The Industrial Archaeology and History of the Western Valley
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Prince of Wales Colliery
Prince of Wales Colliery - ST 2140 9465
![The Prince of Wales Colliery and lock-keepers cottage, Abercarn, © Photo courtesy of Andrew Smith and IRS](H-PoW-Colliery-01-240.jpg)
The Prince of Wales Colliery
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![The Prince of Wales Colliery, Abercarn, © Photo courtesy of Andrew Smith and IRS](H-PoW-Colliery-02-240.jpg)
The Prince of Wales Colliery
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![The Prince of Wales Colliery, Abercarn, © Photo courtesy of Andrew Smith and IRS](H-PoW-Colliery-03-240.jpg)
The Prince of Wales Colliery
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![Monument to the 1878 Prince of Wales Colliery disaster, Abercarn, March 2016](PoW-Colliery-1603-08-240.jpg)
Monument to the Colliery disaster
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![Prince of Wales Colliery drainage level, Abercarn, March 2016](PoW-Colliery-1603-01-240.jpg)
Colliery drainage level
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![Prince of Wales Colliery drainage level, Abercarn, March 2016](PoW-Colliery-1603-02-240.jpg)
Colliery drainage level
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![Prince of Wales Colliery drainage level, Abercarn, March 2016](PoW-Colliery-1603-03-240.jpg)
Colliery drainage level
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![Prince of Wales Colliery drainage level, Abercarn, March 2016](PoW-Colliery-1603-04-240.jpg)
Colliery drainage level
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![Prince of Wales Colliery drainage level, Abercarn, March 2016](PoW-Colliery-1603-05-240.jpg)
Colliery drainage level
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![Prince of Wales Colliery drainage level, Abercarn, March 2016](PoW-Colliery-1603-06-240.jpg)
Colliery drainage level
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![Prince of Wales Colliery drainage level, Abercarn, March 2016](PoW-Colliery-1603-07-240.jpg)
Colliery drainage level
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![Prince of Wales Colliery railway bridge, Abercarn, March 2016](PoW-Colliery-1603-09-240.jpg)
Colliery railway bridge
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![Prince of Wales Colliery railway bridge, Abercarn, March 2016](PoW-Colliery-1603-10-240.jpg)
Colliery railway bridge
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![Prince of Wales Colliery railway bridge, Abercarn, March 2016](PoW-Colliery-1603-11-240.jpg)
Colliery railway bridge
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![Prince of Wales Colliery railway bridge, Abercarn, March 2016](PoW-Colliery-1603-12-240.jpg)
Colliery railway bridge
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![The Colliery sidings were to the right of the footpath, Abercarn, March 2016](PoW-Colliery-1603-13-240.jpg)
The Colliery sidings on right
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![The foundations of the GWR signal box at the colliery junction, Abercarn, March 2016](PoW-Colliery-1603-14-240.jpg)
GWR signal box at junction
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Abercarn Tinplate Works
Lower tinplate works - ST 2122 9501
![Lower tinplate works rear wall, Abercarn, March 2016](Lower-works-1603-01-240.jpg)
Lower tinplate works
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![Lower tinplate works rear wall, Abercarn, March 2016](Lower-works-1603-02-240.jpg)
Lower tinplate works
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![Lower tinplate works rear wall, Abercarn, March 2016](Lower-works-1603-04-240.jpg)
Lower tinplate works
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![Lower tinplate works rear wall, Abercarn, March 2016](Lower-works-1603-03-240.jpg)
Lower tinplate works
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![Lower tinplate works rear wall, Abercarn, March 2016](Lower-works-1603-05-240.jpg)
Lower tinplate works
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![Lower tinplate works rear wall, Abercarn, March 2016](Lower-works-1603-06-240.jpg)
Lower tinplate works
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![Lower tinplate works rear wall, Abercarn, March 2016](Lower-works-1603-07-240.jpg)
Lower tinplate works
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![Lower tinplate works rear wall, Abercarn, March 2016](Lower-works-1603-08-240.jpg)
Lower tinplate works
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![Lower tinplate works, Railway to Upper works, Abercarn, July 2003](Abercarn - Lower tinplate works 01 - railway to upper works 0307-240.jpg)
Railway to Upper works
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![Lower tinplate works, Railway to Upper works, Abercarn, July 2003](Abercarn - Lower tinplate works 02 - railway to upper works 0307-240.jpg)
Railway to Upper works
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![Lower tinplate works, Railway from Lower works, Abercarn, July 2003](Abercarn - Upper tinplate works 11 - railway looking South 0307-240.jpg)
Railway from Lower works
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![Lower tinplate works, Abercarn, 1976, © Photo courtesy of Risca Museum](H-Abercarn-aerial-1976-240.jpg)
Lower tinplate works, 1976
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Upper tinplate works - ST 2161 9528
![Upper tinplate works, Railway to Lower works, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - Upper tinplate works 10 - railway looking South 0811-240.jpg)
Railway to Lower works
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![Upper tinplate works, Railway from Lower works, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - Upper tinplate works 09 - railway looking North 0811-240.jpg)
Railway from Lower works
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![Upper tinplate works, Railway to Lower works, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - Upper tinplate works 06 - railway looking South 0811-240.jpg)
Railway to Lower works
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![Upper tinplate works, Railway from Lower works, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - Upper tinplate works 07 - railway looking North 0811-240.jpg)
Railway from Lower works
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![Upper tinplate works, Railway from Lower works, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - Upper tinplate works 08 - railway looking North 0811-240.jpg)
Railway from Lower works
