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Celynen North and Graig Fawr (left)
The pit bottom was developed before the shaft was sunk. This was done via a heading from the neighbouring Celynen South colliery, which also was owned by the Newport Abercarn Blackvein Co.
In the early days before a second shaft was sunk the Celynen South served as an up-cast for the North.
In 1918 there were 645 men employed.
From a report 1913, there were 1,021 men employed, working the Black Vein and Three Quarters seams.
Later ownership changed, when the Ebbw Vale Iron and Coal Co. became the new owners.
The up-cast shaft was completed in 1924. Although it was sunk to 470 metres it had a false bottom placed at the "Three Quarter "coal seam level 390 metres
The Celynen North's house coal partner Graig Fawr also opened in 1924. Sunk to the "Tillery" seam at 150 metres, it was plague with water problems for most of its working life.
In 1937 Partridge, Jones and John Paton Ltd. took over the running of the colliery until nationalisation in 1947.
At its peak over 1900 men were employed at the Celynen North and the Graig Fawr.
During the last few years of the collieries life it was linked underground to Oakdale colliery where all of its coal was raised to the surface.
Graig Fawr close in 1961.
The Oakdale complex of collieries closed in 1989.
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Painting by C.W.A. Wilson.
Painted for the late Arthur Jenkins, a Chief Electrician at the colliery.
From the artist's son, Mr Robin Wilson of Cowfold, West Sussex.
There are two very good books about this colliery, both written by Colin Spencer. "Community Underground" and "The Lamps have run out".