Timeline
10,000 BC
Nomadic groups of hunter gatherers, following the animal herds, gathering shell-fish and berries along the shore
4,000 BC
Arrival of Neolithic (New Stone Age) farmers, who grow crops and keep animals. They live in settled groups, make pottery, and learn to weave cloth. They build stone circles, communal stone tombs, etc
2,000 BC
Bronze Age: first use of metals for weapons, tools and ornaments
600 BC
Iron Age: arrival of Celts. Local evidence: Hill forts at Margam and Baglan, Hut circles and remains of Celtic fields
43 AD
The Romans arrive in Britain
43-69 AD
Resistance to the Romans is lead in South Wales by the Silures under Caradco/Caratucus
500-1050
Raids by Irish slavers, Danes and Vikings. St Baglan, a Breton prince who studied at St. Illtyd’s school at Llantwit Major and was then sent to work as Christian missionary in west Wales, founded a church at Baglan. St. Sawel, who founded the church at Briton Ferry also came from this time. Local chieftains set up mini kingdoms and built fortified homes like the one destroyed when the most recent Briton Ferry Bridge was built. The first Aberavon probably dates from this period – it may have been nearer the sea where the docks are now. When the docks were being excavated c1836 various things were found – Roman coins, shoes, cattle horns, fences, walls and cultivation ridges from fields. A field in this area was known as “Platch yr Hen Eglwys” – The field of the old church – which might have been the long vanished church of St Thomas.
1066
The Normans conquer England
c.1090
Normans arrive in South Wales. Rhys ap Tudur the King of South Wales was killed in battle. Iestyn ap Gwrgan is defeated by a combined Welsh-Norman army but his son Caradoc is allowed the keep the land between the Neath and the Ffrwdwyllt, and becomes the first Lord of Afan, the only Welsh ruled area in Norman South Wales. Caradoc builds a wooden motte and bailey castle next to what is now St. Mary’s church, Aberavon.
1137
Robert, Earl of Gloucester founds Margam Abbey, partly for the good of his soul, partly as a buffer between the Welsh in Afan and the uplands of Glamorgan and the Normans in Coity, Bridgend and the Vale.
1147
Margam Abbey was founded
1153
Caradoc’s castle is burnt down by his brothers-in-law, Maredudd and Rhys ap Grutrydd. The castle is rebuilt in stone. Small settlements began to grow up around the castle and the Abbey
1170
Great Eisteddfod at Llanfihangel Afan
1171
Henry II passed through on his way to Ireland
1188
Gerald of Wales visits Margam, Aberavon and Baglan with the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is recruiting soldiers for a crusade in the Holy Land both Aberavon and Margam continue to grow and Aberavon becomes a small market town. The Lords of Afan slowly become more and more Normanised, marry Norman wives, take Norman-style names. Archbishop Baldwin visits the Abbey with Giraldus Cambrensis.
12 Cent
St Mary’s Church
1210
King John visited the Abbey at Margam
1232
Morgan Gam, Lord of Afan attacked Kenfig
1249
Monks of Margam start mining coal at Bryn
1304
Sir Leisan de Avene grants Aberavon its first charter
1326
Edward II stops at Margam Abbey
1336
Monks at Margam complained that “no small part of the land adjacent to the shore is subject to inundation by the sea”.
1347
Outbreak of the Black Death.
1350
Aberavon Borough Charter re-issued by Thomas d’ Avene. By now the family of the Lords of Afan has become more Norman then Welsh, and in the next twenty years they disappear, possibly to England. Afan becomes part of the lands of Edward le Despenser, English Lord of Glamorgan.
C.1373
Edward Le Despenser grants new charter to Aberavon
1384
The Abbot of Margam appropriates St Mary’s Church at Margam
1394
Richard II at the Abbey. He was there again five years later
1399
Richard II visited Margam
c.1400
The Lords of Afan have disappeared, no-one lives in the castle but the town/village still exists. The town is run mainly by the burgesses. Ieuan Gethin, descendant of a younger branch of the Afan lords, lives at Plas Baglan. Inland, Llanfihangel Ynys Afan/Michaelstone Super Avon (now Cwmavon) is mostly small farms with a church and inn as its centre. The road down to Aberavon is very bad, so people tend to head for the markets and fairs at Neath.
1427
Serious flooding in the Swansea Bay area
c.1470
Hen Eglwys (Capel Mair) constructed
1491-1492
Serious flooding at Aberavon
1509
First fishing lease issued by Abbot David of Margam Abbey
1528
John Lougher murdered at Margam Abbey
1535
Dissolution of Margam Abbey
1537
The monks are thrown out
1540-1547
Sir Rice Mansel of Oxwich buys the abbey and its lands at a cost of £2494/13/5 The nave of the abbey church is turned into a parish church. Sir Rice converts the monks’ living quarters into a house for his family.
John Leland, Henry VIII’s “King’s Antiquary” visits the area as part of a survey of the whole of England and Wales. “Margam is the best village in the area. There is a poor village on the west bank of the Afan about two miles from the river mouth which is called Aberavon. The land about it is barren and sour.
1540-1546
Mansels developed coal levels at Bryndu and Croeswen
1543
The records of a tax collected this year give us information about the inhabitants of Aberavon. There are 29 households in the borough.
1552
Sir Rice Mansel, purchaser of the Abbey estates, builds a new house at Margam
1558
Margam Park was developed
1583
Ann Francis wrecked on Margam Sands
1600
Baglan Hall constructed
1601
First act for public assistance and poor law system
1607
Area struck by tidal wave that affected the Bristol Channel with much repair needed to the sea walls and drainage ditches at Aberavon
1648
Oliver Cromwell at Aberavon, town charter hidden in chopping block
1650
Coal mined near Tyn y Twr Farm
1652
Collieries working at Margam
1657
Baptists held 3 monthly services at Baglan
1684
The Duke of Beaufort visits Margam House. Thomas Dinely who accompanying him draws the first picture of Margam House
1695
Cwm Cottage (Margam) constructed
1717
Afan Forge built at site which is now Ynys Y Gored
1726
Aberavon Forge in operation
1735
Famous Eiseddfod at Cymmer, attended by Dafydd Nicholas, Will Hopcin and Lewis Hopcin
1746
Jenkin Penhydd born (Siencyn Penhydd)
1747
Thomas Mansel Talbot born
1748
Waunlas coal level opened at Cwm Bychan
1750
Mansel line becomes extinct and land passes to Rev. Thomas Talbot of Lacock
1755
Classes of charity held at Cwmavon
1757
Cartwright and Mansel lease land in and around Taibach and open Craigafan Colliery
1758
Collieries opened at Lletty Harry and Mynydd Bychan by Drake
Rev. Thomas Talbot dies / Thomas Mansel Talbot inherits Margam Estate
1760 – 1765
Baglan House constructed
1762
Ty Mawr constructed
1764
First tollgate in Margam Parish built near railway crossing at Bethany Square
1765
Calvinistic Methodists hold services at Upper Dyffryn Farm
1768
St Mary’s Church severely damaged by flood water and Aberavon Bridge swept away. (25th July)
William Edwards builds single span bridge over Afan.
