk/|access-date=2 March 2016}}</ref> which was founded in the early 1990s. It is also home to the Abergavenny Welsh society, Cymreigyddion y Fenni,<ref name="Cymreigyddion y Fenni">{{cite web|title=Cymreigyddion y Fenni | url=http://www.cymreigyddion.org.uk/|access-date= 2 March 2016}}</ref> and the local Abergavenny Eisteddfod.<ref name="Abergavenny Eisteddfod">{{cite web| title=Abergavenny Eisteddfod| url=http://www.abergavennyeisteddfod.co.uk/english/index.php| access-date=2 March 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722205635/http://abergavennyeisteddfod.co.uk/english/index.php| archive-date=22 July 2013|url-status = dead}}</ref>

==Sport==
Abergavenny was the home of [[Abergavenny Thursdays F.C.]], formed in 1927 and merged with Govilon, the local village side in 2013. The new club, [[Abergavenny Town F.C.]], plays at the Pen-y-pound Stadium, maintained and run by Thursday’s football trust, as members of the [[Ardal Leagues|Ardal South East]] league (tier 3) for the 2021–22 season. It is also the home of [[Abergavenny RFC]], a [[rugby union]] club founded in 1875 that plays at [[Bailey Park, Abergavenny]]. In the 2018–19 season, they play in the [[Welsh Rugby Union]] Division Three East A league.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://abergavenny.rfc.wales/web/leaguetable.aspx?t=32|title=Abergavenny RFC|website=Abergavenny RFC|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-01-27}}</ref> Abergavenny [[Field hockey|Hockey]] Club, formed in 1897, currently play at the Abergavenny Leisure Centre on Old Hereford Road.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abergavennyhockey.co.uk/|title=Abergavenny Hockey Club|website=Abergavenny Hockey Club|access-date=2021-12-19}}</ref>

Abergavenny Cricket Club play at [[Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny|Pen-y-Pound]], Avenue Road and [[Glamorgan County Cricket Club|Glamorgan CCC]] also play some of their games here. Abergavenny Cricket Club was founded in 1834 and celebrated the 175th anniversary of its foundation in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abergavennycricket.co.uk/|title=Abergavenny Cricket|website=abergavennycricket.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-02-24}}</ref> Abergavenny Tennis Club also play at [[Pen-y-Pound, Abergavenny|Pen-y-Pound]] and plays in the South Wales Doubles League and Aegon Team Tennis. The club engages the services of a head tennis professional to run a coaching programme for the town and was crowned [[Tennis Wales]]' Club of the Year in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Abergavenny Tennis Club |url=https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/AbergavennyTennisClub |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Abergavenny Tennis Club |language=en}}</ref> Abergavenny hosted the [[British National Road Race Championships|British National Cycling Championships]] in 2007, 2009 and 2014, as part of the town's Festival of Cycling.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/other-sport/cycling/abergavenny-wins-bid-stage-2014-6140179 |title=Abergavenny wins bid to stage 2014 British Road Race |last1=Howell |first1=Andy |date=4 October 2013 |website=[[WalesOnline]] |access-date=29 June 2014}}</ref>

==Cattle market==
A [[cattle]] market was held in Abergavenny from 1863 to December 2013.<ref name=EB/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/10873217.end-of-an-era-as-abergavennys-livestock-market-closes/|title=End of an era as Abergavenny's livestock market closes|website=South Wales Argus|language=en|access-date=2019-08-22}}</ref> From 1825 to 1863 a [[Domestic sheep|sheep]] market was held at a site in Castle Street, to stop the sale of sheep on the streets of the town. When the market closed, the site was leased and operated by Abergavenny Market Auctioneers Ltd, who held regular livestock auctions on the site. Market days were held on Tuesdays for the auction sale of finished sheep, cull ewe/store and fodder (hay and straw), and on some Fridays for the auction sale of cattle. After [[Newport, Wales|Newport]]'s cattle market closed in 2009 for redevelopment, Newport's sales were held at Abergavenny every Wednesday.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/4169726.newport-cattle-market-finds-new-home/|title=Newport cattle market finds new home|website=South Wales Argus|language=en|access-date=2019-08-22}}</ref>