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![Upper tinplate works site, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - Upper tinplate works 01 - site 0811-240.jpg)
Upper tinplate works site
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![Upper tinplate works ruins, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - Upper tinplate works 02 - ruins 0811-240.jpg)
Upper tinplate works ruins
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![Upper tinplate works, stonework of Western riverbank, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - Upper tinplate works 03 - East bank 0811-240.jpg)
Stonework of Western riverbank
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![Upper tinplate works, stonework of Western riverbank, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - Upper tinplate works 04 - West bank 0811-240.jpg)
Stonework of Western riverbank
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![Upper tinplate works, stonework of Western riverbank, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - Upper tinplate works 05 - West bank 0811-240.jpg)
Stonework of Western riverbank
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![Upper tinplate works, railway bridge to GWR, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - Upper tinplate works 12 - railway bridge to GWR 0811-240.jpg)
Railway bridge to GWR
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![Upper tinplate works, railway bridge to GWR, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - Upper tinplate works 13 - railway bridge to GWR 0811-240.jpg)
Railway bridge to GWR
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![Upper tinplate works, railway bridge to GWR, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - Upper tinplate works 14 - railway bridge to GWR 0811-240.jpg)
Railway bridge to GWR
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![Upper tinplate works, railway bridge to GWR, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - Upper tinplate works 15 - railway bridge to GWR 0811-240.jpg)
Railway bridge to GWR
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Abercarn Village and the Furnace
The tunnel under High Street - ST 2156 9486
This tunnel under High Street appears to be quite old but it's purpose is obscure. It was probably access to Abercarn Furnace or an early tramroad from Quarry Pit to the canal by the bridge and lock. It also seems to have been used as a bomb shelter during WW2 according to post-war maps.
![The Distillery Pond area, 1875 <small>©Crown Copyright reserved</small>](Map-Distillery-Pond-1875-240.jpg)
The Distillery Pond area, 1875
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![The Distillery Pond area, 1948 <small>©Crown Copyright reserved</small>](Map-Distillery-Pond-1948-240.jpg)
The Distillery Pond area, 1948
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![The bridge and lock over the canal, © Photo courtesy of Risca Museum](H-Abercarn-lock-240.jpg)
The bridge and lock over the canal
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![The tunnel under High Street, April 2016](Tunnel-1604-01-240.jpg)
The tunnel under High Street
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![The tunnel under High Street, April 2016](Tunnel-1604-02-240.jpg)
The tunnel under High Street
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![The tunnel under High Street, April 2016](Tunnel-1604-03-240.jpg)
The tunnel under High Street
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![The tunnel under High Street, April 2016](Tunnel-1604-04-240.jpg)
The tunnel under High Street
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![The tunnel under High Street, April 2016](Tunnel-1604-05-240.jpg)
The tunnel under High Street
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Abercarn Furnace - ST 2162 9487
This is the site of the second charcoal iron-smelting blast furnace of 1753 which ceased work in c1788. Two furnace arches are visible, together with the charging house. The site of the dam and pool that powered the bellows for draught can be seen beyond the distillery pond. The furnace is the earliest fairly intact surviving iron furnace in the south Wales coalfield. The first iron furnace was at Graig Furnace higher up the Gwyddon Valley and later ironworks were nearer the site of the lower tinplate works.
The print of the works in the 1770s is available from
Risca Industrial History Museum
![Abercarn Furnace from 1750s © Photo courtesy of Risca Museum](Furnace-plan-240.jpg)
Abercarn Furnace from 1750s
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![Abercarn Furnace sketch from 1754 by J J Angerstein](Furnace-sketch-240.jpg)
Abercarn Furnace in 1754
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![Abercarn Furnace in the 1770s, a print available from Risca Industrial History Museum](Abercarn-Furnace-1753.jpg)
Abercarn Furnace, 1770s
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![Abercarn Furnace, the front of the charging house, August 2016](Abercarn-Furnace-1608-01-240.jpg)
The front of the charging house
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![Abercarn Furnace, the charging house behind the waterwheel pit, August 2016](Abercarn-Furnace-1608-04-240.jpg)
The side of the charging house
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![Abercarn Furnace waterwheel pit, August 2016](Abercarn-Furnace-1608-02-240.jpg)
The waterwheel pit
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![Abercarn Furnace, detail on the side of the charging house, August 2016](Abercarn-Furnace-1608-03-240.jpg)
Detail on the charging house
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![Abercarn Furnace, detail on the front of the charging house, August 2016](Abercarn-Furnace-1608-05-240.jpg)
Detail on the charging house
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The chemical works and distillery pond - ST 2180 9485
Abercarn Brewery - ST 2220 9500
The chemical works (distillery) produced an acid for use in the wool-dying industry. It was owned by David Morris & Son, who also owned the chemical works at Risca and Ynysddu. He went bankrupt in 1883 and it had certainly closed down by 1899, the distillery pond becoming a reservoir for the iron and tinplate works. It is also famous for its midnight Viking funeral ceremonies, loved-one's ashes put in a little matchstick boat, set alight and launched across the pond, a midnight dip, anyone? . Abercarn Brewery was a little further upstream but it too had closed by 1899 to become a mineral water factory until the 1940s.
