Near Argoed, Sirhowy Valley, (ST 185 998)
The original level was driven into the Mynyddislwyn seam c1820 by Thomas Protheroe.
The 1842 Royal Commission into the employment of children in mines re-ported of this colliery
One fatal accident within the last two years; five or six broken limbs.
At that time it was owned by Sir Thomas Phillips and employed 130 miners, including 10 under the age of 13 years. The coal was brought out through the level by horses and conveyed by inclined plane to the tram road the descending and ascending carts worked by balance wheels. Witnesses to the Royal Commission stated; Mr. Hananiel Morgan, agent to Sir Thomas Phillips and Co.
Males only are employed in this part of the country in the mines and many young boys are taken as soon as they can stand on their legs. This practice has increased much, as the work is very uncertain about here, and has been so for three or four years. The younger branches of all classes of workmen here are very ignorant and although they are very honest, yet the want of good education creates bad habits and I have noticed that the younger branches are often drunk, more so than their elders and boys of seven years old drink and smoke.
The firm of Phillips and Sons are now building a large schoolhouse. One apartment will hold 160 persons and other rooms are fitting up for infant schools so that some may be expected to result. The school will be open in a few months. There is no society belonging to any works about here but men mostly belong to the Bedwellty Union or Odd Fellows Societies. Accidents are very rare but men suffer from shortness of breath in afterlife after working in the mines. Only one fatal accident there has been within the last two years and but five or six broken legs or arms within the last three years. Medical assistance is secured to the people by stoppage of 3d. in the pound on monthly pay. Men receive their money at the colliery as Sir Thomas will not allow any shop on his works.
Henry George, 7 years old, and a collier:
I have been twelve months below and assist Davy Jones to pick as father works in the level. I work very hard sometimes and at others I go to sleep. I take bread and cheese down. Father and Mother do not speak Welsh but since I have worked with Davy I have forgotten all me English. (He has no knowledge of a letter).
Thomas Jenkins, aged 10 years old and a collier:
Father took me down to claim a dram when I was six years old and I have worked ever since. I work with John Jones now who pays father 2s 6d a week for my labour. When I fall asleep they shake me up. I work as long as John Jones works, from six in the morning to six in the evening, or three in the morning to five in the evening. I never was at any school and never go to church. I play about as all the boys do on a Sunday.
Joseph Roberts, 13 years old and a collier:
He was six-years old when first he went into the mine. He goes to work at three or four in the morning and returns at four, five or six and feels very tired as the work is hard as some of the coal is hard to get down from the roof. (Does not know a letter).
Thomas Jones, 16 years old, haulier:
He began working when seven or eight years of age and was at school when he was very young and used to go to Chapel. He earns 13s. a week. He has never been very much injured but off at times for a few days with crushes. He has never heard of Jesus Christ but has heard of some commandments. He thinks there is God, one God. Doing evil is getting too drunk and swearing. The boys swear a good in the mine. 3 times 7 =23 and two twenties are four tons. There are twelve months in a year but he has never heard how many days in a year.
Along with the Gwrhay Level, it was owned in 1888 by J. Edmunds and J. Lewis and in 1912 by W. Lewis who employed 90 men in both levels in 1913.
A Cwrt y Bella level was worked under license from the National Coal Board from 1964 to 1975 by W.J. & A.J. Williams and Sons Limited. The mine was exhausted and abandoned on the 13th of December 1974.
This information has been provided by Ray Lawrence, from books he has written, which contain much more information, including many photographs, maps and plans. Please contact him at welshminingbooks@gmail.com for availability.
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