BLAENAVON Town Council is inviting applications from young people to serve as Community Youth Representatives
This voluntary role is open to residents aged 15–25 who live in the Blaenavon area and want to help shape local decisions and represent the views of young people in the community
They will attend and take part in Town Council meetings (in a non-voting capacity)
and work with councillors to support youth-focused initiatives and events
The role offers a unique opportunity to be a voice for young residents and to help ensure their concerns and ideas are heard
This initiative is being introduced under the provisions of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011
which encourages greater participation in local democracy - particularly among underrepresented groups
Mayor of Blaenavon Cllr Dr Nathan Matthews said
"Many young people already make a positive impact in the Blaenavon community
We want to hear from anyone who’s keen to help shape the town’s future
The council should reflect the people it represents - and that includes young voices
Involving young people in local decisions is key to a healthy
Applicants are asked to submit a short statement of up to 300 words outlining why they are interested in the role and what they can contribute to the Council and the wider community
Statements should be sent to Kerry Jones, Assistant Chief Officer, Blaenavon Town Council, at [email protected] by 12 May 2025.
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After provisionally the warmest May Day on record in the UK
higher than average temperatures will subside over the weekend
Blaenavon Ironworks Heritage Centre weather map
High pressure brings further fine and settled weather this week
Patchy cloud clears this evening leaving a settled evening with some late sunshine
Rather chilly beneath clear skies overnight with a frost developing in places and with light winds
With light winds and plenty of strong sunshine it will begin to feel quite warm
The remainder of the week will see high pressure dominating
Dry across the vast majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells but also some patchy cloud
Cloud will likely thicken across the far north and northwest during the weekend with some outbreaks of rain for a time
There is also a small risk of some heavy showers in the far south or southwest
high pressure will be dominant across the UK
This will bring predominantly fine and dry weather for the majority of places
Temperatures are likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year
although there is a chance of some cold nights
Fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period
fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers
with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places
temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average
BLAENAVON will be hosting a week of special events to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, celebrating the end of the Second World War in Europe and paying tribute to the sacrifices made during 1939–1945.
The commemorations begin on Saturday, May 3 with a VE Day Garden Party organised by Blaenavon Town Council in partnership with Arthur Jenkins Residential Home and TGSB Markets from 12 noon to 4pm. Open to all and free to attend, the event will feature a food and craft market, 1940s music from Pashy Pops, dance performance by Twinkle Toes Dance Academy, vintage cars, a fancy dress competition, BBQ and bar, and children’s entertainment.
On Monday, May 5, the Blaenavon Branch of the Royal British Legion will host a Service of Commemoration at Blaenavon Cenotaph at 3pm, followed by refreshments and entertainment at Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall.
Thursday, May 8, at 9am, Blaenavon Town Council will be raising the VE day flag of peace and observing the national commemoration with the VE day proclamation being read out at the Blaenavon Cenotaph by the Mayor of Blaenavon.
Later, at 6:30pm, the bells of St Peter's Church will ring out in celebration, followed by a Service of Peace at 7pm, also at St Peter’s. This special service, hosted by Blaenavon Town Council, will include music and poetry, with performances from Shining Stars Music Academy, Blaenavon Town Band, and the Cwmbran Piping Hot Band. The evening will include the symbolic Lighting of the Lamp Light of Peace by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Gwent.
On Saturday, May 10, the focus shifts to Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall, which will host a full day of activities in partnership with the Royal British Legion, running from 12 noon to 11pm. The celebrations conclude in style with a ticketed Victory Ball from 7:30pm.
All are warmly invited to take part and join Blaenavon in remembering the past while celebrating peace and community spirit.
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The Estate Road (including Gilchrist Thomas Industrial Estate) in Blaenavon is among eight roads in Torfaen which could have a 30 mile per hour speed limit restored after a review by the local authority.
In addition to the eight new roads, Torfaen Borough Council has said none of the 36 stretches of road where it kept the 30mph limit on a trail basis, ahead of the switch to the Wales-wide 20mph limit for built up areas, will be reduced to the lower limit.
