Our Members Research
Our members have produced a number of research and discussion documents or have acquired interesting items that deserve a wider audience. We have reproduced a selection below, free of charge, in .pdf format for you to download. If you can add anything to our research, however little, we would love to hear from you.
Abercarn Blast Furnace
Having known a particular derelict building for many years, three members of the society identified it as the second Abercarn Blast Furnace of 1753 and carried out a study of the remaining structure. 'Abercarn Blast Furnace' by Foster Frowen, Lionel Milsom and Len Burland was first published in the Gwent Local History Journal in Spring 1997. :-
Britannia Foundry, Pontymister
The Britannia Foundry in Pontymister dates from 1854 and produced many large items of ironwork right up to the 1960s. The site was usd for other industial use until c1990 when it was used for housing. The history of the foundry has ben written by Malcolm Johnson and publised in our 'lockdown' newsletter.
Brown Lenox of Pontypridd
Brown Lenox of Pontypridd were world-famous manufacturers of chains as well as many other industrial items. Our member, Robin Williams, has acquired a fascinating album of photographs taken in c1905 at their works and also the history of the company published in 1965. He has very kindly made them available for all to see.
Cnwc Farm, or 'The Gnock', Cwmcarn
Cnwc Farm is a long-ruined farmstead located on a narrow shelf on the steep Northern slopes of the Cwmcarn valley. This account of the history of 'Cnwc farm' has been produced by Rob Southall:-
Cwmbyr Uchaf, Risca
Sitting above the memorial to the Risca Blackvein miners, Cwmbyr Uchaf has a long and interesting history going back to 1750. This account of the history of 'Cwmbyr Uchaf - A lost farmstead on Mynydd Medart' has been produced by Rob Southall :-
Henry Roberts Houses, Pontymister
Henry Roberts was a 19th century boatman on the Monmouthshire Canal who gave his name to a row of four canal-side cottages in Pontymister. These notes and photos have been been produced by Malcolm Johnson and John Hughes :-
Just where was Archdeacon Coxe's Tramroad ??
There's a lot of discussion and debate on the exact location of the incline that Archdeacon Coxe recorded in 1797. Bryan Morgan has done much research on the subject and presents his own views on 'The Location of Edward Jones' 1799 Tramroad - A personal assessment based on contemporary correspondence' here :-
Lord Tredegar's visit to Risca, 1896
This souvenir album was presented to Col. James Williams by the Risca Reception Committee on the occasion of Lord Tredegar's visit to Risca. Eleven 'arches' were erected across the main road of which seven are illustrated in this album :-
The Memories of Norman Greenslade
Norman Greenslade wrote his memories of life in Newbridge and the nearby collieries in 1994. he recalls the good and bad times of life in the valleys in a period of great shange and social upheaval :-
Pant y Cyfwry, Machen
Another little-known farmstead, this time on the ridge above Machen, Pant y Cyfwry overlooks Brynawel in the Sirhowy Valley. This is another of Rob Southall's histories, thione entitled 'Pant y Cyfwry - The House in the Saddle Hollow' :-
Penrhiw-gwiail, the House of Polly Morgan
Polly Morgan's cottage, or Penrhiw-gwiail to give it its proper name, is a well-known site above Pontymister. 'Up the Wooded path to Polly Morgans', the history of the cottage, was written by Rob Southall :-
Trade directories
Trade directories contain a wealth of information and here are a few from our archives covering Pontymister to Pontywaun
Ty’n y Ffynnon House, Crosskeys
Ty’n y Ffynnon House is well-known farm property overlooking Crosskeys. Rob Southall has produced 'The House at the Wellspring, A History of Ty’n y Ffynnon House 1760 -2015' which records its history :-
Ty Shors, Bedwas
Ty Shors was a remote and little-known farmstead in the hills behind Bedwas. More research by Rob Southall has pieced together the history of 'The Fall of the House of Shors' :-
Western Valleys Omnibus Services - Lewis and James, Crosskeys
We have had a very interesting talk by Richard Morgan on the Western Valleys Omnibus Services, a forerunner of Western Welsh and today's Stagecoach services. This is the company's handbook and timtable, including dozens of adverts for local companies, probably dating from the mid 1920s.
Western Valleys Sewerage Board
The Western Valleys Trunk Sewer was conceived in 1903 to provide a 35 mile long mains sewerage system from Beaufort through to Newport. Martyn Davies tells the story of its inception and completion in the early years of 'Mod Cons'
