The definition of ceibr in the place-name
Penrhiwceiber is 'joist, beam or rafter', suggesting a
place with trees suitable for being used as roof beams.
This reflects the early character of the district, which
up until the last twenty years of the 19th century was
a heavily wooded area, its steeply sloping hillsides being
covered by Penrhiwceiber woods. However the woodland nature
of the district was to change with the arrival of the coal
industry as the woods were felled and a colliery and terraces
of houses took their place.
Above: This map which was surveyed in 1874-75 illustrates
the lack of housing around the colliery and heavily wooded
surrounding areas. Aberdare Canal is also shown which
was still being used at this date despite the railway
going up the valley.
The rapid pace of development can be seen in the census
records for 1871 and 1881. In 1871 the village of Penrhiwceiber
is not listed, (Confirmed by the map above) however in
1881 the census lists a number of streets within the village
of Penrhiwceiber including, Railway Terrace, Quarry Road,
Glanlay Street, Rheola Street and Penrhiwceiber Road. The
school originally built in 1881 provides further evidence
as to the rapid growth of the village, with it having to
be enlarged on three separate occasions in 1893, 1895 and
1901.
Right: One of the early shops of the new village of
Penrhiwceiber
This growth was to continue into the 20th century until
in 1920 the Kelly's Trade Directory was able to list over
one hundred commercial properties for Penrhiwceiber, as
well as railway stations on both the Great Western and
Taff Vale railways, religious buildings including Carmel
Chapel (1880), Moriah Chapel, Bethesda Chapel (1885) and
St. Winifred's Church (1883) and a Workingmen's Institute
and Public Hall built in 1888.
Left: Saint Winifred's Church Penrhiwceiber
Penrhiwceiber Colliery
Sinking commenced in 1872, the venture being undertaken
by John and David Glasbrook and a Mr. Yeo (all of Swansea).
Messer's Cory Brothers joined them one year later. Sinking
operations proved to be hazardous and great difficulties
were encountered due to running sand and water. Several inrushes
of water caused holdups and almost led to the abandonment
of the undertaking. The installation of a large Cornish beam-type
pump allowed the sinking to continue with the nine feet seam
of the lower coal being won in 1878. For some years the coal
was wound on a single sheave pitch-pine head frame, which
was eventually replaced by a steel headgear around 1901.
In 1943 a company takeover brought Penrikyber into the Powell
Duffryn Group , where it remained until the nationalization
of the coal industry in 1947. The colliery was closed in
1985 by British Coal.
Above: Penrikyber Colliery
Although sinking of this extensive colliery
was started in 1872 it wasn't until July 7th 1879 that
the first dram of coal was brought to the surface. The
shaft was 658 yards deep with some workings extending around
2 miles from the shaft. At the time this photograph was
taken the colliery employed around 1,800 men producing
some 8,000 tons of coal weekly.
