The Castle Inn – Abertillery

The Castle Inn – Abertillery.
It was reported that the Castle Inn, Castle Street, Abertillery (as seen mid-center in the main featured image above) had its first lease as a public house in 1842. The Castle Inn was situated on the junction of Hill Street and Castle Street opposite where the entrance into Tesco Supermarket is today.

The Castle Inn or Castle Hotel.
In all local and national newspapers throughout its history the Castle Public House was reported as being a hotel and also an inn, so to avoid any confusion I have kept its name as the Castle Inn. 

Mr Francis Adams.
Mr Francis Adams born in 1804 at Lancashire, England was the first proprietor of the Castle Inn, Abertillery. He was married to Mrs Elizabeth Adams born in 1801 at Staffordshire, England, they had a son Francis Adams, born in 1829 at Monmouthshire. The family came to Abertillery and Mr Adams was originally a pit-sinker and later became a colliery owner at the Sycpant, Glebe and Cwmnant-y-Groes Collieries at Abertillery.

West Gate Hotel Auction 1951.
On Friday 10th of October 1851, the Monmouthshire Merlin newspaper announced the Castle Inn, Castle Street at Abertillery was to go to auction on Thursday 23rd of October 1951 at the West Gate Hotel, Newport, the auctioneer was Mr R. M. Toogood. It was reported that it was in the occupation of Mr Francis Adams and the premises was held for a term of 97 years from the 1st day of February 1842. The ground rent was £3. 15s. 0d per annum or let to a tenant for £32. per annum.

Mrs Elizabeth Adams.
In 1854 Mrs Elizabeth Adams, wife of the late Francis Adams was landlady at the Castle Inn, Abertillery.

The Prince Albert Lodge.
In 1854 the Castle Inn was the home of the Prince Albert Lodge, it was reported that Mr Harry Beaver N.G. was chairman and Mr John Lewis was vice-chairman of the lodge.

The Death of Mrs Elizabeth Adams.
On Tuesday 3rd of August 1858, Mrs Elizabeth Adams died, she had been having dinner at her home when she choked on her meal. Family telegraphed for a doctor from Blaina but sadly Mrs Adams passed away before the doctor attended to her.

During the late 1850’s the Castle Inn was used for a place to hear and record various death inquests. These ranged from individual deaths to colliery accidents, colliery deaths and colliery explosions etc.

Mr Thomas G. Price.
In the early 1960’s Mr Thomas G. Price became the landlord of the Castle Inn, he took the lease from the Adams family who were still in control up until 1862 according to a trade directory of that year.

Mr Henry Gregory.
In the mid 1860’s Mr Henry Gregory was the owner of the Castle Inn, Abertillery.

Mr Isaac Arnold.
In the late 1860’s Mr Isaac Arnold began renting the Castle Inn off Mr Henry Gregory.

Mr Lewis Morgan.
In 1871 Mr Lewis Morgan was landlord at the Castle Inn, Abertillery.

Mr William Jones.
In 1874 it was reported that Mr William Jones owned the Castle Inn and was now leasing it to Mr Lewis Morgan.

Mr Octavius Dodd.
The Slaters Trade Directory of 1880 shows Mr Octavius Dodd as being the tenant at the Castle Inn, Abertillery.

In January 1883 a newspaper report states a transfer of licence from Mr Lewis Morgan to Mr William Gilbert Jones.

Mr William Gilbert Jones.
It was under the tenancy of Mr W. G. Jones that much trouble occurred at the Castle Inn, Abertillery. In 1884 Mr Jones was fined for allowing riotous behaviour at the premises and was fined 40s. A few weeks later while on duty P.C. Edmunds had a call-out to the Castle Inn and was violently assaulted by a bunch of troublemakers. Mr Milson Scott, Mr James Dean, Mr William Evans and Mr James Gibbon was charged with his assault and were fined £5. each or 1 month imprisonment. Quite a few fights broke out at the Castle Inn at this time while P.C. Edmunds was on duty.

Mrs Martha James.
In 1886 Mrs Martha James was renting the Castle Inn from Mr William Jones. Mrs James only had the licence for a short while.

