Graiglyn Colliery

Near Cwmavon, AfanValley (788935)

This was a series of small levels on the Rhondda and SwanseaBay Railway that produced house and manufacturing coals.

In 1911 this small level was owned by Charles Owen and Bevan and Company and employed 16 men.

It was listed in 1913, 1917 and 1921 as being owned by the Graiglyn Colliery Company of Pontrhydyfen. It employed 21 men in 1913, 28 men in 1916 and 50 men underground and 5 men on the surface in 1918 and 30 men working underground and 7 men working at the surface producing 9,000 tons of coal in 1923. The manager during this period was T. Hughes. In 1927 the manager was D. Walters and it employed 29 men. Manpower was further reduced to 22 men working the Wernpistyll Rider, the Wernddu and Wernddu Rider seams in 1929 when the manager was Gwilym Llewellyn. At that time it was in the hands of Receivers. This company was not a member of the Monmouthshire and South Wales Coal Owners Association.

The Graiglyn abandoned the Rock Fawr seam in December 1908 and the Wernpistyll Rider seam in June 1920. The Graiglyn Nos. 2 and 3 abandoned the Wernpistyll Rider in October 1929 having previously worked the Field, Wernddu and Wernddu Rider seams. In 1932 it employed 29 men and was managed by D.T. Walters.

Some statistics:

• 1910: Manpower: 18.
• 1913: Manpower: 21.
• 1916: Manpower: 28.
• 1918: Manpower: 55.
• 1920: Manpower: 55.
• 1922: Manpower: 55.
• 1923: Manpower: 37. Output: 9,000 tons.
• 1924: Manpower: 61.
• 1925: Manpower: 55.
• 1926: Manpower: 29.
• 1928: Manpower: 29.
• 1929: Manpower: 22.
• 1930: Manpower: 22. Output: 10,000 tons.

Information supplied by Ray Lawrence and used here with his permission.