Wilkins Coffee Tavern

Wilkins Coffee Tavern.
Mr William Gale Wilkins and his wife Caroline Wilkins nee Elson married in 1873 and came to Abertillery from the West Country in the mid 1870’s. Mr Wilkins came here to work on the Great Western Railway. A short while later he and his wife Caroline opened a coffee tavern in Somerset Street, called “Wilkins Coffee Tavern” situated opposite the Pontlottyn Store, Abertillery.

The Abertillery Cricket Committee.
In the 1880’s the Abertillery Cricket Committee held their meetings at the Wilkins Coffee Tavern, Abertillery.

The Abertillery Wednesdays Football Team.
In October 1888 the Abertillery Wednesdays Football Team was set up. Mr D. S. Jones (Captain); Mr T. Francis (Vice Captain); Mr W. Walters (Treasurer) and Mr J. Ivor Thomas of the Tea Exchange (Secretary): The team used Wilkins Coffee Tavern as their club house.

The Abertillery Batchelor’s Club.
In the late 1880’s it was the meeting house for the Bachelor’s Club of Abertillery. The club consisted of unmarried men over 21 years of age.

The Formation of the Abertillery Cycle Club.
On Tuesday 10th of June 1890, the Abertillery Cycle Club was formed. The club started off with 20 gentlemen including Mr E. Price; Mr G. Ihringer; Mr H. Burrows; Mr J. Jones; Mr H. Ashley; Mr E. Michael and Mr J. Meredith: They used the Wilkins Coffee Tavern as their club house.

The Temperance Hotel & Dining Rooms.
In the early 1890’s the Wilkins Coffee Tavern was re-named Wilkins Temperance Hotel & Dining Rooms.

In the 1890’s the Abertillery Chamber of Trade held their monthly meetings at the Wilkins Temperance Hotel & Dining Rooms on Tuesday evenings.

Abertillery’s First Billiard Table.
It was reported that Mr Wilkins was the first person to introduce the game of billiards to Abertillery and had the first table in the town installed at his premises, the Wilkins Temperance Hotel & Dining Rooms.

The Death of Mr W. G. Wilkins.
In March 1907 Mr William G. Wilkins passed away, his wife Caroline carried on the business.

The Death of Mrs Caroline Wilkins.
Mrs Caroline Wilkins carried on the business at the hotel, though due to ill health she later retired and sadly passed away in March 1912.

 

Points of Interest – The Wilkins Coffee Tavern, Temperance Hotel and Dining Rooms building was later occupied by various businesses such as “Premier Pork”, a butcher, “Golden Crust” a bakery and later a Chinese Take Away called “The Food Junction”. As stated, the building is opposite the old Pontlottyn Store now Wetherspoons Pub, Somerset Street, Abertillery.