Abertillery History

The Growth of Education in the Valley. It was seen by many who had studied the progress of education that Wales was sorely neglected in the past and that early educational facilities were not afforded to it as they should have been and as it fully deserved. The Welsh nation proved itself the great stumbling block in Wales. The Welsh …

Lewis Viaduct Hotel Bottle. A green glass bottle with the original vulcanite stopper, the bottle is embossed with Lewis, Viaduct Hotel, Crumlin. The stopper is embossed with Viaduct Hotel, Crumlin. This type of bottle was first designed in the 1870’s and patented in 1880. Size of the bottle 11″ x 3″ inches.  As the bottle manufacturers didn’t mould the first …

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 …

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 …

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 …