West Blaina Red Ash Colliery

Nantyglo, Ebbw Fach Valley (193800)

Prior to nationalisation in 1947, this level was worked by R.C. Banks of Dock Street, Newport, who was not a member of the Monmouthshire and South Wales Coal Owners Association.

It employed 9 men underground and 4 men on the surface in 1893/6 when owned by the West Blaina Red Ash Colliery Company and 16 men in 1900, 82 men in 1907, and 75 men in 1908 when managed by M. Frame. It employed 96 men in 1913/5, 66 men in 1916 and 67 men in 1918, and 70 men in 1919. In 1923 it employed 82 men and in 1927 it employed 80 men. In 1930 it employed 32 men working underground and 7 men working at the surface of the mine with S. Hollister the manager and it produced 1,000 tons of coal a week. In 1933 it employed 80 men. In 1935 there were 10 men working on the surface and 51 men underground working the Brithdir (Red Ash) seam which in this area had a section of coal 0.58m, dirt 3.5m, and coal 0.71 metres. In 1938 it employed 146 men and in 1945 it employed 135 men. In 1913/1916/1918/1919 and in 1927/1935 it was managed by S. Hollister, in 1938 by P.J. Taylor and in 1945 by I.C. Harris.

On Nationalisation, West Blaina Red Ash Colliery was placed in the National Coal Board’s, South Western Division’s, No.6 (Monmouthshire) Area, and at that time employed 18 men working on the surface of the mine and 118 men underground producing house coal from the Brithdir seam. The manager at that time was still I.C. Harris.

This colliery was closed on the 9th of April 1949.

Information supplied by Ray Lawrence and used here with his permission.