Abertillery Bowls Club. The Official Opening. On Thursday 8th of June 1911, the Abertillery Bowling Green was officially opened. The size of the bowling green was 40 yards square and situated at the southern end of the football enclosure. Arrangements had been made for a team from Newport to come and open the new green though they cancelled at the …
Read More »Abertillery Undertakers. Mr George Down. The earliest recorded undertakers and funeral directors I can find resident in Abertillery was Mr George Down of 39 King Street Abertillery. He was in Abertillery in the 1860’s though I am unsure of where his premises were at this early time? Mr Down was an old resident of Abertillery and was an undertaker until …
Read More »Abertillery Saddlers & Harness Makers. Abertillery was still in its infancy while the Nantyglo, Coalbrookvale, Cwmcelyn & Blaina Iron Works and collieries and the many other industries further north were in full swing. The iron and coal companies had their own saddlers and harness makers, either working for them or independent saddlers that were in contract to the many different …
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The Abertillery Rubbish Destructor. In the late 19th century to the early 1900’s during the time when the population of Abertillery was rapidly increasing, the disposal of rubbish was becoming a problem. The established rubbish tips in the valley were overflowing, infested by rats and flies, often catching fire and posing serious health problems. The landowners were reluctant to sell …
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Abertillery Police Stations and Court Houses. In the mid 19th century, the main police station, the County Constabulary was at Blaina. There were police officers operating in Abertillery at this time though they were not based in a station, they seemed to have been using either their own home or residing in police houses in the town. Policeman Mr Samuel …
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The Kino Cinema – Six Bells. The Kino Cinema at Six Bells, Abertillery, opened in 1913. It was located in the Alexandra Buildings down behind Alexandra Road in the old Alexandra Skating Rink building originally constructed by the contractors Messrs Skidmore and McWhirter of Six Bells. The Skating Rink closed in about 1911 and in 1912 the old skating rink …
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The First Market Place. On Saturday 6th of April 1867, the first Market Place was opened at Abertillery. On Saturday the 13th of April 1867, the Hereford Times newspaper reported on its opening and the reason as to why. It stated – On the increasing population at Abertillery and the growing need for a market and its competing salesmen. The …
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Abertillery Isolation Hospital. The need for an isolation hospital at Abertillery was brought up as early as January 1892 after an outbreak of smallpox at Blaina in that year. Following is a Link to – Blaina and Nantyglo Isolation Hospitals. Abertillery. In July 1898 typhoid and diphtheria broke out with a few deaths reported, the patients were confined to their houses. …
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Circus Entertainment in the Valley. In 1859 the Sangers Circus came to Brynmawr, the earliest known visit to the valleys by a circus. Mr A. Frost. In May 1889 Mr A Frost, a circus acrobat announced that he would go 1,000 feet up in the air over Blaina hanging onto the tail of a balloon, then would attempt to fall …
Read More »Portable Travelling Theatres at Abertillery. In the late 1880’s early 1890’s many towns were visited by portable travelling theatre companies. It must have been quite a site seeing these travelling companies rolling into town, the logistics of it all must have been something to be admired. The theatres were in a sort of kit-form, with timber and canvas walls, joists, …
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