The Six Bells Recreation Grounds

The Six Bells Recreation Grounds Story.
On Friday 27th of December 1912, the South Wales Gazette reported on the provision of recreation grounds throughout the district and that each ward will be in possession of its own recreation ground fitted up properly with bowling greens and tennis courts etc.

The report went on to say that at Six Bells negotiations had led to the purchase of a piece of hollow land (as seen in the image left) which had been reclaimed, in the sense that it is being filled in with rubbish, turfed and grass set on it and soon Six Bells will have a really tip-top ground.

The Proposed Recreation Ground.
On Friday 21st of October 1921, a letter was published in the South Wales Gazette to inform people of a meeting of the residents of Six Bells held at the Presbyterian Chapel the previous Tuesday. The meeting was to discuss the question of improving the ground and recreation facilities in the locality. The scheme as proposed by Messrs D. Thomas and W. Williams was to lay the present site out as a garden playground with a tennis court for adults. Mr Williams also hinted that they had in mind to include a bowling green. The whole area was to be turfed and fenced around with shrubs planted and seating be placed there for convenience of the aged people.

It was mentioned that the scheme would give employment to the unemployed and at the same time improve the district, £7,000 to be spent to carry it out. The scheme, suggested by the gentlemen was to also improve the roads in the district, extend the culvert below the grounds and to connect to the sewer main as the stream carries the whole of the refuse from the houses situate in the hollow above the grounds and constitutes a serious menace to the health in this district and also the area through which the Ebbw flows as the filth is carried by this stream to the River Ebbw.

There were however questions put to the scheme as to how can they anticipate turf taking root on the recreation ground without a layer of earth soil being first laid and as to where they can obtain the necessary amount of earth to cover the same? They did not think that using the ashes from the old ash tip at the end of Coronation Road would solve the difficulty.

At this time, the unemployment and financial situation in the South Wales Valley was looking bleak. There was a slump in the coal trade after the 1921 Miners “Lock-out” workers in the industry were laid off and together with the valley’s high population meant many men were out of work. At this time voluntary unemployment schemes were introduced to get the unemployed men to work on projects to regenerate the area.

These projects were mainly based around groundwork, landscaping and laying out areas of land once used for dumping or colliery waste to be turned into recreation grounds etc. The areas that were in much needed regeneration at this time were Cwmnant-y-Groes, Six Bells. Hafodyrynys old reservoir area. Llanhilleth, behind the institute. Glebe Land, Abertillery. Duffryn, Blaina, Bournville, Newbridge and Aberbeeg. The unemployment schemes were mostly funded by the Bedwellty Board of Guardians and controlled by the council.

The tip in the Cwmnant-y-Groes valley was quickly becoming a health hazard and eye-sore. The local people wanted something done about the state of it and a petition was circulated with the aim to get signatures to force the council to act and get the scheme to flatten the area for the construction of the much-needed recreation park.

The proposed area chosen to construct a park was the dumping ground at the top end of Eastville Road, between Llewynon Road and Windsor Road. The idea of some sort of park at Cwmnant-y-Groes was first mentioned in the late 1890’s about the same time as the main Abertillery Park and Recreational Grounds were first proposed, though the idea was pushed aside. Later, at Six Bells, a piece of level ground was put in place somewhere in Six Bells, on an old disused hollow (as mentioned above) although there was no other mention of it other than a later report from October 1921, stating that a scheme for the completion of the grounds was being prepared by the council.

Costing and Subsidence Fears.
Monday 28th of November 1921, a monthly meeting of the Abertillery Urban District Council was held, Mr J. Snellgrove presided. Those who attended were as follows – Messrs T. H. Mytton (Vice-President); J. Downs; W. Williams; J. Morrell; J. Monger; W. F. Walters; J. Carter; D. Smith; J. Brown; D. Thomas; J. T. Boots; L. Elliott; D. Walters; H. Woodland; Mr W. Gait (Clerk); Mr D. R. Davies (Assistant Clerk); Mr L. D. Lewis (Surveyor); Mr F. Padfield (Sanitary Inspector); Dr T. B. Smith (Medical Officer); Mr Ifor G. Jenkins (Gasworks Engineer and Manager); Mr M. J. Mortimer (Electricity Works Manager); Mr R. Prosser (Accountant) and Mr D. E. Williams (Collector): At this meeting it was stated the scheme for the recreation ground at Six Bells would cost £7,383. 3s. 1d. and the Cwmnanty new roads would cost £9,827 19s 11d.

