Aberdare
Aberdare Colliery ruin
Aberdare Park
Cwmdare Coal Industry
The earliest record of large-scale coal extraction in the Cwmdare Valley dates to 1851, although it seems highly likely that work had began some short time before that date.
More commonly known as Powell's Pit, this colliery was opened by Thomas Powell and the first coal was raised in 1856.
In 1935 the colliery once again came under the control of Powell Duffryn, which by that time had become the largest coal combine in the world. Throughout the 1920's and 1930's the colliery, like the rest of the South Wales Coalfield, suffered from the depression in the coal trade.
Four major collieries were sited in the Cwmdare Valley in relatively close proximity to one another.
(RCT. B. Council)
Aberdare Mine ruin
The settlement of Aberdare dates from at least the Middle Ages, with the first known reference being in a monastic chapter of 1203 concerning grazing right on Hirwaun Common.
It was originally a small village in an agricultural district, centred around the Church of St John the Baptist, said to date from 1189.
By the middle of the 15th century, Aberdare contained a water mill in addition to a number of thatched cottages, of which no evidence remains.
In the early 19th century the population of Aberdare grew rapidly, owing to the abundance of coal and iron ore,: the population of the whole parish, 1,486 in 1801, increased tenfold during the first half of the 19th century.
Two major industries supported the growth of the community: first iron, then coal.
A branch of the Glamorganshire Canal (1811) was used to transport these products; then the railway became the main means of transport to the South Wales coast.
From the 1870s onwards, the economy of the town was dominated by the coal mining industry, with only a small tinplate works. There were also several brickworks and breweries. During the latter half of the 19th century, considerable improvements were made to the town, which became a pleasant place to live, despite the nearby collieries.
Ap Valant moved from Cardiganshire to Aberdare in 1865 aged 19. In 1866, he met and married Ann Morgan (from Brynhynydd Farm, Cwmgrenic, Glanaman in Carmarthenshire) whose husband had died in 1865, leaving her widowed with 3 children (aged 1, 5 and 7). In 1867, she gave birth to David her first child with Ap Valant whilst living in Cwmdare.
Two years later (Oct 1869) Ann gives birth to her second son Richard (my Great Uncle) with Ap Valant in Garnant, Camarthenshire likely staying with her parents at Brynhynydd farm.
Richard became a minister and for 5 years was in charge of Trinity church, Llanelli. The Reverend Richard Williams later became a Calvinistic Methodist Minister at the Nazarus chapel in 1901.
The chapel was rebuilt in 1906, immediately after the Revival.
Richard Williams was still the minister there throughout the Great War of 1914-18.
The Nazarus chapel closed in the 1960's, but the building remains, at the bottom of Abernant Road, near the railway station. It is now part of the Jewson's store.
Richard had 3 children, a son and 2 daughters. Unfortunately his son died aged 3. His two daughters (see photograph on the right) lived relatively long lives. Myfanwy and Megan (see below) were talented Eistedfodd participants often winning prizes. Apparently, Richard enjoyed wrting poetry too.
Richard died in 1926 aged 56 (5 years after Ap Valant passed away) and his wife Elizabeth Blodwen Davies lived until 1844 (aged 76).
Nazareth, Aberdare
Meeting
The annual meeting of the Cultural Society of the above chapel was held last Tuesday, January, when there were tight competitions on most texts and a full assembly to enjoy the feast, the President of the eisteddfod was Rev R. Williams. Singing critic, Mr Caswallon Jones. Critic of the poetry, Mr John Rees (Glan Cynon) Critics of script, Mr Thomas Jones and Miss Morfudd Davies. Art Judges, Mrs D. Williams, Blaengwawr, and Mr Caswallon Jones. Mr Thomas Jones and Mr George Powell's recitation and speech judges.
(All translations by 'webtran' )
NAZARUS Chapel
Nazareth, Aberdare. The Cultural Society
Remaining in humility and the effectiveness of the above society. Last Tuesday, from the presidency of the Rev. Richard Williams, a very daily hour and a half was spent in the secret of the study of Science.
