BLAEN GRAIGOLA COLLIERY
Pontardawe, Swansea Valley (731020)

This mine was worked by the Blaen Graigola Colliery Company of Pontardawe between 1901 and 1910. It abandoned the Graigola seam in May 1910. Also the name of a small mine located at 733019 and worked under license from the National Coal Board from 1957 to 1968 by TG. Jones of Pontardawe.

Some statistics:

  • 1901: Manpower: 13.
  • 1902: Manpower: 15.
  • 1903: Manpower: 15.
  • 1905: Manpower: 16.
  • 1907/9: Manpower: 18.
  • 1910: Manpower: 16.
  • 1911: Manpower: 18.

BLAEN-Y-MAES COLLIERY
Pontardawe, Swansea Valley

This was a small level that worked under license from the NCB in 1969 when it was owned by W.J. Williams of Pontardawe. It was not listed in 1970 having abandoned the Graig seam in 1969.

CATHELYD (CAETHELYD) COLLIERY
Clydach, Swansea Valley

This mine was listed in 1849/65, the Vivians were working a Cathelyd in 1869 which worked the Graigola and Swansea Six-Feet seams, the Six-Feet seam had a section of coal 16 inches, dirt 8 inches, and coal 32 inches. 1878/1882 it was listed as being under the ownership of H.H. Vivian and managed by Jason Naysmith. In 1884 it was owned by Vivian and Son with S. Davies as the manager. A small level of this name gets a brief mention in 1947/9 when it employed 12 men working the Maesmelyn seam which had a section of 24”. It was then managed by D.L. Jones. In 1950 it employed 52 men. In 1953 Cathelyd Colliery appeared in the NCB’s No.3 Group of the No.1 Swansea Area and employed 150 men underground and 41 men at the surface of the mine producing 50,000 tons of coal with the manager being D.W. Jones.

CEFN DRIM COLLIERY
Clydach, Swansea Valley

This was a level that was sunk in 1910 by the Graigola Merthyr Company which was owned by the Cory Brothers. In 1933/38 it was managed by J.L. Evans.

In 1943/5 it employed 484 men underground in the Graigola seam and 180 men on the surface with the manager being J.L. Evans. Nationalised in 1947 when it was still managed by the NCB’s J.L. Evans. It was then absorbed into Graig Merthyr Colliery.

Some statistics:

  • 1928: Manpower: 631 with Graig Merthyr.
  • 1933: Manpower: 702.
  • 1937: Manpower: 704.
  • 1938: Manpower: 710.
  • 1943/5: Manpower: 644.

CWMBRYN COLLIERY
Pontardawe, Swansea Valley (699053)

This was a small level that was worked under license from the National Coal Board in the early 1970s when it was owned by the Pwll-y-Watcyn Colliery Company of Crynant. It mainly worked the Glyngwilym seam. In 1978 it was owned by Messrs. Thomas, Thomas and Nicholls of Llanelli.

CWM CLYDE COLLIERY
Swansea Valley (732071)

This was a small mine that was worked under license from the National Coal Board by the Cwmclyde Colliery Company in the 1950s and 1960s. It was abandoned in 1970. In 1957 its miners were part of the Cwmtawe Lodge of the NUM. At that time it employed 29 men working the Hughes Vein.

CWMNANT COLLIERY
Pontardawe, (732071)

The first report of this mine that I can find is in 1915 when the Colliery Guardian states that it is sinking to the lower measures. It employed 2 men underground and I man on the surface in 1918 when owned by the Cwmnant Colliery Company of London and managed by R.J. Edwards and 116 men in 1920. Mr. Edwards was still the manager in 1923 but there were no men employed at the mine. In 1924/9 it was owned by the South Wales Anthracite Company, was managed by O. Williams and employed 2 men in 1924 and 20 men in 1929. It was in the hands of the receivers in 1930. It, or another Cwmnant also worked under license from the National Coal Board in 1955/7 by Morgan and Davies, and in 1960 by B. Thomas. In 1957 its workers were part of the NUM’s Cwmtawe Lodge.

CWM TYNEWYDD COLLIERY
Pontardawe, Swansea Valley

This was a small level that was worked under license from the National Coal Board in 1955/7 by T. and D. Jones and E. Davies, 1960 to 1985 by the Cwmtynewydd Colliery Company Limited. It was part of the Llynfell Lodge of the NUM in 1957.

