A glance at the 1847 tithe map for Abercwmboi reveals how rural the district
was at this time, with only three properties being shown within the
area we now know as Abercwmboi. These being, Penrhiw Anghan, Abercwmboy
Ucha and Blaencwmboy. By 1868 however, the first edition Ordnance Survey
map reveals a very different picture, with a number of recognisable
streets appearing, including John Street, Jenkin Street, Richards Street,
Margaret Street and William Street.
The reason for this rapid development
can be seen further to the South, it being the presence
of Abercwmboi Colliery. For just as with other villages
in the Cynon valley it was the sinking of a colliery
within the district, which sparked the growth of the
modern village we know today. With houses being built
to accommodate the sudden influx of people that such
collieries brought and public amenities being established
to serve the needs of these people.
Left: One
of the early shops of Abercwmboi which were in
the main "General Stores" trading in
almost anything you would need in your daily life.
The names of some of the earliest establishments
such as the Cap Coch Inn built in 1865 and the Cap
Coch School built in 1868 reflect the former name of
the village. Local legend has it that Cap Coch derived
its name from a local publican who wore a red cap on
cockfighting occasions.
Right: The
Cap Coch Inn
Places of worship were also established.
One of the earliest being Bethesda Welsh Baptist Chapel
built in 1864. The established church did not have
a place of worship until an iron built St Peter's Church,
was constructed around 1918. Abercwmboi Workmen's Hall
and Institute, which was a two-storied building, built
in 1913, was the focal point of village life at that
time.
Left: The
badly vandalised remains of Cap Coch School
Abercwmboi Coal Industry
It was David Davies who
brought the coal industry to Abercwmboi. He began his business career by
opening a grocers shop in Hirwaun, but moved into the coal industry once
his family had grown up enough to run the shop. After a successful venture
in Blaengwawr he moved his attention to Abercwmboi, sinking a new pit there
in 1851. This colliery (also known as Cap Coch Colliery) proved to be highly
successful producing over 90,000 tons of coal in 1869. In 1881 the colliery
was sold to the Powell Duffryn Steam
Coal Company, who continued to work
it until 1923 when it was merged with Aberaman Colliery. Abercwmboi colliery
continued to operate as a pumping pit until 1970 when it was closed by
the N.C.B. who took over ownership when the coal industry was nationalised
in 1947.
The Powell Duffryn Steam Coal Company also operated a level in the Abercwmboi
district, known as the Clay Level. Opened in 1882 this mined fireclay (which
is almost always found between the seams of coal) for the pipeworks in
Aberaman (Which occupied a site near the present-day Kwik Save store) and
also coal for coking purposes.
The Phurnacite Plant
The history of the Phurnacite Plant at Abercwmboi goes back to 1939, when
operations were started by Powell Duffryn Limited to produce briquettes
from the waste steam coal that was too small to sell. This was crushed,
dried and mixed with pitch and a heating process used to removed most
of the smoke content. It wasn't until 1942 that the plant became fully
operational and by 1951-1952 the plant had been extended and at its peak
was producing some 1 million tons of briquettes per year.
By the mid 1970's fortunes were beginning
to change with the lessening use of fossil based fuels
and with continuing pollution complaints from nearby
residents the future for the plant looked bleak. Late
1979 saw the proposed modernisation of the plant and
plans were submitted for a MHT (Mild Heat Treatment)
process, which it was claimed, would reduce pollution
caused by the Disticoke plant by 90%. Both the owners
and locals met on many occasions to discuss the future
of the plans but failed to find any common ground.
Quotes in the press such as "Britain's Dirtiest
Factory" did nothing to alleviate peoples concern.
Left: The Phurnacite Plant
By the late 1980's the owners were refused permission for the new plant,
blaming lack of investment in the £100 million project by the Government
and the decision was taken to finally close operations. Many people complained
at the closure of the works that employed over 1000 local people and
with the unemployment in the Cynon Valley at the time running at over
10% of the population, it was not a universally popular decision. The
general consensus of opinion of most Cynon Valley residents was a feeling
of relief that such a major source of pollution and health problems would
be gone forever.
A competition "Blow-Up-A-Chimney" was
held by the Cynon Leader and the winner, Tanya Jenkins
from Miskin pressed the button, which fired the explosive
charges at the base of the four chimneystacks to bring
them to the ground. Within a matter of seconds an era
was over, closing a long chapter in the valleys history.
The legacy of Phurnacite operations
remains to this day with evidence of the pollution
caused to the ground and water of the area, which is
still an eyesore that blights the area between Abercwmboi
and Mountain Ash. A report by Byron Lewis and Max Wallis
of Friends of the Earth Cymru called "Phurnacite
Toxic Legacy" published in September 1997 explains
many of the problems of "walking away" from
such pollution.
Left: Trees poisoned by pollution
with the Phurnacite Plant in the background