Mr J. Davies.
In 1887 it was recorded that Mr J. Davies was renting the Castle Inn from Mr William Jones. It seems Mr Davies only had the licence for a short while.

Mrs Emma James.
In 1888 Mrs Emma James was licensee at the Castle Inn, Abertillery. The Inn was still owned by Mr William Jones. Again, it seems that Mrs Emma James only had the licence for a short while.

Mr William F. Morgan.
In 1889 Mr W. F. Morgan was licensee and maybe owner of the Castle Inn, Abertillery. Mr W. F. Morgan born in 1867 at Crumlin was a carpenter by trade and his wife Mrs Alice Morgan, born in 1869 at Crumlin was a barmaid.

The Lease of Messrs Webb’s Aberbeeg.
In 1892, under the tenancy or ownership of Mr W. F. Morgan he leased the Castle Inn to Messrs Webb’s Brewery of Aberbeeg. Messrs Webb’s, it had been leased from 1892 until 1895 when it was put it up for sale at auction.

Messrs D. S. Davies Brewer and Bottler of Bass Ales.
In 1894 newspaper advertisements shows that Mr W. F. Morgan was agent for Messrs D. S. Davies Brewer and Bottler of Bass Ales and Guinness Stouts and also manufacturers of High-Class Mineral Waters.

The Auction of September 1895.
On Wednesday 11th of September 1895, the Castle Inn, Abertillery was put up for sale at auction. The auction was held by Mr F. J. Roberts at the Tredegar Arms, Newport. The sales sheet described the premises as having a club room 66′ feet by 17′ feet by 10′ feet. A cellar, a bricked skittle alley, a stable and garden. It also stated that the inn was leased to Messrs Webb’s of Aberbeeg for £55. per annum.

Messrs Phillips & Sons of Newport.
At the auction of Wednesday 11th of September 1895 (as above) the Castle Inn was purchased by Messrs Phillips & Sons Brewers of Newport. It was said that they paid the price of £2,100. Equivalent to £291,900,00. in today’s money.

Mrs Caroline Priddy.
In 1897 Mrs Caroline Priddy was landlady at the Castle Inn, Abertillery. Mr Thomas Priddy and his wife Caroline Priddy were licensees at the New Bridgend Hotel, when her husband Thomas Priddy passed away in 1897 Mrs Priddy took the licence at the Castle Inn. Mr and Mrs Priddy had at least five children – Miss Hannah Maria Priddy born in 1864. Mr Joseph Priddy born in 1872 at Abertillery. Miss Mary Priddy also born in 1872. Miss Laura Priddy, born in 1874 and Miss Rosina Priddy born in 1878 at Abertillery. 

The Old Drill Hall – Abertillery.
During the late 1890’s the long room at the Castle Inn, Castle Street, Abertillery was used as a Drill Hall by the 3rd Battalion of the South Wales Borderers Volunteer Brigade “H” Company, a precursor to the Territorial Army. The room where many meetings, parades and functions took place was owned by Mr & Mrs Priddy of the Castle Inn, they hosted and provided meals for the various organisations who used it. The 3rd Battalion of the South Wales Borderers Volunteer Brigade “H” Company under the command of Captain E. Lichtenberg used the long room at the Castle Inn until a new purpose-built Drill Hall was constructed and was opened in December 1910.

The Death of Mrs Caroline Priddy.
On Thursday 11th of March 1909, Mrs Caroline Priddy sadly passed away at 70 years of age.

Mr Samuel Smart.
In 1909 Mr Samuel Smart was the licensee at the Castle Inn, Abertillery. Mr Smart was at the Castle Inn with his wife Elizabeth Smart. Also at the premises were Mr Simeon Edwards, assistant in the business and Mrs Sarah Lewis a servant.

Mr Albert Edward Owen.
In about 1910 Mr Albert Edward Owen was licensee at the Castle Inn, Abertillery. Mr Owen was said to have been a champion cross-country runner.

Mr Henry James Evans.
In July 1916 Mr Albert Edward Owen transferred the licence of the Castle Inn, Abertillery to Mr Henry James Evans. Mr A. E. Owen left to become landlord at the Bell Inn, Somerset Street.