Thomas Mansel Talbot visits coal works at Lletty Harry prior to embarking on the Grand Tour.
1770-1774
Local Methodists meet in the Old Barn (Field Terrace)
Construction of Copper works at Taibach
1774
Tir Caradog constructed
Taibach Copper Works begins production
Underhill House built, later became home of Major Thomas Gray
Somersetshire Hotel built, later renamed Somerset Arms
Building of Constant
1776
Gyfylchi built for non conformist worship
1777-80
Collieries opened at Cwm Brombil and Cwm Geifr
1780
Coal mined from Rock Vien
Calvinistic Methodists hold services at Upper Dyffryn Farm
1782
Thomas Mansel Talbot demolishes Margam House, leaving only the Chapter House and St Marys Church intact
1784
Royal mail coaches begin to travel along the main road through Taibach
1787-1793
Margam Orangery built
1790
Upper Forge canal and Weir constructed
1795
More houses built at The Constant and Water Street, at Taibach.
1799
Chapter House roof collapses
1800
Taibach Copper Mill built
Margam Citrus House constructed
1801
Population of Aberavon 2175
1802
Admiral Nelson, Sir William and Lady Hamilton visit Aberavon. They appear to have called at the Globe Inn and met the Portreeve before continuing to Margam Park
1803
Goytre Colliery opened
CRM Talbot born
1804
Edward Donovan visited and described Aberavon as “a poor little village”
Steam powered Mills installed at Taibach Copper Works
1805 – 1809
Margam Abbey Church restored
1807
Death of Shenkin Penhydd
1808
Construction of Brombil Tramway
Goytre to Taibach Tramway constructed
Richard Lewis (Dic Penderyn) born
1810
Carmel Chapel Founded
Classes held at Round House, Coed Parc, Cwmavon
1812
Baglan Hall rebuilt
Level y Wern (Cwmavon) opened up
1813
Death of Thomas Mansel Talbot / CRM Talbot inherits the Margam Estate
Bread famine hits the area
1816
Glanavon House constructed
1819
First Cwmavon blast furnace erected by S F Lettsom on land leased the Earl of Jersey
Construction of feeder canal with sluice gate along Foel from the weir in River Afan near Pontrhydyfen
1820
Construction of cottages at Quakers Yard at Cwmavon
Messrs Vigurs and Smith commenced operations at Cwmavon
1821
Sion Chapel constructed at Cwmavon
Capel Moriah constructed
1822
Robert Smith built Margam tinworks at upper end of Forge Road which absorbed the original Afan Forge
1824
Horse drawn trams operating between Aberavon and Cwmavon
Graigavon House constructed
1825
First blast furnace at Pontrhydyfen erected
John Vigurs and Co. build Tinworks at Cwmavon
John Reynolds builds Pontrhydyfen Aqueduct. Completed in 1827
Construction of chemical plant at Cwmavon
1826
Construction started on Aberavon Town Hall in Green Park
Construction of Jerusalem Chapel at Pontrhydyfen
1827
“Holy Cross” Chapel of Ease opened
1829
Charity School at Taibach is constructed
Educational classes held at Twll yn y wal and Pant y Moch Farm by teachers sponsored by Rev. Griffith Jones
1829-1831
Eastern School built on Margam Road
1830-1835
Margam Castle built by C.R.M. Talbot
1831
National School built at Aberavon
Dic Penderyn buried at St Mary’s Churchyard
Taibach Tollhouse constructed
Construction of Bar Mill and Tinplate Mills at Cwmavon. Blackplate produced
1832
First cholera epidemic. Others in 1849, 1855 and 1866
1834
Thomas Roscoe travelling from Margam to Baglan wrote “I hastened my steps as rapidly as possible through the dirty village of Aberavon, choosing not even to stop and examine the scant remains of its castle.
1835
Coed Parc House, Cwmavon built for Vigurs family
Cwmavon Copper Works erected
1835-1838
Stac y Foel and culvert constructed on Foel
1836
River Afan diverted and first docks built.
1837
The name of Port Talbot first adopted
1838
Discovery of the foundations of buildings, spearhead, Roman coins, leather shoes and other artefacts in excavation for docks
J H Vivian & Sons take over the Taibach Copper Works from the English Copper Co.
Construction of Beulah Chapel (Round Chapel) at Groes
New tramway laid from Cwmavon to Aberavon
Old Harbour Masters House constructed
1839
Theodore Mansel Talbot born
1840
Margam Castle largely complete
Coal mines opened at Bryn
Charity School at St Agnes Church constructed
Taibach Market constructed
Taibach Gas Works constructed
Rock Chapel established, services first held at Rock and Fountain Inn
Margam Tinplate Works School opened
Margam Village demolished to make way for a kitchen garden
1841
Governor and Company of English Copper Mines came to Cwmavon
Construction of Duffryn Chapel
Eglwys Nunydd Farm built
1842
Three arched bridge built at Aberavon by William Kirkhouse
William Abraham (Mabon) born
1844
Closure of Cwmavon Company shop
Penuel Chapel constructed at Cwmavon
1844-1850
Construction of Cwmavon Depot engineering workshops
Construction of Cwmavon Gas Works, Mechanics Hall, Market, Post Office, Reading Room
Construction of many cottages at Cwmavon
1845
Coming of first locomotive to Cwmavon
Coins produced at Taibach Copper Works for Singapore and India
Disease set into potato crops
1847
Sinking of Morfa Pit
Construction of Rail Mill at Cwmavon
Wesley Chapel constructed at Cwmavon
1848
Bank of England took over Company undertakings at Cwmavon
1849
Epidemic of Cholera in South Wales. Very severe at Taibach
Fever Hospital on Mynydd Emroch constructed
1850
Opening of the South Wales Railway (later part of the GWR)
Explosion at Morfa pit
Company resumed control of their undertakings at Cwmavon from Bank of England
Population of Cwmavon is 5000
St Michaels Church rebuilt
Bethania Chapel constructed at Cwmavon
Catholic population of Aberavon is 200
Margam Tinplate Infants School opened
Original Market at Water Street built
1851
Coal mines opened at Glyncorrwg
62ft 5in rail made at Cwmavon for Crystal Palace exhibition
Wern Chapel constructed
1855
All Saints Church built at Ynys Afan, Cwmavon
Cholera epidemic
Construction of Gibeon Chapel
Construction of School at Tymaen, Cwmavon
1856
13 men killed in explosion at Pwll Ynys Dafydd, Cwmavon
1856 – 57
Aberavons first Police Station and Court Room at Talbot Square built
1857
Railway crash between 2 trains at Margam, 3 killed and 21 seriously injured
1858
12 men killed in explosion at Bryndu Pit
1859
Rebuilding of St Mary’s Church completed
Bible Christians build a Chapel at Cwmavon (Pelly Street)
South Wales Mineral Line opened
c.1860s
Eagle House built, was Eagle Inn (built by Rees Roderick)
1860
New town charter granted to Aberavon.
