General History

Blaina House – Cwmcelyn, Blaina. Blaina House, along with a few other houses and the Blaina Inn belonged to and was part of the Blaina Estate. The estate was all part of the Blaina Iron Works. I don’t know the exact date Blaina House was constructed though it was on the 1840 tithe tap (as seen left) The block of …

Blaina Iron Works. Mr George Jones. The Blaina Iron Works were established in 1820 by Mr George Jones, Mr Jones was a Shropshire Iron Master. Over the proceeding years the area slowly built up around the iron works and was later carried on by Mr Richard Brown and his sons Thomas and James. More information on Mr George Jones below. …

The Drinking Fountain – Bush Hill, Abertillery. On Tuesday 25th of March 1902, a special meeting of the Abertillery District Council, convened by Mr W. P. Thomas the chairman, was held for the purpose of considering in what manner the Coronation of King Edward VII should be celebrated in the district. It was decided to celebrate the coronation day by …

Abertillery War Memorial. After the Great War of 1914-1918 and prior to the erection of the War Memorial, the people of Abertillery attended Remembrance Day Services every November 11th at various buildings and locations in the town and surrounding area. The main procession for these services was formed at the Abertillery Drill Hall with a walk to the Parish Church …

Mr John Monks – Contractor. Mr John Monks was born in 1852 at Bath, Somerset, England. After the death of his father in 1869 he came to Monmouthshire and entered into the employment of his uncle Mr J. Cox at Crosskeys. He moved to Newport and was employed by Messrs Firbank, Railway Contractors. It was reported he was with this …

The New Road – Abertillery to Crumlin. A new road from Abertillery to Crumlin was first mentioned as early as 1878 but not officially stated as a priority. The New Road Proposal. On Tuesday 2nd of December 1890, the Abertillery Local Board, on behalf of the owners and rate payers of Llanhilleth held a public meeting in the Jubilee Hall …

Old Penybont Road – Penybont Cwmtillery. An image of Old Penybont Road taken from the New Bridge End Hotel, Cwmtillery. In very early reports on this area Old Penybont Road was known as Railway Terrace. Old Penybont Road was on the western side of the valley, from Alma Street to the level crossing at Brynmorgan Terrace. New Penybont Road was …

The Band Stand – Abertillery. On Tuesday 2nd of July 1889, the need for a band stand at Abertillery was first proposed. At a meeting of the Abertillery Chamber of Trade held at the National School Room the following gentlemen were present – Mr Arthur Tilney (Chairman); Mr Joseph Wallace; Mr J. Williams; Mr William Jordan; Mr Joseph Price; Mr …

Brynmawr Library and Institute – Alma Street Brynmawr. In March 1892 the need for a public library and park was first raised at a public meeting held at Pearson’s Auction Mart, on Market Square, Brynmawr. In September 1895 a meeting of the Librarian Association of Great Britain held in Cardiff read a letter in connection with the Brynmawr Council and …

Oddfellows Hall. In the late 1850’s early 1860’s after losing their Abertillery headquarters, the Oddfellows Arms, the Oddfellows Society planned to have a new hall erected. By March 1862 a new hall had been built, located somewhere in Abertillery, I don’t know where it was situated though there was a court case just after its construction involving nonpayment for work …