Although Mr Thomas asked whether it was desirable to spend large sums of money on these projects seeing that there was every possibility of the work being undermined by subsidence, as permission had been obtained from the landowner by two men to drive a level. Mr Boots and Mr Williams proposed a deputation should wait upon the landowners concerned. After deliberation Mr Thomas suggested that the council should wait until they knew which way events would turn and if the interview was unsatisfactory the council should withdraw from the scheme.

Unemployment Scheme.
On Monday 27th of November 1922, the Abertillery Council reported on the Unemployment Schemes in the area. A meeting of the Roads Bridges and General Purposes Committee stated that they had arranged for men from the Crumlin Exchange be employed on the works at Six Bells and Abertillery. Messrs Smith and Brown were deputed to see the accountant as to the payments to be made by the Bedwellty Board of Guardians.

The surveyor’s estimates were submitted showing that the cost of the “complete scheme” would be £9,525. 0s. 0d. and for levelling off only £5,791. 0s. 0d. proposed by Mr Brown and seconded by Mr Boots. Mr Boots suggested no action at the present time though an amendment was proposed by Mr W. Williams and seconded by Mr D. Walters that the surveyor revise such estimates with a view of a reduction in such or acquire another site? The proposer and seconder only voted for the amendment and the chairman declared the proposition carried.

When the minutes came up for consideration at the full council meeting, Mr Williams alluding to the Six Bells Recreation Ground Scheme said that 2,060 had petitioned the council to have something done. The surveyor moved that the council delete the proposal to revise the costs or look for a new site as he wanted the scheme to move on and get started. He also said that there were many unemployed men walking the streets with nothing to do, the scheme would get them back working and lower the rates on others while beautifying the Cwmnant-y- Groes area. At the same meeting the construction of a football field at Cwmnant-y-Groes would raise the cost to £10,000 and stated they couldn’t think of anything better to spend the money on at this present time.

On Monday 15th of January 1923, a meeting of the sub-committee consisting of all members of the council. They met at the proposed Six Bells Recreation Ground at 4.00pm. Members present were as follows – Mr D. Thomas J.P. (Chairman); Mr J. Brown; Mr L. Elliott; Mr J. Lewis; Mr D. Smith; Mr F. Athay; Mr S. Pask; Mr J. H. Godwin; Mr T. H. Mytton; Mr J. Snellgrove and the surveyor: The council met at Cwmnant-y-Groes, near the house of Mr Warfield. An estimate of the cost of the scheme was submitted, the site was inspected and the matter was discussed at length, though no resolution was passed. Many arguments followed with the costs and financial situation at the forefront of all talks.

On Monday 26th of March 1923, a council meeting heard that the surveyor met with Messrs Graham and Hitchcox & Co in connection with the proposed Six Bells Recreation Ground, they agreed that if the council constructed a new road parallel to the proposed boundary of the new grounds in place of the one running through the site, they would recommend the owners to give the land required. The council resolved that this be accepted.

On Monday 30th of July 1923, the terms submitted by Messrs Lougher and Co on behalf of Messrs Webb and By Messrs Graham and Hitchcox & Co on behalf of Mr T. P. Price were discussed for the committees consideration.

In September 1923 Mr Mytton gave a report of a conference of Local Authorities, Representatives and Guardians and other bodies held at Newport at which he informed them that he was empowered to refer the scheme for a recreation ground at Six Bells, the surveyor had revised the estimate to £11,494. 19s. 5d. He stated 80 per cent would be spent on wages and 20 per cent on materials and he said it would be a good opportunity to get the guardians to do the work. The Bedwellty Board of Guardian’s representative stated that the ministry would not allow them to undertake any schemes except ” test work” so the door was shut in that direction. Mr Boots was against the idea to go ahead and spend £12,000 on an empty field and Mr W. Williams suggested the council ask the Miners Welfare Fund for financial help.

Work for the Unemployed.
In October 1923 the council received a letter from the Arrael Griffin Colliery No5 Lodge drawing attention to the urgent need for proceeding with the Six Bells Recreation Scheme on the grounds that it would provide much needed work for the unemployed men.