![The site of the chemical works, Abercarn, April 2016](Distillery-1604-01-240.jpg)
The site of the chemical works
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![The site of the chemical works, Abercarn, April 2016](Distillery-1604-02-240.jpg)
The site of the chemical works
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![The Distillery Pond, Abercarn, April 2016](Distillery-1604-03-240.jpg)
The Distillery Pond
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![The Distillery Pond dam, Abercarn, April 2016](Distillery-1604-05-240.jpg)
The Distillery Pond dam
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![The course of the tramway to the chemical works, Abercarn, April 2016](Distillery-1604-04-240.jpg)
Tramway to the chemical works
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![The course of the tramway from the chemical works to the tinplate works yard, April 2016](Distillery-1604-06-240.jpg)
Tramway from the chemical works
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!['M Morgan Abercarn' drain cover found in Risca, March 2020](M-Morgan-Abercarn-2003-240.jpg)
'M Morgan Abercarn'
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Hafod Quarry, High Meadow - ST 2260 9655
A large modern quarry which developed after 1948 on the site of an older small quarry.
![Hafod Quarry, Abercarn, October 2015](Hafod-Quarry-1510-01-240.jpg)
Hafod Quarry
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![Hafod Quarry, Abercarn, October 2015](Hafod-Quarry-1510-02-240.jpg)
Hafod Quarry
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![Hafod Quarry, Abercarn, October 2015](Abercarn - Hafod quarry 0805-240.jpg)
Hafod Quarry
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![Hafod Quarry, Abercarn, from West End, January 2021](Hafod-Quarry-Abercarn-2101-240.jpg)
Hafod Quarry
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![Hafod Fach barn on the quarry edge, Abercarn, February 2013](Abercarn - Hafod Fach barn 1302-240.jpg)
Hafod Fach barn above the quarry
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West End
West End Village
A small, almost self-contained community on the West bank of the river, once the home of the gasworks, fire station and a foundry. There was also a railway line through the houses connecting the GWR with Halls Road Tramroad.
![Abercarn Fire Station, 1953](Abercarn - Fire station 01 1953-240.jpg)
Abercarn Fire Station, 1953
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![Abercarn Fire Station, 1953](Abercarn - Fire station 02 1953-240.jpg)
Abercarn Fire Station, 1953
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![Abercarn Fire Station, 1953](Abercarn - Fire station 03 1953-240.jpg)
Abercarn Fire Station, 1953
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![Foundations in the woods above West End, Abercarn, April 2016](West-End-1604-01-240.jpg)
Foundations in the woods
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![Foundations in the woods above West End, Abercarn, April 2016](West-End-1604-02-240.jpg)
Foundations in the woods
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![GWR footbridge, West End, Abercarn, February 2014](West-End-footbridge-1402-240.jpg)
GWR footbridge
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![Site of gasworks and fire station, West End, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - West End - gasworks & fire station site 01 0811-240.jpg)
Site of gasworks and fire station
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![Site of gasworks and fire station, West End, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - West End - gasworks & fire station site 02 0811-240.jpg)
Site of gasworks and fire station
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![GWR and tinplate works railway bridges, West End, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - West End - GWR and tinplate railway bridges 0811-240.jpg)
GWR and tinplate works bridges
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![Course of railway to Halls Road Tramroad, West End, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - West End - Railway to Halls Road 01 & foundry 0811-240.jpg)
Railway to Halls Road Tramroad
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![Course of railway to Halls Road Tramroad, West End, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - West End - Railway to Halls Road 02 0811-240.jpg)
Railway to Halls Road Tramroad
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![Course of railway to Halls Road Tramroad, West End, Abercarn, November 2008](Abercarn - West End - Railway to Halls Road 03 0811-240.jpg)
Railway to Halls Road Tramroad
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Pant-y-Resk level crossing - ST 2139 9546
There was a level crossing where Halls Road crossed Pant-y-Resk Road. The historical view shows both the railway and the route of the original tramroad. Recently the trackbed, overgrown for years, has had the immediate surroundings cleared and fenced in 2021 for no apparent reason, some grand plan? or just money left in a kitty that needed spending?
