The Golden Lion Hotel – Abertillery

The Golden Lion Hotel – Abertillery.
Mr William Samuel.
The first mention of the Golden Lion Hotel, Castle Street, Abertillery (as seen in the main featured image above) was in a report published in the Monmouthshire Merlin newspaper on Friday 16th of September 1853. The report stated that on the previous Monday, the 12th of September 1853, Mr William Samuel hosted an anniversary of the Philanthropic Society at his premises, the Golden Lion Hotel, Castle Street Abertillery.

Mr Thomas Roberts.
On Saturday 12th of September 1857, the Monmouthshire Merlin newspaper reported on Mr Thomas Roberts applying for a spirit licence for the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery.

On the 1861 census, Mr Thomas Roberts, born in 1818 at Rose Market, Pembrokeshire was at the hotel with his wife Mrs Elizabeth Roberts, born in 1822 at St Lukes, London. The couple were at the Golden Lion with their son Master Thomas John Roberts, born in 1853 at Tredegar. Also at the premises were Mr Jacob Mandrell, born 1818 at Brighton, England and Miss Eliza Lewis, born in 1841 at Tredegar, both listed as servants.

Golden Lion Place, Castle Parade.
On the 1861 census the Golden Lion Hotel was listed as being a part of the Golden Lion Place on Castle Parade.

Spirit Licences.
The Golden Lion Hotel had a licence to only sell ale, beer, porter and cider but it did not have a licence to sell spirits. Licences for the legal sale of spirits were harder to obtain owing to their strength and were only given to trouble free and well established premises. Mr Thomas Roberts unsuccessfully applied for a spirit licence on at least five different occasions throughout the late 1850’s.

Mr Joshua Jenkins.
In 1868 Mr Joshua Jenkins was licensee at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery.

On the 1871 census Mr Joshua Jenkins, born in 1836 at Pontypool was at the Golden Lion Hotel with his wife Mrs Penelope Jenkins, born in 1838 at Aberystruth. The couple were at the hotel with their son Master William Jenkins, born in 1863 at Abertillery. Also at the premises was Miss Emma Morgan, born in 1853 at Swindon, England.

Mr D. James.
In 1872 Mr D. James was listed as owner of the was licensee at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery and Mr Joshua Jenkins was the licensee.

Mr James Harris.
In 1880 Mr Joshua Jenkins transferred the licence of the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery to Mr James Harris.

Mr James Hanney.
In 1885 Mr and Mrs James Hanney were the licensees of the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery with Mr Joshua James listed as being the owner.

Mr Joshua Jenkins.
In 1886 The Bedwellty Licensing Files has Mr Joshua Jenkins listed as being the owner of the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery.

The Abertillery Iron & Tin Plate Makers Provident Fund.
On Wednesday 3rd of November 1886, the Abertillery Iron & Tin Plate Makers Provident Fund, Reg No617, which was based in the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery was dissolved.

Loyal Prince Howel the Good Lodge.
On Saturday 6th of November 1886, the Cardiff Times reported on the Oddfellows anniversary which was held at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery the previous Saturday 30th of October 1886. The anniversary of the Loyal Prince Howel the Good Lodge No4,371 of the M.U., of the Independent Order of Oddfellows. Over 60 members were present, Bro J. W. Williams presided. The court numbered 135 members and it was stated that the balance in hand amounted to £1,087. 16s. 7d.

Mr James Gregory.
In 1887 The Bedwellty Licensing Files has Mr James Gregory as being the licensee of the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery. Mr Joshua Jenkins still listed as being the owner.

The Long-Room and the Miners Meetings.
Throughout the 1870’s, 1880’s and into the 1890’s, the Golden Lion was the venue for many miners meetings. It was well reported that the the meetings took place in the Long-Room at the Golden Lion Hotel.

The Monmouthshire District of Mineworkers.
On Wednesday 7th of December 1887, the South Wales Daily News reported on a miners meeting held the previous Monday the 5th of December in the Long-Room at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery, presided over by Mr George Hawkins, and Mr Worthy Richardson with Mr Sam Mills of Aberbeeg as secretary. It was written the the men, the miners of the Abertillery district intended to form themselves into an organisation to be known as the Monmouthshire District and that they would join hands with the Miners National Union.

Webb’s Brewers Aberbeeg.
In 1892 the Bedwellty Licensing Files has Webbs of Aberbeeg as being the owners.

Mr John Allsop.
Between 1892 and 1894 the Bedwellty Licensing Files has Webb’s of Aberbeeg as being the owners of the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery with Mr John Allsop as licensee until 1894.

Mr Edward Jenkins.
In 1894 Webb’s of Aberbeeg was listed as being the owners of the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery with Mr Edward Jenkins as licensee until 1896.

