Llanhilleth born and bred!

Many of the people I spoke with, and record in this blog, although they truly feel they are ‘Llanhilleth people,’ did actually move to the area at a young age.    Their parents had, no doubt, come to the village seeking work either in the pit or within the infrastructure necessary to support the quickly growing population. 
 
Note: Population in 1800 was 200, in 1900 was 5000 !!

William Godfrey came from Bristol as a young man looking for work in the pit.   He then married and went to WW1 from Llanhilleth.

‘Bill’ Bailey contacted me from Loughborough. He was in his eighties and told me in a series of e-mails how he came to Aberbeeg as a child, after his father was transferred by the Great Western Railway.     He later left to find a career in teaching.

Jack Bancroft born in Llanhilleth, spoke of his grandfather working for the Midland Wagon & Carriage Co. as a wagon repairer in the Midlands.   His father was brought to Talywain as a child, and later worked as Head Weigher at Roseheyworth where Jack was to join him.

Many families moved from the other side of the Severn Tunnel.   As ever, Llanhilleth provided them with a nickname.   They were known as “The Pilgrims,” as they had previously worked for Partridge Jones (the pit owner) and were following him for work.

Others, born and bred in Llanhilleth contacted me from Australia, Bournemouth, Essex, Abergavenny, Blaina.   Some had moved for work, others for family reasons.

There are currently many newcomers to the village, both from Britain and Europe.   All love the area and plan to stay, but with little industry locally, many now travel to Cardiff or Bristol for work.

A fantastic Facebook page is called Llanhilleth Past & Present.  I attach a link to a photograph of Llanhilleth before a lot of it was built.  Unfortunately I don't have a date for this photograph, but assume its late 1800's.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201711766849431&set=gm.491025474346592&type=1&relevant_count=1

Andrews the milk man

Andrews had quite a reputation around the village. This story came from a document in Newport Library.

Andrews filled two gallon cans from the churn so his wife could take them to the bottom row of houses, carrying them on a heavy wooden yoke laid across her shoulders.   Andrews used a similar yoke to deliver milk to the top row.

Dr Reynolds had warned Andrews about this practice, but he assured the Doctor that his wife was used to carrying the heavy weights after fifty years.

“If that poor woman drops dead in the street with that yoke, it would be manslaughter, and you will hang,” threatened the Doctor.

The wife’s lips were blue, her cheeks firey red patches against the palour of the rest of her face.

Andrews noticed a police car watching them.   “Get a move on, woman,” he shouted.   He wanted her out of sight, so the police wouldn’t see.    But even his own yoke was heavy.   He suddenly had the thought What if he died?

He was unable to access the milk float as the horse had moved on and was waiting at the next stop a quarter of a mile down the road.   Puffing and panting, Andrews vowed to get a man to do the top row as it was too much for his health.
(I assume his poor wife carried on delivering to the bottom row.)

Joe Phelps was well-known around Llanhilleth. Some of his recollections are quoted throughout this blog, but others are included on the Llanhilleth Institute website, link below:

http://www.llanhillethinstitute.com/stute-stories/

Edward James Nicholls

Edward James Nicholls, or Ted as he was mostly known moved to Central Road, Llanhilleth with his family, when he was very young.   He later moved along the road when he was married.   As with many other miners, he formed a long relationship with the Institute.   In 1942 he became Compensation Secretary, obtaining financial help for miners suffering from industrial disease or injury.   In 1967 he received a letter from T S Edwards, solicitors, thanking him for his 25 years service and noting that he had achieved the highest compensation settlement after a mining accident, for a paraplegic.

From 1957 he held the post of Institute Secretary for ten years, before being appointed Chairman in 1967.   He maintained this post until 1982, when sadly his health deteriorated.