Vernon (Ferry) Tinworks begins production
Old St Josephs Church Consecrated
1861
New charter granted to Aberavon
Zion Church, Cwmavon constructed
1862
Capel Moriah built on the Causeway
1863
39 men killed in the 4th explosion at Morfa Colliery
4 men killed in an explosion at the Park Pit, Baglan
1864
First steam hammer at Taibach
Vivian Square constructed
1866
Cholera and typhoid outbreaks
Afon Vale tin works erected
Groes School constructed at a cost of £667 which was paid by CRM Talbot
1867
Construction of Smyrna Chapel
Construction of Saron Chapel
1868-9
New Drainage systems installed at Aberavon, New Road systems Built and existing roads widened
1870
30 men killed in an explosion at Morfa pit
1872
Wesleyans founded cause at Taibach
Taibach Workingmen’s Hall constructed
Picturedrome constructed by The Welsh Regiment, later to become Royal Horse Artillery
1873
Cwmavon Tabernacle Chapel constructed
1874
Mansel tinworks opens. Owned by Messrs Byass
Shovel Works, Upper Forge opens
Old Public Hall at Water Street constructed
1875
Building of new Baglan Church (construction started)
1876
Building in Richard Street adapted for the use of the Aberavon Company of Volunteers, a unit of the 2nd brigade of the Welsh volunteers funded in 1859
for a period also used for storage of the arms of the Cwmavon Company of Volunteers
Aberavon RFC formed
Theodore Mansel Talbot dies in a riding accident (Sunday June 18th)
1877
James Shaw and Co purchase Cwmavon Works
1878
Port Talbot Steam Saw Mills and Joinery Mills built
1878-9
Ynysygwas Reservoir built
1879
Construction of Bethany Chapel
1880
New rolling mills built at Taibach Copper Works
Taibach Tinplate Works and Ffrwdwyllt Works built
1864
Vivian & Sons built gasworks at Taibach
1880
D R David’s Tinplate Works established at Taibach
Brombil Colliery closed
1881
Edward Davies’ Tinplate Works built at Taibach
1882
St Catherine’s Church constructed at Baglan by Robert Llewellyn (Construction completed)
Bryn School altered by Mr Talbot at a cost of £100
1883
Sir Arthur Vivian installed a gate on the road to the beach to stop people accessing the beach, which was soon destroyed by residents
Zion Chapel Cwmavon enlarged
1884
Rio Tinto purchase Cwmavon Copper Works
1885
Widening of Velindre Railway Bridge
First passenger service from Aberavon to Pontrhydyfen on Swansea Bay Railway
Viaduct at Pontrhydyfen partially collapses when a train passes over. Wagons fell into the river below, sending a young lad with them. He somehow survives
St Dyfrigs Church constructed
1886
The old Dyffryn Chapel (Dyffryn Isaf Barn) demolished
Mountain School Unsectarian School (Clifton Terrace) opens
CRM Talbot has a successful crop of Tobacco processed at Water Street Tobacco Factory
1887
Opening of the new road to the beach
Mission Church opposite Cwrt Ucha opened
Construction of Victoria Institute and Reading Rooms
1888
Death of Griffith Llewellyn of Baglan Hall
1889
Bryn Navigation Colliery opened
Ty Canol Farm Baglan constructed
1890
Worst of six explosions at Morfa Colliery. 87 men and one rescuer were killed on March 10th
C.R.M. Talbot, MP of Margam dies / Miss Emily Charlotte Talbot inherits Margam Estate
Billy Beynon (Boxer) born (8th April)
1891
Construction of the Bandstand at Aberavon Beach
Percy Hunt (The Great Marvelo) born 5th August 1891
Water Supply installed by Miss Talbot at Penycae and Groes
1892
With cholera threatening the district, two temporary buildings to serve as an Isolation Hospital were constructed on Aberavon marsh
Construction of Constitutional Club
1893
Beach Hill (Jubilee Hill) constructed
In August 24 visitors from the Rhondda Valley drowned in a boating accident at Aberavon Beach
Taibach Wesley Chapel opened
Work on Glanafan School begun
Miner’s Arms Inn closed in Taibach
Cottage Hospital built
Cwmgwina Reservoir constructed
1894
New docks built
Port Talbot Railway Co formed
Talbot Arms Hotel built at Taibach
Margam Urban District Council established
Construction starts on Port Talbot Intermediate School (County / Glanafan), cost £3000
1895
Sandfields Infant School opens
Site of Aberavon Castle cleared
Trissent domestic water supply by Miss Talbot
Taibach Schools extended
1896
Port Talbot County Intermediate School (Glanafan) opened 28th September
Roman Catholic Infant’s School built
Isolation Hospital built on Mynydd Emroch
Urban District Sanatorium built at a cost of £3000
Construction of Wesley Chapel at Tydraw Street
1897
St Theodore’s Church consecrated
Dan Jones of Balaclava Row first Aberavon player to win Welsh Senior Rugby International Cap
Construction of Railway and Docks Offices
‘Evening Post’ Bridge constructed
Public Park supplied by Miss Talbot
1896 – 1897
Dry Dock excavated
1898
Copper Smelting Works at Taibach ceased production
Margam Park gamekeeper Robert Scott murdered (shot) by Joseph Lewis
County Police Station constructed
Royal Oak Hotel (Bryn) constructed
Bryn Brickworks built
Mansel Tinplate Works extended
1899
Port Talbot Central mixed school built at a cost of £6000
1891-1901
Cwmwernderi Reservoir constructed
1900
Building of Jersey Beach Hotel
Crown Patent Fuel Works started
Public Baths built by Miss Talbot
Bryn mixed Schools built at a cost of £1800
Bethel Primitive Methodist Chapel, High Street constructed
The Grand Hotel opened (31st March)
1901-1902
English Celluloid Co erect works at Goytre
1901-1905
Port Talbot steelworks built by Messrs. Gilbertson
1902
North pier opened
Taibach Coop founded
Aberavon Workingmens Club formed
1903
Express Steelworks, Cwmavon, closed
Newbridge opened
Customs House constructed
6 crew of Mumbles Lifeboat James Stevens lost going to the aid of The Christina which ran aground
1904
Construction of Grove Place Chapel
Mountain Infants (Causway) constructed
1905
Building of Vivian Hotel
1906
English Celluloid Works at Goytre closes
Rio Tinto Copper Co leaves Cwmavon for new site at the Docks
1907
Central Athletic Ground opened by Aberavon RFC
Old Market destroyed by fire on January 16th
Margam Urban District offices built
Eagle Brickworks built
Local rifle volunteer units dissolved
Pontrhydyfen Boys and Girls School built at a cost of £6000
1908
Wreck of the Amazon with 21 deaths
St Agnes Church constructed
The Trafalgar ran aground on Aberavon Beach
Jersey Beach Hotel destroyed by fire (14th / 15th December)
1909
Large scale flooding of lower Aberavon (Canister Bridge swept away) (29th September)
Railway Tavern constructed
Tabernacl Newydd Church constructed
Bryn Library erected by local subscription (£346)
Aberavon Gas Works on Victoria Road constructed
Wesley Church Hall at Taibach constructed
1910
St Agnes’ Church consecrated
Grange Street Chapel constructed
New Bryn Brickworks built
St Michaels Church rebuilt and enlarged
1911
St Paul’s Church consecrated
SS Ethelwalda grounded on Aberavon Beach
Calfaria Chapel constructed
Vints “Palace” on Water Street opened as a live theatre
Picturedrome opens as a cinema
Bridge Street Baptist Chapel constructed
Construction of Central Elementary School
Royal Horse Artillery Riding School built at Ynys Street
Central Boys School built at a cost of £14.000
Taibach Infants School built at a cost of £5000
Port Talbot Golf Club opened (12th August)
1912
Constantinople Row demolished
Port Talbot Higher Elementary School opened (Now Dyffryn Lower)
Cottage Hospital (Penycae) extended
Ffrwdwyllt Tinplate Works extended
General Post Office at Station Road constructed
Colliers minimum wage adopted
1911 – 1912
Combined drainage system for Afan Valley and Port Talbot constructed at a cost of £21.000, Miss Talbot contributes £5000
1913
Morfa Colliery closes
Construction begins on the Municipal buildings
Worker’s Hall in Taibach becomes the Picturedrome
SS Broadlands grounded on Aberavon Beach
Cwrt Ucha (Upper Court) Farm demolished
Avonvale (High Street) constructed
1914
Taibach Carnegie Library built
Trefelin School, Velindre opens
Cwrt Isaf (Lower Court) Farm demolished
Old celluloid works at Goytre used as a Prisoner of War Works Camp until 1918
New Theatre opened (2nd March)
1915
St Peter’s Church opens. Church building had been removed from Morfa and rebuilt
St Joseph’s R.C. School opens
Municipal Buildings, Aberavon, completed
Lieutenant Rupert Price Hallowes VC killed at Loos
Bryn Seion Chapel constructed
Work on Goytre Cemetery began.
