History of the Gwent Collieries

North Celynen Colliery. The North Celynen Colliery was sunk by the Newport Abercarn Black Vein Steam Coal Company between 1908 and 1916. In January 1908 at a meeting in connection with a proposed recreation ground at Crumlin, the councillors heard that Kay Field, one of the options for a park, was out of the question as it had been promised …

The Ballot for the Pithead Baths. In July 1929 a Ballot was held for the construction of a pithead baths at the North Celynen Colliery. The votes cast were as follows – 642 votes for and 525 votes against. This close result was quite normal as most of the colliers did not want to bathe at work. The Opening Ceremony …

Penybont 1835. The map features the land area upon which the Penybont Tillery Colliery was sunk. Messrs T. P. Price and his brother D. Price started the sinking of the colliery in about 1846. The shafts were sunk and completed by November 1850. Mr Matthew Habakkuk was the underground surveyor and engineer in charge. Some features on the map – …

The Penybont Tillery Colliery. In 1846, the sinking of the Penybont Tillery Colliery under the ownership of Messrs T. P. and D. Price of Brecon began on the Greenmeadow Estate, Penybont, Abertillery, owned by Mr Stothert of Bath. The colliery took the name of the farm, Penybont Farm, that was located near-by, which was taken by the company to be …

Mr Thomas Wilde Powell. Mr Thomas Wilde Powell (1818-1897) was the son of Mr James Powell a stockbroker of Charlton, Kent. Mr Thomas Wilde Powell was a solicitor, philanthropist, banker, broker and art collector. He later lived in Piccards Rough, Guildford Surrey, England. The Death of Mr Thomas Wilde Powell. Mr T. W. Powell died in 1897. Miss Mary Elizabeth …

The Rose Heyworth Colliery Pithead Baths – Opening Ceremonial Plaque. The original opening ceremonial Rose Heyworth Colliery Pithead Baths plaque. Made from a copper alloy with white lettering inlay. Size of the plaque is 18″ x 24″ inches. Size with the mount is 24″ x 30″ inches. Weight of the plaque is 9kgs, with mount it is 13.7kgs.  The Contractor …

Beynons Colliery Report Book. This report book lists all the underground districts at Beynons Colliery at the time, with workmen’s names, their duties, work carried out and general remarks on all aspects of underground conditions (an example of this can be seen in the image left). Also written in the book is a list of the absentees, who should have …

Llanhilleth Collieries – A Brief History. Mr Reginald James Blewitt M.P. In 1846-1847 Mr Reginald James Blewitt opened the Old Llanhilleth Colliery situated on the eastern side of the valley at Llanhilleth, a report of which can be seen in the 1849 article (left) from the Monmouthshire Merlin newspaper. Under the direction of Mr Blewitt, a shaft 180′ feet in …