EVANS COLLIERY
Pontardawe, Swansea Valley (697047, No3. 697046, No.4. 697041)

These were small levels, possibly the first two were the Cwmclyde (No.1) and the Rhos (No.2) which were owned by the Cwmclyde Colliery Company which in turn was owned by Evans. The Nos.3/4 was worked under license from the National Coal Board in the 1970s and 1980s. They worked the Hughes seam and were owned by D.M. Evans of Pontardawe. In 1992 the No.4 level was worked by K.J. Austin.

The straight trench-like valley from Clydach to Ystradgynlais is eroded along a major, structurally disturbed belt in the Coal Measures. In that area of the Swansea Valley Disturbance is largely a narrow fracture zone, along which both horizontal and vertical movements have taken place in the geological past. The area of the Swansea Valley, around Ystradgynlais, is cut into the Upper Coal Measures which made the seams of these measures easily available to levels such as the Feeder Drift.

GELLIONEN COLLIERY
Near Pontardawe, (694026)

This was another small level in the Graigola seam. In 1900 it employed 12 men and in 1901 it employed 20 men. In 1902 it was owned and managed by Phillip George of Llansamlet and employed 24 men working underground and 10 men at the surface of the mine and in 1903 it employed 30 men. In 1905 it employed 50 men, in 1907 it employed 32 men, in 1908 it was lying idle but in 1911 it was owned by the Gellyonen Colliery Company. The Gelli Onnen No.2 Level was a small licensed mine worked by E.W. Daniel and D.E. Watts in 1957/60.

GLAN-YR-AFAN COLLIERY
Pontardawe, Swansea Valley (739068)

A small level that was opened on the site of the Cwmnant Colliery which had closed in 1927, one of the old drifts and a new one was used for the new mine which was opened in 1971. It was worked wider license from the National Coal Board in the 1970s when it was owned by W.J. Williams of Pontardawe. In 1976 it was owned by the Glanyrafon Colliery Company and in 1977 by Ferenz Lukacs. It closed in July 1982. In 1989/93 it was worked by European Enterprise (Mining) Limited of Essex in the Upper Pinchin seam.

GLEISON COLLIERY
Pontardawe, Swansea Valley (757064)

This mine was owned in 1913 by the South Wales Primrose Coal Company Limited when it employed 100 men and was managed by J. Standidge. This company was owned by E.W. Cook and Company who was not a member of the Monmouthshire and South Wales CoalOwners Association. In the No.2 Pit the Welsh Vein was struck at a depth of 192 feet 6 inches and was 3 feet thick while the Red Vein was struck at a depth of 313 feet 7 inches and was 3 feet 3 inches thick. Gleison Colliery was worked in conjunction with the Tareni Pits. It employed 213 men in 1915/6 when it was managed by J. Standidge. The No.2 is shown as working in 1917 and employed 200 men in 1919 when managed by T. Slater.

In 1923 it was still managed by T. Slater and employed 231 men working underground and 25 men working at the surface of the mine. It then disappeared until 1944 when it employed 500 men and in 1945 when it employed 286 men underground and 139 men on the surface, the manager was A. Hudson.
In 1947 it was placed in the National Coal Board’s, South Western Division’s, No.1 (Swansea) Area, and at that time employed 96 men on the surface and 173 men underground working the Upper and Lower Peacock seams. The manager was A. Hudson. It was closed along with Tareni Colliery in 1949.

Some statistics:

  • 1913: Manpower: 100.
  • 1915/6: Manpower: 213.
  • 1919: Manpower: 200.
  • 1920: Manpower: 280.
  • 1922: Manpower: 270.
  • 1923: Manpower: 236.
  • 1924/5: Manpower: 250 with Tareni.
  • 1937: Manpower: 44.
  • 1938: Manpower: 150.
  • 1945: Manpower: 425.
  • 1947: Manpower: 269.