On Tuesday 9th of October 1923, at a meeting of the Allotments Pleasure Grounds and Fire Brigade Committee, the surveyor submitted the cost of the proposed Six Bells Recreation Grounds as follows – Formation and completion £11,494. 19s. 5d. Estimated cost of complying with conditions of the landowners in connection with the land required Mr T. P. Price £2,470. 0s. 0d. Messrs Webb of the Cwm Estate £2,602. 6s. 0d. total – £16,567. 5s. 5d. The former owner would convey the freehold of the land to the council subject to payment of legal costs. The latter would grant a 99 years lease at an annual rental of £20. The estimate was based on the assumption that local stone be obtained and used at reasonable prices. Mr W. Williams proposed and Mr Walters seconded that further interviews be sought with the landowners agents with the view that the conditions submitted may be modified. It was also discussed that the Bedwellty Guardians and the Pontypool Guardians be approached again with an appeal to help. It was resolved that the Miners Welfare Committee be approached at a later date.

The Miners Welfare Fund.
On Friday 2nd of November 1923, the South Wales Gazette reported the Six Bells Recreation Scheme had suffered a setback when the council were told that no further grants will be received from the Unemployment Grants Committee, as Abertillery was considered no longer a necessitous area. Following this news Mr D. Thomas and Mr W. Williams put their case and appealed to the Rt Hon Thomas Richards and Mr Finlay Gibson of the Miners Welfare Fund, they generously granted £3,000 for parks and open spaces at Abertillery. Messrs Thomas and Williams were able to secure £2,600 of that sum for Six Bells, the work on the new grounds was started.

In May 1924 it was stated that the park was nearly complete and hopefully opened in a months’ time. It was later announced that the new Six Bells Recreational Ground was to be left for the period of one year as to let the ground settle and for the grass and shrubberies to take hold. It was then planned to open in the spring of 1925.

Bowls Club Formation.
On Friday 7th of November 1924, a specially convened meeting was held at the Six Bells Hotel where it was decided to form a Six Bells Bowls Club, Mr D. Thomas and Mr W. Williams (District Council members); Mr D. J. Badger was appointed (Chairman); Mr C. O. Caldicott (Provisional Secretary) and Mr D. Thomas (Treasurer): The chairman and secretary was appointed to represent the club at the annual meetings of the Monmouthshire and Welsh Bowls Association and a provisional committee was set up to transact any business which would arise between then and the time the Six Bells Recreation Grounds opened.

The Official Opening of the Six Bells Recreational Grounds.
On Saturday 25th of April 1925, the Six Bells Recreational Grounds were officially opened. The opening ceremony was performed by Councillor Mr David Walters. Mr Walters was presented with a silver engraved key (as seen in the image right) with which to perform the opening ceremony.

The Silver Engraved Key.
The photograph of the key was kindly sent to me courtesy of Mr Idwal Walters, the grandson of Councillor David Walters. More details below.

The scheme had originated in the complaints of Mr Joseph Kingston (Representative of the Six Bells Lodge) to the Trades and Labour Council, regarding the constant tipping of refuse on the spot with the consequent nuisance to the surrounding inhabitants. It was now hardly conceivable that the present park was on the site of an old refuse tip. Thanks were given to Messrs Williams and Thomas for their hard work in securing the grant from the Miners Welfare Fund. He also said that he hoped that the way the councillors pursued this scheme through to the end would teach young aspiring councillors to have the same grit and determination in whatever they should want to achieve and accomplish and to never give up!

A Description of the Six Bells Recreational Grounds.
A descriptive account of the Recreation Ground – The park was laid down at a final cost of £9,500 with £7,000 of that on wages, with £2,500 on materials, Towards the total Cost of £9,500, £2,100 was contributed by the Miners Welfare Fund.

The park covers an area of 2 and three-quarters of an acre and comprises two ash covered tennis courts surrounded by wire netting, a bowling green, a children’s playing ground, a pavilion and extensive shrubberies. An acre and a quarter of the land was held on lease from the Cwm Estate from June 1909 for 99 years at £5. per annum, while the remainder was freehold ground and was given to the council by Mr T. P. Price in 1912.

