Abertillery History

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 …

The Intermediate School New Extension 1911-1980s. On Wednesday 20th of December 1911, the new extensions at the Abertillery Intermediate School were opened. The opening ceremony was presided by Alderman Mr W. Thomas J.P. who was presented with a specially inscribed gold key in a leather case for the occasion. Mr Thomas unlocked the door and invited a general inspection of …

Abertillery Intermediate County School. In the early 1890’s the Welsh Education Authorities under the Welsh Intermediate Act of 1889 decided to set up intermediate schools in all areas of Wales which were able to support them. On Thursday 24th of February 1892, the need of an intermediate school for Abertillery was first raised. A letter was read from the clerk …

King Edward VIII Lapel Badges. During King Edward VIII’s reign a fund was set up for the Miners of Wales, souvenir items related to the Prince of Wales was sold in aid of the Welsh Miners Fund. The Edward VIII lapel pins sold at 2d (pence) each, all proceeds to the fund. The collection below consists of a small metal …

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 …

Mr Samuel Mills. Mr Samuel Mills was born in 1846 at Avening, Gloucestershire, England. He later married Elizabeth (no maiden name available) also from Avening, Gloucestershire and moved to the South Wales Valley’s to work at the collieries. In January 1876 the first branch of the Independent Order of the Rechabite Association was established at Abertillery, the branch was called …

Photographers – Abertillery and District. It’s generally accepted that the photographic procedure was introduced in 1839, this date is seen as the birth of photography. There were not many early photographs taken in and around the Abertillery district. The earliest I have seen is a very old image of Cwmtillery Colliery showing the old wooden headgear and the S.W.C.Co. South …