Story board

Industrial history of the heads of the valleys

1

The heads of the valleys is the region on the northern edge of the South Wales Coalfield. Some coal seams outcrop at the surface in this area, and others lie below the ground. Closure of Tower Colliery, the last deep mine in Wales, was authorised by Margaret Thatcher. However, the miners at Tower Colliery were successful in buying the mine and continued to operate it themselves. The mine finally closed in 2008.

2

In addition to coal, the layers of rock contain iron ore. This ore was mined and used in the early iron works of the region. Iron mining continued into the 20th century, supplying ore by railway to the large steelworks of South Wales. Iron ore was mined in a similar way to coal, and brought to the surface up a winding shaft. At Llanharry iron ore mine, some of the old mine buildings can still be seen.

3

With coal and iron ore readily available locally, the heads of the valleys region became an early centre for iron production. Remains of some of the first blast furnaces can be seen at the Clydach ironworks near Abergavenny.

4

Much larger ironworks developed around Merthyr Tydfil in the nineteenth Century. The largest works were at Cyfarthfa, Penydarren and Dowlais, with blast furnaces, coke ovens, and rolling mills covering a huge area. The remains of blast furnaces at the Cyfarthfa works can still be seen.

5

In addition to iron ore and coal, the smelting of iron requires limestone. This was available from large quarries around the hillsides of the area.

6

In the first half of the nineteenth century, iron produced in Merthyr Tydfil was transported along the Glamorgan Canal to Cardiff, then exported by sailing ship. Iron from Blaenafon ironworks was carried on the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal to Newport docks.

7

A system tramways existed around the hills to connect the iron works to the limestone quarries and the canal wharves. Wagons were pulled by horses. It was along one of these tramways that Trevithick ran his first steam locomotive, pulling a train of waggons from the iron works to the canal.

8

One of the most historic buildings in Merthyr Tydfil is the Dowlais ironworks stables, where several hundred horses were kept. The ironworks company emplyed blacksmiths, and owned farms around the town where hay was grown to feed the horses. In the mid 19th century, Lady Charlotte Guest established a school for local children in the rooms on the upper floor.

9

In the second half of the 19th century, a network of railways was built to serve the coal mines and iron works of the South Wales valleys. Coal and iron could be quickly transported to the docks for export. A railway also ran along the heads of the valleys between Merthyr Tudfil and Abergavenny. Viaducts and tunnels had to be built to carry the line through the Clydach gorge.