The Welsh Government encouraged residents to contact their local councils, which have the power to alter speed limits in line with guidance, following a backlash at the lower limit.
As a result of what was called the “national listening exercise” Torfaen Borough Council has confirmed eight roads where it will soon publish traffic orders proposing the 30mph limit is restored.
Ahead of the introduction of the 20mph limit Torfaen’s cabinet approved 36 locations where the 30mph limit would be retained in line with an assessment of routes that considered local factors such as the amount of housing, whether there are community facilities such as schools or hospitals close by and walking and cycling routes.
It published temporary traffic orders, known as an Experimental Traffic Order, to keep the 30mph limit on the roads for a trial period of up to 18 months to allow it gather evidence and opinions on whether the 30mph limit should remain in place or a road should default to the new 20mph limit.
A council spokeswoman confirmed the 30mph limit will remain in those locations and said: “The original 36 exemptions will now be made permanent as no negative feedback was received. This is alongside the additional eight which will now be subject to Traffic Regulation Orders.”
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Over 57,000 people descended on London for the city’s marathon over the weekend, but keen-eyed community members will have noticed nine members of Blaenavon Male Voice Choir doing the Inaugural Blaenavon to Usk Walking Marathon
The breathtaking route takes you through some of the most stunning views in south Wales
The local choristers set off from the Constitutional club in Blaenavon
at 6.30 am to cover the 26.2 miles ending in Usk
69,000 steps and nine aching vocalists later saw the team arrive at the finish line as front doors opened one by one with cheers and encouragement pouring out onto the street
who ties his role as Second Tenor with managing the choir’s public relations
told the Chronicle it was a fantastic day for the Blaenavon boys
“We ended up walking 28 miles instead of 26 when you factor in the detours,” he said
but we had a fantastic day and every step was worth it.”
Mark Prosser and Andrew North had already raised sponsorship of £3,800 for the future development of the Choir and a local male health charity
There were breathtaking views from the top of Blorenge, choir chairman, Ben, did a flyby in a self-build T-51 Mustang at mile eight and there was support from the Morgan appreciation society at the beautiful Goytre Wharf
Welsh Waters Llandegfedd reservoir was a highlight
with Welsh Water supporting the team’s effort
The day was capped off with a superb post event meal and wind down at the Kings Head
Musical director Andrew Protherough Jones summed up the long day
"A really great day of walking and camaraderie
“[It was] Great to have such fantastic support - thank you so much
Joining a male voice choir is more than just a hobby
with choir using their story of togetherness and friendship as proof of the benefits
“Our members describe belonging to a vibrant community that brings them a multitude of wellness benefits. From reducing stress, improving mental health to fostering deep connections and friendships, the power of singing together is truly transformative,” Lawrence said.
“It's a safe space where individuals can come together and share their love for music. This sense of community is invaluable, especially in times when social support is crucial for our well-being.”
The choir recently performed at St Michael’s Church in Abergavenny, raising money for Latch, the Welsh children’s cancer care charity, and wants to expand its reach into the community.
“We already have members travelling from the Abergavenny area and continue to welcome members from beyond Blaenavon.”
The choir meets every Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm at Blaenavon Constitutional Club.
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Members of Blaenavon Male Voice Choir are set to raise funds for the Marauders Male Health group
Members of Blaenavon Male Voice Choir will be embarking on a challenge to complete their virtual London Marathon this Sunday
as they trek the 26.2 miles between Blaenavon and Usk
Anthony Yemm, Nigel Webb, Alan Evans, Lawrence Worsley, Andrew Protherough Jones, Roly Granville, Mark Prosser and Andrew North will be raising funds for the future development of the Choir and a local mental health charity
They will be raising money for Marauders Male Health group
which is aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of adult men
This year is 115th anniversary of the choir, with one of the main aims of the group being to foster relationships with other community groups and local charities, as well providing social support for likeminded individuals.