![Pant-y-Resk Lane level crossing warning signal, Abercarn, April 2016](West-End-1604-03-240.jpg)
Level crossing warning signal
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![Pant-y-Resk Lane level crossing warning signal, Abercarn, April 2016](West-End-1604-04-240.jpg)
Level crossing warning signal
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![Halls Road level crossing North, West End, Abercarn, February 2014](West-End-Crossing-N-1402-240.jpg)
Halls Road level crossing North
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![Halls Road level crossing South, West End, Abercarn, February 2014](West-End-Crossing-S-1402-240.jpg)
Halls Road level crossing South
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![Halls Road level crossing, West End, Abercarn, January 2021](Pant-y-Resk-crossing-2102-01-240.jpg)
Halls Road level crossing
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![Halls Road level crossing, West End, Abercarn, January 2021](Pant-y-Resk-crossing-2102-02-240.jpg)
Halls Road level crossing
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![Halls Road level crossing, West End, Abercarn, January 2021](Pant-y-Resk-crossing-2102-03-240.jpg)
Halls Road level crossing
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![Halls Road level crossing and original tramroad, West End, Abercarn, © Photo courtesy of Unknown Photographer](H-West-End-crossing-tramroad-240.jpg)
Halls Road railway and tramroad
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![Halls Road level crossing, West End, Abercarn, © Photo courtesy of Unknown Photographer](H-Pant-y-Resk-crossing-240.jpg)
Halls Road level crossing
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![Halls Road level crossing, West End, Abercarn, 1989, © Photo courtesy of Unknown Photographer](H-Pant-y-Resk-crossing-1989-240.jpg)
Halls Road level crossing
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![Halls Road level crossing, West End, Abercarn, D200 © Photo courtesy of Unknown Photographer](H-Pant-y-Resk-crossing-D200-240.jpg)
Halls Road level crossing
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![Halls Road level crossing, West End, Abercarn, tour © Photo courtesy of Unknown Photographer](H-Pant-y-Resk-crossing-tour-01-240.jpg)
Halls Road level crossing
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![Halls Road level crossing, West End, Abercarn, tour © Photo courtesy of Unknown Photographer](H-Pant-y-Resk-crossing-tour-02-240.jpg)
Halls Road level crossing
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Abercarn and Newbridge Gas and Water Co Ltd
Gas was first supplied from Abercarn Gasworks on 17 November 1876. The company appears to have been promoted by the Abercarn Colliery and the Tinplate Works. The contractor was Charles Jordan of Newport and the laying of the mains was contracted to Jesse Bailey of the Abercarn Colliery. Jesse Bailey also seems to have been active in procuring lamp posts for the company. The original gasworks was between the river and Halls Road and was replaced c1947 by a new one next to West End fire station on the other bank of the river.
!['Jesse Bailey Abercarn' lamp post near the Civic Centre, Newport, © Photo courtesy of Stella Evans](Jesse-Bailey-Abercarn-01-240.jpg)
'Jesse Bailey Abercarn' lamp post
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!['Jesse Bailey Abercarn' lamp post near the Civic Centre, Newport, © Photo courtesy of Stella Evans](Jesse-Bailey-Abercarn-02-240.jpg)
'Jesse Bailey Abercarn' lamp post
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![The original Abercarn Gasworks](H-Gasworks-old-01-240.jpg)
The original Abercarn Gasworks
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![The original Abercarn Gasworks](H-Gasworks-old-02-240.jpg)
The original Abercarn Gasworks
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![The original and the newer Abercarn Gasworks](H-Gasworks-old-03-240.jpg)
The original and the newer Gasworks
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Cwm Pennar - ST 2080 9550
Steve Davies and I found a level, some pits or collapses and a possible ventilation shaft in the Cwm Pennar valley. They don't seem to appear on any maps but they could be connected with the workings of Pant-y-Rest Colliery at the head of the valley.
![Cwm Pennar level, April 2016](Cwm-Pennar-1604-01-240.jpg)
Cwm Pennar level
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![Cwm Pennar level, April 2016](Cwm-Pennar-1604-02-240.jpg)
Cwm Pennar level
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![Cwm Pennar level, April 2016](Cwm-Pennar-1604-03-240.jpg)
Cwm Pennar level
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![Cwm Pennar pits or collapses, May 2015](Cwm-Pennar-1604-04-240.jpg)
Cwm Pennar pits or collapses
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![Cwm Pennar pits or collapses, May 2015](Cwm-Pennar-1604-05-240.jpg)
Cwm Pennar pits or collapses
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![Cwm Pennar pits or collapses, May 2015](Cwm-Pennar-1604-06-240.jpg)
Cwm Pennar pits or collapses
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![Cwm Pennar pits or collapses, May 2015](Cwm-Pennar-1604-07-240.jpg)
Cwm Pennar pits or collapses
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![Cwm Pennar pits or collapses, May 2015](Cwm-Pennar-1604-08-240.jpg)
Cwm Pennar pits or collapses
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![Cwm Pennar possible ventilation shaft, May 2015](Cwm-Pennar-1604-09-240.jpg)
Cwm Pennar ventilation shaft
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![Cwm Pennar possible ventilation shaft, May 2015](Cwm-Pennar-1604-10-240.jpg)
Cwm Pennar ventilation shaft
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![Cwm Pennar possible ventilation shaft, May 2015](Cwm-Pennar-1604-11-240.jpg)
Cwm Pennar ventilation shaft
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![Cwm Pennar possible ventilation shaft, May 2015](Cwm-Pennar-1604-12-240.jpg)
Cwm Pennar ventilation shaft
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Celynen South Colliery
Celynen South Colliery - ST 215959
Celynen South Colliery, originally just Celynen or Celynon Colliery was opened by the 'Newport Abercarn Black Vein Steam Coal Co' in 1876 with 3 shafts. In the 1920s it became part of the 'Ebbw Vale Steel, Iron and Coal Co' and about 10 years later passed to 'John Paton and Partridge Jones'. The colliery closed in 1985 and the site is now a housing estate however an interesting relic of the aerial ropeway still exists.
![Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, © Photo courtesy of Andrew Smith and IRS](H-Celynen-S-01-240.jpg)
Celynen South Colliery
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![Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, © Photo courtesy of Andrew Smith and IRS](H-Celynen-S-02-240.jpg)
Celynen South Colliery
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![Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, © Photo courtesy of Andrew Smith and IRS](H-Celynen-S-03-240.jpg)
Celynen South Colliery
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!['Menelaus', Peckett works no 1889 of 1935, Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, August 1967](Celynon South - Menelaus P1889-35 6708-240.jpg)
'Menelaus', Celynen South Colliery
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![Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, November 1969, © Photo courtesy of Alan Murray-Rust](H-Celynen-South-01-240.jpg)
Celynen South Colliery, 1969
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!['47', RSH 7800 of 1954 at Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, November 1969, © Photo courtesy of Alan Murray-Rust](H-Celynen-South-02-240.jpg)
'47' at Celynen South Colliery
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!['47', RSH 7800 of 1954 at Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, November 1969, © Photo courtesy of Alan Murray-Rust](H-Celynen-South-03-240.jpg)
'47' at Celynen South Colliery
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![Celynen South Colliery house-coal shaft, Abercarn, July 2012](Celynen-South-Shafts-2011-01-240.jpg)
Celynen South Colliery shaft
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![Celynen South Colliery main shafts, Abercarn, July 2012](Celynen-South-Shafts-2011-02-240.jpg)
Celynen South Colliery shafts
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![Celynen South Colliery main shafts, Abercarn, July 2012](Celynen-South-Shafts-2011-03-240.jpg)
Celynen South Colliery shafts
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![Celynen South Colliery main shafts, Abercarn, July 2012](Celynen-South-Shafts-2011-04-240.jpg)
Celynen South Colliery shafts
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![Celynen South Colliery tip sluice to river, Abercarn, July 2012](Celynon South tip sluice 1207-240.jpg)
Celynen South tip sluice to river
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![Celynen South Colliery tramway bridge, Abercarn, July 2012](Celynon South tramway bridge 01 1207-240.jpg)
Celynen South tramway bridge
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![Celynen South Colliery tramway bridge, Abercarn, July 2012](Celynon South tramway bridge 02 1207-240.jpg)
Celynen South tramway bridge
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![Celynen South Colliery tramway bridge, Abercarn, July 2012](Celynon South tramway bridge 03 1207-240.jpg)
Celynen South tramway bridge
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![Monmouthshire Canal at Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, July 2012](Abercarn - Mon Canal 01 1207-240.jpg)
Monmouthshire Canal
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![Monmouthshire Canal at Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, July 2012](Abercarn - Mon Canal 02 1207-240.jpg)
Monmouthshire Canal
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Celynen South Colliery Aerial Ropeway - ST 2220 9680
The ropeway ran from the colliery to the now-landscaped tips on the top of Twyn-y-Gnol
![Aerial ropeway pylon foundations, Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, October 2009](Celynon South - aerial ropeway foundation 0910-240.jpg)
Aerial ropeway pylon foundations
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![Aerial ropeway pylon foundations, Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, February 2013](Abercarn - Pylon foundations 1302-240.jpg)
Aerial ropeway pylon foundations
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![Aerial ropeway pylon foundations, Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, July 2012](Celynon South aerial ropeway 01 1207-240.jpg)
Aerial ropeway pylon foundations
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![Aerial ropeway, Celynon South Colliery, Abercarn, July 2012](Celynon South aerial ropeway 02 1207-240.jpg)
Aerial ropeway ironmongery
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![Aerial ropeway, Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, July 2012](Celynon South aerial ropeway 03 1207-240.jpg)
Aerial ropeway ironmongery
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![Aerial ropeway, Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, July 2012](Celynon South aerial ropeway 04 1207-240.jpg)
Aerial ropeway ironmongery
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![Aerial ropeway, Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, July 2012](Celynon South aerial ropeway 05 1207-240.jpg)
Aerial ropeway ironmongery
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![Aerial ropeway, Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, July 2012](Celynon South aerial ropeway 06 1207-240.jpg)
Aerial ropeway ironmongery
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Bucket No 33
At some time it appears bucket No. 33 fell off the ropeway, spilling its contents and ending up in the undergrowth near the top of the ropeway. My partner, Jill, told about it in 2009 and took me up to see it. By 2013 it had been rolled or dragged down the hill and left upside down. Revisiting in 2023, it was back the right way up. Let's hope it's left alone now.