The public were admitted into the grounds and further speech making took place, a platform was erected in the Children’s Recreation Ground and Mr L. Elliott J.P. (Chairman of the Council) presided, supported by Mr A. G. Jones (Surveyor); Councillors Mr Jack Games (Abercarn Welfare Supervisor); Mr James William; Father F. H. Garrett; Mr J. Dixon; Mr D. Thomas; Mr W. Harris; Mr D. Walters; Mr W. Williams; Mr W. Beynon; Mr R. Downs; and Mr J. Snellgrove (Members of the District Council); Mr I. G. Jenkins (Gas Works Manager); Mr G. Daggar (Miners Agent) and Mr W. Harris (Pontllanfraith):

Mr Williams spoke and expressed the hope that “In the near future the grounds would be extended to include football and cricket fields. The estimated cost of such was £17,000 and where would they get that money from? Some people said we only catered for “nobs” but there was nothing to prevent miners, navvies or scavengers having a game of bowls or tennis, it was a mistake to assume that there was a class distinction in recreation”. After the speeches a choir of school children conducted by Mr D. J. Badger sang “Fairy Moonlight” “Sou Gan” (Lullaby) “The Jovial Smith” and “Cyfri’r Geifr”. Mr Snellgrove moved and Mr Daggar seconded a vote of thanks to the chairman, the choir and the visitors, this was unanimously accorded. The children’s choir was afterwards entertained to tea at the Primitive Methodists Schoolroom. At the conclusion of the ceremony, teams representative of Abertillery and Six Bells met on the tennis courts and bowling greens.

The Tennis Tournament.
The Six Bells Tennis Club players were as follows – Miss Eason: Mr Courtoys; Mrs Preece; Mr Hoskins; Miss Godwin and Mr A. Hill:

The Abertillery Tennis Club players were as follows – Mr Sheean; Mrs Lewis; Mr John; Miss Fox; Miss Deere and Mr Fox: Abertillery defeated Six Bells by 66 – 33.

The Bowls Tournament.
The Six Bells Bowls Club members were as follows – Mr T. Moore; Rev Thomas; Mr D. J. Badger; Father F. H. Garrett; Mr W. Caldicott; Mr T. Shelland; Mr L. Morgan; Mr C. Reynolds; Mr Coombes; Mr Dando; Mr Tom Williams; Mr Jim Bailey; Mr C. W. Mathits; Mr A. Williams; Mr G. Colbourne and Mr A. Price:

The Abertillery Bowls Club members were as follows – Mr C. Paul; Mr F. Smith; Mr A. Berryman; Mr W. Waters; Mr C. Wallace; Mr C. Cox; Mr W. Bevan; Mr W. Williams; Mr W. Davies; Mr G. Hutchings; Mr P. Tiley; Mr E. Tovey; Mr William Davies; Dr T. B. Smith; Mr G. A. Carter and Mr E. Jones: Abertillery defeated Six Bells by 94 – 58.

Tenders for Refreshments.
In June 1925 the council invited tenders for the rights to sell – Confectionery, ices and sweets etc at the new grounds.

Reservation of the Green and Courts.
On Monday 29th of June 1925, at an Abertillery District Council meeting the Six Bells Tennis Club asked for permission to reserve the tennis courts for them, for tournaments. The committee recommended that one court be reserved on Saturdays from 1.00pm to closing time and also on Thursday evenings of each week. The Six Bells Bowling Club, letters from this club were read and it was decided that four rinks be reserved for them to play matches, the usual scale of charges apply. It was noted that a half set of woods was to be obtained to complete a set. The surveyor stated that a scoring board and galoshes had been supplied.

Six Bells Tennis Club Meeting.
On Tuesday 2nd of March 1926, a general meeting of the Six Bells Tennis Club was held at the Presbyterian Church, Six Bells. In reading the financial statement, the secretary drew attention to the promising results achieved during 1925. He reported that there was a balance in hand of £2. 12s. 8d., his report was approved and accepted.

The Tennis Club Officers for 1926.
The officers for 1926 were elected as follows – Mr W. J. Owen (Chairman); Mrs Harrington (Treasurer); Mr A. Curthoys (Secretary) and Mr H. Williams (Assistant Secretary): It was decided that the officers were to sit on the Match Committee which was to also include the following members – Misses G. Marson; M. Badger and A. Williams: Messrs C. Denning and H. Burton: Mr V. Banks and Miss C. Williams were elected gentlemen’s and ladies’ captains respectively. It was resolved that the Parks Committee be approached with a view of securing satisfactory arrangements for the use of the courts at the Six Bells Park. It was also stated that the enthusiasm displayed augurs well for the coming season, for which attractive fixtures and tournaments are being arranged. The increase in membership is very gratifying.

