Llanhilleth side-stepped much of the most tumultuous industrialisation which overwhelmed its neighbouring communities. For that reason it has a quite different flavour and history to much of the rest of Blaenau Gwent.
This tiny community has a major claim to history. Two claims, in fact.
The first, is the church known as St. Illtyd’s. Some say the present place of worship stands on the site of a 5th century wooden Church. The first written reference to the church was in a 9th-10th century poem, it was rebuilt in the 12th century by Cistercian monks, but was closed in 1957. The hand of industrialisation had intervened – but just briefly.
Local opencast mining did affect and undermine the church. But, eventually, a restoration project was organised and the church was brought back to life at the heart of this community.
The second historical claim to fame surrounds the so-called ‘Llanhilleth Castle’. Some have dismissed it as nothing more than a burial mound. But they should look again. Excavations have confirmed that there was a masonry castle at Llanhilleth known as Castell Taliorum. And an entry in the Chronicle of the Princes for 1233 records that ‘ Llywelyn the Great burnt the castles at Monmouth, Cardiff and Abergavenny and "the castrum called Castell Hithell". Coal, iron, and steel may have, substantially, passed Llanhilleth by – but history most certainly did not!
Please Note:
I will be holding an open surgery at The Institute, Llanhilleth on Friday, December 4th. 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:
Chemists:
Jones FM: 23 Commercial Road. 01495 - 214286
Community Centres:
Llanhilleth Miners Institute, 2 Meadow Street. 01495 - 354674 Doctors & Doctors Surgeries:
Dr. B.R. Akhtar, Unit B, Llanhilleth Ind. Est. 01495 - 214923
The Surgery, Meadow Street. 01495 - 214255
Funeral Directors:
Tom Philip & Sons. 31 Commercial Road. 01495 – 320070
Library: Workman’s Institute. 01495 - 214485
Post Office: 7 Commercial Road. 01495 – 214250
Schools St. Illtyd’s Primary School. 01495 - 321718
Sports Clubs and Associations:
Rugby Football Club, Commercial Road. 01495 - 214366