Welsh Family History Archive

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Blaina, Monmouthshire

Library collection - September 22, 1998

We continue our exploration of the former mining valley of the river Ebbw Fach, begun in the previous Image of Wales feature on Nantyglo. South of Nantyglo is the town of Blaina (Welsh spelling Blaenau) in the old Monmouthshire parish of Aberystruth. Although there is a continuous strip of housing all the way down the old valley road, Blaina is a distinct community, separate from Nantyglo. The pictures were taken during a walk down Blaina's High Street.

Above: The Royal Exchange public house.

Above: Salem Baptist Chapel (built 1848), conveniently close to
another pub in Blaina High Street!

Above: The western side of the Ebbw Fach valley, viewed from near the church in High
Street. The church, just visible in the right foreground, is a rather ugly modern building.

Above: Some of the terraced housing in Blaina on the eastern slopes of the valley,
viewed from the bottom end of High Street.

Above: Blaina United Reform Church, near Gladstone Street.