Messrs J. R. & T. A. Webb.
In 1896 the Bedwellty Licensing Files has Messrs J. R. & T. A. Webb of Aberbeeg as being the owners of the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery.

Mr John Vaughan.
Between 1896 and 1899 the Bedwellty Licensing Files has Webb’s of Aberbeeg as being the owners of the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery with Mr John Vaughan as licensee until 1902.

Mrs Annie Vaughan.
In 1902 Mrs Annie Vaughan was listed as the licensee at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery until 1908. The hotel stayed under the ownership of Messrs Webb of Aberbeeg and was leased to the various following licensees.

Mr Francis Weaver.
In 1908 Mr Frances Weaver was licensee at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery until 1912.

Mr Robert James Taylor.
In 1913 Mr Robert James Taylor was licensee at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery until 1918.

Mr Thomas Gauntlett.
In 1918 Mr Thomas Gauntlett and his wife Mrs Mary Ann Gauntlett were licensees at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery until 1923.

Mr John William Johnson.
In 1923 Mr John William Johnson and his wife Mrs Sarah Ann Johnson were licensees at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery until 1925.

Mr Robert James Davies.
In 1925 Mr Robert James Davies was listed as licensee at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery until 1927.

Mr Archie Jordan.
In 1927 Mr Archie Jordan and his wife Mrs Marion Jordan were licensees at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery until 1929.

Mr George Frederick Clark.
In 1929 Mr George Frederick Clark and his wife Mrs Bertha Laura Clark were licensees at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery until 1930.

Mr Leonard Smith.
In 1930 Mr Leonard Smith and his wife Mrs Florence Maud Smith were licensees at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery until 1956.

Mr Merlyn Turner.
In 1956 Mr Merlyn Turner and his wife Mrs Myfanwy A. Turner were licensees at the Golden Lion Hotel, AbertillerY until 1957.

Mr Christopher Hale.
In 1957 Mr Christopher Hale and his wife Mrs Betty Hale were licensees at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery until 1959.

Mr William J. Hunt.
In 1959 Mr William J. Hunt and his wife Mrs Ruby Hunt were licensees at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery. They lived at the hotel with Ron and Shirley York.

Mrs Ruby Hunt.
In 1962 Mrs Ruby Hunt was listed as licensee at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery. Ron and Shirley York lived at the hotel until 1963 when just Ruby Hunt and Shirley York were listed until 1966.

Mr Frank Blackmore.
In 1966 Mr Frank Blackmore and his wife Mrs Joan Blackmore were licensees at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery until 1967.

Mr Ronald C. Lloyd.
In 1967 Mr Ronald C. Lloyd and his wife Mrs Rita M. Lloyd were licensees at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery until 1968.

Mr Melvyn Smith.
In 1969 Mr Melvyn Smith and his wife Mrs Irene Smith were licensees at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery.

Mr Frank Jones.
In the 1973 Mr Frank Jones was licensee at the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery until 1984.

The Western Valley’s Pool League.
During the 1980-1981 pool season the Western Valley’s Pool League consisted of two divisions, the Watney League and the Welsh Brewers Division. The Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery featured in the latter division with the following teams – The New Inn at Crumlin. Blaina Inn. Llanhilleth Rugby Club. Highbury Club. The Rolling Mill. The Commercial “B”. Blaenau Gwent Club. Blaentillery Club. The Llanhilleth Hotel. The Railway “B”. Nantyglo Ex-Servicemens “A”. The Mount Pleasant “B”. White Lion at Blaina and the Royal Exchange.

Mrs Eva Jones.
In 1985 Mrs Eva Jones was listed as being at the Golden Lion, Abertillery until 1987.

The Closure of the Golden Lion Hotel.
In about 1987 the Golden Lion Hotel, Abertillery closed.

The Dagmar.
In the late 1980’s, the old Golden Lion Hotel building which had been purchased, was refurbished and was opened up as a public house and was renamed the Dagmar. It was said that the name came from the fictional nightclub that was featured on the B.B.C. soap opera Eastenders, owned by Willmott Brown, played by actor William Boyde. The Dagmar on Eastenders opened its doors in 1987.

The Edwards Brothers.
From the late 1980’s through to the mid 1990’s, S. P. Edwards, R. W. Edwards and K. J. Edwards were licensees at the Dagmar.

The Fire at the Dagmar.
On Thursday 5th of November 1998, the Gwent Gazette reported on a devastating fire that broke out at the Dagmar, Castle Street, Abertillery, the premises were unoccupied at the time.

The Sale of the Dagmar.
On Thursday 16th of September 1999, the Cardiff Post newspaper advertised the sale of the Dagmar at Castle Street, Abertillery. A former public house and nightclub premises for sale, fire damaged and in need of refurbishment. No reserve.

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

Later Years.
The building was later purchased, altered and was converted into flats.