Entertainment

The Scala Cinema. On Monday 25th of March 1974, the Scala Cinema on High Street, Abertillery (as seen in the main featured image above and left) was opened in the old library building that was once the National Church of England School. The proprietor and manager of the Scala Cinema was Mr D. L. Thomas, Mr Steve Reynolds was deputy …

A Pair of Vintage Dexter Roller Skates. A pair of Vintage Dexter Roller Skates with Bakelite wheels a set of Dexter stamped metal wheels with hub caps. Made from leather, Bakelite and metal. Size – There is no size stamped on the boots although their dimensions are 12″ x 10″ inches. There are 15 lace holes with 72″ inches long …

The Alexandra Buildings Skating Rink and Cinema. The Alexandra Buildings (as seen in the middle of the main featured image above) were constructed by Messrs Skidmore and McWhirter in the early 1900’s on the south side of Alexandra Road, between the road and the back lane at Six Bells.    Messrs Skidmore & McWhirter. Mr Edward Skidmore and Mr Peter …

Cwmtillery West Side Social and Sports Club. The Cwmtillery West Side Social and Sports Club (as seen circled on the map in the featured image above) was, I believe, a wooden structure built on West Bank between Doctors Lane and the Methodist Church, Cwmtillery. It was located about 400′ feet north of Winifred Terrace on Ty-Dan-y-Wal. It was funded by …

An Early History of the Choirs and Choral Unions – Abertillery. From the mid 19th century, Abertillery, like many other towns has had organised choirs, mostly junior parties in connection with religious activities within the church and other small societies. Later various senior male voice choirs appeared and since there has been many singing parties based in and around Abertillery …

Market Hall, Brynmawr – An Early History. A market house for Brynmawr was first mentioned in a meeting of the inhabitants of Brynmawr in September 1839 and was covered in a newspaper report (as seen left) featured in the Glamorgan, Monmouth and Brecon Gazette, published on the 28th of September 1839. The Meeting. On Monday 16th of September 1839, the …

Abertillery Operatic Society. The Abertillery Operatic Society was formed on Wednesday 6th December 1916 after a meeting held in the Church School, Abertillery. The meeting voted Dr Gordon Bennett as (President) along with a number of prominent ladies and gentlemen to be vice-presidents. Mr M. E. Thomas (Chairman); Mr J. R. Powell (Vice-Chairman); Mr Edgar Hancock (Treasurer); Miss Eunice Warfield …

The Kino Cinema – Six Bells. The Kino Cinema at Six Bells, Abertillery, opened in 1913. It was located in the Alexandra Buildings down behind Alexandra Road in the old Alexandra Skating Rink building originally constructed by the contractors Messrs Skidmore and McWhirter of Six Bells. The Skating Rink closed in about 1911 and in 1912 the old skating rink …

The First Market Place. On Saturday 6th of April 1867, the first Market Place was opened at Abertillery. On Saturday the 13th of April 1867, the Hereford Times newspaper reported on its opening and the reason as to why. It stated – On the increasing population at Abertillery and the growing need for a market and its competing salesmen. The …

Circus Entertainment in the Valley. In 1859 the Sangers Circus came to Brynmawr, the earliest known visit to the valleys by a circus. Mr A. Frost. In May 1889 Mr A Frost, a circus acrobat announced that he would go 1,000 feet up in the air over Blaina hanging onto the tail of a balloon, then would attempt to fall …