1881: 6000 residents. 1921: 40,000.
In just forty years Abertillery went from a snoozy hamlet to become Monmouthshire’s booming (and second biggest) town. The pits attracted workers from from West, Mid and North Wales and from Somerset and the Forest of Dean. The town teemed with people, life, industrial noise and squall. The real contrast though was between the quiet, barely-populated Tyleri Valley and what was happening to other towns higher up and at the heads of the south Wales valleys. By the late 1700s Nantyglo, Beaufort and Blaenafon were becoming the centres of a worldwide industrial revolution, and yet just down the hidden, high-sided Tyleri Valley you could still count the houses and population in terms of dozens rather than thousands.
It was to take until the 1830s for the revolution to sweep its way down the Tyleri and Ebbw Fach valleys. Rural life was thrust aside to be replaced by its aggressive industrial neighbour.
Abertillery experienced boom and bust to a greater degree than most other areas of Blaenau Gwent. A great influx of coal workers up to the mid 1870s was replaced by a deep economic depression. Within a decade the town was back on its feet and expanding, rapidly. In the years running up to the 1st World War shops, houses, and much more were built along with churches and other buildings to reflect its civic pride.
Abertillery now faces new challenges to, again, transform itself.
Please Note:
I will be holding an open surgery at Ebenezer Chapel, Abertillery on Friday, January 8th, 2010. These surgeries are an important way for me to keep in touch with you, what is happening in your area of Blaenau Gwent, and ways I can both represent and (wherever necessary) help and serve you.
All surgeries will be held between 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm.
Please note: No appointment is necessary.
Should you need any further information please telephone: 01495 304569 or email daviesdc@parliament.uk
ALL of the advice surgeries I hold in Blaenau Gwent can be found on this website (under 'Surgeries with your MP'). Should the time and venues of the Advice Surgeries not be convenient to you, you are also welcome to make an appointment to see me at the Constituency Office at 24 James Street, Ebbw Vale. Please telephone the above number to make an appointment.
Yours,
Dai Davies MP for Blaenau Gwent.
Please also note that the surgeries for September onwards (when Parliament returns) will be posted on the website and in the office at 24 James Street, Ebbw Vale, once organised and agreed upon.
LOCAL INFORMATION I HOPE YOU FIND USEFUL:
Bus & Coach Operators & Stations:
C & R Travel: 45 Vivian Street, Abertillery. 01495 - 211640
Henley’s Services: Victor Road, Cwmtillery, Abertillery. 01495 – 212288
Charities & Voluntary Organisations:
Workmens Welfare Institute, Division Street. 01495 – 212602
Age Concern: 12 Commercial Street Arcade. 01495 - 320238
Blaenau Gwent Crossroads: 59 Commercial St. Abertillery. 01495 – 215646
Pets Awareness Society: 3-7 Commercial Street. 01495 – 307983
Chemists:
Boots: 10 Church Street. 01495 - 320189
Prichard: The Medical Hall, 31 Somerset St. 01495 – 212368
Pritchard: 47-48 Church Street. 01495 – 212621
Clubs & Associations:
Ex Home Guard Officers Club’ 109 Somerset Street. 01495 - 212330
Indoor Bowls Centre, Vivian Street. 01495 - 216052
Lymes Social Club, Carlyle Street. 01495 – 212233
Oak Street Social Club & Institute, 25 Oak Street. 01495 - 212603
Sports Centre, Alma Street. 01495 - 212206
The Corner Club, Somerset Street. 01495 - 212317
Community Centres:
Community Education Centre, Alma Street. 01495 - 355895
Counselling & Advice Services:
Careers Wales: 16-30 Somerset Street. 01495 - 322000
Drug Aid: 59 Commercial Street, Abertillery. 01495 – 211999
Hi Help Inside Counselling, 20 High Street. 01495 - 321233
http://www.hihelpinside.co.uk
Doctors & Doctors Surgeries:
Dr. C.G. Dexter: Bridge Centre, Foundry Bridge. 01495 - 322682
Funeral Directors:
Brown, TJ & Sons, 19 Chapel Street. 01495 – 214088
Hospitals:
Abertillery Hospital, Pendarren Road, Aberbeeg. 01495 - 321082
Library: Station House, Oak Street. 01495 – 212332
Museums: Abertillery & District Museum Society, Market St. 01495 – 211140
Places of Worship:
Blaenau Gwent Baptist Church, Victoria Street. 01495 – 321359
Ebenezer Baptist Church, Park Place. 01495 - 213284
Salvation Army, Hill Street. 01495 - 212689
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Queen Street. 01495 – 212339
St. Michael’s Church, Church Street. 01495 - 212246
Post Offices: 31 Church Street. 01495 – 211100
0845 – 722 - 3344
Brynithel: Bryn Villas. 01495 – 214215
Princess Street, 1 Cwm Cottage Road. 01495 - 212163
Schools:
Comprehensive School, Alma Street. 01495 – 217121
Primary School, Newall Street. 01495 - 212684
Queen Street Primary School 01495 - 212179
Rose Heyworth Millenium Primary School
Rose Heyworth Road, 01495 – 322020
Sports Clubs and Associations:
Indoor Bowls Centre, Vivian Street. 01495 - 216052
Sports Centre, Alma Street. 01495 - 212206
Youth Organisations: Abertillery Youth Centre: Station Hill. 01495 – 212735