Abersychan

Abersychan is a town and community in Torfaen, Wales, located north of Pontypool and within the historic counties of Monmouthshire and Gwent. It lies in the narrow northern section of the Afon Lwyd valley and includes two schools (Abersychan Comprehensive School and Victoria Primary School), various shops, and amenities like Abersychan Rugby Club. Notable residents include politicians Roy Jenkins, Don Touhig, and Paul Murphy, as well as rugby players Wilfred Hodder, Candy Evans, and Bryn Meredith. Historically, Abersychan evolved from a 17th-century agricultural hamlet to an industrial center in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly for iron production. The British Iron Company established ironworks in 1825, which later passed through several owners before closing in 1889. The area was devastated by a mining disaster at Llanerch Colliery on February 6, 1890, which claimed 176 lives. Today, the site of the former ironworks spans 526 hectares and includes listed buildings such as the Abersychan Limestone Railway, Air Furnace, and British Colliery Pumping Engine House. Abersychan has a complex local government history, transitioning from a local board in 1864 to an urban district in 1894, before being absorbed into Pontypool and later becoming part of Torfaen borough in 1974. The community includes areas like Abersychan, Cwmavon, Garndiffaith, Pentwyn, Talywain, Varteg, and Victoria Village, though no formal community council has been established. Local transport links are served by nearby railway stations (Pontypool & New Inn, Llanhilleth, and Abergavenny), with disused stations previously located at Abersychan and Talywain. Nearby places include Pentwyn, a ...