Newspaper extracts for Aberdare

There are many references to this area in the 15 million Welsh and English language articles from Welsh newspapers transcribed by the NLW and viewable on Welsh Newspapers Online
Below are English language articles that have been re-transcribed and extracted randomly to illustrate what is available, there are many that are not extracted here that include names of local people

• From the  Monmouthshire Merlin 23rd November 1877

ABERDARE. MEETING OF MINER'S DELEGATES. — At a general delegate meeting ol the South Wales and Monmouthshire miners, held at Aberdare, on Monday, the Risca and the Nantyglo and Blaina colliers' disputes were discussed, as also the recent notices issued by the Powell Duffryn Company and Messrs Davis and Sons. No definite course of action was adopted, but the meeting disapproved of the course taken by a section of the men there, who had gone in on what were deemed disadvantageous terms. The men are invited, prior to the 10th of December, to subscribe 6d each towards defraying their share of the expenses of the Conciliation Board.

•  From the Monmouthshire Merlin 26th October 1861

ABERDARE. Our Aberdare correspondent writes as follows -The condition of trade in this valley has fluctuated but little for some weeks past, and what I wrote a month ago would be as applicable now as it was then. Matters are going on much as usual, and I have every reason to believe that we are doing as well, in a commercial sense, in Aberdare as they are doing in any of the other hilly districts. Our iron works are making their usual progress and I hear that a neighbouring iron-master has recently been favoured with an order from "the side of the hill." Rails are still excessively low, and, notwithstanding the published quotation, I know of two or three orders in the course of execution at £5 per ten. The coal trade appears to be moderately healthy, and the complaints among the colliers of short time &c., are far less frequent than they have been.—Swansea Herald.

• From the  Monmouthshire Merlin 28th December 1867

ABERDARE. THE FERNDALE RELIEF FUND. The Central Committee at Aberdare, who will have the actual distribution of relief to the sufferers, have formed a set of rules for their guidance, the substance of which are published, as subscribers may like to know how their money is to be disposed of. The committee, feeling that after the handsome subscription of the owners of the colliery it would be unjust to allow them to continue the relief out of their own private means, have determined to take upon themselves the relief of the sufferers from the 13th December. For the present, until the total amount of the fund can be ascertained, the amount of relief granted to each widow weekly will be 5s. and Is. 6d for each child, boys to remain eligible to the fund to the completion of their 12th year, and girls to their 13th. In addition, the committee will pay the expanses of education for the children, and it will be imperative on the mother and others having charge of orphans to send them to school to the full time of their receiving relief-   .....(part extract).....

•  From The Cardiff Times 25th January 1873

ABERDARE. THE WAGES QUESTION.—The state of affairs with the men on strike remains unaltered. In appearance, the men grow more determined to remain out until their end has been gained. They say that they made their master a fair offer of accepting five per cent. reduction, which was refused. It is their turn to refuse now. Arrangements were made to hold a meeting last evening, to which the tradesmen of the town were invited to listen to a statement of the men's grievances, and advise them on their best course of action.

•  From The Cardiff Times 16th November 1867

ABERDARE. THE FERNDALE EXPLOSION .-Although several miles from the scene of this most awful catastrophe, the first intimation had a deadly effect upon the general trade of the town. On the whole of Saturday a torpor seemed to fall upon public business which, at nearly a weeks end has not been thrown off. In the midst of all other transactions, the gloomy subject is referred to in a mournful under tone, enquiry is made, and the latest information retold in a way that indicated the telling effect the news had produced. Workmen left their work, and tradesmen their business to proceed to the scene of the accident. On Sunday and Monday droves of pedestrians might be seen going to and fro, and those returning were busily answering questions, and retelling the information collected in their visit to the neighbourhood of the appalling event. Bodies have arrived in town each day this week. and for the most part have been carried from the Taff Vale Station to the place of burial, attended by hundreds of persons evidently impressed with the magnitude of the disaster. Numerous reports are current as to the cause of the accident, but the real cause it is felt can only be known after the careful enquiry of a Coroner's jury

•  From The Cardiff Times 7th August 1875

ABERDARE. THE NEW WATERWORKS.—There are now indications of these extensive and necessary works being brought into practical usefulness. The tubing for conveying the water is laid as far as Gadlys-road. In some parts of the town, especially in the outlying villages, the want of good water is greatly felt during dry seasons. What is obtainable has often to be carried from long distances. Owing  to the rapid increase of the population, the existing water- works, which sufficed for years, scarcely meets requirements of the town alone. The water is of excellent quality, and it is to be hoped that the new supply will be equally good as well as more abundant

•  From The Cardiff Times 26th June 1869

ABERDARE. PUBLIC PARK-There is now some hope that the people will have free access to this beautiful spot on an early day. The matter was fully discussed at an adjourned meeting of the Board of Health, held on Monday. The time resolved upon is some day between the 14th and 22nd of July. The Board resolved that the Borough Members should be invited down for the occasion, and that Mr. Fothergill should be invited to declare formally that the park was open  .....(part extract).....