This was also the name of a small level that was on the mountain above Tareni. It was worked under license from the National Coal Board in 1960 by D. Mullany, in 1969 by the Gleison Colliery Company of Glyn-neath and employed 11 men. In 1975/6 it was owned by Slack and James and in 1977 on by Slack and Craven. In 1992 it was owned by Amman Mining Limited and in 1996 by W.H. James. Between 1997 and 2004 it was owned by S & T Fuels. It worked the No.2 Rhondda seam which had a thickness of 36 inches.

On the morning of Thursday the 14th of September 2011, emergency services were called to this mine when an inrush of water trapped four of the seven miners underground at the time. Sadly all four men were eventually found dead.

 

GLYNCOCH COLLIERY
Near Clydach, Swansea Valley

This was a level in the Graigola seam that employed 22 men in 1907 and was owned in 1911/13 by J and D.W. John of Clydach when it employed 25 men in 1911 and 20 men in 1913. In 1915/6 it employed 24 men and was managed by J. John. J and D.W. John did not become members of the Monmouthshire and South Wales Coal Owners Association. In 1919 it was still managed by Mr. John and employed 28 men. In 1923 it employed 35 men and in 1935 it employed 3 men on the surface and 20 men underground producing steam, house, and manufacturing coals. In 1943 it employed 24 men working underground and five men working at the surface of this mine. It was still owned by the John’s in 1947, but by 1953/5 the No.2 Glyncoch was a small level worked under license from the National Coal Board by Howell John. In 1955 it boasted the smallest NUM Lodge in the Swansea District with 28 working members. In 1960 it was still owned by H. John while in 1970 the No.3 was owned by the Glyncoch Colliery Company of Clydach. In the 1950’s its NUM members were part of the Clydach Lodge.

Some statistics:

  • 1900: Manpower: 13.
  • 1901: Manpower: 12.
  • 1902: Manpower: 16.
  • 1905: Manpower: 16.
  • 1909/11: Manpower: 25.
  • 1912: Manpower: 17.
  • 1913: Manpower: 20.
  • 1915/6: Manpower: 24.
  • 1919: Manpower: 28.
  • 1920/2: Manpower: 35.
  • 1923: Manpower: 33.
  • 1924: Manpower: 35.
  • 1927/8: Manpower: 34.
  • 1929: Manpower: 23.
  • 1930: Manpower: 34.
  • 1932: Manpower: 23.
  • 1933: Manpower: 24.
  • 1935: Manpower: 23.
  • 1937: Manpower: 25..
  • 1938: Manpower: 25.
  • 1940: Manpower: 23.
  • 1943: Manpower: 29.
  • 1950: Manpower: 28.

GRAIG CIL HENDRE COLLIERY
Swansea Valley (71600180)

This was a small level that was worked under license from the National Coal Board in 1957 by H. Evans & Others and in 1960 by J.H. Evans. In 1969 it was owned by I.H. Evans and M.H. Harvard of Clydach and in 1970 by Harvard alone. It abandoned the Maesmawr seam in 1970.

GRAIGFELIN COLLIERY
Clydach, Swansea Valley

This slant was owned by the Graigfelin Colliery Company which was established in February 1909 with a capital of £2,000 in £10 shares. The directors were; A. Thomas, D.R. Evans, E.H. Thomas and D. Davies. In 1907 it employed 16 men and in 1909 it employed 12 men underground and 2 men on the surface, in 1911 it employed 22 men. This mine was worked in the 1915/20’s by the New Graigfelin Colliery Company and employed 45 men in 1923 and 25 men between 1924 and 1928. It abandoned the Two-Feet seam in June 1910 and the Upper Maesmelyn or Swansea Three-Feet seam in March 1928. Hendy’s Colliery Company worked a Graigfelin at Clydach in 1937/8 employing ten men. Also, the name of a licensed mine was worked in 1957 by T.J. Williams & Others and in 1960 by the Graigfelin Colliery Company Limited.

GUERETS GRAIGOLA COLLIERY
Swansea Valley (697011)

This mine consisted of a shaft and drift driven into the Graigola seam. It was also known as Ynyspellach (also see that listing). Opened by L & H Gueret the drift appears to have been opened in the 1850’s with the shaft being sunk to a depth of 132 yards between 1889 and 1889. The drift was then abandoned in 1891. It was worked by L. Gueret in 1893 when it was managed by C.W. Lancaster and in 1896 when it employed 31 men underground and 6 men on the surface, the manager was John D. Jones. In 1899 it employed 134 men, in 1900 it employed 132 men, in 1901 it employed 79 men and in 1903 it employed 145 men. It was closed in 1904. It was owned by the Hendy Merthyr Colliery Company Limited in the 1930’s and re-opened c1942. In 1945 it employed 198 men underground and 57 men on the surface with the manager being T.E. Lloyd. It was merged with Felinfran Colliery by the NCB in 1950.

