Mamhilad


Mamhilad is a village in the community of Goetre Fawr in Monmouthshire, south east Wales.

Location

Mamhilad is two miles to the north east of Pontypool, Torfaen County Borough.

History and amenities

Mamhilad has a pub, the Star Inn and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal passes the village. There is another pub at Croes-y-Pant, the Horseshoe.
The Church of St Illtyd is notable for having been the parish of the Reverend Christopher Cook, who held the living between 1855 and 1925. He was also Rector of Llanfihangel Pontymoile from 1851, a record 74 years, and served as a curate there even before he was made incumbent. At the time of his death he was described in the local press as "the world's oldest clergyman", although this has not been authenticated.
It is believed however that he may have been the longest serving parish priest in Wales, and whilst he ceased functioning in 1916 he remained in post for nine further years until he was declared incapacitated by the Provincial Court of the Church in Wales.
Mamhilad is close to the business parks and factories of Torfaen and ICI Fibres used to have a very large manufacturing site here, built in the 1950s.