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Henwain Colliery.
The name of the colliery was Henwain (English) or Henwaun (Welsh). There were two shafts on the site of the colliery. One winding shaft and one ventilation shaft. (The ventilation shaft topped with a chimney stack can be seen on the image above far right).
Messrs J. & C. Bailey.
The colliery was located on the eastern side of the Blaina valley on Mynydd James between Blaina and Bournville. Opened by Messrs Crawshay and Joseph Bailey, sometime in the early 1850’s it was later owned by their company the Blaina Works then Nantyglo and Blaina Company and was later leased by Levick & Simpson who leased the Henwain Estate.
The Henwain Train Crash.
On Wednesday 6th of March 1872, the South Wales Daily News reported on a fatal train crash that occurred on the previous Monday evening of the 4th of March. A works train travelling between the Blaina Iron works and the Henwain Colliery was heading back to Blaina towards the Lower Deep with empties attached. The train was carrying several workers, mostly women who had crowded the the tender and buffers. The engine driver was said to have been furiously driving when the train left the rails, it hit the banking and rolled off down the embankment killing Mrs Ann Barclay, aged thirty-five and her daughter Miss Elizabeth Barclay aged just thirteen years old who had both been onboard travelling home from the colliery. Several other passengers were injured with cuts and bruises although Mrs Barclay was severely scolded and was said to died within a few minutes, her daughter Elizabeth was crushed under the wreckage. The report stated that it was some time the bodies were released and both were conveyed to their home at Club Row, Blaina.
Messrs J. Lancaster & Co.
In 1877 this colliery along with a few other Blaina pits were put out to be leased and was later taken over by the Lancaster Co in March 1878.
Statistics During the 1880’s.
In the 1880’s it was stated that the Henwain Colliery was ventilated by furnace, there were 9,000 tons of steam coal being mined monthly with 350 men and boys employed at the colliery.
The Waste Tips.
Waste was tipped on site and the coal was transported to Blaina through the Lower Deep Colliery via locomotives that travelled between the two collieries along the surface.
South Griffin Colliery No2.
The Henwain Colliery was later connected below ground to the South Griffin Colliery No2 and became the downcast for ventilation, also the second way out.
Manpower During the 1890’s.
In 1898 there were 400 men and boys working at the colliery.
The Colliery Fire.
On Tuesday 30th of April 1901, the Western Mail reported that a fire broke out at the colliery on the previous day, Monday 29th. It was stated that the fire started in a cabin on pit bottom, Capt. E. Griffiths with the fire brigade attended the scene and quickly put out the fire. A large number of horses held at the stable were all removed and were taken to the South Griffin stables for safety.
Messrs D. Davies & Co.
In 1913 Messrs D. Davies & Co took over the lease of the Henwain Colliery and the Lower Deep Colliery, Blaina.
Mine Workers Wages in 1917.
On Friday 2nd of February 1917 the South Wales Gazette run a story on a local court hearing involving a family living at Blaina whose head of the household worked at the Henwain Colliery. As part of proceedings, the judge wanted to see evidence of the mine workers wages. It was recorded that the defendants wages were between £2. 4s. 4d. and £3. 17s. 3d. per week. Those figures are equivalent to £205,46p and £358,02p in today’s money.
The Take Back by Lancaster Steam Coal Collieries Company.
In March 1918, the Henwain Colliery and the Lower Deep Colliery, Blaina that was being leased throughout the Great War by Messrs Davies & Co were taken back by the Lancaster Steam Coal Collieries Co of Cwmtillery. The official report stated that it was the third time in five years that the Blaina Collieries had changed hands.
The Closure of the Colliery.
The Henwain Colliery closed in February 1921.
The New Level.
On Friday 29th October 1937 the South Wales Gazette reported on a new level being opened close to the Henwain Colliery. There was no other reports available on this undertaking.
Removal of the Coal Waste Tips.
On Friday 24th of May 1968, the South Wales Gazette reported on the removal of three Blaina coal waste tips. The £73,000 plan approved by the Nantyglo and Blaina Council would see the old tip of the Rising Sun Colliery of which work had begun in 1967, removed to an extent of 40 acres of land which would be used for industries. The other two tips, of Lower Deep and the Henwain were deemed unsuitable for industry as of their location on the side of the mountain though they will be removed and landscaped. The £73,000 plan will be submitted to the Welsh Office Land Reclamation Scheme and the council will then apply for a loan of £11,044 to be repaid over thirty years. The scheme was expected to take between four and five years to complete.
Points of Interest – On the image can be seen the chimney of the ventilation shaft (far right). The winder is open – not enclosed and the flat rope winding drum is visible. To the right of the winder is the huge Cornish beam pump and pump house. In the foreground are the coal wagons on the loop circuit from the Lower Deep Colliery, Blaina.