#abercynon

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Abercynon and the RMS Titanic

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A Quick Snap

The following image shows the area now known as Abercynon woods. The viaduct over the River Taff. St Cynon’s Chruch and school is visible in the background. The viaduct in the foreground is still standing and in use as a bridge across the river Taff. The cottage behind the viaduct was, for many years, the home of Gomer Morgan. In front of the cottage, on the side of the path, a brick sluice…

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On this day: Aberdare Junction Railway Station

On the 6th of August 1846 Navigation House railway station was renamed Aberdare Junction. 50 years later, in 1896, it would be renamed again, to Abercynon. The original Taff Vale Station at Abercynon, complete with canopy, lighting and waiting facilities. Beneath the large covered canopy, a network of station buildings included a booking office, refreshment rooms, seperate gentlemen and ladies…

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The South Wales Earthquake of 1906

In April 1906 San Francisco was devestate by an massive earthquake. A few months later a second earthquake, one of the most damaging to ever hit the United Kingdom, struck Glamorgan. Early on the morning of the 27th of June, 1906 barometers all over South Wales dropped. A stillness seemed to pervade the air. At 9:45 am a powerful tremor rattled South Wales. While it lasted for only a few…

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The Abertaf Feeder Bridge

The Abertaf Feeder Bridge spanned the Taff for 167 years. Sadly, it was destroyed in Strom Bert, months before it was due to repoen.

One of the main problems faced by the operators of the Glamorgan Canal was how to keep it topped up with water. If there wasn’t enough water in the canal, it couldn’t operate. Maintaining water levels in the Abercynon 16 set of locks proved particularly problematic. To solve this issue a number of canal feeders were constructed. Opened in 1857 the Abertaf Feeder carried water from a weir at…

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The Heroic Mrs Evans

On the 28th of October 1901, 7 year old Lily Rose Evans was walking along the banks of the Glamorganshire Canal when she slipped and fell into the water. Luckily, a little boy saw the girl fall in and ran to the nearest adult, Mrs Caroline Evans. With no thought for her own safety, Mrs Evans ran to the bank and plunged into the 5ft deep icy cold water. She quickly managed to grab Lily and pull…

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Abercynon's Links to Two Chaired Bards

With the National Eisteddfod taking place in Pontypridd I take a look at Abercynon's links to two celebrated poets.

With the National Eisteddfod taking place in Pontypridd, I thought I’d just highlight Abercynon’s links to two of Wales’ most noted bards. John James Williams Born in Taigwynion, Cardiganshire in 1869, Reverend John James Williams was just a child when his family moved to the Cynon Valley. Settling initially in Penrhiwceiber the family then moved to Ynysybwl where they joined Tabernacle…

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The 23rd of June marks the 130th anniversary of the Albion disaster in Cilfynydd. Claiming the lives of 290 men and boys, it is one of the largest colliery disasters in Welsh history. At the time of the disaster work was underway to sink the Dowlais Pit at Aberdare Junction (Abercynon). In anticiption of this, Abercynon was already growing rapidly. A number of men in the area were employed in…

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