Abertillery History

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

The Picture Palace – Abertillery. The Picture Palace, Abertillery, was situated at the junction of King Street and Carmel Street Abertillery. The Building and Equipment Corporation Ltd. In May 1911 a company called the Building and Equipment Corporation Ltd produced plans for a new picture palace which was to be built at Abertillery, the plans were presented to the council …

The Empress Skating Rink – Abertillery. The Empress Skating Rink, Carlyle Street, Abertillery was originally constructed to cater for the pastime of roller skating and named the Empress Roller Skating Rink. In November 1909 Mr Arthur Tilney proprietor of the Pavilion Theatre, Abertillery expended a great deal of money in having the Empress Skating Rink erected. At this time there …

The Gaiety Hall – Abertillery. The construction of the Gaiety Hall began when a few prominent businessmen in Abertillery formed the Abertillery Gaiety Hall Company Limited. On Thursday 25th of March 1920, the Bioscope Newspaper printed a report on new companies, it featured the Abertillery Gaiety Hall Company Limited which had been registered on 13th March 1920. The company had …