![Aerial ropeway bucket No 33 turned back up, Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, March 2023](Celynon-South-aerial-ropeway-bucket-2303-240.jpg)
Bucket No 33 turned back up, 2023
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![Aerial ropeway bucket No 33 upside down, Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, February 2013](Celynon-South-aerial-ropeway-bucket-1302-01-240.jpg)
Bucket No 33 upside down, 2013
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![Aerial ropeway bucket No 33 upside down, Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, February 2013](Celynon-South-aerial-ropeway-bucket-1302-02-240.jpg)
Bucket No 33 upside down, 2013
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![Aerial ropeway bucket No 33 upside down, Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, February 2013](Celynon-South-aerial-ropeway-bucket-1302-03-240.jpg)
Bucket No 33 upside down, 2013
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![Aerial ropeway bucket No 33 upside down, Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, February 2013](Celynon-South-aerial-ropeway-bucket-1302-04-240.jpg)
Bucket No 33 upside down, 2013
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![Aerial ropeway bucket No 33, Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, October 2009](Celynon South - aerial ropeway bucket 01 0910-240.jpg)
Bucket No 33, 2009
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![Aerial ropeway bucket No 33, Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, October 2009](Celynon South - aerial ropeway bucket 02 0910-240.jpg)
Bucket No 33, 2009
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![Aerial ropeway bucket No 33, Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, October 2009](Celynon South - aerial ropeway bucket 03 0910-240.jpg)
Bucket No 33, 2009
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![Aerial ropeway bucket No 33, Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, October 2009](Celynon South - aerial ropeway bucket 04 0910-240.jpg)
Bucket No 33, 2009
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![Aerial ropeway bucket No 33, Celynen South Colliery, Abercarn, October 2009](Celynon South - aerial ropeway bucket 05 0910-240.jpg)
Bucket No 33, 2009
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Celynen South Colliery Quarry - ST 2147 9573
The quarry was probably opened before the colliery to obtain the building stone for the colliery buildings. A tramway ran down to the colliery, passing under Halls Road Tramroad through a short tunnel. The tunnel is still there but for some reason only one end has been walled up (on the quarry side).
![Celynen South Colliery Quarry, 1880, © Crown Copyright reserved](Map-Celynon-Quarry-1880-240.jpg)
Celynen South Colliery Quarry, 1880
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![Celynen South Colliery Quarry, 1901, © Crown Copyright reserved](Map-Celynon-Quarry-1901-240.jpg)
Celynen South Colliery Quarry, 1901
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![Celynen South Colliery Quarry, Abercarn, November 2020](Celynon-South-Colliery-Quarry-2011-02-240.jpg)
Celynen South Colliery Quarry
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![Celynen South Colliery Quarry, Abercarn, November 2020](Celynon-South-Colliery-Quarry-2011-03-240.jpg)
Celynon South Colliery Quarry
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![Celynon South Colliery Quarry, Abercarn, November 2020](Celynon-South-Colliery-Quarry-2011-04-240.jpg)
Celynen South Colliery Quarry
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![Celynon South Colliery Quarry, Abercarn, November 2020](Celynon-South-Colliery-Quarry-2011-01-240.jpg)
Celynon South Colliery Quarry
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![Celynen South Colliery Quarry, Abercarn, November 2020](Celynon-South-Colliery-Quarry-2011-05-240.jpg)
Celynen South Colliery Quarry
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![Celynen South Colliery Quarry, Abercarn, November 2020](Celynon-South-Colliery-Quarry-2011-06-240.jpg)
Celynen South Colliery Quarry
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![Celynen South Colliery Quarry, Abercarn, November 2020](Celynon-South-Colliery-Quarry-2011-07-240.jpg)
Celynen South Colliery Quarry
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![Celynen South Colliery quarry tramway, Abercarn, November 2020](Celynen-South-Quarry-Tramway-2011-01-240.jpg)
Colliery quarry tramway
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![Celynen South Colliery quarry tramway, Abercarn, November 2020](Celynen-South-Quarry-Tramway-2011-02-240.jpg)
Colliery quarry tramway
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![Celynen South Colliery quarry tramway, Abercarn, November 2020](Celynen-South-Quarry-Tramway-2011-03-240.jpg)
Colliery quarry tramway
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![Celynen South Colliery quarry tramway, Abercarn, November 2020](Celynen-South-Quarry-Tramway-2011-04-240.jpg)
Colliery quarry tramway
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![Celynen South Colliery quarry tramway bridge, Abercarn, November 2020](Celynen-South-Quarry-Bridge-2011-240.jpg)
Colliery quarry tramway bridge
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![Celynen South Colliery quarry tramway bridge and Class 170, Abercarn, November 2020](Celynen-South-Train-2011-240.jpg)
Colliery quarry tramway bridge
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The Gwyddon Valley
Gwyddon Trial Level - ST 2255 9410
A rifle range existed periodically on the South side of the valley and, where the targets were, a square-cut stone tunnel leads about 300ft into the hillside. It was dug in the 1880s and there is a very minimal tip, the stone must have been used elsewhere, and it would seem no coal was found. There are odd 'scratchings' along the old rifle range that may have been attempts to find a coal seam.
