Abertillery History

The Alexandra Roller Skating Hockey Club – Six Bells. The Alexandra Rink Hockey Club team (as seen in the featured image above) was formed in about 1909-1910. The team playing at the Alexandra Rink at Six Bells entered the newly formed roller hockey league and played other teams including Hereford, Bargoed and the Empress at Abertillery. The Alexandra Rink Team. …

Mr Thomas Wilde Powell. Mr Thomas Wilde Powell (1818-1897) was the son of Mr James Powell a stockbroker of Charlton, Kent. Mr Thomas Wilde Powell was a solicitor, philanthropist, banker, broker and art collector. He later lived in Piccards Rough, Guildford Surrey, England. The Death of Mr Thomas Wilde Powell. Mr T. W. Powell died in 1897. Miss Mary Elizabeth …

The Rose Heyworth Colliery Pithead Baths – Opening Ceremonial Plaque. The original opening ceremonial Rose Heyworth Colliery Pithead Baths plaque. Made from a copper alloy with white lettering inlay. Size of the plaque is 18″ x 24″ inches. Size with the mount is 24″ x 30″ inches. Weight of the plaque is 9kgs, with mount it is 13.7kgs.  The Contractor …

English Baptist Chapel Zion – Cwmtillery. There isn’t a great deal of information on this chapel, although the Baptist cause began at Cwmtillery in the late 19th century. Mr Arthur Tilney put forth plans to the council for the building of a chapel at East Side, Cwmtillery. The First Chapel. In 1899, the first chapel in connection with the English …

Llanhilleth Colliery Workmen’s Institute and Library Leather Wallet. This is a small tri-fold leather card wallet from the Llanhilleth Institute. It may have been used to carry union membership cards or various other membership cards etc, in connection with the institute.  Made from leather. Size 4 1/4″ x 3″ inches.  

The Foundry Bridge Construction 1951. This was the second bridge to be constructed across the valley at Abertillery, connecting the western and eastern sides of the town. Tenders for the Construction of the New Bridge. On Wednesday 22nd of February 1950, the Western Mail newspaper issued notices that tenders were invited by the Abertillery District Council for contractors with experience …

The Six Bells Tennis Club. The Official Opening of the Six Bells Recreational Grounds. On Saturday 25th of April 1925, the Six Bells Recreational Grounds were officially opened. The opening ceremony was performed by Councillor Mr David Walters. Mr Walters was presented with a silver engraved key with which to perform the opening ceremony. A Description of the Six Bells …

The Scala Cinema. On Monday 25th of March 1974, the Scala Cinema on High Street, Abertillery (as seen in the main featured image above and left) was opened in the old library building that was once the National Church of England School. The proprietor and manager of the Scala Cinema was Mr D. L. Thomas, Mr Steve Reynolds was deputy …

The Britannia Inn. The Britannia Inn, Penybont, Abertillery was located on Old Penybont Road, (as seen in the center of the featured image above, with the pub sign over the door, just behind the lorry) within in a small row of four cottages which also contained another public house known as the Old Bridgend Inn (the double fronted building, far …

The Brynmawr Mineral Water Company Bottle. This Codd bottle is from the Brynmawr Mineral Water Company, Brynmawr, Brecknock, South Wales. Made from glass. Size 9″ x 2 1/2″ inches. The Brynmawr Mineral Water Company. The company was formed by Mr Charles Bull and commenced business in June 1902. Mr Bull began the company with a £200 loan from Mr James …