The Cottonwood Cafe

History of the Cottonwood Cafe Building.
The Cottonwood Cafe building (as seen in the featured image above) was originally built as the Abertillery General Post Office. It was constructed in 1903 by local builder Mr William Phillips, for Mr Titus Phillips, late of Abertillery.

Mr William Phillips.
Mr William Phillips, the builder living at Glanwern House, Castle Street, Abertillery. The foreman builder for Mr Phillips was Mr Robert Coulston Jones.

Mr Robert Coulston Jones.
Mr Robert Coulston Jones was born in 1861 at Penarth. He became a builder at the age of thirteen, he was engaged in the construction of Barry Gas Works and the Western Mail Offices. While at Abertillery, Mr Jones worked on the Drill Hall, the Aberbeeg Hospital, the Hospital Memorial Gates and the Abertillery War Memorial. He was employed by the Monmouthshire County Council, The Abertillery Urban Council before retiring in 1933. He passed away in 1935, at the time of his death he lived at 11 Duke Street, Abertillery.

The Closure as a Post Office.
In 1925 a new general post office for Abertillery was opened at Church Street, the old post office at Bush Hill closed.

The Unemployment Assistance Board.
In 1926 the old post office was taken by the Office of Works, in connection with the Unemployment Assistance Board.

The New Employment Exchange.
In 1936 the new Employment Exchange was opened at Portland Street, Abertillery and all staff were relocated.

The Abertillery A.R.P.
At the outbreak of the second world war the old employment office on Bush Hill was leased by the Abertillery A.R.P.

The Cottonwood Cafe.
On Monday 27th October 1947 the Cottonwood Cafe was opened. The cafe was in the old post office building on High Street, the corner junction of High Street and Castle Street, at Bush Hill, Abertillery. The proprietors were Marenghi & Humphries, Tel- 259.

Seen left, is a photograph of a B.S.A. motorbike and side ice-cream cart with “Stop Me”, “Cream Ices” and “Marenghi’s of Abertillery” written on its front and side. The identity of the bike rider is unknown.

Mr and Mrs Thomas Williams.
In 1953 the South Wales Gazette stated that Mr and Mrs Thomas Williams were at the Cottonwood Cafe, Abertillery.

Wedding Reception Venue.
In March 1957 a wedding reception, that of Mr Reginald Harold Wood of Garndiffaith and Miss Beatrice Edna Jones of Six Bells was held at the Cottonwood Cafe, Abertillery. The ceremony took place at King Street Baptist Church, Abertillery. 

Mr Stanley Butler.
In 1957 the Electoral Register states that Mr Stanley Butller and his wife Mrs Joyce Butler were at the Cottonwood Cafe, Abertillery, again I am unsure as to what capacity they were there. The premises was still known as a restaurant in 1957.

Unoccupied.
In 1958, the Cottonwood Cafe was listed as being unoccupied and as such until 1964.

Mr Giacoma Molina.
In the mid 1960’s, Mr Giacoma Molina and his wife Joanna M. V. Molina nee Cavaciuti.

In April 1966, Mr Giacoma Molina applied for an excise license to sell any intoxicating liquor for consumption on the premises. The notice stated that Mr Giacoma Molina had been living in there for the past six months.

The Closure of the Cottonwood Cafe.
The Cottonwood Cafe closed as a cafe in 1991.

 

Thanks to Bryan Boots and Anthony Molina.
The featured image of the Cottonwood Cafe is copyright – Anthony Molina.