1916
Port Talbot Hospital built
Preliminary work began on Margam Steelworks
Construction of Taibach Library completed
Taibach Coop officially opened (July 21st)
1918
Miss E.C. Talbot, owner of the Margam Estate, died / Captain Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun inherits Margam Estate
Goytre burial ground made available by Margam Urban District Council
1919
Glanavon House demolished
Taibach Workingmens Club formed
Cwmgwinau Colliery (Goytre) opened
1921
Creation of Borough of Port Talbot incorporating Taibach, Bryn, Margam, Aberavon, Baglan
Rhondda and Swansea bay railway and Docks Company acquired by Great Western Railway Company
Cwmavon coke ovens cease production
Margam Urban District Council terminated
Population of Cwmavon is 6200
Talbot Athletic Ground reopened following closure for WW1
1922
Death of William Abraham (Mabon)
1924
Gospel Hall at Ynys Street constructed
1925
Taibach Copper Mill closes converted in the following year into a tinplate works by Briton Ferry Steel Co.
First publication of Port Talbot Guardian
Memorial Park at Taibach opens
Taibach Tollhouse demolished
Richard Burton (Richard Walter Jenkins) born 10th November
Catholic population of Aberavon is 3300
1926
Underhill House demolished
Sir Arthur P. Vivian died at Bosahan, Cornwall
Taibach Memorial Park opened.
Taibach Copper Works sold to the Briton Ferry Steel Co. And converted into Blackplate Rolling
Margam Road, Presbyterian Chapel opened.
Cwmgwinau Colliery (Goytre) closed
1927
Pugh and Co constructed (High Street, next to Avonvale)
Destroyer Sylphi grounded on Aberavon Beach
Ebleys Cinema Cwmavon constructed
1928
Major General Sir Robert Baden-Powell and Lady Powell were guests of the Fletchers at Margam Castle for the Welsh Scout Jamboree in the park.
Fire at Tavern Y Bwlch
Death of David John ‘Afan’ Thomas
1931
St Joseph’s Church completed.
Vivian Park and bowling green laid out
Population of Port Talbot is 40,672
1932
National Eisteddfod held at Taibach Park
Groeswen Hospital built.
Old Isolation Hospital on Mynydd Emroch closed
In August, four young boys examining the wrecks of the Ethelwalda and Broadland drowned Aberavon beach
2 buses collide near Ty'n y Caeau, Margam killing 4 Taibach residents
Death of Boxer Billy Beynon by a mining accident at Bryn Colliery on 20th July
1933
The gas holder behind Port Talbot Railway Station constructed
1934
Aberavon Town Hall in Green Park demolished
1935
Water Street, Taibach demolished
Charlotte Street demolished
1936
Cotton Row demolished
1937
Regent Cinema opens in Taibach
Former Colliery Manager, Mr Richards murdered (shot) at Theordore Road
1939
Noddfa Independent Chapel built
1940
Stac Y Foel demolished (July 4th)
1941
Six civilians killed by a bomb at Corporation Road
Margam Estate sold by Captain Andrew Fletcher / Sir David Evans Bevans purchases Margam Park
Taibach Youth Centre set up in Eastern School
1944
HMCS Chebogue enters Port Talbot Dock following a German U boat (U-1227) torpedo attack, 7 men killed
General Dwight Eisenhower visits American Troops at Margam Castle
1945
Death of Photographer Newark Lewis
1946
Formation of Steel Co. of Wales
Coed Parc House, Cwmavon demolished
1947
Last competition at Port Talbot Golf Club
1948
Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery visits Steel Works (June 23rd)
1949
Westgate Cottages on High Street demolished
Cottages at Brombil demolished
Carreg y Rhew Farm (Margam) demolished
1950
Park School opened
1951
Closure of Borrows tinworks.
Abbey steelworks strip mill begins production
Large areas of dunes cleared at Sandfields for housing.
Glanymor first school built on Sandfields Estate
Twll Yn Y Wal cottage demolished
Baglan House purchased by Port Talbot Corporation and demolished
1951-1952
Nine hundred houses built at Sandfields including “prefabs”. Building would continue for the next twenty five years.
British Oxygen Co. erect works at Longlands Lane
1952
17 acre Harvey’s Lake filled in.
RAFA Club opened
A Creosote spill from Nantewlaeth coal washery on the river Corrwg wiped out the Afans fish stocks.
1953
Taibach (Vivian Sheet and Blackplate Works) Ffrwydwyllt Tinplate Works and Burrows Works all close
Last tollgate in Port Talbot at junction of Tollgate Road and Morfa Road demolished
Margam College of Further Education opened
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation on SCOW field (June 2nd)
Ynysygwas Bridge, Cwmavon collapses due to flooding
1954
Old Baglan Church gutted by fire
December, Death of Rees Oates, 5 Balaclava Row, Taibach. He was the youngest - and last - survivor of the Morfa Pit Explosion 10th March, 1890
1955
Tywyn School opens
Red Dragon opens
Dock Street demolished
Margam Tollgate demolished
Briton Ferry Bridge officially opened (October 31st)
Afan Charter (14th Century) presented back to Council
Port Talbot Gas Welfare Club officially opened (December 12th)
1956
George VI Memorial Hall opened by Princess Margaret.
Princess Margaret inspects new sea defence wall and unveils plaque.
