History of the Gwent Collieries

Llanerch Padern Level. This coal level was officially named Llanerch Padarn though locally known as the Red Ash Level as of the Red Ash coal seam it mined, it was part of the Cwmtillery Red Ash Levels. The level mined coal from beneath the northern part of the Mynydd James mountain in the Cwmtillery valley. Mr John Russell Esq. There …

Llanerch Padern Level. This coal level (as seen center right on the map) was officially named Llanerch Padarn though locally known as the Red Ash level as of the Red Ash coal seam it mined.

Durban Level. This coal level was situated on the western brow of the Pentre Parc Mountain, Brynhithel, overlooking Six Bells. Not a great deal is known of it, though it was developed and worked during the mid 19th century and was closed and abandoned fairly early.  Mrs Ann George. On the 1840 tithe map, the land around where the level …

Durban Level. The image is of the Six Bells Post Office at Browns Corner, Six Bells and shows the old tram line coming down the mountain from the Durban Level. In the foreground is the road bridge spanning the tram line as it goes under the road at this point and on down to the railway lines.   Points of …

Durban Level. The map shows the Durban Level on top of the mountain in 1880 with the tramlines leading from the level and down over the mountain to Browns Corner Six Bells.   Points of Interest – As to why this coal level was named Durban Level is a bit of a mystery, though in the late 1830’s and early …

Hendre Gwyndir – New Red Ash Level. This coal level became the New Red Ash Level. It was more than probably named after the Hendre Gwyndir (spelt in many different ways) farm that was close by. It was driven into the north eastern side of the top end of the Cwmtillery valley just above where the reservoir is today, it …

Hendre Gwyndir – New Red Ash Level. A map showing the entrance of the Hendre Gwyndir Coal Level. This is a small section of a map that is in two sections of 7′ feet long each, showing the whole area of coal mined in this level.

Hendre Gwyndir – New Red Ash Level. The map, a portion of an official N.C.B. abandonment map shows the underground workings and its position in relation to the pillar left for the Cwmtillery Reservoir.

Cwmtillery Old Red Ash Levels. The map shows the six entrances of the Cwmtillery Old Red Ash Level, also the position in relation to Gwastod Farm. This is a small section of a map that is in two sections of 7′ feet long each, showing the whole area of coal mined in this level.

Rosemont Coal Level – Clyn Mawr. The Rosemont Coal Level was situated on the southern end of Mynydd James just behind the Clyn Mawr Uchaf Farm. It mined coal from beneath the lower part of Mynydd James with the workings extending up past Ty-dan-y-Wal and the Rising Sun to where the Cwmtillery Top Rows were. The Blaina Iron and Colliery …