Memories of a Pontycymer Policeman
Bernard Evans was brought up in Gilfach Goch. After completing his National Service he joined the South Wales Police. His first six months in the force was spent training in Bridgend before he was sent in 1961 to Pontycymer Police Station in Victoria Street as a probationer. There was a sergeant and four constables based…
Colliery Offices Destroyed in Avalanche
20 members of the clerical staff at the International Coal Company Ltd, at Blaengarw, had a miraculous escape on Tuesday 4th November, when a substantial portion of the 100 foot high colliery waste tip behind the office came down and fell right on top of the buildings, which were completely destroyed. Mr. Evan Jones, a…
A Walk In The Garw: 1908
A farmhouse stands high above the Garw Valley, right on the edge of the steep hillside – with thick walls and comfortable low built rooms. In front of the house a clump of fir trees stand, as a bold landmark for the neighbourhood. It has been the home of many generations of yeoman farmers,…
Mines Rescue Men Die in Foul Air Disaster
One hundred years ago this month a tragic set of events unfolded at the Duchy Colliery, Pontyrhyl. March 2nd 1917 It started with what was to be a quarterly training exercise for the men of the Duchy Colliery Mines Rescue Team, at the colliery a request had been made to the colliery manager, Mr. Eli…