GWYNFRYN COLLIERY
Pontardawe, Swansea Valley (705050)

This was a small level that was worked under license from the National Coal Board in 1955 by W.H. Morgan, in 1957 by R.J. Manning & Others and in 1960 by G.T. and D.I. Bundock, with the Nos.2 and 3 levels being worked in the 1970’s by the Cwmtynewydd Colliery Company. It abandoned the Big and Harnlo seams in 1962 and the Stwrin seam in 1966. In 1992 the No.2 level was being worked in the Glyngwilym seam by M & N Mining Limited. In the 1950’s its NUM members were part of the Llynfell Lodge.

HENDY MERTHYR COLLIERY
Clydach, Swansea Valley (038688)

A steam coal slant was opened possibly in 1923 by the Hendy Merthyr Colliery Company of Clydach which was incorporated in 1932. The chairman and managing director of the company was Richard Thomas and the other director was Elizabeth Thomas. In 1934 this company controlled two collieries and produced 115,000 tons of coal. It was located approximately half a mile to the north of Clydach Merthyr Colliery and at times known as Cathelyd. In 1935 it was worked in conjunction with the Nant-y-Capel, and at that time employed 32 men on the surface and 180 men underground producing 115,000 tons of coal from the Graigola seam. The manager in 1930 was J.H. James and in 1935 it was E. Alexander. In 1945 the manager was T.E. Lloyd and it employed 198 men underground and 57 men on the surface.

On Nationalisation in 1947, Hendy Merthyr was placed in the National Coal Board’s, South Western Division’s, No.1 (Swansea) Area, and at that time was worked with the Tylwydyn Slant, 107 men were employed underground and 20 men on the surface, the manager was D.L. Jones. He was still there in 1949. In 1951 three slants were closed leaving the Cathelyd slant. The NUM was concerned that the nearest road for an ambulance was 800 yards from the entrance of this slant. In 1954/55 this colliery was one of 42 that caused concern to both the NUM and the NCB over the high level of accidents. By 1954, 35 men were employed on the surface and 153 men underground working the Maesmelyn seam, the manager was now D. Evans. In 1955 there were 94 men employed at the coalfaces at this colliery and in 1956 there were 87 men working at the coalfaces. In 1958, 91 men worked at the coalfaces.

The colliery had its own coal preparation plant (washery). It was closed by the National Coal Board on November 11th 1960 and those that chose to were transferred to Brynlliw Colliery.

Some Statistics:

  • 1927: Manpower: 16.
  • 1928: Manpower: 29.
  • 1929:Manpower: 25 developing.
  • 1930: Manpower: 72.
  • 1933: Manpower: 164.
  • 1935: Manpower: 62. Output: 115,000 tons.
  • 1937: Manpower: 202.
  • 1938: Manpower: 196.
  • 1940: Manpower: 237. Output: 120,000 tons.
  • 1945: Manpower: 255.
  • 1947: Manpower: 127.
  • 1949: Manpower: 124. Output: 15,000 tons.
  • 1954: Manpower: 188. Output: 33,722 tons.
  • 1956: Manpower: 193. Output: 40,000 tons.
  • 1957: Manpower: 198. Output: 39,979 tons.
  • 1958: Manpower: 204. Output: 42,218 tons.

 

HIDDEKEL (HEDDEKEL) COLLIERY
Swansea Valley (73400680)

This was a small level that was worked under license from the National Coal Board in 1955/7 by M.G. Lewis and A.L. Arnold, in 1960 by the Arnold Engineering and Construction Company Limited, and in 1970 by Wilkens and Llewellyn. In the 1950s its NUM members were part of the Clydach Lodge. In 1957 it employed 21 men.