The leader along the secretive trails was Mr T Eynoa Davies, B.Sc., Porth County School Science teacher, and his research area was The Atmosphere. '
To explain his excellent lecture, Mr Davies carried out a number of experiments in the presence of his listeners, which greatly enhanced the feeling of humility. It was good that Mr Dd Landeg, in thanking the young lecturer, said that it would be very good for the miners of the district if they were there to hear and see Mr Davies' element of the composition of the sky. No doubt they felt that it contained very important information for them, as well as the humility about it. The motion was seconded by Mr D W Williams, and Mr D Phillips and the chairman spoke further. Mr D Felix Davies, Eynon's younger brother, was also duly thanked for his assistance with the experiments. This was the first lecture given by Mr Eynon Davies to the public, and he went through his work admirably. Mr Davies is a son of Glan Dulais, Aberdare, and nephew of the famous Eynon and Ossian Davies of London.
Before closing the meeting, Mri D W Williams and John Stephens sang a duet.
24th Jan 1907
Nazareth, Aberdare.
The issue that was dealt with in the ballooned Cultural Society for chapel last Tuesday.
Topic:
Should religious education be shared in the day schools?
The guidance and positive side were taken by Mr Gilbert Williams, and on the humble side by his brother, Mr Fred Williams, both of whom read excellent papers.
It is clear that each had prepared a good repository of reasons for their argument, and possessed a willingness to win the support of their listeners.
The Williams brothers proved themselves as well-versed as students of the subject of education as 'opticians,' and put their reasons in the heads of the members as skilfully as they put glasses on their noses.
They were followed in the debate by Messrs D W Williams, D Phillips, Hector Jenkins, Miss Catherine Rees, Messrs Tom Hughes (esq.), D Rosser Williams, Robert Williams, Geo. Powell, Caswallon Jones, and Rev. R Williams, the chairman.
The issue was not put to a vote, but it was clear that the voice of this communication is consistent with the present term of Christianity, strongly inclined to the nacafal (?), that daily school trainees be restricted only to worldly education.
Miss Maggie Phillips sang cheerfully, and the leaders of the debate were warmly thanked for their papers. Good meeting.
1906 Dec
Nazareth, Aberdare. The Cultural Society
The meeting held by the above society last Tuesday evening under the presidency of the Rev. R Williams, was one of the best, if not the best, from the outset. To start the meeting, the duo sang, 'Become me,' was very charming by Miss Cassie Eynon and Miss Sue Humphreys, who gained great member approval.
Then goes on to discuss the special work of the meeting. The topic for discussion was the Welshman's excellences and shortcomings. '
Miss Morfudd Davies, an assistant teacher at Ysgol y Cyngor, compared and set out the first aspect, and Miss Catherine Rees, another of the Council's teachers, the latter, and it is fair to acknowledge that they can do two fair games and their mateq. Both papers displayed above average thinking, skill, and literary tastes.
They were followed in the discussion by Mr Hector Jenkins, Mr D Rosser Williams (vice president), Mr D Landeg, Mrs R Williams, Mr Gilbert Williams, Mr Robert Williams, Mr Caswallon Jones, and the President.
Then he proposed. Mr David Walters, and Miss M Hughes (Pegler's Stores) seconded a warm v society thanks to the young sisters for their excellent work.
And concluded with the singing of the national melody, To the Land of my Fathers, 'Miss Maggie Phillips leading the solo.
1906
The Aberdare Leader ~ Nov 13th 1915
Cymrodorion Aberdar (Fellows of Aberdare Society)
“A Ladies Night” (Men had gone off to War)
Three ladies presented well-prepared papers:
Miss Rosina Williams, Blaen- gwawr School, gave an address on Taliesin's dictum, "Eu hiaith a gad- want” ~ "Their language will they preserve".
She remarked
"The prophecy was being, fulfilled. ... the attitude of the Cymry themselves towards their language would decide its future.
The greatest peril of the maintenance of the Welsh language was the tendency to follow the line of least resistance.
It was the twin virtues of religion and patriotism that had kept Wales from becoming a mere province of England".
Miss Williams referred to bilingualism as an aid to culture
When Wales would produce literature of the best type then would foreigners consider it worth their while to learn the language in order to acquaint themselves with Welsh literary treasures.
Miss Williams emphasised the need of retaining Welsh as the language of the home, the eisteddfod, and the schools
"So long as the' Welsh were determined to retain their mother tongue, no external power would kill it".
Miss M. A. Watkin, B.A., dwelt vividly on the revival of Welsh nationalism and the Welsh language.
Miss Watkin believed that the Welsh University (Aberystwyth) was the first to grant degrees to women.
Besides, the first graduate of the Welsh University was a woman.
Miss Morgan gave a striking instance of the mutilation of the Welsh language by school children