In 2011 doubts about the future of Abergavenny Cattle Market were raised after [[Monmouthshire County Council]] granted planning permission for its demolition and replacement with a supermarket, car park, and library.<ref>[http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/4017/planning_committee_minutes_dated_14th_june_2011.pdf Minutes of the Planning Committee held at County Hall, Cwmbran on 14 June 2011] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524065404/http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/4017/planning_committee_minutes_dated_14th_june_2011.pdf |date=24 May 2012 }}</ref> In January 2012 the Welsh Government announced the repeal of the Abergavenny Improvement Acts of 1854 to 1871 which obliged the holding of a livestock market within the boundaries of Abergavenny town;<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-16525378| title = BBC News, ''Law change spells end for Abergavenny cattle market'', 12 January 2012| work = BBC News| date = 12 January 2012}}</ref> that repeal being effective from 26 March 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2012/629/contents/made|title=The Abergavenny Improvement Act 1854 (Repeal) Order 2012|website=legislation.gov.uk|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> The county council, which requested that the Abergavenny Improvement Acts be repealed, supported plans for a new cattle market to be established about {{convert|10|mi|0}} from Abergavenny in countryside at Bryngwyn, some {{convert|3|mi|0}} from [[Raglan, Monmouthshire|Raglan]]. There was local opposition to this site.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/4097035.objections-raised-to-cattle-market-plan/|title=Objections raised to cattle market plan|website=South Wales Argus|language=en|access-date=2019-08-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/1956828.cattle-market-campaigners-set-for-legal-action/|title=Cattle market campaigners set for legal action|website=South Wales Argus|language=en|access-date=2019-08-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abergavennychronicle.com/article.cfm?id=222&headline=Auctioneers%20speak%20out&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2009|title=Auctioneers speak out| newspaper=[[Abergavenny Chronicle]] |language=en|access-date=2019-08-22}}</ref> The new Monmouthshire Livestock Centre, a 27-acre site at Bryngwyn, opened in November 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/10847050.new-pound5m-raglan-cattle-market-opens/|title=New £5m Raglan cattle market opens|website=South Wales Argus|language=en|access-date=2019-08-22}}</ref>

==Culture==

===Cultural history===
Abergavenny has hosted the [[National Eisteddfod of Wales]] in 1838, 1913 and most recently in 2016. In 2017 the town was named one of the best places to live in Wales.<ref>{{cite web|title=These towns have been named as the best places to live in Wales|date=10 March 2017|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/towns-named-best-places-wales-12719747|publisher=Wales Online}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sands|first=Katie|date=10 March 2017|title=These towns have been named as the best places to live in Wales|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/market-town-been-named-best-12719747|website=WalesOnline|language=en}}</ref> The town's local radio stations are currently{{when|date=October 2024}} [[Sunshine Radio (Herefordshire and Monmouthshire)|Sunshine Radio]] 107.8 FM and NH Sound 1287 AM. Abergavenny is home to an award-winning brass band.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abergavennyboroughband.org.uk/index.php|title=Welcome to Abergavenny Borough Brass Band|website=abergavennyboroughband.org.uk|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> Formed in Abergavenny prior to 1884,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abergavennyboroughband.org.uk/history-brass-band-south-wales.php|title=History of Abergavenny Borough Brass Band in South Wales|website=abergavennyboroughband.org.uk|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> the band were joint National Welsh League Champions in 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abergavennyboroughband.org.uk/news-archive-2006.php|title=Archived News 2006 at Abergavenny Borough Band|website=abergavennyboroughband.org.uk|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> and joint National Welsh League Champions in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abergavennyboroughband.org.uk/news-current.php|title=Current News at Abergavenny Borough Band|website=abergavennyboroughband.org.uk|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> The band also operates a Junior Band training local young musicians.

The [[Borough Theatre]] in Abergavenny town centre hosts live events covering drama, opera, ballet, music, children's events, dance, comedy, storytelling, tribute bands and talks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boroughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk/home.htm |title=The Borough Theatre - live entertainment in Abergavenny |access-date=2015-07-29 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720173909/http://www.boroughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk/home.htm |archive-date=20 July 2015}}</ref> The Melville Centre is close to the town centre and includes the Melville Theatre, which hosts a range of live events.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Arts---Entertainment/Melville-Centre-Abergavenny-1614636668790421/|title=Melville Centre-Abergavenny|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2019-08-23}}</ref> The town held its first Abergavenny Arts Festival in 2018<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.literaturewales.org/lw-event/abergavenny-arts-festival/|title=Abergavenny Arts Festival|website=Literature Wales|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-22}}</ref> and also hosts the [[Abergavenny Food Festival]] in September each year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Anyone for pudding?|last=Blythman |first=Joanna |work=Observer Food Monthly|date= 30 March 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/mar/30/foodanddrink.features8}}</ref>

