Abertillery Fire Brigade. On Tuesday 1st of July 1890, a meeting of the Abertillery Chamber of Trade held at the National Schoolroom with the following members – Mr L. R. Rogers (Chairman); Mr D. Gulliford; Mr George Gregory; Mr J. Wright; Mr H. Cole; Mr Joseph Price; Mr J. Thomas; Mr D. Harris; Mr Jesse Carter; Mr J. E. Phillips; …
Read More »Abertillery History
Abertillery Tin Works & Foundry
Abertillery Tin Works, Station Road, Abertillery. The Abertillery Tin Works were built in the late 1840’s on the ground that was once occupied by the earlier Iron Works constructed sometime in the 1830’s (where Tesco’s Supermarket is today). The old iron works was on the land registry maps of 1840 (as seen in another image on the site), six years …
Read More »Abertillery Bowls Club
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
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 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 …
Read More »The Abertillery Rubbish Destructor
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 …
Read More »Abertillery Police Stations and Court Houses
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 …
Read More »The Kino Cinema – Six Bells
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 …
Read More »The Market Hall – The Metropole Theatre
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 …
Read More »Abertillery Isolation Hospital – The Fever Hospital
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. …
Read More »