The Wireless Set.
In April 1926 the sub-committee of the Allotments, Pleasure Grounds and Fire Brigade Committee met with Messrs Saunders and Price, representing the Six Bells Park Wireless Fund Committee relative to their application to install a four-valve wireless set with speakers at the Six Bells Park.

The Sale of Ice Cream.
On Wednesday 15th of January 1930, Mr F. P. West offered to the council £5. for the right to sell ice cream in the Six Bells and Abertillery Parks during the summer season of 1930. The offer was approved subject to terms and conditions. The ice cream sellers advertisements stated “Wests’ British Ices, made from pure farm milk and certified ingredients. Sold in hygienic containers under Local Sanitary Inspectors” The slogan was – “East or West, Wests’ Best”.

The Newport and District Tennis League.
On Tuesday 21st of January 1930, the Six Bells Tennis Club stated that they proposed to enter the Newport and District Lawn Tennis League and to be represented by a gent’s team and a mixed team and had asked for the use of the courts at Six Bells Park for the coming season on all Saturday’s during the months of May, June and July from 2.00pm until 7.00pm and on alternate Saturday’s in all other months with the usual court facilities on one evening each week on a Wednesday. The request was granted.

The Resurfacing of the Courts.
In November 1930 it was resolved that the surveyor prepare an estimate of the cost of substituting the present ash covered courts to two hard courts. There was no further reports of any resurfacing at this time.

A letter dated November 7th, 1930, from Capt. C. S. Mason was read stating that his committee had been asked by the Six Bells Bowls Club to supply ground sheets, score board and a powered lawn mower. He didn’t think a mower was necessary for Six Bells and gave one to Llanhilleth instead where he said “Llanhilleth had more ground to mow”. He supplied Six Bells with a hand mower.

The Arrael Griffin Brass Band.
In May 1931 at the Abertillery District Council Offices, a letter from the Arrael Griffin Brass Band was read asking permission to play in the Six Bells Park on Wednesday and Sunday evenings during summer. The Sunday evening concerts were not to commence earlier than 7.45pm and Wednesday, a time that suits the band, who were also empowered to make a collection.

A Third Tennis Court at Six Bells.
On Friday 14th of July 1967, the South Wales Gazette reported on the Six Bells Tennis Club’s request to the Abertillery Council for a third tennis court at the Six Bells Park and a shower at the pavilion. At a meeting of the Abertillery Allotments and Pleasure Ground Committee held on Monday 10th of July, members of the council said that a sub-committee should investigate the application further. Councillor Eddie Sheehan said the only problem was, the land, which the club wanted was where the small children played. Councillor Trevor Phinnemore objected and said “permission must be refused as it was robbing the toddlers of their ground”.

The Battle for the Third Court at Six Bells.
In June 1968, the need for a third tennis court at Six Bells Park was raised. On Friday 14th of June 1968, the Six Bells Labour Party convened a meeting to hear the proposals and those arguments for and against. As mentioned above, the tennis club wanted the council to place a third tennis court in the park in a place where children play. Forty-seven people who attended the meeting voted in favour of the youngsters demand that they should retain their playing field while just five voted in support of the clubs third court. The area of land available was said to have been 1,700 square yards and the third tennis court would take up a space of 560 square yards only. There were a few later reports although the idea of a third court never seemed to come to anything.

The Later Years.
The park, tennis club and bowls club are still in existence today.

(More information to come)

Source – The South Wales Gazette.

 

Points of Interest – The Key for the Opening Ceremony.
As mentioned above, on Saturday 25th of April 1925, the Six Bells Recreational Grounds were officially opened. The opening ceremony was performed by Councillor Mr David Walters. Mr Walters was presented with a silver engraved key with which to perform the opening of the grounds.

Mr Idwal Walters.
The key which had been handed down through Mr Walters family, was supplied by Goldsmiths Opticians, Pleasance & Harper Ltd. Westgate, Newport, Mon. As seen in its presentation box in the image above.

It has two shield shaped badges, one on each side of the key handle. One engraved with the words – “Abertillery U.D. Council, Presented to Councillor D. Walters, 25th April 1925”, as seen in the image within the story.

On the other badge are the words – “On the Occasion of the Opening of the Six Bells Recreation Ground, A. Gordon Jones, Engineer & Surveyor”, (as seen left). The images of the key was kindly sent to me by Mr Idwal Walters of Kessingland, Suffolk, the grandson of Mr David Walters.