General History

Abertillery Art Classes. The British Schools. In 1887 during the rebuilding of the British Schools boy’s section, Mr Thomas Bevan the headmaster along with Mr William Roberts of Nantyglo, established art lessons. These art lessons became part of the Science and Art Classes and in connection with these classes’ lectures were given by the county organiser Mr E. Small M.A. …

The Original Drill Hall – Abertillery. During the late 1890’s the Drill Hall at Abertillery was in a room on the upper floor of the Castle Inn, Castle Street, Abertillery (as seen left, center of the image). The Castle Inn and the old Drill Hall was opposite where the entrance into Tesco Supermarket is today. It was used by the 3rd …

Clyn Mawr Ganol. Clyn Mawr Ganol (middle farm) was one of three ancient farms at Clyn Mawr, with Clyn Mawr Uchaf (upper farm), the Ganol and lower down close to where the Social Security Office is today was Clyn Mawr Isaf the (lower farm). The Clyn Mawr Ganol is seen (center-left) on the 1840 map, also seen on the map …

The Old Tyleryan’s Association. The Old Tyleryan’s Association Society was formed in February 1901. It began as an association to keep a bond of union amongst the old pupils of the Intermediate School, County School, Abertillery. Mr W. D. Lewis Evans the headmaster was its (President), Miss Tongue of Blaina as (Treasurer) and Mr A. W. Box of Oak Street, …

Mr W. D. Lewis Evans. Mr W. D. Lewis Evans was born in 1871 at Cardiganshire, the son of John and Martha Evans. He was educated at Conwil Cayo Elementary School, Llansawel Grammar School and Ardwyn Secondary School at Aberystwyth. Mr Lewis Evans then proceeded to University College of Aberystwyth. He had a distinguished university career, obtaining his B.A. (London), …

Abertillery Intermediate County School – Circa 1905. The image shows the area of Clyn Mawr with the original Abertillery Intermediate County School opened on Wednesday 19th of January 1898, extended and reopened on Wednesday 20th of December 1911.   Points of Interest – At the bottom are the newly built houses of Glandwr Street. Two blocks of the Wooden Houses …

The Railway Story, a Brief History. From the late 18th century coal and iron was taken from the workings in the valleys by pack-mules to the various canals for transportation to the docks. By the early 19th century more collieries in the form of coal levels were opening out in the top end of the valleys and the use of trams …

King Edward VIII at Abertillery. In November 1936 King Edward VIII announced he would visit the district during a two-day official tour of South Wales. On Wednesday 18th of November, the first day’s tour would begin at Llantwit Major and end at Penrhiwceiber with the route through Merthyr Tydfil. On Thursday 19th of November, the tour would begin at Llantarnum, …

Rose Heyworth Housing Scheme. The Rose Heyworth Housing Scheme was being debated as early as 1901, a few years later the planning was given and the go-ahead was given by the council as part of the “Housing for the Working Classes Programme” within the Housing for the Working Classes Act Part III. Two fields at Clyn Mawr were being laid …

Oak Street Cottages – Abertillery. The main image (featured above) taken sometime between 1905 and 1920 shows the Station Hotel, rebuilt in 1902 by Mr Noel Bagley, contractor of Oak Street, Abertillery and the 3 attached cottages which at the time this image was taken belonged to Mr D. W. Morgan, the South Wales Argus Offices of Newport and Messrs …