Princess Margaret visits Abbey Works (April 26th)
Regent Cinema in Taibach closes
MV Maria Pompei grounded on Aberavon Beach
Aberavon Sea Walls constructed
1957
Tir Morfa School opens
Twelve Knights Hotel opens
MV Michel Swenden grounded at Aberavon Beach
1958
Sandfields Comprehensive school opens
Baglan hall demolished
Margam Abbey Pilot Boat delivered to Port Talbot
The Dunes Pub opened
1959
New road alongside promenade named Princess Margaret Way
Glenhafod, Aberbaiden and Pentre Collieries closed by NCB
Children killed at the wrecks on Aberavon Beach
1960
St Therese's school and church opens
Train Crash at Pwllyglaw (November 24th)
Mill Row demolished
The Marine Hotel (The Four Winds) opened
1961
The construction of a petrochemical factory at Baglan Bay was first announced on 31st January when Glamorgan County Council gave outline planning permission to BRITISH HYDROCARBON CHEMICALS (BHC) and FORTH CHEMICALS LTD.
Morrison road Library opens
Port Talbot Steelworks melting shop closed
Removal of S S Ethelwalda and S S Broadlands
Traethmelyn School (Strauss Road) constructed
Scott’s Shop (Formerly Prestons) Taibach demolished
1962
The Greenstars Clubhouse opened
1963
Traffic ceased on the Rhondda and Swansea Bay railway. (December 1st 1962 for passengers)
Port Talbot Steelworks demolished.
Construction of Miami Beach Funfair on the Little Warren
Traethmelyn School opens
Capel Moriah demolished
Groeswen Farm (Bella Farm) demolished
British Hydrocarbon Plant at Baglan (later BP Chemicals) came into production, Sir Keith Joseph, Minister for Welsh Affairs, officially opened the Baglan site, on 16th October
Bryn Navigation Colliery closes
Lord Mayor of London visits Port Talbot
Goytre Railway Yards closed
Town by-pass begun
Balaclava and Inkerman Row East demolished
The Steel Company’s reservoir at Margam built
Ty Mawr demolished
Ros a Mar function room opened (Victoria Road)
Bethel Primitive Methodist Church demolished
Lord Mayor of London procession (31st May) (Sir Ralph Perring)
1964
Dyffryn Railway Sheds closed
Dyffryn Upper School opened
The “Amazon” public house opened taking its name from the wreck on Morfa Beach 1908 when 21 people lost their lives.
Tir Caradog demolished
Tetrapods placed at North Pier
Railway crossing gates on Station Road / High Street removed
1965
The Afan Lido opened by the Queen
First Catholic comprehensive “St Joseph’s” opens
“The Star” and the “Welcome to Town” public houses closed
Population of Port Talbot is 51,322
Inkerman Row West demolished
Engine Row (Cwmavon) demolished
Ty Canol Farm (Baglan) demolished
1966
Sports Centre completed
Port Talbot by-pass opened (July 22nd)
National Eisteddfod held at Port Talbot
New Fire Station opened at Taibach
Sandfields Methodist opened
Baglan Social Club (Now Baglan Community Church) constructed
Naval Club opened in November. Official opening on December 2nd
Dyffryn Comprehensive School officially opened 3rd May
Pentwyn Estate constructed
New headstone laid on Dic Penderyn’s grave (May 15th)
Large part of Taibach Copper Works demolished for new Steelworks access road and Glamorgan Fire Station
1967
Steel Company of Wales absorbed into British Steel Corporation
Mount View Club opened
BP fully acquired the British Hydrocarbon Plant site at Baglan and its businesses
1968
Newlands, the last local colliery, closed
28th October BP announced what, at the time, was “the largest single investment in new plant made, so far in the BP Group” – estimated at over £125million (1968). Baglan Bay became one of the biggest petrochemical manufacturing sites in Europe
1969
Talbot Arms Hotel becomes the Taibach RFC Club
Trinity Hall Consecrated
The first around the pier swim is organised by the Greenstars. 22 entrants. Robbie Phillips is the first winner
Baglan Moors foundations completed
The Mansel War Memorial is moved from the Mansel Tinplate Works to Vivian Park.
1970
Neolithic axe found on beach by Mr T H Morris of Aberavon
New tidal harbour and BOS plant opened by the Queen
Coastal Tanker Winsdale H grounded on Aberavon Beach
1971
Port Talbot dock closed on December 31st
The “Crown Hotel” and the “Prince of Wales’” Inns demolished
Station Road Police Station demolished
St Dyfrigs Church demolished
Plas Newydd constructed
Cwmavon Library opened
Zion Church (Clarence Street) demolished
1970 – 1971
Bus Station at town opened
1971-1976
Most of old Aberavon in the upper Water Street and High Street area demolished
1972
River Afan burst its banks, some 500 homes flooded in Aberavon
Following a fire the “Walnut Tree” hotel was demolished
Carmel Chapel demolished
The following pubs / inns / hotels - The Angel, Avonvale, Globe, Hong Kong, Lamb and flag, Oddfellows, Red House, Castle Hotel, Red Lion, Welcome to Town, Royal Exchange are demolished
Municipal Buildings demolished
1972-1974
Construction of temporary Council Offices at Bevin Avenue
1973
Hotel Executive opened, renamed Aberavon Hotel in 1980, later renamed Aberavon Beach Hotel
Christchurch opened on the moors, later sold to a car firm in 1989. Now demolished
Church of Our Lady of Margan opened
Groes Primary School built
Sir David Evans Bevans died
Margam Castle and Park purchased by Glamorgan County Council for £400.000
Demolition of Evening Post Bridge at Taibach in May
Port Talbot Police Station officially opened (was operational end of 1972)
1974
Afan Borough formed
The town's name was changed to Avan but for various reasons the decision was reversed a few years later
Employment at the BP site reached almost 2500 with some 5000 contractors employed during the major expansion period
Railway Tavern demolished
Water Street Baptist Church demolished
Vints Palace demolished
Aberavon Gas Works closed (10th June)
1975
Groes Village and chapel demolished to make way for M4
Morfa Mawr Farm demolished (6th – 7th December)
General Post Offices at Station Road demolished
1976
Princess Anne opens new Town Centre. (20th February)
St Teilo’s Church demolished
National School demolished
New Hall demolished
Aberavon Workingmen’s Club demolished Relocated at Baglan Moors. Taken into receivership in 1977
Groes Chapel re-opened at Tollgate Road
Carmel Chapel opened (2nd October)
1977
Demolition of old town market
Margam Castle gutted by fire (August 4th)
Tabor Chapel (Cwmavon) demolished
Margam Park and restored Orangery opened by the Queen
Gareth Edwards opened the Baglan Shopping Centre (6th February)
Percy Hunt (The Great Marvelo) dies
1978
First performances of “Behold The Man” held at Margam Park, next performance in 1979 and then biannually for 20 years
The first of the fires at the Afan Lido
1979
The Old Vic constructed
1980
All Saints Church Cwmavon demolished
1984
The “Port Talbot Hotel” in lower Water Street demolished
New Mount Surgery built
Death of Richard Burton (Richard Walter Jenkins)
1986
Prince Charles and Princess Diana visit the British Steel Company
1987
Tirmorfa Primary School is changed to Rhosafan Welsh speaking School
1988
Halfpenny Bridge at Greenpark is replaced
The first Salmon is caught in the River Afan for 150 years by Colin Walton (4th September)
1987-1988
Dock Hotel demolished
1989
Civic Centre opened by Princess Anne
Cwmcerwin Tunnel entrance is bricked up
1990
RAFA club closes. Reopens as the Grove in 1992
Death of Llewellyn Heycock C.B.E.
