Photographs

Bedlinog photographs is a mixed set of photographs taken in Bedlinog,or spread out in no particular order, old and new.

GENERAL VIEW OF THE VILLAGE APPROX 1915

This first picture is of the inauguration of the Bedlinog war memorial on 15th November 1925, The memorial had 29 names engraved on it from World war one, another 14 were added following world war 2.

Merthyr express report

BEDLINOG WAR MEMORIAL. IMPRESSIVE SCENES AT UNVEILING CEREMONY.

 Sunday afternoon last will be long rermebered by the residents of Bedlinog. Then a large crowd of people stood in silent admiration around the monument, a tribute and memorial to the 29 men from the village who had laid down their lives In the Great War. The scene was more inspiring than sorrowful, as It showed the people’s gratitude to those brave men who had given their all at the shrine or human sacrifice. The memorial takes the form of a plain cross in forest of Dean stone, built on a foundation stone supplied by Coun. George Street, Trelewis .Vic cross is set facing the lower end of the village, on a site given by the Gelligaer District Council on the Square. At the foot of the cross, in the front panel, are the names of 29 men who fell in the Great War. On the left is the inscription “Gwell angau na chwil, ydd.” Facing the road leading front the bottom to the top of the village is the following dedication: “Erected by the Bedlinog Branch of the British Legion in memory of those who fell In the Great War.” Underneath the front panel is “Not forgotten by their comrades,” whilst the cross itself bears the figures 1914-1918.

The memorial has cost approximately £lOO, which amount has been found by the local legion branch and a few sympathising subscribers from the place, together with other friends outside. Before the ceremony, which went off without the slightest hitch, the proceedings began with a procession. Near the Station Hotel was a dense mass of spectators, and perfect control was maintained by a body of police In charge of Supt. Goronwy Griffiths, Treharris, Inspector Clinch, Pontlottyn. Sergt. Jury and Sergt. Wilson. For some time previous to the ceremony the huge procession paraded through the main streets, headed by the Treharris Workmen’s Band, and the following organisations were represented: Ex-Servicemen of the Bedlinog, Fochriw, Treharris, Trelewls, and Nelson British Legion branches, under the command of Dr. W. D Jenkins and Capt. Thomas. Nelson; members of the Bedw Glee Party, Fire Brigade, Ambulance Brigade, members of the “Bedlinog” Lodge of R.A.O B., Friendly Societies, , the general public, and a number of Sunday School children. The memorial site was reached just before 8 p.m., where by then a large concourse had gathered. On each side of the monument seats were provided for the relatives of the fallen, who held a number of floral tributes for laying at the foot of the memorial.

A guard of honour, consisting of ex-servicemen, was formed around the monument and remained there throughout the service. The service itself was a devotional one. and was opened with the singing of “Jesu. Lover of My Soul.” accompanied by the band. An eloquent address was delivered by Coun. D Doniels, who stated that the memorial stood as a “symbol of sacrifice,” so that successive generations would realise that this generation, at any rate, felt it was right to pay reverence to those who had made the supreme sacrifice. The Rev. W. Morton (Salem) followed in prayer. Short addresses were then given by Coun. O. Street and Mr. D. B. Price, and a prayer was offered by the Rev. S. Evans (vicar of Fochriw). rendering “Peace be Still” by the Bedw (flee Party), under the conductorship of Mr. T. S. Rees, was sung effectively.

The following photograph was kindly donated by Sarah and her dad, Clive Farr..it is well over 50 years old.

Church Hall

Church Hall 2020 above now a lovely family home

Club Row on the Border with Trelewis

The original street sign now belongs to 75 year old Ralph Harrall who once lived in 2 Panteg cottages next to John and Florrie Nolan and family. d 

Club Row

Club row 1977

Oakland Street

Above we see an original postcard courtesy of Mrs Sue Sazio now living in Australia she wrote “I have an old post card of Bedlinog as my mum was evacuated there during the war, I also think you have pictures on this site of Mrs Farr whom my mum stayed with during that time”

Some new photographs April 2010

Three photographs of Bedlinog taken in 1930 courtesy of Rosemary D’Souza

 

Cwm hill

 

The Square thanks to Gareth Bevan

Oaklands

Oaklands long ago and below 2021

Below we see Garth Terrace from many years ago courtesy of Ralph Morgan

1908 floods

Looking down on the square before the road up was built you can see how Cwmfelin looked back then (Ivor Jones)

Fire on Bedlinog Street

The old bakery

Mike the Milk’s old dairy  autumn 2015 under renovation

Photos above Courtesy of Doug Hughes, the big building at the back of the last picture is the old three storey slaughter house and butchers

Thanks to Doug Hughes for this picture

The High Street

Upper High Street 1904

Upper High Street 2014

St Cadoc’s Bedlinog

Muriel Terrace

Bedlinog

Bedlinog 1900 was still developing as a village and there were still a few streets to be constructed…the photograph below shows the bottom of the village, then the Cwm hill to the top and the colliery

Woodland Terrace

Looking down from the Cwm 1960

New van for the Bedlinog Co-op in Hylton Terrace

Bedlinog Inn 1906 thanks to Gareth Bevan

The new surgery taken in 2010

Looking up the Cwm Hill 2012

Aerial view of Bedlinog courtesy of Graham Dale

The next few pictures are courtesy of Doug Hughes 

Lower Bedlinog

View from opposite valley

Another excellent photograph by Doug.

Picture donated by Elwyn Jones Bargoed