===In popular culture===
[[William Shakespeare]]'s play ''[[Henry VIII (play)|Henry VIII]]'' features the character Lord Abergavenny. In 1968 "Abergavenny" was the title of a UK single by [[Marty Wilde]]. In 1969, it was also released in the US, under a Marty Wilde pseudonym ''Shannon'', where it was also a minor hit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allbutforgottenoldies.net/shannon.html|title=Shannon – Songs|website=allbutforgottenoldies.net|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> In [[The Adventure of the Priory School]] [[Sherlock Holmes]] refers to a case he is working on in Abergavenny.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sherlock-holmes.classic-literature.co.uk/the-adventure-of-the-priory-school/ebook-page-02.asp|title=Sherlock Holmes – The Adventure of the Priory School Page 02|website=sherlock-holmes.classic-literature.co.uk|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> Abergavenny is mentioned by Stan Shunpike, the conductor of the Knight Bus when the bus takes a detour there to drop off a passenger in [[J. K. Rowling]]'s ''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]''. The TV series ''[[Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series)|Upstairs, Downstairs]]'', features a character in the second season, [[Thomas Watkins]], the devious Bellamy family [[chauffeur]], who comes from Abergavenny. In the 1979 spinoff of ''Upstairs, Downstairs'' titled ''[[Thomas & Sarah]]'', Watkins and [[Sarah Moffat]], another major character, marry and return briefly to Abergavenny. * Much of the 1996 film, ''[[Intimate Relations (1996 film)|Intimate Relations]]'' starring [[Julie Walters]], [[Rupert Graves]], [[Les Dennis]] and [[Amanda Holden]], was filmed at many locations in and around Abergavenny.

==Transport==

===Railway===
[[Abergavenny railway station]] lies on the [[Welsh Marches Line]] from [[Newport, Wales|Newport]] to [[Hereford]]. The weekday daytime service pattern typically sees one train per hour in each direction between [[Manchester Piccadilly station|Manchester Piccadilly]] and [[Cardiff Central railway station|Cardiff Central]], with most trains continuing beyond Cardiff to [[Swansea railway station|Swansea]] and west Wales. There is also a two-hourly service between Cardiff and the [[North Wales Coast Line]] to {{rws|Holyhead}}, via {{rws|Wrexham General}}. These services are all operated by [[Transport for Wales Rail|Transport for Wales]].<ref>GB eNRT December 2015 Edition, Table 131</ref>

===Roads===
The town is located where the [[A40 road|A40 trunk road]] and the [[A465 road|A465 ''Heads of the Valleys'' road]] meet. The latter used to meet the A40 in the town centre but the A465 now runs to the east of the town centre.

===Buses===
A network of services link the town with local villages. In addition, [[Stagecoach South Wales]] operate service 23 to [[Hereford]] and Newport approximately every two hours while [[Newport Bus]] operates service 83 to [[Monmouth]].

==Notable buildings==
[[File:Grade II listed Church of the Holy Trinity, Abergavenny - geograph.org.uk - 2723503.jpg|thumb|left|Church of the Holy Trinity]]
[[Abergavenny Castle]] is located strategically just south of the town centre overlooking the [[River Usk]]. It was built in about 1067 by the Norman baron [[Hamelin de Ballon]] to guard against incursions by the Welsh from the hills to the north and west. All that remains is defensive ditches and the ruins of the stone keep, towers, and part of the curtain wall. It is a [[Listed building|Grade I listed building]].<ref>{{NHAW|num=2376|desc=Abergavenny Castle ruins|grade=I|access-date=5 February 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Abergavenny Butter Market - geograph.org.uk - 1313202.jpg|thumb|Abergavenny Market Hall in 2009]]

Various markets are held in the Market Hall, for example: Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays – retail market; Wednesdays – flea market; fourth Thursday of each month – [[farmers' market]]; third Sunday of each month – antique fair; second Saturday of each month – craft fair.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abergavennynow.com/abergavenny-market/|title=Abergavenny Market Information and Opening Times|website=abergavennynow.com|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref>

The [[Church in Wales]] church of the Holy Trinity is in the [[Diocese of Monmouth]]. Holy Trinity Church was consecrated by the Bishop of Llandaff on 6 November 1840. It was originally built as a chapel to serve the adjacent almshouses and the nearby school. It has been Grade II listed since January 1974.

