Abertillery History

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 …

Blaina and District Cottage Hospital. On Thursday 26th of December 1889, a meeting of the Nantyglo and Blaina Local Board took place. Those present were as follows – Mr Thomas Morgan presided in the absence of Mr John Dakers (Chairman); Mr E. Harris; Mr J. Bainton; Mr J. Allen; Mr Rosser Rosser; Mr W. Parry (Grocer); Mr G. R. Harris; …

Mr William Adams – Grocer. Mr William Adams (as seen in the main featured image above) was a native of Abertillery, born in 1870, son of Mr George Adams a coal miner from Blaina and Mrs Cecelia Adams of Llanhilleth. The family lived at the Co-operative Stores Building, Church Street, Abertillery. In 1880 Mr George Adams died at the age …

The Alexandra Buildings Skating Rink and Cinema. The Alexandra Buildings (as seen in the middle of the main featured image above) were constructed by Messrs Skidmore and McWhirter in the early 1900’s on the south side of Alexandra Road, between the road and the back lane at Six Bells.    Messrs Skidmore & McWhirter. Mr Edward Skidmore and Mr Peter …

Abertillery and District Hospital – Aberbeeg. The idea of some sort of hospital institution for the district of Abertillery was first raised in the late 1860’s, a subscription scheme and fund were put into place and in 1870 donations were given towards the scheme to generate funds for its construction. At that time a few local doctors were holders of …

Mr James McBean. Mr James McBean was born in 1849 at Beauly, Invernesshire, Scotland, the son of Mr John McBean a publican and auctioneer. Mr James McBean was educated at Inverness and later apprenticed to surveying at Wrexham. He joined the Royal Engineers and became a surveyor in the Ordnance Survey department. Moved to Haverfordwest with the Royal Engineers ordnance-survey, …

Mr Harry Evans – Fruiterer, Poulterer & Grocer Abertillery. The business began in the mid 1880’s when Mr James Mundy and his wife Martha and family were living at Abertillery. They set up a fishmonger & grocery business at 10 Commercial Street, Abertillery, opposite what would become the Arcade. James and Martha married in 1886 at the Congregational Chapel at …

The Clyn Mawr Hotel. It is thought the Clyn Mawr Hotel, Blaenau Gwent was built in 1861, although the earliest reports I can find on the Clyn Mawr Hotel are from the late 1870’s, Mr William Kellaway. The Bedwellty Publicans Licences list 1874-1938 and the 1878 Electoral Records shows Mr William Kellaway as being the licensee at the Clyn Mawr …

The Crown Inn. Mr John and Magdalen Jones. On the 1841 census Mr John Michael Jones born 1775 at Aberystruth was a farmer on Clynmawr, he lived in the farm which would become the original Crown Inn with his wife Mrs Magdalen Jones from Cardiganshire and their children, Master’s John Jones, Richard Jones, Daniel Jones, Michael John Jones, Anthony Jones …