![The Gwyddon trial level, Abercarn, March 2012](Gwyddon - level 04 1203-240.jpg)
The Gwyddon trial level, 2012
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![The Gwyddon trial level, Abercarn, March 2012](Gwyddon-level-1203-03-240.jpg)
The Gwyddon trial level, 2012
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![The Gwyddon trial level, Abercarn, March 2012](Gwyddon - level 02 1203-240.jpg)
The Gwyddon trial level, 2012
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![The Gwyddon trial level, Abercarn, March 2012](Gwyddon-level-1203-01-240.jpg)
The Gwyddon trial level, 2012
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![The Gwyddon trial level tip, Abercarn, March 2012](Gwyddon - level 05 1203-240.jpg)
The Gwyddon trial level tip, 2012
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![The Gwyddon trial level tip, Abercarn, March 2012](Gwyddon-level-1203-06-240.jpg)
The Gwyddon trial level tip, 2012
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![The Gwyddon trial level, Abercarn, May 2023](Gwyddon-level-2305-08-240.jpg)
The Gwyddon trial level, 2023
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![The Gwyddon trial level, Abercarn, May 2023](Gwyddon-level-2305-06-240.jpg)
The Gwyddon trial level, 2023
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![The Gwyddon trial level, Abercarn, May 2023](Gwyddon-level-2305-07-240.jpg)
The Gwyddon trial level, 2023
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![Other Gwyddon trial levels, Abercarn, May 2023](Gwyddon-Valley-2305-01-240.jpg)
Other Gwyddon trial levels, 2023
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![Other Gwyddon trial levels, Abercarn, May 2023](Gwyddon-Valley-2305-02-240.jpg)
Other Gwyddon trial levels, 2023
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![Other Gwyddon trial levels, Abercarn, May 2023](Gwyddon-Valley-2305-03-240.jpg)
Other Gwyddon trial levels, 2023
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![Other Gwyddon trial levels, Abercarn, May 2023](Gwyddon-Valley-2305-04-240.jpg)
Other Gwyddon trial levels, 2023
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![Other Gwyddon trial levels, Abercarn, May 2023](Gwyddon-Valley-2305-05-240.jpg)
Other Gwyddon trial levels, 2023
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The Lost Farmsteads of the Nant Gwyddon Valley
A beautiful Autumn day and the Ramblers and the Twmbarlwm Society combine their forces for a full-frontal assault on the hidden depths of the Gwyddon Valley.
Sawmills - ST 2372 9577
Brook Bungalow - ST 2374 9594
When the Gwyddon was forested, probably in the 1940s and '50s, a sawmill was set up here in wooden and corrugated iron sheds. It's now just an open space.
First port-of-call is the site of Brook Bungalow, just above the site of the sawmill, and another tale of the macabre, the last elderly occupant hadn't been seen for a few days so when the police called in to check....
Craig Furnace - ST 2374 9594
A little further and we come across some mysterious stone walls, could be charcoal burners, could be aliens. Quickly followed by an equally mysterious hole-in-the-wall, didn't go back very far but what was it for? answers on a postcard to Rob Southall, please..
![The site of Gwyddon sawmill, Abercarn, March 2012](Gwyddon - sawmill 1203-240.jpg)
The site of Gwyddon sawmill
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![Site of Brook Bungalow, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Brook Bungalow 1111-240.jpg)
Site of Brook Bungalow
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![Stone buildings at Craig Furnace, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Craig Furnace 01 1111-240.jpg)
Stone buildings at Craig Furnace
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![Stone buildings at Craig Furnace, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Craig Furnace 02 1111-240.jpg)
Stone buildings at Craig Furnace
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![Stone buildings at Craig Furnace, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Craig Furnace 03 1111-240.jpg)
Stone buildings at Craig Furnace
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![Stone buildings at Craig Furnace, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Craig Furnace 04 1111-240.jpg)
Stone buildings at Craig Furnace
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![Stone buildings at Craig Furnace, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Craig Furnace 05 1111-240.jpg)
Stone buildings at Craig Furnace
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![Stone buildings at Craig Furnace, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Craig Furnace 06 1111-240.jpg)
Stone buildings at Craig Furnace
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![Stone buildings at Craig Furnace, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Craig Furnace 07 1111-240.jpg)
Stone buildings at Craig Furnace
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![Hole at Craig y Trwyn, could be a drain or flue, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - hole 01 1111-240.jpg)
Hole at Craig y Trwyn
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![Hole at Craig y Trwyn, could be a drain or flue, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - hole 02 1111-240.jpg)
Hole at Craig y Trwyn
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Trywyn - ST 2386 9647
Trywyn is next after a fair bit of uphill scrambling, just ruins but Rob had some great photos of a very attractive house.
![Trwyn farmhouse, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Trwyn 01 1111-240.jpg)
Trwyn farmhouse
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![Trwyn farmhouse, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Trwyn 02 1111-240.jpg)
Trwyn farmhouse
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![Trwyn farmhouse, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Trwyn 03 1111-240.jpg)
Trwyn farmhouse
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![Trwyn farmhouse, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Trwyn 04 1111-240.jpg)
Trwyn farmhouse
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![Trwyn farmhouse, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Trwyn 05 1111-240.jpg)
Trwyn farmhouse
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![Trwyn farmhouse, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Trwyn 06 1111-240.jpg)
Trwyn farmhouse
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![Trwyn farmhouse, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Trwyn 07 1111-240.jpg)
Trwyn farmhouse
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![Trwyn farmhouse, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Trwyn 08 1111-240.jpg)
Trwyn farmhouse
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Ysgubor Wen - ST 2440 9759
As we reach the moors we pass the scant foundations of Ysgubor Wen, believed to be quite ancient, then past a well-inscribed boundary stone, lunch, and down to Hafod Owen.