•  From The Cardiff Times 22nd March 1873

ABERDARE. A correspondent says - A great but unsuccessful effort was made on Saturday to induce some of the men to commence work on Monday, this day. A list of names was sent round to the men for those to sign who were willing to resume work, but it was returned without a single signature. Those most ready refused to make an unconditional surrender. Their reply is, "offer us some definite terms, which we shall probably accept if they are reasonable." They profess a readiness to make some concessions, but not to concede all

•  From The Cardiff Times 11th December 1869

ABERDARE. HELP FOR THE POOR.-In this time as in every other there are always numbers of people and families that hardly know how to keep body and soul together. Their hardships are increased as winter approaches. Such severe weather as that which has prevailed the last week or two, will make poverty doubly felt by many who are not altogether undeserving. In this place there are no public funds, no soup kitchens from which relief can be given. A good practice prevailed here once, but for some years it has been little. A few public spirited and benevolent ladies were in the habit of forming themselves into a committee and soliciting subscriptions. Their appeals generally found a hearty response, and a considerable sum was collected; the whole was distributed in blankets, warm clothing and other things, just at the time when most needed, in mid-winter, when the cold pinches even the well-housed. This system has been discontinued for several years, to the great misfortune of many a poor creature. The need of such help is not less now than then; in the last few years there has been more poverty than in many previous ones. It would be well if the old practice were revived, if the same benevolent ladies and others would once more step forward, beyond a doubt they would find liberal support. A few kind large hearted ladies, free from party prejudice and the narrowness of sectarianism, might be the means of comfort to many hearts, of protection to many from the inclemency of the wintry season, of preserving health and perhaps of saving life. We hope to see the matter taken up in a broad, liberal as well as a charitable spirit.

•  From South Wales Daily News (Third Edition) 4th September 1900

ABERDARE. Orpheus Glee Society.—On Monday the members of the above glee society had their annual outing. The party, accompanied by Mr J. VV. Harries, president of the society, travelled in saloon carriage to where breakfast was partaken of at the Grosvenor Hotel. Thence the party travelled to the Mumbles. After dinner a number of glees were rendered on the rocks, and the return journey to Aberdare was made after a most enjoyable day

• From the South Wales Daily News (Third Edition) 25th November 1897

ABERDARE. BEER FOR PAUPERS.—At a meeting of the Aberdare and District Temperance Union, the Rev. H. T. Jacob in the chair, it was eventually decided to write to the Merthyr Board of Guardians asking them not to accept any gifts of beer or any other intoxicants this year for distribution among the paupers on Christmas Day.

• From the South Wales Daily News (Third Edition) 15th October 1898

ABERDARE. DISTRICT COUNCIL.-To the Council yesterday the Medical Officer reported 153 cases of diphtheria (four being fatal), one case of puerperal fever, five of erysipelas, seven of scarlet fever, and four of croup.

•  From the South Wales Daily News (Third Edition) 20th August 1896

ABERDARE. INTERMBDIATE SCHOOL.—In the report of the meeting of Governors in our issue of Wednesday, through a misprint the fees at the new Intermediate School Board were stated to be fixed at £10 a term. It should be £1.10s per term.

•  From the South Wales Daily News (Third Edition) 6th July 1900

ABERDARE. Industrial Schools.-—On Thursday the annual picnic in connection with these schools was held, the rendezvous being Barry Island. The party, numbering some 130 children, left Aberdare by a special train, and were joined by a contingent of 70 or 80 from the Workhouse. A number of guardians and ladies and gentlemen interested in the children were present besides the officials. A most enjoyable day was spent.

• From the South Wales Daily News (Third Edition) 13th January 1900

ABERDARE. Amateur Theatricals.—The finest amateur company that ever appeared before an Aberdare audience gave a grand performance of Goldsmith's comedy "She Stoops to Conquer" in the New Theatre on Thursday  .....(part extract).....