Mr Togarmah Samuel.
In 1922 Mr and Mrs Tog Samuel were licensees at the Castle Inn, Abertillery. Mr Samuel was at the Castle until about 1929 and was later landlord at the Bell Inn, Somerset Street, Abertillery.

Mr Josiah Elliott.
In 1927 Mr Josiah Elliott was landlord at the Castle Inn, he was licensee until 1938.

The Webb’s Skittle League.
In September 1938 the Castle Inn featured in the Webb’s Skittle League “A” Division with the following teams – The Clyn Mawr Hotel, The Walpole Arms, The Drill Hall (Cwm), The Top Hotel (Llanhilleth), Cwmtillery Club, The Lymes Club, Oak Street Social Club, High Street Social Club, The Conservative Club (Llanhilleth), The Lion Hotel, The Blaenau Gwent Club and the The Blaentillery Club.

Mr Reginald Weybourne.
Throughout the 1940’s Mr Reginald Weybourne and his wife Cynthia Weybourne were licensees at the Castle Inn.

The Webb’s Skittle League.
In February 1944 the Castle Inn featured in the Webb’s Skittle League with the following teams – The Golden Lion. The Clynmawr “A”. The Fountain Inn “B”. The Oak Street Social Club “B”. The Clyn Mawr “B”. The Woodland Social Club. The New Bridgend. Castle “A” and The South Wales Hotel. The Walpole Arms later dropped out of the league.

The Courage Brewery Company.
At some time (more than probably in the early to mid 1950’s) the Castle Inn was taken over by Courage Brewery.

Mr William E. J. Walters.
In 1951 Mr William Edward J. Walters was the landlord at the Castle Inn, Abertillery. Mr Walters was licensee until the mid to late 1950’s.

Mr Frank Blackmore.
In 1956 Mr Frank Blackmore was the landlord at the Castle Inn.

The Abertillery and District Darts League.
In 1958 the Castle Inn had a team in division 2 of the Abertillery and District Darts League. The league was as follows – Division 1 – The Clyn Mawr Hotel “A”. The Cwm Hotel “B”. The Cwmtillery Excelsiors Club. The Prince of Wales. Six Bells Club. The Bell Hotel “A”. The Mitre Inn. Blaenau Gwent Club. Crown “A”. Oak Street Social Club. Aberbeeg Club. Arrael Social Club. The Mount Pleasant. The Officers Club and the Royal Exchange, Blaenau Gwent. Division 2 – The Bell Hotel “B”. The Hanbury Hotel. The Clyn Mawr Hotel “B”. Ralphs Club. The Colliers Arms. The Cwm Hotel “A”. The Castle Inn. The Somerset Hotel. The Rolling Mill. The South Wales Inn. The Coach and Horses. The Globe Hotel. Crown Inn “B” and the Six Bells Hotel.

The Blue Top Tavern Darts League.
In January 1961 the South Wales Gazette printed the Blue Top Tavern Darts League table. The Castle Inn featured in the league – The table was as follows – Division 1 – The Clyn Mawr Hotel, The Mount Pleasant Hotel, The Rolling Mill, The Miners Arms? The Golden Lion, The Globe Hotel, The Crown Hotel, The Castle Inn and the Bell Hotel. Division 2 – The Prince of Wales Hotel, The Tilers Arms, The Bell Hotel, The Coach and Horses, The Rolling Mill, The Clyn Mawr Hotel, The Mount Pleasant, The Crown Inn and The Lamb Inn.

Mr Thomas R. Jones.
In 1966 Mr Thomas R. Jones was landlord at the Castle Inn.

Mr Ivor Smith.
In 1967 Mr Ivor Smith was landlord at the Castle Inn, Abertillery.

The Closure of the Castle Inn.
On Thursday 14th of September 1967, the owners of the Castle Inn, Abertillery (Courage Western Ltd) gave instructions to Mr Andrew F. Nuttall the auctioneer to sell off all the contents of the property belonging to the Castle Inn. There doesn’t seem to be a confirmed closure date but this was the last report on the activity of the pub.

The information on the later landlords and landladies was kindly supplied courtesy of Mr Bryan Boots.