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Blaenavon Constitutional Club advises patrons to purchase event tickets directly through them to avoid scams
BLAENAVON Constitutional Club has urged its patrons to purchase event tickets directly through them following attempted scams
The news comes after Action Fraud warned residents about potential ticket scams for upcoming music events and festivals
The club said via its Facebook page: “Unfortunately we have spotted scammers trying to sell tickets to our events that they don’t have
“Please only buy tickets from the club directly
or give us a call to double-check we have sold these tickets
More tips on how to protect yourself from ticket scams, online fraud and other scamming tactics like QR codes can be found on the Action Fraud website.
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Blaenavon's rich history of local governance spans over 160 years, beginning with the formation of the Blaenavon Local Government Board in 1860. Though the present Blaenavon Town Council was established in 1974, it is firmly rooted in this earlier administrative heritage. A fascinating collection of artefacts in the Council chamber tells this story, one that local historian and current Mayor, Cllr Dr Nathan Matthews, is passionate about sharing.
“In 1859, local property owners petitioned the Home Secretary to establish a local government district for Blaenavon,” explains Cllr Matthews.
“Despite being an important and growing industrial town, Blaenavon was divided among several ancient parishes, leading to inefficiencies in governance. The request was granted in 1860, marking the birth of Blaenavon as an administrative district.”
The Council chamber's walls display wooden boards listing the names of local government chairmen from 1860 onwards.
The first, Thomas William Plum (1860–1863), was General Manager of the Blaenavon Iron and Coal Company.
"Thomas Plum had previously worked in public administration and understood the struggles faced by the labouring poor," notes Cllr Matthews.
"He saw it as his duty to improve the physical, moral, and intellectual status of the working class, making him an ideal first Chairman of the Blaenavon Local Board."
The Local Board, initially composed of business owners, company officials, and clergy, oversaw services like street naming and lighting, sanitation, road maintenance, and public health.
In 1894, it was replaced by the Blaenavon Urban District Council, which had greater powers and broader representation.
Cllr Matthews reflects on the town's past leaders, "The longest-serving Chairman was Thomas Hemming, the Blaenavon Company’s Forge Manager, who held the position for an impressive ten years from 1868 to 1878."
He adds, "The Chairman of the Local Board was traditionally a ‘company man’ – someone representing the town’s main industrial employer. That changed in 1894 when Cllr Henry Morgan Davies, a chemist, dentist, and chapel deacon, became the first Chairman of the newly formed Urban District Council. Over time, shopkeepers and local businessmen assumed the role, reflecting the growing influence of the Liberal Party."
Working-class representation also grew, culminating in the election of the first labouring-class Chairman, Cllr Samuel Godfrey, in 1910. Coincidentally, he was a distant cousin of the current Mayor.
“Cllr Godfrey was a moderate Liberal who worked across class divides,” says Cllr Matthews.
“However, younger, more radical members pushed for stronger socialist policies and joined the Labour Party.”
Blaenavon has produced several influential Labour politicians, including Cllr William Lewis Cook OBE, who campaigned for better social housing and later became Chief Conciliation Officer at the Ministry of Fuel and Power.
Another Blaenavon councillor, Isaac Hayward, went on to lead London County Council and was knighted in 1959.
A bronze bust of Sir Isaac, sculpted in 1961, was gifted to Blaenavon Council and is now displayed at Blaenavon Community Museum.
A prominent Blaenavon socialist was Arthur Henry Holder, a trade unionist and Chairman of the Blaenavon Branch of the South Wales Miners’ Federation.
“He was an outspoken firebrand, unafraid to speak truth to power,” says Cllr Matthews.
“He was also a brave man. In 1929, he was seriously injured in the Milfraen Colliery explosion but still carried an injured miner to safety. Tragically, his own father was among the nine men who lost their lives. Holder tried to return to save him but collapsed from exhaustion.”