![Ysgubor Wen, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Ysgubor Wen 1111-240.jpg)
Ysgubor Wen
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![Boundary stone above Ysgubor Wen, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - boundary stone 01 1111-240.jpg)
Boundary stone at Ysgubor Wen
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![Boundary stone above Ysgubor Wen, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - boundary stone 02 1111-240.jpg)
Boundary stone at Ysgubor Wen
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Hafod Owen - ST 2465 9690
A few outhouses, a pigsty and stable possibly, and a waterpipe remain, sad testimony to it's former occupants. Then the long trek down the valley and home.
![Hafod Owen Farmstead, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Hafod Owen 01 1111-240.jpg)
Hafod Owen Farmstead
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![Hafod Owen Farmstead, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Hafod Owen 02 1111-240.jpg)
Hafod Owen Farmstead
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![Hafod Owen Farmstead, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Hafod Owen 03 1111-240.jpg)
Hafod Owen Farmstead
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![Hafod Owen Farmstead, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Hafod Owen 04 1111-240.jpg)
Hafod Owen Farmstead
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![Hafod Owen Farmstead, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Hafod Owen 05 1111-240.jpg)
Hafod Owen Farmstead
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![Hafod Owen Farmstead, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Hafod Owen 06 1111-240.jpg)
Hafod Owen Farmstead
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![Hafod Owen Farmstead, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Hafod Owen 07 1111-240.jpg)
Hafod Owen Farmstead
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![Hafod Owen Farmstead, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, November 2011](Gwyddon - Hafod Owen 08 1111-240.jpg)
Hafod Owen Farmstead
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Foresters shelter or hut - ST 2342 9603
A small primitive building in the Gwyddon Valley appears to be a hut or shelter for a forester, charcoal-burner or shepherd, it's about 9ft square, built lean-to fashion against a small rock face with the other 3 walls made of stone. There's a central slab which may have been for a brazier or firebox and a narrow entrance. Certainly old, possibly early 19th century. many thanks to John Cottle for finding it. I was hoping it may have been an iron or lead level as there's no coal at all in the Gwyddon, which may just be a blessing !!
![Foresters shelter or hut, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, May 2019](Gwyddon-1905-01-240.jpg)
Foresters shelter or hut
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![Foresters shelter or hut, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, May 2019](Gwyddon-1905-02-240.jpg)
Foresters shelter or hut
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![Foresters shelter or hut, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, May 2019](Gwyddon-1905-03-240.jpg)
Foresters shelter or hut
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![Foresters shelter or hut, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, May 2019](Gwyddon-1905-04-240.jpg)
Foresters shelter or hut
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![Foresters shelter or hut, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, May 2019](Gwyddon-1905-05-240.jpg)
Foresters shelter or hut
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![Foresters shelter or hut, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, May 2019](Gwyddon-1905-06-240.jpg)
Foresters shelter or hut
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![Foresters shelter or hut, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, May 2019](Gwyddon-1905-07-240.jpg)
Foresters shelter or hut
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![Foresters shelter or hut, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, May 2019](Gwyddon-1905-08-240.jpg)
Foresters shelter or hut
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![Foresters shelter or hut, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, May 2019](Gwyddon-1905-09-240.jpg)
Foresters shelter or hut
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![Foresters shelter or hut, Nant Gwyddon Valley, Abercarn, May 2019](Gwyddon-1905-10-240.jpg)
Foresters shelter or hut
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Acknowledgments, sources and further reading.
Thanks to :- Lin Bryant, John Cottle, Steve Davies, Andrew Gadd, Alan Murray-Rust, Andrew Smith, Rob Southall, Richard Terrell, David Williams, OHIHS
'A historical tour around Mynyddislwyn Mountain' by Len Burland, Old Bakehouse Publications.
'Halls Tramroad' by Foster Frowin - A comprehensive five-part article appeared in 'Archive' magazine, Issues nos 55, 56, 59, 60 and 66 with loads of original photos and the 1840s tithe maps. Fascinating reading!!
A history of the Abercarn Ironworks by F. Frowen, L. Milsom and L. Burland, Gwent Local History Journal, Spring 1997, vol.82, p.16.
A Guide to the Website
Industrial Wales
Collieries, Ironworks, Quarries, Railways, Canals, Tramroads, Tunnels, Culverts and so much more....
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Brickworks of Wales
Bricks are 'History with a label' so here's the story of the Brickworks of Wales - photos, maps and the products themselves
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Around the World
My travels around the UK and the Whole Wide World in search of industries, railways, trams and mines to name a few.
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Boundary Stones and Mileposts
Boundary Stones, Mileposts and other markers in simple alphabetical order of their initials, name or site.
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Ships and Shipping
Ships around the World in simple alphabetical order of their name (or apparent area if I can't read the name).
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The Site Map and Index
A full list of all the pages of the whole website in just one place, so you should find exactly what you are looking for.
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About the Site
The background and technical details about the site, plus a contact page and links to other sites - and a warning !!
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Contact Me
Something to add? A great photo? Something wrong? or need to know more about things? Just drop me a line here.
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Further Reading
You can find lots of local and other very helpful websites, books, magazines and Facebook groups all listed here.
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All rights reserved - Phil Jenkins