Smyrna Chapel (Taibach) closed
Morfa Colliery memorial (At the Steel Works) unveiled
1991
Opening of Port Talbot Indoor Bowls Centre
In January a violent storm breaches the sea wall near the Jersey Beach Hotel
Afan Lido refurbished, later to be named “The Aquadome”
Forge Road Baths demolished (24th September)
1992
Traethmelyn School (Strauss Road) demolished
Morfa Colliery memorial (At Taibach Library) unveiled
The Drill Hall at Ynys Street demolished
1993
Zion Chapel (Cwmavon) closed
1994
BP Chemicals announced the closure of the Ethylene Cracker and its associated plants at Baglan Bay. This resulted in 600 job losses (350 BP/ 250 contractors) and brought the BP workforce down to 350
Freemans Cigar Factory closed (March 31st)
1995
Majestic Cinema (Odeon) demolished
1996
Harbour deepened to 16.5 Mtrs
Death of Historian / Teacher A. Leslie Evans
Death of Photographer Viv Knowles
1998
Port Talbot Library officially opened (14th August)
1999
Final performances of “Behold the Man” held at Margam Park
BP Ethanol plant and Styrene plant closed and dismantled in 1999
Plaza cinema closes for the final time on January 4th
Jersey Beach Hotel closed
New bridge at Velindre officially opened (28th October)
2001
The Jersey Beach hotel destroyed by fire for a second time.
2002
Port Talbot General Hospital closed
2003
Neath Port Talbot Hospital opened
Bronze Age spear found on Aberavon Beach
Cooling Towers and stack at BP demolished
2004
Closure of BP Chemical site at Baglan Bay
Combined Cycle Gas Turbine power station built on site of former BP Chemical plant.
2005
Cafe Remos opened
Death of D. Bryn Thomas B.E.M. (Uncle Bryn)
2006
Aberavon Hospital demolished
Beach Hill demolished
Groeswen Hospital demolished
2007
Peripheral ring road from the River Afan to Baglan completed
April 2007 Tata’s buy-out of the steelworks completed. The works continues to be operated by Corus.
Official opening of Intertissue paper mill at NPT Energy Park (Italian company)
Death of Ivor Emmanuel
2008
Sandfields Comprehensive 50th Anniversary
New Years Eve party at Margam Abbey for Sir Anthony Hopkins 70th birthday.
Construction begins on new Welsh Miners Museum at Afan Argoed Park.
Report of £60m investment in Port Talbot Steelworks.
Mini tornado hits centre of town.
Demolition of King George VI Memorial Hall in Taibach.
Opening of new Holy Trinity Church at Sandfields.
Centenary of the wreck of the “Amazon” Plaque unveiled at Port Talbot RNLI Station.
Closure of Holy Cross Church.
2009
Borough Council purchases Plaza Cinema
September – Official opening of Wales’ first commercial-scale biomass power plant at Longlands Lane, Margam
Demolition of Vivian Hotel, Victoria Road
October 1st last publication of Port Talbot Guardian newspaper.
November – Official opening of the Port Talbot Medical resource Centre by Edwina Hart AM Minister of Health and Social Services
December 19th, Fire at Afan Lido. Complex to be pulled down
March, TyreGenics fire, Baglan industrial estate
4000 tons of stone is laid at the western and eastern ends of Aberavon Beach for coastal defence
Margam Discovery Centre constructed
2010
June 20th Centenary of St Agnes Church
August Centenary of Gibeon Chapel
Centenary of Cwmavon Junior School
Construction of Ty Jubilee on site of old Vivian Park Hotel
Construction of New Justice Centre
Deconsecration of Holy Cross Church
Start of work on second phase of peripheral road.
Closure of Arts Centre at Theodore Road
2011
Closure of Methodist Chapel at Cwmavon
Centenary of St Pauls Church
Closure of Baglan Social Club later purchased by a community church group
Michael Sheen's 72-hour Passion Play
Death of Photographer Peter Knowles
2012
Afan Lido demolished
Custom House and Royal Buildings and Port Talbot Railway and Docks Offices demolished
2013
Opening of new road – Harbour Way
Closure of St. Paul’s Church, October 27th
Glan Y mor school demolished
Awel Y mor opened
The new blast furnace in Tata was fired up in February
Tirmorfa Primary School closed
2014
St Pauls Hall demolished
Work started on Train Station refurbishment
Sandfields Girls School demolished
Building Supplies industrial units at Greenpark demolished
Construction started on St Pauls new community centre
Margam Abbey ruins consolidated
2015
Outer lock gates replaced
Train Station refurbishment (Large lifts of metalwork carried out)
St Pauls Hall construction started
Police Station vacated
Old WC block in Water Street demolished (Next to Fire Station)
Capel Mair ruin consolidated
2016
Sandfields Comprehensive School closed
Traethmelyn School closed
Glanafan Comprehensive School closed
New Train Station opened
Bae Baglan School opened
Green Stars Clubhouse closed
Houses on Greenpark built
Weir at Greenpark renovations started
Last publication of Magnet newspaper
Holy Cross Church opened as Chapel of Rest
2017
Weir at Greenpark renovations completed
Sandfields Comprehensive School demolished
Craddock Arms demolished (March)
New Halfpenny Bridge constructed
WW2 Gunnery tower at Morfa Beach demolished by Tata Steel (March)
Port Talbot Police Station demolished (Aug)
Train Station Transport Hub constructed
Glanafan School / County School demolished
Green Stars Club House demolished
Construction started on building on site of old Port Talbot Police Station
2018
New Train Station Transport Hub opened
Bansky painted artwork on garage in Taibach
2019
To be updated soon
2020
To be updated soon
2021
To be updated soon
2022
Banksy artwork removed from Port Talbot by owner John Brandler
2023
Plaza re-opened (Operated by YMCA)
Eagle House demolished
Nomadic groups of hunter gatherers, following the animal herds, gathering shell-fish and berries along the shore
4,000 BC
Arrival of Neolithic (New Stone Age) farmers, who grow crops and keep animals. They live in settled groups, make pottery, and learn to weave cloth. They build stone circles, communal stone tombs, etc
2,000 BC
Bronze Age: first use of metals for weapons, tools and ornaments
600 BC
Iron Age: arrival of Celts. Local evidence: Hill forts at Margam and Baglan, Hut circles and remains of Celtic fields
43 AD
The Romans arrive in Britain
43-69 AD
Resistance to the Romans is lead in South Wales by the Silures under Caradco/Caratucus
500-1050
Raids by Irish slavers, Danes and Vikings. St Baglan, a Breton prince who studied at St. Illtyd’s school at Llantwit Major and was then sent to work as Christian missionary in west Wales, founded a church at Baglan. St. Sawel, who founded the church at Briton Ferry also came from this time. Local chieftains set up mini kingdoms and built fortified homes like the one destroyed when the most recent Briton Ferry Bridge was built. The first Aberavon probably dates from this period – it may have been nearer the sea where the docks are now. When the docks were being excavated c1836 various things were found – Roman coins, shoes, cattle horns, fences, walls and cultivation ridges from fields. A field in this area was known as “Platch yr Hen Eglwys” – The field of the old church – which might have been the long vanished church of St Thomas.