Cllr Holder later became the youngest Chairman of Blaenavon Urban District Council in 1936, aged 36 years.
This was a tough period for Blaenavon, which was facing the hardships of the Depression, Cllr Holder’s tenure was marked by the visit of King Edward VIII, to whom he broke protocol by handing the monarch a letter signed by 30 Eastern Valley Hunger Marchers.
“He told the King, ‘We have willing hands to toil, but there is nothing for them to do.’ The King, sympathetic to the town’s plight, famously responded: ‘I very much regret this is so; something must be done for you.’”
During those years of economic gloom, Blaenavon Urban District Council supported the unemployed by commissioning the rebuilding of the council offices in Lion Street.
Completed in 1930 by taking on unemployed workers, the ceremonial silver key from the official opening remains part of the council’s civic collection.
To commemorate the King’s 1936 visit, the council chamber was refurnished, including a new presiding chair and desk.
“The same chair and desk are still used by Blaenavon Town Council today,” says Cllr Matthews.
“It’s not the most comfortable chair, but it carries a clear sense of history and continuity knowing that every Chairman for nearly 90 years has sat at that very desk.”
It was during Cllr Holder’s term that the Council adopted its first coat of arms and obtained a chain of office, presented to him in 1937. The medallion from that chain survives.
“It was designed by Iltyd G. Gwyn Thomas, the long-serving Clerk to the Council,” explains Cllr Matthews.
“The symbols on the shield reflect aspects of Blaenavon’s industrial and cultural identity and the motto ‘At Spes Non Fracta’ - ‘But Hope is Not Broken’ - was particularly meaningful during the economic hardships of the 1930s when Blaenavon must have felt like a town of lost hopes.”
A more formal coat of arms was granted by the College of Heralds in 1952, and a new chain of office featuring the updated emblem remains in use today.
The Local Government Act 1972 abolished Urban District Councils, transferring their powers to new Borough Councils in 1974.
To maintain community governance, Blaenavon Town Council was formed, ensuring continuity and civic tradition.
The first Mayor, Cllr William Arnold, received the chain of office from Cllr George Spencer, the final Chairman of Blaenavon Urban District Council.
Portraits of nearly all Blaenavon’s Mayors now hang in the chamber as a reminder of the town’s civic legacy.
Over 160 years, only seven women have served as Chairman. The first, Cllr Annie May Lewis, a headteacher, was elected as Blaenavon’s first female councillor in 1934 and remained in office until her death in 1980.
She served two terms as Chairman, welcoming Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh to Blaenavon in 1963. The signed portraits gifted to the council during that visit still survive.
The second woman to lead the council, Cllr Phyllis Roberts, was appointed in 1970. After a long political career, she returned to serve as Mayor of Blaenavon in 2017 at the age of 93, making her the oldest serving Mayor in Britain at the time.
“A town council, as the first and most local tier of government, should be a true reflection of the community it represents,” says Cllr Matthews.
“We must encourage candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to step forward to help shape Blaenavon’s future.”
The chamber, now located next to the Workmen’s Hall and named the ‘Neil Lewis Chamber’ in tribute to another prominent councillor and former Chairman, also features more recent memorabilia, including certificates and trophies.
“These awards recognise the council’s modern achievements,” says Cllr Matthews.
“From community engagement to heritage projects and environmental initiatives, the council is involved in a range of activities. Our role today differs from our predecessors’, but town councils still have a valuable part to play in improving community wellbeing.”
Cllr Matthews concludes: “There have been 92 Chairmen, 16 Clerks, and hundreds of elected members since 1860. It is an honour to be part of that unbroken chain. History reminds us that while chairmen, councillors, and officers come and go, the role of local government in representing and supporting our communities endures and remains as important as ever.”
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To commemorate the occasion, Blaenavon Town Council planted a Rowan tree in Blaenavon Flower Park. The Reverend Dr Chris Walters led a short service, during which the tree was blessed. Sue Driscoll, representing Blaenavon Churches Working Together, read a poem, and Elisabeth Sweeney-Smith, President of the Congregational Federation, offered a prayer.
