Abertillery History

Brynithel Cemetery – Abertillery. The southern part of the Parish of Aberystruth (from Cwmtillery to Llanhilleth) initially had two major churches, the Parish Church of St Illtyds at Llanhilleth and the Blaenau Gwent Baptist Church, Blaenau Gwent, Abertillery. I don’t know when burials began at St Illtyds though the first person to be interred at Blaenau Gwent Baptist Church was …

An Early History of the Choirs and Choral Unions – Abertillery. From the mid 19th century, Abertillery, like many other towns has had organised choirs, mostly junior parties in connection with religious activities within the church and other small societies. Later various senior male voice choirs appeared and since there has been many singing parties based in and around Abertillery …

St Michael’s Old Church – Porcelain Cup. A small German made porcelain cup with a transfer print depicting the first St Michaels Church, Abertillery. The first church was built in May 1854 – Demolished in June 1898 and rebuilt in the early 1900’s. The church was laid out on an east-west orientation.  Made in Germany. Size 3″ x 2 and …

St Michael’s Old Church – Porcelain Jug. A small German made porcelain jug with a transfer print depicting the first St Michaels Church, Abertillery. The first church was built in May 1854 – Demolished in June 1898 and rebuilt in the early 1900’s. The church was laid out on an east-west orientation.  Made in Germany. Size 4″ x 2 1/2″ …

The Western Valleys Brewery Company, Crumlin. The Western Valleys Brewery Company, Crumlin was established in November 1891. The company was formed to acquire a portion of the buildings of the old Crumlin Viaduct Works and to carry on a business of a brewery and also those of a maltster, innkeepers, licensed victuallers, wine and spirit merchants. The premises intended to …

Messrs Briggs & Co Boot and Shoe Manufacturers. Messrs Briggs & Co were Mr William Edwin Briggs and his son Mr Arthur Edwin Briggs, a family of boot and shoe manufacturers from Leicester. They had stores in all major towns throughout Britain with many in South Wales including Brynmawr, Abertillery, Risca, Blackwood, Abercarn, Ebbw Vale and Newbridge. The Commemorative Plate. …

Messrs Briggs & Co Boot and Shoe Manufacturers. Messrs Briggs & Co were Mr William Edwin Briggs and his son Mr Arthur Edwin Briggs, a family of boot and shoe manufacturers from Leicester. They had stores in all major towns throughout Britain with many in South Wales including Brynmawr, Risca, Blackwood, Abercarn, Ebbw Vale and Newbridge. In the early 1900’s …

Crumlin Viaduct. The viaduct at Crumlin was originally built to carry the Taff Vale extension of the Newport, Abergavenny and Hereford Railway across the River Ebbw at Crumlin. The Beginning. In May 1845 the Welshman newspaper featured a report in connection with the Welsh Railways and the Vale of Neath, it stated that ” In addition to the Welsh Midlands …

Mr T. W. Kennard. Mr Thomas William Kennard was the 5th child of ten, born to Mr Robert William Kennard and Mary Anne nee Challis on the 29th August 1825. Robert and Mary Anne’s other children are as follows – Mary Jane Kennard; Charlotte Anne Kennard; Ellen Kennard; Rev Robert Bruce Kennard; Thomas William Kennard; Arthur Challis Kennard; Henry Martyn …

Coronation Tavern. The Coach & Horses Inn, Six Bells was originally called the Coronation Tavern and was established around 1835, maybe earlier and was situated close to the old tram road later railway line (as seen on the land map of 1840 left) close to where the subway is today. It was called the Coronation Tavern on the 1840 land …