1066
The Normans conquer England
c.1090
Normans arrive in South Wales. Rhys ap Tudur the King of South Wales was killed in battle. Iestyn ap Gwrgan is defeated by a combined Welsh-Norman army but his son Caradoc is allowed the keep the land between the Neath and the Ffrwdwyllt, and becomes the first Lord of Afan, the only Welsh ruled area in Norman South Wales. Caradoc builds a wooden motte and bailey castle next to what is now St. Mary’s church, Aberavon.
1137
Robert, Earl of Gloucester founds Margam Abbey, partly for the good of his soul, partly as a buffer between the Welsh in Afan and the uplands of Glamorgan and the Normans in Coity, Bridgend and the Vale.
1147
Margam Abbey was founded
1153
Caradoc’s castle is burnt down by his brothers-in-law, Maredudd and Rhys ap Grutrydd. The castle is rebuilt in stone. Small settlements began to grow up around the castle and the Abbey
1170
Great Eisteddfod at Llanfihangel Afan
1171
Henry II passed through on his way to Ireland
1188
Gerald of Wales visits Margam, Aberavon and Baglan with the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is recruiting soldiers for a crusade in the Holy Land both Aberavon and Margam continue to grow and Aberavon becomes a small market town. The Lords of Afan slowly become more and more Normanised, marry Norman wives, take Norman-style names. Archbishop Baldwin visits the Abbey with Giraldus Cambrensis.
12 Cent
St Mary’s Church
1210
King John visited the Abbey at Margam
1232
Morgan Gam, Lord of Afan attacked Kenfig
1249
Monks of Margam start mining coal at Bryn
1304
Sir Leisan de Avene grants Aberavon its first charter
1326
Edward II stops at Margam Abbey
1336
Monks at Margam complained that “no small part of the land adjacent to the shore is subject to inundation by the sea”.
1347
Outbreak of the Black Death.
1350
Aberavon Borough Charter re-issued by Thomas d’ Avene. By now the family of the Lords of Afan has become more Norman then Welsh, and in the next twenty years they disappear, possibly to England. Afan becomes part of the lands of Edward le Despenser, English Lord of Glamorgan.
C.1373
Edward Le Despenser grants new charter to Aberavon
1384
The Abbot of Margam appropriates St Mary’s Church at Margam
1394
Richard II at the Abbey. He was there again five years later
1399
Richard II visited Margam
c.1400
The Lords of Afan have disappeared, no-one lives in the castle but the town/village still exists. The town is run mainly by the burgesses. Ieuan Gethin, descendant of a younger branch of the Afan lords, lives at Plas Baglan. Inland, Llanfihangel Ynys Afan/Michaelstone Super Avon (now Cwmavon) is mostly small farms with a church and inn as its centre. The road down to Aberavon is very bad, so people tend to head for the markets and fairs at Neath.
1427
Serious flooding in the Swansea Bay area
c.1470
Hen Eglwys (Capel Mair) constructed
1491-1492
Serious flooding at Aberavon
1509
First fishing lease issued by Abbot David of Margam Abbey
1528
John Lougher murdered at Margam Abbey
1535
Dissolution of Margam Abbey
1537
The monks are thrown out
1540-1547
Sir Rice Mansel of Oxwich buys the abbey and its lands at a cost of £2494/13/5 The nave of the abbey church is turned into a parish church. Sir Rice converts the monks’ living quarters into a house for his family.
John Leland, Henry VIII’s “King’s Antiquary” visits the area as part of a survey of the whole of England and Wales. “Margam is the best village in the area. There is a poor village on the west bank of the Afan about two miles from the river mouth which is called Aberavon. The land about it is barren and sour.
1540-1546
Mansels developed coal levels at Bryndu and Croeswen
1543
The records of a tax collected this year give us information about the inhabitants of Aberavon. There are 29 households in the borough.
1552
Sir Rice Mansel, purchaser of the Abbey estates, builds a new house at Margam
1558
Margam Park was developed
1583
Ann Francis wrecked on Margam Sands
1600
Baglan Hall constructed
1601
First act for public assistance and poor law system
1607
Area struck by tidal wave that affected the Bristol Channel with much repair needed to the sea walls and drainage ditches at Aberavon
1648
Oliver Cromwell at Aberavon, town charter hidden in chopping block
1650
Coal mined near Tyn y Twr Farm
1652
Collieries working at Margam
1657
Baptists held 3 monthly services at Baglan
1684
The Duke of Beaufort visits Margam House. Thomas Dinely who accompanying him draws the first picture of Margam House
1695
Cwm Cottage (Margam) constructed
1717
Afan Forge built at site which is now Ynys Y Gored
1726
Aberavon Forge in operation
1735
Famous Eiseddfod at Cymmer, attended by Dafydd Nicholas, Will Hopcin and Lewis Hopcin
1746
Jenkin Penhydd born (Siencyn Penhydd)
1747
Thomas Mansel Talbot born
1748
Waunlas coal level opened at Cwm Bychan
1750
Mansel line becomes extinct and land passes to Rev. Thomas Talbot of Lacock
1755
Classes of charity held at Cwmavon
1757
Cartwright and Mansel lease land in and around Taibach and open Craigafan Colliery
1758
Collieries opened at Lletty Harry and Mynydd Bychan by Drake
Rev. Thomas Talbot dies / Thomas Mansel Talbot inherits Margam Estate
1760 – 1765
Baglan House constructed
1762
Ty Mawr constructed
1764
First tollgate in Margam Parish built near railway crossing at Bethany Square
1765
Calvinistic Methodists hold services at Upper Dyffryn Farm
1768
St Mary’s Church severely damaged by flood water and Aberavon Bridge swept away. (25th July)
William Edwards builds single span bridge over Afan.
Thomas Mansel Talbot visits coal works at Lletty Harry prior to embarking on the Grand Tour.
1770-1774
Local Methodists meet in the Old Barn (Field Terrace)
Construction of Copper works at Taibach
1774
Tir Caradog constructed
Taibach Copper Works begins production
Underhill House built, later became home of Major Thomas Gray
Somersetshire Hotel built, later renamed Somerset Arms
Building of Constant
1776
Gyfylchi built for non conformist worship
1777-80
Collieries opened at Cwm Brombil and Cwm Geifr
1780
Coal mined from Rock Vien
Calvinistic Methodists hold services at Upper Dyffryn Farm
1782
Thomas Mansel Talbot demolishes Margam House, leaving only the Chapter House and St Marys Church intact
1784
Royal mail coaches begin to travel along the main road through Taibach
1787-1793
Margam Orangery built
1790
Upper Forge canal and Weir constructed
1795
More houses built at The Constant and Water Street, at Taibach.