Reflecting on the event, the Mayor of Blaenavon, Cllr Dr Nathan Matthews, said, "The Covid-19 pandemic changed all our lives, and its effects are still felt today. This service provided an opportunity to remember those we lost while also recognising the resilience and unity that was so evident in our community. We also acknowledge the tireless efforts of NHS staff, key workers, and volunteers who kept the country going during such difficult times.
"Parks and outdoor spaces played a vital role during lockdown, offering places for exercise, reflection, and social connection. Planting this tree near the memorial bench previously installed by the town council feels particularly fitting. We hope it will grow as a lasting tribute to those affected by the pandemic and a symbol of our community’s endurance.”
The 2020 covid lockdown began at 8.30pm March 23 when Prime Minster Boris Johnson ordered people to ‘stay at home’ for the first time in the country’s history. This was an extension of the previous advice to avoid all non-essential contact, which was issued on March 16,
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A FURTHER four GP surgeries in Gwent supported by a controversial firm from England are to be handed back to the NHS.
A partnership by doctors J Ahmed and J Allinson and supported by a private firm, eHarley Street took over the running of several GP practices from the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board in early 2024.
But the partnership has been beset by problems and has had to rely on help from the health board after failing to pay locum doctors, suppliers and staff pension contributions. It also owes payments to HMRC.
Last week the partnership voluntarily resigned the contract to run the Brynmawr Medical Centre and returned it to the health board.
At the time board chief executive Nicola Prygodzicz said it had been monitoring complaints at the partnership’s management since October and it would place four other surgeries under enhanced monitoring.
It has now confirmed Blaenavon Medical Practice, Aberbeeg Medical Centre in Abertillery, Bryntirion Surgery in Bargoed and Tredegar Medical Practice have also been resigned by the partnership.
A health board spokesman said:“We are continuing to work closely with the staff at all the practices involved, as well as with the local communities they serve to ensure they receive good access to quality primary care services within their local areas. We want to thank these communities for their understanding and support as we transition these arrangements.
“The GP partnership remains in enhanced monitoring for the remaining practices they hold contracts for within the Health Board and we will continue to work closely with them to ensure primary care services are sustainable and meet the needs of our patients.”
The practice in Blaenavon will be managed by the board from March 1 .
At the board’s most recent meeting it said its monitoring hasn’t identified any patient safety concerns.
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A CARE home that’s set to close in December could be handed a potential lifeline with a takeover being considered.
Housing association Hafod announced at the beginning of September it intended closing the Arthur Jenkins care home that has operated in Blaenavon for around 50 years.
A spokesperson from Hafod told The Chronicle that although the organisation are “proud” of the quality of care that their team at Arthur Jenkins provides for its residents, it has become clear that the building is “not suitable” to deliver the quality of care Hafod aspires to.
It confirmed it had given Torfaen Borough Council the required three months notice of intended closure.
Since the closure decision was confirmed banners have been draped around the gates of the home, and across the town, in a show of support for residents and staff and calling for the home to be kept open.
Blaenavon Town Council have also issued an open letter to Hafod, in strong opposition to the closure. In the letter, the council highlighted Arthur Jenkins Care Home as a “cornerstone” of the community; providing a sense of stability, familiarity and security to Blaenavon’s most vulnerable residents.
They went on to point out that Arthur Jenkins is the last remaining residential home in Blaenavon, meaning its closure will leave the town without “any local provision for those in need of residential care.” This may lead residents to relocate to facilities far from their families and support systems.
Questions over Hafod’s decision were raised at Torfaen’s full council meeting, at the Civic Centre in Pontypool, on Tuesday, September 17 where the Labour cabinet member for social services, David Daniels, said a potential new operator has shown an interest in taking on the home.
Councillor Daniels confirmed: “Hafod have received speculative interest from another care provider.”