Other listed buildings in the town include the parish [[Priory Church of St Mary, Abergavenny|Priory Church of St Mary]], a medieval and Victorian building that was originally the church of the Benedictine priory founded in Abergavenny before 1100; the sixteenth century [[The Tithe Barn, Abergavenny|Tithe Barn near St Mary's]]; the Victorian Church of the Holy Trinity; the Grade II* listed [[St John's Church, Abergavenny|St John's Masonic Lodge]]; [[Abergavenny Museum]]; the Public Library; the [[Abergavenny Town Hall|Town Hall]]; and the remains of [[Abergavenny town walls]] behind Neville Street.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/wales/monmouthshire/abergavenny#.VyToxeTGA4D | title=Listed Buildings in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales | publisher=British Listed Building | access-date=30 April 2016 }}</ref>

From 1851, the Monmouthshire lunatic asylum, later [[Pen-y-Fal Hospital]], a [[psychiatric hospital]], <!---- comment out per Wikipedia:External links, but could be a source for some of this info ---[http://www.countyasylums.com/mentalasylums/penyfal01.htm]----> stood on the outskirts of Abergavenny. Between 1851 and 1950, over 3,000 patients died at the hospital. A memorial plaque for the deceased has now been placed at the site. After its closure in the 1990s, its buildings and grounds were redeveloped as housing.<ref>{{Coflein|num=31993|desc=Pen-y-Fal, Psychiatric Hospital; Abergavenny Asylum|access-date=2017-11-10}}</ref> Some psychiatric services are now administered from [[Maindiff Court Hospital]] on the outskirts of the town, close to the foot of the [[Skirrid]] mountain.

==Parks and gardens==
Abergavenny has three public [[urban park]]s which are listed on the [[Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales|Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales]]: the grounds of [[Abergavenny Castle]],<ref>{{NHAW|uid=264|num=PGW(Gt)9(MON)|desc=Abergavenny Castle Grounds|class=HPG|access-date=5 February 2023}}</ref> [[Linda Vista Gardens]]<ref>{{NHAW|uid=312|num=PGW(Gt)59(MON) |desc=Linda Vista Gardens|class=HPG|access-date=5 February 2023}}</ref> and [[Bailey Park, Abergavenny|Bailey Park]].<ref>{{NHAW|uid=313|num=PGW(Gt)60(MON) |desc=Bailey Park|class=HPG|access-date=5 February 2023}}</ref> A fourth registered garden, at The Hill to the north of the town, forms part of the grounds of a residential development.<ref>{{NHAW|uid=315|num=PGW(Gt)62(MON)|desc=The Hill, Abergavenny|class=HPG|access-date=5 February 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Abergavenny panorama.jpg|800px|thumb|center|Abergavenny from the Monmouthshire Canal with the [[Skirrid]] in the centre with its characteristic notched outline (2014)]]

==Twinning==
Abergavenny is [[sister city|twinned]] with:
* [[Östringen]], Germany<ref name=twin>{{cite web|url=http://www.abergavennytowncouncil.gov.uk/Abergavenny-TC/twinning-11378.aspx|title=Twinning|publisher=Abergavenny Town Council|date=25 January 2017|access-date=31 January 2018}}</ref>
* [[Beaupréau]], France<ref name=twin/>
* [[Sarno]], Italy

==Military==
One of the eleven [[Victoria Cross|Victoria Cross medals]] won at [[Rorke's Drift]] was awarded to John Fielding from Abergavenny. He had enlisted under the false name of [[John Williams (VC)|Williams]]. One was also awarded for the same action to [[Robert Jones (VC)|Robert Jones]], born at Clytha between Abergavenny and [[Raglan, Monmouthshire|Raglan]]. Another Abergavenny-born soldier, [[Thomas Monaghan (VC)|Thomas Monaghan]] received his VC for defending his colonel during the [[Indian Rebellion]]. In 1908 following the formation of the [[Territorial Force]] the Abergavenny Cadet Corps was formed and affiliated with the 3rd Battalion, [[The Monmouthshire Regiment]].  In 1912 the regiment was affiliated with the new formed 1st Cadet Battalion, [[The Monmouthshire Regiment]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Territorials : 1908–1914 : a guide for military and family historians|last=Westlake, Ray.|year=2011|isbn=9781848843608|location=Barnsley, South Yorkshire|oclc=780443267}}</ref>

