`Forge Hammer` was reputedly named, after a gigantic forging hammer that was used in the Cwmbran Iron works. A close knit community developed, made up of mainly migrant workers, originally from Ireland who came to find work in the thriving industries that were springing up in and around Cwmbran during the mid 19th Century and early 20th Century.
The former area known as Forge hammer is now comprised of an Industrial Estate two supermarkets, Lidl`s and Aldi`s and a carpet store. (2010)
.. The Gas Holder, at one time a Cwmbran `Landmark` ..
.. Photograph contributed by Graham Pattimore, originator Shaun McGuire ..
The references I have made regarding this photograph relate to between 1947 to
1964.
Green spot. G.K.N railway sidings (bottom foundry)
Orange spot. Monmouthshire and Brecon canal.
Yellow spot. G.W.R. (Great Western Railway) railway sidings.
Dark blue spot. Forgehammer Hotel
White spot. Sid Short's cycle shop
Red spot. Billy Gibbon's shop.
Light blue spot. Gasworks manager's residence.
Pink spot. Bristol Plant hire
Lilac spot. Overhead water tank to refill steam trains.
Blue line. Woodside road.
Yellow line. Coronation road.
Graham Pattimore relates:
You will notice that Coronation road came right up to the `Gasometer` and that's where Woodside road began, although it's now Woodside road right down to Lidl`s (Supermarket); also in the photo is a shop which was owned by the Smith family which was the first house on Forgehammer Row. It was eventually rented by Sid Short and that's where he set up his cycle shop, he later moved into the town centre.
There are two other small gas holders in the photograph, these were not there when I was born, so at a guess I would say that this photograph was taken in the late 1930`s to early 1940`s or maybe even earlier.
This photograph, taken in the mid 1960`s, is a view looking down Woodside Road -Forge Hammer, running into Coronation Road. The bridge once held the Monmouthshire Eastern Valleys (railway) Line but now is the route of Cwmbran Drive.
Mel Hillman relates: This row of houses were opposite the old gas works at Forge Hammer. The bridge carried the Eastern Valley railway line. Just beyond the bridge was a bus stop and in the 1950s and 1960s there was a milk diary depot. Living in Northville we used to use this bus stop for buses to Newport.
.. The site of the Gas Holder - Woodside Road - Forgehammer ..
.. January 2010 ..
.. Dismantled December 2002 ..
John Berry relates:- I started my working life (1952) as an apprentice Gas Fitter/Engineer with Wales Gas and for two years, I reported every day at the Cwmbran Holder Station to the only Gas Fitter covering the area. He was Baden Roden, better known to everyone as JIM the gas, he lived with his wife Greta at the rear of the Gas shop that was on the corner of Richmond Rd. Pontnewydd, it is now a block of flats.The Forge Hammer holder station at that time was derelict but there was some very interesting old overhead belt operated machinery left standing in the old engineering workshops. We used one room for the storage of Gas Meters and fittings etc.There was a shop on the opposite corner to the Gas Works Gates I think this was owned by a Mr Gibbons??Later as the New Town developed the gas supplies in the area had to be improved, as a result more Service Engineers and Distribution staff worked from this depot. The site was refurbished and a new gas house was built next to the bridge. The house was occupied by Jim Lewis who moved from Taunton to take up the position of Foreman at the Panteg Gas Works site,In those days control of the gas holder was manual and twice a day it was necessary for the Gas Controller at Panteg Gas works to be contacted, for instructions to open or close the valve that controlled the gas supply into the holder. That was how it went up & down and I recall it always had to be in a high position for Sunday. I took my turn with this but it became the responsibility of Jim Lewis.
The Maker's Plate .. dated 1939
Ade Mahagen relates: I was 48 before I realised it went up and down! ha ha ha
Lawrense Skuse relates: My only real memories of the gasometer are coming by bus from Newport, the bus stopping by the wall of the compound. There was always a smell of gas in the air, and I would desperately "wish" the bus to leave before the gasometer blew up!
Mel Hillman relates: We used to catch buses to Newport just by the railway bridge.
Garnet Chippy Chapman relates: There was a bus stop known as the `Gas works` for employees of G.K.N. (Guest Keen & Knettlefolds).
