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Hollybush Colliery, South of Tredegar, c. 1905
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New Hollybush Level, 2007.
Situated between Blackwood and Tredegar, in the Sirhowy Vally at Llwyncelyn. It was sunk around 1860 to serve two Levels (Old and New Hollybush) that worked the Brithdir (house coal) seam.
The shaft was only just over 100 feet in depth and it's sole purpose was to raise the coal, which came from the level mouth to reach the height of the railway wagons for tipping. (see photo below)
The High Sheriff of Monmouthshire E. D. Williams purchased Hollybush colliery in 1868, it was this man who had the "Maes Manor Hotel" (formerly "Maesrudded") built in 1890.
During the early 1890's New Hollybush colliery was developed.
After the death of E. D. Williams 1895, the colliery continued under a trusteeship and was run by executors.
From the Inspector of Mines list 1896 there was 125 men employed at Hollybush and 49 at New Hollybush both working the Pontygwaith seam.
In 1908 E. D. Williams Executors owned it and there were 171 men employed.
By 1918 there were 89 men employed.
The colliery closed in 1921.
In July 1929, anticipating water trouble, the Tredegar Co. commenced reopening the old Hollybush Level and reopened a distance of 700 yards and installed low-lift centrifugal pumps, which commenced working in November. The idea was to protect the Llanover, Abernant and Waterloo pits. As at 1947, Hollybush Level was still pumping for Markham Colliery.
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A railway wagon used at the colliery