Mr Samuel Ralph. Mr Samuel Ralph was born in 1865 at Cwmtillery, Abertillery, the son of Mr Henry and Eleanor Ralph of Chapel Row, Cwmtillery. Samuel was the eldest of four sons, with William Ralph, Thomas Ralph and Alfred Ralph and a daughter Sarah Ralph. In about 1884 Mr Samuel Ralph moved from the family home at Cwmtillery, married Agnes …
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Six Bells Halt. There had been proposals put forth for the construction of a railway station at Six Bells, Abertillery for many years, as early as the mid to late 1890’s when a group of gentlemen, residents of Six Bells, as follows – Mr Samuel Mills, Mr Henry Lewis, Mr James Jones, Mr George Cook, Mr Joseph Horler, Mr Isaac …
Read More »Garages and Motor Cars. The first garage and motor dealer advertised in Abertillery was Mr H. J. Collier in April 1903. His premises were in Carmel Street though on the 26th of June 1903 he had moved to 66 Cwm Street, Abertillery. Over the years Messrs Collier changed addresses, in 1908 they had moved to 52 and 54 Somerset Street …
Read More »Abertillery Birth Control Clinics. On Monday 15th of June 1925, a “People’s Clinic” for Birth Control and Social Welfare was opened at the Abertillery and District Hospital, Aberbeeg. The advertisements stated that advice would be given free of charge to married women by a qualified nurse between the hours of 10.00am and 12.30pm. For any information concerning the clinic, enquiries …
Read More »Abertillery Foot Clinic – Six Bells. The Abertillery Foot Clinic was based at 76 Alexandra Road, Six Bells, Abertillery. The clinic was open in the 1930’s with the principal Mr W. Hunt, M.S.S.Ch., M.I.S.P (of London) chiropodist and treatment in chiropody etc. It was advertised that the clinic was offering the following – Electrical Treatment, Sun Ray, Electrical Message, Radiant …
Read More »Abertillery Dental Surgeons. Messrs Weeks and Smart. The earliest dental surgeries and dental surgeons I can find operating in the Abertillery area was in August 1892 when Messrs Weeks & Smart, Surgeon Dentists of the Barton House, Bristol were visiting Abertillery on the Tuesday 20th September between 9.00am and 11.00am. All information could be had from Mr Williams, 1 Carmel …
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The Western Valley’s Railless Traction Trolley Bus Scheme. The Railless Traction Trolley Bus Scheme was the introduction of a bus service with the vehicles powered by electricity through the means of overhead electric wire system. Other than the electric power, the buses were normal transport vehicles with rubber tyres. Each bus had an overhead hanger cradle incorporated to ensure a …
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Abertillery Railway Stations. In the 1830’s – 1840’s the old tram road from Newport to Nantyglo passed through Abertillery. The town of Abertillery was undeveloped at this time with no major infrastructure, though when the Abertillery Iron Works of Richard Walker was established and began producing, there must have been some sort of siding on the tramline to transport the …
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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; …
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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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