- Date: January 3rd 2010:
- Name: Linda Davies (nee May)
- Email: click here
Message:
Just a quick line to ask if anyone knows of any old photos of the Gasworks house on Woodside road Pontnewydd circa 1954.I was born in this house in April 1954 and would love to be able to see it as it once was and show my grandchildren. Many thanks for such a wonderful site, keep up the good work.
.. A Question from Shaun McGuire ..
Was the Moon Inn in later life known as the Forge Hammer pub?
My Uncle and Aunt (Jack and Anne McGuire) ran the Forge Hammer in the 1950's.
.. The Moon inn closed in 1914 - Beer at that time was 2d a pint ..
.. Enjoying a `tipple` in the 1870`s ..
A response from Graham Pattimore (Formerly of Woodside Road) The `Moon Pub` was on the canal bank between The Forgehammer Hotel and the old Gasometer, it was demolished before I was born; but when I was young, my grandfather showed me where the pub was situated and where the pub door was from where he used to stumble out of most nights..
A response from Sharon Jones :- I read your memories of the Moon Inn at Forgehammer Cwmbran, my Great Grandparents ran the Moon Inn in 1901 and were called Emily & Daniel Playsted. Not sure of the date they left here, but they went on to run the `Pineapple` in New Inn Pontypool.
The Forgehammer Hotel was situated on Forgehammer Row. It was quite a large premises and it also had very large gardens which your aunt and uncle utilised to keep chickens and most of the local children were allowed to play in and around these gardens, which also contained a large orchard which came in very handy. I remember your aunt and uncle, they were kind people and their daughter Carol used to put on puppet shows in the garden for all the kids and in the summer your aunt used to make toffee apples for the local children. Your family were liked very much as the always had plenty of time for all of us `little ones`, we were all very sad when they moved from the hotel.
Shaun McGuire :-
This is a photograph of my mother (Gwynneth) aged about 6 months, sat in rocking chair and her brother and sister, Jack and Anne Gillard. Anne went on to later run the Forge Hammer hotel with Jack McGuire my father�s brother who she married. I believe this photo was taken at the Wooden house�s and the date would be mid 1911 as my mother was born 27th December 1910.
The previous Landlord and his wife of the Forgehammer Hotel, Haydon and Nellie Dixon and on the right, Anne and Jack McGuire going out to celebrate the change over..
(Photograph contributed by Shaun McGuire who adds that Anne was his Mother's sister and Jack was his Father's brother )
.. Forgehammer Row ..
(Photograph originated from Rex Hopkins)
Graham Pattimore recalls:-
The group photograph was taken in Forgehammer Row, and I think this was a street party to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd. My mother remembers the red white and blue paper flowers around the windows, also the curb stones were painted in the same colours.The woman on the left of the photograph is Mary Cunningham (nee Meehan); next to her is Violet Smith now deceased, the lady next to her, Mrs Thomas, lived in the last house on the left of the photo; next to her is Lily Fisher deceased, her late husband Tom can be seen in the doorway on the right of the photograph.
The lady 7th from the left with dark hair is Pat Smith deceased, on the extreme right of the photo is a lady called Evelyn Probert, next to her is Ena Thomas who lived in the last but one house on the left.
In the background you can see two men standing on the canal bank and behind them you can see the old Guest keen and Nettlefolds club where most of the locals had their pint on a Saturday night, sadly this old club was demolished when I was quite young. It was situated next to the G.K.N works canteen which is now the Raffa club. On the extreme left of the picture you can see the last window of the Forgehammer hotel.
Rex Hopkins and his Sister, Joy also recalled `faces` on the photograph :- including Phil Richards, Mrs. Phillips.
.. The Forgehammer Hotel AFC 1948-49 ..
Bill Gale from Pontnewydd, contributes: This photograph shows the football team I once played for ... Forgehammer Hotel AFC. I am sat in the front row, the 4th one across in front of the goalkeeper.
BACK ROW:Lenny Davies, Lyndon Pask, Les Larder, Ron Crew, Joe Floyd, TerryRichards, Paddy Cronin, Ref, Tom Crowley, __?__Dickinson.FRONT ROW:Gerald Larder, 'Dinky' Edwards, Carty Evans, Bill Gale (capt.) CharlieDavies, Alan Bailley.
