Britania Colliery, Pengam, Rhymney Valley,1987

[@johnroberts6671]

My grandfather, Jack Griffiths, from Aberbargoed, worked there, and in Bargoed, The Elliot Colliery, Deri and Croesfan. I remember the pit head baths opening in Bargoed. What a difference they made to their lives. I can still see and hear the miners climbing up Bedwellty Road, in Aberbargoed, many struggling to breathe, Lovely families, so well educated and articulate, Asserati’s Cafes, Miners’ Holiday trips to Barry Island, Bedwellty Grammar, rugby and my Gran’s cooking. Welsh speaking chapels and my Welsh speaking Dad. Close community replaced with bugger all. Thank you, Rhymney Valley. You made me the man I am.

[@johnowens4973]

John Roberts my husband John , who posted this passed away in June last year. I’m pleased this brought back memories to you.

[@tombartram7384]

Basiodd e yr iaith ymlaem i ti?

[@HaraldFinster]

Thanks for the great video. Especially the footage taken in the engine hall brings back sweet memories, as I visited and photographed the Ilgner transformers and the winding engines in 1990. The guy who opened the door for me told me, that Siemens has never been payed for the installation due to the first world war. Really nice to see this beautiful piece of equipment still in operation in your video! Thank you Harald

[@mikerom9958]

My Father worked in Pengam (Very wet apparently} then Brit. ended up in Girlings Cwmbran. Nearly all my mates did their training at Brit. (good money at the time) Not one went down the mine! They used to tease me that there was a cafe, juke box, anything you wanted to eat underground! (I believed it was true!) My loss, I have never been down underground to see what it was really like. Great video thanks.

[@syanturioevans9952]

Brings back loads of memories, of having adventures around there in the Summer hols on our bmx's when we were kids, and having many a mooch about with me Bamps who lived just over the other side of the tip, in Gilfach Bargoed.

[@johnwood6223]

went there with my dad to see the winders in the 80s manager took us around and even arranged some food for us a day I will never forget all sadly gone now but thanks for sharing it it was good to see again

[@michaelbritton9778]

So sad our pits have gone some might disagree yes we have cleaner river's we have greener valleys but we have no work mining wasn't just a job it was community spirit

[@philhurn6304]

My dad worked on road transport out of Britannia, John Hurn, he delivered coal then later on drove the NCB road sweeper around the collieries.

[@nigelcarter9503]

I remember it well.School of mining. I live in Cascade. Parts of the site are still up for sale at Pengam.

[@deanlewis8165]

my grandfather and my dad worked there until they closed it .my dad let me go down there with him to show me how it worked. he was a blacksmith.

[@johnowens4973]

Glad you enjoyed.

[@Kevin-zo8bk]

My grandfather worked there as did his 3 brothers there father was crushed between trams back in the 40s and like a lot of men who worked there it took my grandfather way to earlier then he should of gone all the coal dust on his lungs got him in the end sometimes I can still here that nebuliser that him and so meny other miners need later on in life to breath

[@welshwizard822]

Done my training there a long time ago, 70's

[@geoffjones9899]

me too i was there in 69 and a few weeks doing a bit of training in oakdale pit

[@MarkJones-gd3nt]

Trained there in1977!age just gone16! seventeen yrs later,on the dole.

[@codybeddoes8509]

My father Peter Beddoes done his training down there

[@syanturioevans9952]

Do you have any more footage of the 'Washery' tower down by the river there..? I noticed it within the trees there for a moment. Wow, we used to climb inside that thing...

[@johnowens4973]

Sy Evans . Sorry She, that's all I have. Apologies for the long delay in answering.

[@syanturioevans9952]

No probs butty..! ;D In your time init.! ;D When you see it, you respond.. simple. Di Yawn John!

[@Msrosy145]

🍺 here’s to the man who works underground. may the rope never break as he goes up and down. Give him bread when he’s hungry. Beer when he’s dry. May every Collier come up top to die. .................... My father worked in the mines in South Wales from age 10 to 55. And died of black lung. He had several major accidents down under but lived to tell the tail. Nine mile point was his pit. Thank god it’s gone along with the rest of them. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 I’ve had asthma lung problems all my life. 😣

[@paulgough6120]

my dad was a miner here brian gough .

[@syanturioevans9952]

PS. diggin the music John, it's like been lifted from an old 70's soft-porn.. !;) only messin .! nah but really funky in parts. ;)