But he said the council’s ongoing work to find places in other homes for Arthur Jenkins’ exisiting residents will have to continue while talks between Hafod and a potential new operator take place.
A new provider would have to achieve registration with Care Inspectorate Wales a process which can take 12 to 14 weeks and as a result the council has asked Hafod if it is willing to keep the home open until mid February.
Cllr Daniels said it “wouldn’t be appropriate to pause” work on finding new accommodation for residents as homes will only hold places for a short period.
He said: “If we did this we could spend the whole notice period exploring speculative alternatives to closure only to find it unviable, this would not be acceptable or leave us with enough time to find appropriate alternative homes for residents in the small amount of time remaining.”
Cllr Daniels said extending the notice period to February would allow the council to stand down current offers of housing from other providers until the Care Inspectorate has made a decision on registration, which the council hopes would be before Christmas.
Other issues that need to be considered if a new operator is take over include the transfer of staff and Hafod’s long lease on the council owned building, thought that does allow it to transfer the lease which Cllr Daniels said he didn’t consider a potential problem.
He said the council would also have to be confident the new provider could provide an appropriate level of care.
Answering questions from Blaenavon members the councillor said the authority had been aware of low occupancy rates at Arthur Jenkins, as part of its usual contact with all local care homes, but the closure decision was made by Hafod alone in early September.
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This year marks 25 years since the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It shares this prestigious status with iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, and Stonehenge. To celebrate the anniversary, Blaenavon Town Council is calling for greater awareness of the area’s global significance and tourism potential. But what sets Blaenavon apart? Mayor Cllr Dr Nathan Matthews explains.
Sites with ‘Outstanding Universal Value’ are important beyond local or national borders and must be preserved for future generations. Blaenavon provides exceptional evidence of the role of south Wales as a leading producer of iron and coal in the 19th century. The town, with its historic buildings and surrounding landscape, tells the story of the Industrial Revolution and the human endeavour behind it.
Blaenavon was a powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution, producing vast quantities of iron and coal. In the late 18th century, ironmasters Thomas Hill, Thomas Hopkins, and Benjamin Pratt harnessed the area's rich mineral resources to build one of the largest ironworks in the world. By 1812, Blaenavon Ironworks was producing 14,000 tons of iron annually.
“Today, Blaenavon Ironworks is the best-preserved of its kind,” says Cllr Matthews. “It offers a fascinating visitor experience with interactive displays, restored workers’ cottages, and panoramic views from the water balance tower. It gives us a fascinating glimpse into Britain’s industrial past. Many will recognise the site from the BBC series Coal House and Coal House at War.”
Beyond the Ironworks, the hills surrounding Blaenavon bear the marks of centuries of mining. Evidence of early extraction methods, such as ‘scouring’ and bell pits, can still be seen at Penfforddgoch near the Abergavenny Road. Limestone quarries at Pwll Du, Tyla, and the Blorenge provide further insight into the industry that fuelled Blaenavon’s success.
“The landscape tells a story,” Cllr Matthews explains. “It is a cultural landscape shaped by the combined efforts of nature and human labour.”
Blaenavon’s transport network was equally innovative. Hill’s Tramroad and counter-balanced inclines transported iron down the Blorenge to the canal at Llanfoist. Today, these old tramroads serve as scenic walking routes. “Walking the Iron Mountain Trail or the canal towpath, you can take in breathtaking views while following in the footsteps of the workers who helped shape our modern world,” says Cllr Matthews.
Blaenavon’s social and cultural history is visible throughout the town. When the Ironworks opened in 1789, little infrastructure existed, so the ironmasters provided housing, a company shop, and places of worship.
St Peter’s Church, built by the ironmasters in 1804-05, remains a vibrant part of the community, and contains many cast-iron features, including a baptismal font, reflecting its industrial heritage. The churchyard is the final resting place of ironmasters, local war heroes, and countless workers and their families who shaped the town’s history.
