West Blaina Red Ash
Photograph required.
Started in the mid 1880's by the West Blaina Red Ash Colliery Co.
From the Inspector of Mines List 1897, working the Tillery seam with a total of 13 men.
By 1902 it was in the hands of R.C.Banks. In 1908 it was employing 75 men including 6 surface workers. In 1918 and 1923 there were 67 and 85 workers respectively.
In 1934 Bargoed Coal Co. Ltd. became the owners, who reopened it after several months of idleness. It was worked in conjunction with their East Blaina Colliery until the end of 1936 when they transferred a large quantity of plant to West Blaina, with the result that output was increased from 9,283 tons in 1934 to 32,671 tons in 1936. West Bargoed Colliery Co. Ltd. became the owners from January 1937 (although listed under them from 1935) and they raised the output to 39,158 tons in 1940.
From a list 1938 the workforce numbered 136. In 1945 there were 146 employed.
From the 1946 listing the colliery was listed as WEST BARGOED. At 15th of January 1947, it was described as a level plus two ventilation openings at Troedyrhiwgroes and a ventilation level 'B'. It was listed as closed on 9th of Apris1948 and abandoned in the following July.
Rhiw Colbren
Photograph required.
Situated near Abertillery on the west side of the valley, Rhiw Colbren was first listed in 1886 under T. F. Salt, but abandoned by September.1887. It then reappears in 1899 under Salt & Carpenter and from 1902 to 1917 just under T. F. Salt. In 1918 it was purchased by Badman Bros. worked it until 1930, when the Blaendare Co. Ltd. were given as owners.
In 1908 it was under the ownership of Thomas F. Salt, employing a total of 13 men.
Later Badman Brothers owned it and in 1918 and 1923 there were 30 and 34 men employed respectively.
At its peak in 1929 No.1 employed 73 men
By 1930 the Blaendare Co. Ltd. were running it, employing at
total of 68 at Rhiw Colbren No.2 Level and 35 at No.5 level.
In 1945 the workforce numbers were No.2 - 47 and No.5 - 37.
No.2 peak was 1939 with 122 men and No.5 peak was 1937 with 44. No.2 ceased winding coal on 7th of April 1950 and 38 men were affected. No.5 had closed on 3rd of November 1947.
No. 3 level and No.4 level never appeared in the listings and there was a No.6 level, which was listed from 1931 to 1933 but was endorsed in the lists as 'not worked since 1930.'