LLETTY PHILLIP COLLIERY
Pontardawe, Swansea Valley (755027)

This was a small level that was worked under license from the National Coal Board in the 1970s by the Graig-y-Fforest Colliery Company, and in 1988 by Mactrines Limited. In 1992 it was owned by the Welsh Mining Resources Limited and worked the Glyngwilym seam while in 1995/6 T.J. Slee was the owner.

A minor incident in 1985 at this level gives an insight into the attitudes of men and management at this type of level. During a routine inspection of the mine by H.M. Inspector, he found a quantity of cigarettes and matches hidden underground, and also a quantity of explosives and detonators unattended underground. A meeting was arranged for the following day between the Inspector, the NUM and the colliery owner and manager. A workman immediately confessed to owning the contraband, he claimed that he had been late for work and had forgotten about the cigarettes, when he heard that an Inspector was in the level he hid them on a pack wall. The workman was suspended from working underground for three weeks, and then his case would be reviewed. The deputies were then interviewed one of them admitted to leaving the detonators underground as the powder magazine had been locked. The Deputy was downgraded to a repairer for a period of three weeks, and then his case would be reviewed. It was also observed that the coalface supports were in a disgusting condition and that there was total indifference to safety by everyone involved at the mine. A final warning was given that standards must be improved.

LLWYNDU COLLIERY
Glais, Swansea Valley

This Level was owned in 1893 by the Llwyndu Coal & Brick Company of Glais with Thomas Evans as the manager. It produced house and manufacturing coals for the Llwyndu Colliery Company, which was owned by Evan Lewis of Clydach, in 1907 it employed 33 men, in 1913 it employed 55 men and was managed by David J. Jones. In 1915/6 it employed 44 and was managed by J. Bowen. In 1933/38 it employed 7 men. It was still being worked in 1945 when it employed 8 men underground and 2 men on the surface and was owned by the Llwyndu Fire Brick Company of Swansea. It was still working in the 1950s when its NUM members were part of the Clydach Lodge. In 1957 it employed 13 men working underground in the Graigola seam, and fro clay, and one man at the surface of the mine.

Some statistics:

  • 1902: Manpower: 43.
  • 1903: Manpower: 43.
  • 1905: Manpower: 35.
  • 1907: Manpower: 33.
  • 1909: Manpower: 26.
  • 1910: Manpower: idle.
  • 1911: Manpower: 43.
  • 1912: Manpower: 37.
  • 1913: Manpower: 55.
  • 1915/6: Manpower: 44.
  • 1933/8: Manpower: 7.
  • 1945: Manpower: 10.
  • 1957: Manpower: 14.

 

MEUDWY COLLIERY
Cilmeungwyn, Swansea Valley (744067)

This was a small level that was worked under license from the National Coal Board from 1960 to 1977 by the Meudwy Colliery Company Limited of Pontardawe. From 1977 to 1979 it was owned by Thomas Estaban of Ystradgynlais and from 1980 on by the Blaentawe Mining Company of Cwmllynfell.

 

NEW DUKE COLLIERY
Pontardawe, Swansea Valley (693092)

This was a small level that was worked under license from the National Coal Board in 1955 by W.H. Launchburry and Others, in 1957 by R. Griffiths and D.A. Lewis of Brynamman and in 1960 by the Swansea Vale Tarmacadam Company Limited. In 1969 it was owned by J & R. Llewellyn of Llangadoch and in 1971 by the Baran Colliery (Rhydyfro) Limited of Swansea. Ownership changed again in 1977 this time to C. Lloyd of Port Talbot who became C. Lloyd of Cwmgorse in 1980. The NUM members at this mine belonged to the Glanamman Lodge.

PENRHIW COLLIERY
Swansea Valley (73701060)

This small level was high up between Gwaun cae Gurwen and Ystalyfera. It was worked under license from the National Coal Board in 1955/7 by O. Williams of Pontardawe and in 1960 by the Penrhiw Colliery Company Limited The NUM members at this mine were part of the Llynfell Lodge.

PENTREHARNE COLLIERY

This was a small level that was worked under license from the National Coal Board in the 1960s by Colemor Development Company and in the 1970s by J. Horlock of Swansea. It abandoned the Hughes Vein in 1972.

In 1992 the No.3 level was owned by the Allied Anthracite Mining Company and in 1995/6 by JM Fuels of Llandybie. It worked the Upper Pinchin seam which had a section of; top coal 24 inches, dirt 28 inches, and bottom coal, 30 inches.

