General History

The Foundry Bridge Construction 1951. This was the second bridge to be constructed across the valley at Abertillery, connecting the western and eastern sides of the town. Tenders for the Construction of the New Bridge. On Wednesday 22nd of February 1950, the Western Mail newspaper issued notices that tenders were invited by the Abertillery District Council for contractors with experience …

The New Road to Blaina – Rose Heyworth Road. Originally the main road to Blaina from Abertillery was the Old Blaina Road, the road began at Bridge Street, Abertillery, it went northwards along the base of the Arael Mountain on the western side of the river to the Tilers Arms, Blaina. On this route was a right-of-way at Glo-Byllau Farm …

A Handbook of Railway Stations. This is an official handbook of railway stations in Great Britain and Ireland. It lists Station Accommodation, including Crane Power, Junctions, Sidings, Collieries and Works etc with County Region, the Executive or Company and Position. Pages – 494 pages. Published in 1956 by the British Transport Commission, Railway Clearing House, 203 Eversholt Street, London NW1. …

A Victorian Penny Lick. These penny lick glasses were an early form of cone handed out by the street cart ice-cream vendors. After the ice-cream was licked from the glass, the vendor would dip the penny-lick into a small basin of water ready for the next customer to use. Made from glass. Size – These solid glass licks were small …

The Abertillery Land Investment Company. In 1892 Mr Edward Oxenford Preston and Co of No.4 Tokenhouse Buildings, Bank of England, London, formed the Abertillery Land Investment Company Limited, with others. The company (as seen in the advertisement left) was formed to acquire property, building sites, land and to build houses and cottages in colliery and industrial town districts. Mr Edward …

Mr Moses Adams Illuminated Address. This large, illuminated address was presented to Mr Moses Adams upon the occasion of the family leaving Abertillery to reside at Waun Fawr House, Risca, Monmouthshire. Size 31 1/2″ x 25 1/2″ inches. Moses Adams Illuminated Address Presentation. On Monday 8th of May 1911, a presentation meeting and public tea was held at the Newall …

Mr Samuel Nathan Jones J.P., O.B.E. Mr Samuel Nathan Jones was born on 3rd July 1850, at Pond House, Abertillery. His parents were Mr Edward Jones and Jane Jones nee Hughes. Mr and Mrs Hughes were the first postmaster and postmistress of Abertillery, their post office was at the railway platform connected with Pond House opposite the Abertillery Tin Works, …

Rose Heyworth Housing Estate. In the mid 1940’s the council were under pressure to provide housing in the district and plans were put forth with the approval of the Welsh Board of Health to build a housing estate on the eastern side of the valley (as seen in the main featured image above) north of Clyn Mawr and the cottages …

Blaina Industrial and Provident Society Limited, Share, Capital Interest, Dividend and Withdrawals Account Book 1920. This account shares booklet from the Blaina Industrial and Provident Society Limited in connection with the Crosskeys branch of the society belonged to Mrs Mary Elizabeth Rawlings of Park Street, Crosskeys. Member number 597. The account in the name of Mrs Rawlings in this book …

A Great Western Railway Coal Requisition Folder – Newbridge Station and Crumlin Low Level. This tri-fold coal requisition folder kept record of the quantities of coal delivered to the Newbridge Station and the Crumlin Low Level Station between the dates of April 1942 and March 1968. For example, on 27th of March 1947 there was no coal to hand at …