Abertillery History

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 …

The Pavilion Theatre Abertillery. On Monday 3rd of June 1907, the Pavilion Theatre, Abertillery, (as seen in the main featured image above) was officially opened and equipped through the enterprise of Mr Arthur Tilney, of Carlyle House, Abertillery. Mr Tilney had been an advocator of the arts and performances in Abertillery and in the 1890’s had organised the many travelling …

Mr T. H. Prichard 1867-1935. Mr Thomas Henry Prichard was the son of the Rev John Prichard, one of the most well-known Baptist Ministers in South Wales who had held pastorates at Noddfa, Abersychan and Tonyrefail.  Mr Thomas Henry Prichard (as seen left) was born in 1867 at Abersychan, he later served his apprenticeship as a Pharmaceutical Chemist at Porth …

The Old Pontlottyn Store Abertillery. The Pontlottyn Store, Abertillery was originally set up by Mr David Morgan in the mid 1870’s. Mr David Morgan. Mr David Morgan was born in 1833 at Caecrwn, Battle, Breconshire. In the 1850’s, at the age of 23, Mr David Morgan opened his first drapery shops at Rhymney and at Pontlottyn, Rhymney in Glamorganshire. The …

The Old Pontlottyn Store. The Pontlottyn Store, Abertillery was originally set up by Mr David Morgan in the mid 1870’s. Mr David Morgan. Mr David Morgan was born in 1833 at Caecrwn, Battle, Breconshire. In the 1850’s, at the age of 23, Mr David Morgan opened his first drapery shops at Rhymney and at Pontlottyn, Rhymney, Glamorganshire. The Abertillery Store. …

The Old Bon Marche Store. The Bon Marche Store, Abertillery was constructed in the mid 1880’s and was originally a two-storey building opposite the Medical Hall, on the junction of Cwm Street (later known as Somerset Street) and King Street, Abertillery. Messrs T. Davies and J. H. Powell. From its beginning it was owned by Messrs T. Davies and Joseph …