 

PONTY COLLIERY
Pontardawe, Swansea Valley (708045)

This small level was opened into the 27-inch thick Glyngwilym seam in 1986 and was in operation in 1992 when it was owned by Evans & Thomas of Pontardawe. It was closed by 1997.

PRIMROSE (1952) COLLIERY
Swansea Valley

This was a small level that was worked under license from the National Coal Board in 1955/7 by W. Morgan and Others of Chemical Works Yard, Pontardawe. Its NUM members were part of the Clydach Lodge.

TAWE COLLIERY
Pontardawe, Swansea Valley (761071)

This mine was worked under license from the National Coal Board in 1971 by the Cwmclyd Colliery Company of Pontardawe. It worked the Upper Pinchin seam. There was a Tawe Vale Colliery who worked the Upper Pinchin seam. A Tawe Vale Colliery was working in 1923 when it employed 22 men and in 1924 when it employed 26 men. It was owned by the Tawe Vale Collieries Limited and worked the Wernffraith seam.

 

TYLWYDDYN COLLIERY
Clydach, Swansea Valley

This slant was part of Hendy Merthyr Colliery and employed 30 men in 1937, 23 men in 1938, 29 men in 1940/2 and 27 men working underground in the Graigola seam and 11 men working on the surface in 1943. It abandoned the Two-Feet and Three-Feet seams in 1950. Please see the section on Hendy Merthyr Colliery.

TYNPANT COLLIERY
Ystalyfera, Swansea Valley

The original Tynpant Colliery appears to have been worked between 1898 and c1912. It was owned by Watkin Watkins of Tynpant and employed 4 men in 1896. It then re-appears as a small level that was worked under license from the National Coal Board in the 1960s by K.J. and FT. White. It worked the Wenallt Rider seam which it abandoned in 1968.

TYNYWAIN COLLIERY
Clydach, Swansea Valley

In 1943/5 there was a level of this name that employed 24 men underground working the Graigola seam and five men on the surface. It was owned by J and D.W. John and worked along with Glyncoch level. It abandoned the Six-Feet seam in 1967.

WAUNCOED COLLIERY
Trebanos, Swansea Valley

The No.2 Level worked under license from the National Coal Board in 1960 by M. Evans and J. Thomas. It abandoned the Graigola seam in 1964. Please also see Waun-y-Coed Colliery.

WERNDDU COLLIERY
Clydach, Swansea Valley

I have no information on the original Wernddu Colliery, except that it was working in 1860 and owned by Parsons, and also by Morgans & Lewis, in 1869/84 it was listed as being owned by W. Gilbertson and in 1884 managed by D. Walters. The Wernddu seam was abandoned in January 1914. The New Wernddu Colliery was a drift mine and is listed in 1913 as being owned by the Wernddu Railway and Colliery Company Limited of Pontardawe and at that time employed 82 men. In 1916 it was managed by J. Lewis and employed 140 men. In 1918 it was managed by Thomas Mayberry and employed 140 men underground and 34 men on the surface. Mr. Mayberry was still manager in 1919 when it employed 105 men and in 1920 when it employed 270 men.

It is shown again in 1921 producing house and manufacturing coals from the Graigola seam which had a section of around 67 inches. In 1923 it employed 326 men. In 1927 it was owned by the Main Colliery Company which employed 350 men at the mine with J.C. Binks as the manager. It probably closed in January 1929 as it abandoned the Graigola and Victoria seams at that time.

Also, the name of a licensed mine was listed in 1955 to the 1970s as being owned by the Ynismond Colliery Company Limited of Neath.

YNYSYMOND COLLIERY
Pontardawe, Swansea Valley (733007)

This was a small level that was shown on Gordon’s Map of the Coalfield in 1921 as being owned by the Tawe Collieries Limited. It abandoned the Upper Maesmelyn seam in November 1923 when it employed 35 men. It was not on my lists for 1913, 1917, 1932 or 1935 but it popped up again in 1949 when it was owned by the Ynis-y-Mond Colliery Company of Trebanos. It employed 6 men in 1950 and abandoned the Graigola seam in 1952.

 

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

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