==Notable people==
''See also [[:Category:People from Abergavenny]]''
* [[Augustine Baker]] (1575–1641), well-known Benedictine mystic and an ascetic writer. He was one of the earliest members of the English Benedictine Congregation which was newly restored to England after the Reformation.
* [[John Williams (VC)|John Williams]] (1857–1932) soldier, recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]] for actions at [[Battle of Rorke's Drift|Rorke’s Drift]].
* [[Scott Ellaway]] (born 1981), conductor, was born and brought up locally.
* [[Becky James]] (born 1991), racing cyclist, double gold medallist at the [[2013 UCI Track Cycling World Championships]] and double silver medallist at the [[Cycling at the 2016 Summer Olympics|2016 Summer Olympics]], was born and grew up in Abergavenny.
* [[Matthew Jay]] (1978–2003), singer-songwriter, spent much of his life in the town.
* [[Peter Law]] (1948–2006), politician and Independent MP, notable for defeating the Labour candidate in the safest Welsh seat during the [[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005 general election]] was born in Abergavenny.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4898824.stm| title = BBC NEWS {{!}} Wales {{!}} Labour challenger Peter Law dies}}</ref>
* Saint [[David Lewis (Jesuit priest)|David Lewis]] (1616–1679), [[Priesthood (Catholic Church)|Catholic priest]] and [[martyr]], was born in Abergavenny and prayed in the local [[Gunter Mansion]].
* [[Malcolm Nash]] (1945–2019), cricketer, famous for bowling to [[Garfield Sobers|Gary Sobers]] who hit six sixes in one Nash over, was born in Abergavenny.
* [[Mary Penry]] (1735–1804), Moravian sister in 18th-century [[Pennsylvania]] was born in Abergavenny.
* [[Owen Sheers]] (born 1974), poet, grew up in Abergavenny.
* [[Oliver Thornton]] (born 1979), West End actor, starred of ''[[Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (musical)|Priscilla, Queen of the Desert]]'', was born and grew up in Abergavenny.
* [[Vulcana]] (Miriam Kate Williams, 1874–1946), world-famous strongwoman, was born in Abergavenny.
* [[Ethel Lina White]] (1876–1944), crime writer best known for her novel ''[[The Wheel Spins]]'' (1936), on which the Alfred Hitchcock film ''[[The Lady Vanishes]]'' (1938) was based.
* [[Jules Williams]] (born 1968), writer, director, and producer of ''The Weigh Forward''.<ref>{{cite book|last=Williams|first=Jules|title=The Weigh Forward|year=2011|publisher=Quartet Books|isbn=978-0-7043-7214-6}}</ref>
* [[Raymond Williams]], (1921–1988) academic, critic and writer was born and brought up locally.
* [[Dave Richards (footballer, born 1993)|Dave Richards]], (1993) professional footballer for [[Crewe Alexandra]] was born and raised in the town.
* [[Marina Diamandis]] (1985), professional singer and songwriter

==See also==
{{div col|content=
* [[Abergavenny Castle]]
* [[Abergavenny Chronicle]]
* [[Abergavenny fireworks display]]
* [[Abergavenny (hundred)|Abergavenny Hundred]]
* [[Abergavenny Museum]]
* [[Abergavenny town walls]]
* [[Black Mountains, Wales]]
* [[Brecon Beacons National Park]]
* [[HMS Abergavenny (1795)|HMS ''Abergavenny'']], a fourth-rate ship acquired by the [[Royal Navy]] in 1795.
* [[Llanthony Priory]]
* [[Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal]]
* [[Nevill Hall Hospital]]
* [[The Skirrid Mountain Inn]] at [[Llanvihangel Crucorney]], maybe Wales' oldest [[pub]]
* [[Tourism in Wales]]
* [[Y Graig]]
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
* Jürgen Klötgen, ''Prieuré d'Abergavenny – Tribulations mancelles en Pays de Galles au temps du [[Pope John XXII|Pape Jean XXII]] (d'après des documents français et anglais du XIV° siècle collationnés avec une source d'histoire retrouvée aux Archives Secrètes du [[Holy See|Vatican]])'', in ''Revue Historique et Archéologique du Maine'', Le Mans, 1989, p.&nbsp;65–88 (1319 : cf [[John Hastings, 2nd Baron Hastings|John of Hastings]], Lord of Abergavenny; [[Adam Orleton|Adam de Orleton]], [[Bishop of Hereford]], [[John of Monmouth (bishop)|John of Monmouth]], [[Bishop of Llandaff]]).

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
*[http://www.abergavennyboroughband.org.uk/index.php Abergavenny Borough Band]
* [http://www.abergavennymuseum.co.uk/index.php?lang=EN;navId=1 Abergavenny Museum]
* BBC, South East Wales – [https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/sites/abergavenny/ Feature on Abergavenny]
* Geograph British Isles – [https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=3027603 Photos of Abergavenny and surrounding areas]
* [http://www.roman-britain.co.uk/places/abergavenny-roman-fort/ Abergavenny Roman Fort]

{{Monmouthshire}}
{{communities of Monmouthshire}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Abergavenny| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Monmouthshire]]
[[Category:Towns of the Welsh Marches]]
[[Category:Market towns in Wales]]
[[Category:River Usk]]
[[Category:Black Mountains, Wales]]
[[Category:Communities in Monmouthshire]]