As the nineteenth century progressed, Blaenavon’s population soared and the town expanded, with many traditional Welsh terraces built to house the thousands of people who lived here. Broad Street, Blaenavon’s main commercial centre developed from 1840 onwards.
By 1901, the town centre was lined with shops of all kinds. At the end of the Victorian era there were no fewer than eighteen chapels and churches in Blaenavon, providing important spiritual and educational centres for the townspeople and influencing local identity. There were also over fifty inns and public houses. “These were not just drinking establishments, but centres of culture where workers could listen to lectures, participate in trade unions and benefit societies” adds Cllr Matthews.
The town is home to successful businesses today. Cllr Matthews says: “there are some well-established businesses in Blaenavon including an artisan cheesemaker and successful pubs and restaurants. These are good for tourism. New shops are also opening and will hopefully be well-supported and attract people into the town. There are also thriving chapels in the town who continue to perform vital work within the community and keep these historic buildings alive.”
By the late 19th century, Blaenavon’s industry had evolved. A new steelworks opened at Forgeside, while demand for steam coal grew, placing south Wales at the heart of the global coal industry. By 1913, a third of the world’s coal exports came from Welsh miners.
The Big Pit Colliery, Blaenavon’s last working coal mine, closed in 1980 but reopened as Big Pit Mining Museum in 1983. “Big Pit is a fantastic, world-class attraction,” says Cllr Matthews. “The underground tours, led by former coal miners, provide an unforgettable insight into the life of a miner.”
The arrival of the railways in the 1850s made the old tramroads obsolete, and today, the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway offers a heritage steam railway experience. “The volunteers running Blaenavon’s Heritage Railway do an amazing job,” says Cllr Matthews. “Their special events, from Easter and Christmas trains to vintage transport rallies and 1940s weekends, draw visitors from near and far.”
Blaenavon’s workmen built arguably the town’s most venerable institution - the Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall. Opened in 1895 and funded by local workers, it boasted a library, cinema, theatre, and billiards room. “For 130 years, it has been at the heart of the community,” says Cllr Matthews. “Today, a dedicated team of volunteers keeps it alive, hosting a range of events.”
The Hall also houses the award-winning Blaenavon Community Museum. Also run by volunteers it explores the town’s social and cultural history, from industry to sport and music, whilst also serving as a treasure trove of information relating to the town’s past and offering family history research services. The town’s musical heritage thrives with the Blaenavon Male Voice Choir, Town Band, and Concert Band, while local sports clubs continue the area’s proud sporting traditions.
“The community truly take ownership of our heritage” says Cllr Matthews. “There are so many groups and organisations that make Blaenavon vibrant in different ways. The Blaenavon World Heritage Site Youth Ambassadors, the Blaenavon World Heritage Environment Group, our historical societies, and the Commons Management Group, all contribute to the management and presentation of our World Heritage Site.”
Cllr Matthews emphasises that Blaenavon deserves more than a single-day visit. “If you’ve only been to Big Pit or the Keeper’s Pond, you’re missing out,” he says. “The Ironworks, the Heritage Centre, the walking trails, and the town’s vibrant businesses all offer something special. Blaenavon has so much more to discover – there’s always something going on in Blaenavon!”
Indeed, there are a range of events throughout the year, run by a variety of organisations, visitor attractions and businesses. Blaenavon World Heritage Day, again run by volunteers, is scheduled to take place in the town centre on 28 June 2025 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of inscription.
“With its rich industrial heritage, stunning landscape, and thriving cultural legacy, Blaenavon is as a testament to human ingenuity and resilience. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply looking for a fascinating day out, Blaenavon is a destination not to be missed” concludes Cllr Matthews.
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Emergency services are currently managing a road traffic collision on the B4246
necessitating a full road closure with diversions in place
Affected motorists are being advised to seek alternative routes
Emergency services are currently attending the scene of a road traffic collision on the B4246 between Govilon and Blaenavon
The road is currently closed in both directions with diversions in place
Police are urging people to avoid the area and find alternative routes for their journey
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