General History

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 …

The Limes House, Abertillery House – Abertillery. The Limes House (as seen middle left on the featured images above surrounded by trees and just behind the railway lines) was originally called Abertillery House. It was one of the oldest premises in the area. Abertillery House. In Mr Edmund Jones first book written in 1779 called “The History of Aberystruth” he …

The Gaen Brothers, Building Contractors. The Gaen Brothers comprised Mr Thomas Gaen, born 1862, Mr Charles Gaen, born 1864 and Mr Frederick Gaen, born 1869. The family were from Langton Matravers, Dorset, the sons of Mr John Thomas Gaen and Ellen Jane Gaen nee Brown. Their father was a stone mason and all three sons entered the trade at an early age …

The Foundry Bridge Abertillery. In the 1830’s Abertillery was divided by the River Tyleri, to the east was Cwmtillery and to the west Abertillery. In the 1850’s the lane leading up past the British School to where Alma Street would later be, was called the Parish Road, this was the official dividing line. In the mid to late 19th century …

Lower Glandwr Street and the King’s Head Area 1960. A map showing the area of the King’s Head and lower Glandwr Street 1960. This is the same area as seen on the photographic image from 1902-03 but with the Black Bridge now moved further north as mentioned. Following is a Link to – An image of this area from 1902-03.

Lower Glandwr Street 1902-03. A portion of an old image showing the lower section of Glandwr Street (in the foreground) after the completion of the houses. Also showing the houses of Park View Terrace (as seen bottom right) under construction. The Kings Head Level Crossing. The Kings Head area originally had a railway level-crossing, in July 1901 the level-crossing was …