River Usk

The River Usk (Welsh: Afon Wysg) rises on the northern slopes of the Black Mountain (Y Mynydd Du), Wales, in the westernmost part of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Initially forming the boundary between Carmarthenshire and Powys, it flows north into Usk Reservoir, then east by Sennybridge to Brecon before turning southeast to flow by Talybont-on-Usk, Crickhowell and Abergavenny after which it takes a more southerly course.

Beyond the eponymous town of Usk it passes the Roman legionary fortress of Caerleon to flow through the heart of the city of Newport and into the Severn estuary at Uskmouth beyond Newport, at Newport Wetlands.

The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal follows the Usk for most of the length of the canal.

Etymology

The name of the river derives from a Brythonic root word meaning "abounding in fish" or "water", which also appears in other river names such as Exe, Axe, Esk and other variants. The most probable suggestion is that the name is cognate with pysg (plural of pysgod), the Welsh word for 'fish'.

Usk

Coordinates: 51°42′13″N 2°54′07″W / 51.7035°N 2.9019°W / 51.7035; -2.9019

Usk (Welsh: Brynbuga) is a small town in Monmouthshire, south-east Wales, situated 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Newport.

It is located on the River Usk, which is spanned by an arched stone bridge at the western entrance to the town. A castle above the town overlooks the ancient crossing point. It developed as a small market town, with some industry including the making of Japanware, and a notable prison. In recent years Usk has become known for its history of success in Britain in Bloom competitions, winning the Large Village award in 2005. The resident population of the town in 2001 was 2,318, increasing to 2,834 at the 2011 census.

English and Welsh names

The town takes its English name from the River Usk - a name derived from an ancient Brythonic word for river which may also mean "abounding in fish". The name resembles that of many other rivers in Britain (e.g. Exe, Esk), and is related to Scottish Gaelic uisge or uisce in Irish Gaelic ("water"), and therefore to "whisky". The Welsh name Brynbuga, (English: Buga's Hill), was first recorded in the 15th century.

HM Prison Usk

Coordinates: 51°41′58″N 2°54′01″W / 51.69944°N 2.90028°W / 51.69944; -2.90028

HM Prison Usk is a Category C men's prison, located at 47 Maryport Street in Usk, Monmouthshire, Wales. The prison is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service, and jointly managed with the nearby HMP Prescoed.

History

Usk is a Victorian prison, opened in 1844 as a House of Correction, and after the addition of other buildings in 1870 the establishment became the Monmouthshire County Gaol, superseding the Monmouth County Gaol in Monmouth. It retained that role until 1922 when it closed, reopening in 1939 as a borstal. It continued as a borstal until 1964 when it became a Detention Centre. In 1983 Usk became a Youth Custody Centre and from 1988 to 1990 a Young Offenders Institution. In May 1990, Usk became an Adult Category C prison for Vulnerable Prisoners (mainly sex offenders) and it continues in that role today.

In May 2003 a special workshop was set up in Usk Prison, in conjunction with a local charity. Prisoners in the workshop worked at removing fake logos from clothing, CDs and videos which have been seized by trading standards officers. The rebranded goods were then sold in local charity shops in the region. The project was the first of its kind to be set up in Wales. However, by March 2008 this had been closed down.

Usk (disambiguation)

Usk is a Welsh town.

Usk may also refer to:

Places:

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