Today it seems almost impossible that one family could have had such an effect on so many communities. The Hanbury family has a fascinating story to tell of its roots in the area.
During the seventeenth century the Hanbury family developed the manufacture of Pontypool Japanware which was a process of varnishing rolled tinplate to achieve a hardwearing, glossy finish.
The process originated in the Far East but the Hanburys pioneered a similar method using local materials. With its decorated, lacquered style Pontypool Japanware became highly valued and during the 17th and 18th centuries Pontypool became synonymous with its manufacture.
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