1799
Chapter House roof collapses
1800
Taibach Copper Mill built
Margam Citrus House constructed
1801
Population of Aberavon 2175
1802
Admiral Nelson, Sir William and Lady Hamilton visit Aberavon. They appear to have called at the Globe Inn and met the Portreeve before continuing to Margam Park
1803
Goytre Colliery opened
CRM Talbot born
1804
Edward Donovan visited and described Aberavon as “a poor little village”
Steam powered Mills installed at Taibach Copper Works
1805 – 1809
Margam Abbey Church restored
1807
Death of Shenkin Penhydd
1808
Construction of Brombil Tramway
Goytre to Taibach Tramway constructed
Richard Lewis (Dic Penderyn) born
1810
Carmel Chapel Founded
Classes held at Round House, Coed Parc, Cwmavon
1812
Baglan Hall rebuilt
Level y Wern (Cwmavon) opened up
1813
Death of Thomas Mansel Talbot / CRM Talbot inherits the Margam Estate
Bread famine hits the area
1816
Glanavon House constructed
1819
First Cwmavon blast furnace erected by S F Lettsom on land leased the Earl of Jersey
Construction of feeder canal with sluice gate along Foel from the weir in River Afan near Pontrhydyfen
1820
Construction of cottages at Quakers Yard at Cwmavon
Messrs Vigurs and Smith commenced operations at Cwmavon
1821
Sion Chapel constructed at Cwmavon
Capel Moriah constructed
1822
Robert Smith built Margam tinworks at upper end of Forge Road which absorbed the original Afan Forge
1824
Horse drawn trams operating between Aberavon and Cwmavon
Graigavon House constructed
1825
First blast furnace at Pontrhydyfen erected
John Vigurs and Co. build Tinworks at Cwmavon
John Reynolds builds Pontrhydyfen Aqueduct. Completed in 1827
Construction of chemical plant at Cwmavon
1826
Construction started on Aberavon Town Hall in Green Park
Construction of Jerusalem Chapel at Pontrhydyfen
1827
“Holy Cross” Chapel of Ease opened
1829
Charity School at Taibach is constructed
Educational classes held at Twll yn y wal and Pant y Moch Farm by teachers sponsored by Rev. Griffith Jones
1829-1831
Eastern School built on Margam Road
1830-1835
Margam Castle built by C.R.M. Talbot
1831
National School built at Aberavon
Dic Penderyn buried at St Mary’s Churchyard
Taibach Tollhouse constructed
Construction of Bar Mill and Tinplate Mills at Cwmavon. Blackplate produced
1832
First cholera epidemic. Others in 1849, 1855 and 1866
1834
Thomas Roscoe travelling from Margam to Baglan wrote “I hastened my steps as rapidly as possible through the dirty village of Aberavon, choosing not even to stop and examine the scant remains of its castle.
1835
Coed Parc House, Cwmavon built for Vigurs family
Cwmavon Copper Works erected
1835-1838
Stac y Foel and culvert constructed on Foel
1836
River Afan diverted and first docks built.
1837
The name of Port Talbot first adopted
1838
Discovery of the foundations of buildings, spearhead, Roman coins, leather shoes and other artefacts in excavation for docks
J H Vivian & Sons take over the Taibach Copper Works from the English Copper Co.
Construction of Beulah Chapel (Round Chapel) at Groes
New tramway laid from Cwmavon to Aberavon
Old Harbour Masters House constructed
1839
Theodore Mansel Talbot born
1840
Margam Castle largely complete
Coal mines opened at Bryn
Charity School at St Agnes Church constructed
Taibach Market constructed
Taibach Gas Works constructed
Rock Chapel established, services first held at Rock and Fountain Inn
Margam Tinplate Works School opened
Margam Village demolished to make way for a kitchen garden
1841
Governor and Company of English Copper Mines came to Cwmavon
Construction of Duffryn Chapel
Eglwys Nunydd Farm built
1842
Three arched bridge built at Aberavon by William Kirkhouse
William Abraham (Mabon) born
1844
Closure of Cwmavon Company shop
Penuel Chapel constructed at Cwmavon
1844-1850
Construction of Cwmavon Depot engineering workshops
Construction of Cwmavon Gas Works, Mechanics Hall, Market, Post Office, Reading Room
Construction of many cottages at Cwmavon
1845
Coming of first locomotive to Cwmavon
Coins produced at Taibach Copper Works for Singapore and India
Disease set into potato crops
1847
Sinking of Morfa Pit
Construction of Rail Mill at Cwmavon
Wesley Chapel constructed at Cwmavon
1848
Bank of England took over Company undertakings at Cwmavon
1849
Epidemic of Cholera in South Wales. Very severe at Taibach
Fever Hospital on Mynydd Emroch constructed
1850
Opening of the South Wales Railway (later part of the GWR)
Explosion at Morfa pit
Company resumed control of their undertakings at Cwmavon from Bank of England
Population of Cwmavon is 5000
St Michaels Church rebuilt
Bethania Chapel constructed at Cwmavon
Catholic population of Aberavon is 200
Margam Tinplate Infants School opened
Original Market at Water Street built
1851
Coal mines opened at Glyncorrwg
62ft 5in rail made at Cwmavon for Crystal Palace exhibition
Wern Chapel constructed
1855
All Saints Church built at Ynys Afan, Cwmavon
Cholera epidemic
Construction of Gibeon Chapel
Construction of School at Tymaen, Cwmavon
1856
13 men killed in explosion at Pwll Ynys Dafydd, Cwmavon
1856 – 57
Aberavons first Police Station and Court Room at Talbot Square built
1857
Railway crash between 2 trains at Margam, 3 killed and 21 seriously injured
1858
12 men killed in explosion at Bryndu Pit
1859
Rebuilding of St Mary’s Church completed
Bible Christians build a Chapel at Cwmavon (Pelly Street)
South Wales Mineral Line opened
c.1860s
Eagle House built, was Eagle Inn (built by Rees Roderick)
1860
New town charter granted to Aberavon.
Vernon (Ferry) Tinworks begins production
Old St Josephs Church Consecrated
1861
New charter granted to Aberavon
Zion Church, Cwmavon constructed
1862
Capel Moriah built on the Causeway
1863
39 men killed in the 4th explosion at Morfa Colliery
4 men killed in an explosion at the Park Pit, Baglan
1864
First steam hammer at Taibach
Vivian Square constructed
1866
Cholera and typhoid outbreaks
Afon Vale tin works erected
Groes School constructed at a cost of £667 which was paid by CRM Talbot
1867
Construction of Smyrna Chapel
Construction of Saron Chapel
1868-9
New Drainage systems installed at Aberavon, New Road systems Built and existing roads widened
1870
30 men killed in an explosion at Morfa pit
1872
Wesleyans founded cause at Taibach
Taibach Workingmen’s Hall constructed
Picturedrome constructed by The Welsh Regiment, later to become Royal Horse Artillery
1873
Cwmavon Tabernacle Chapel constructed
1874
Mansel tinworks opens. Owned by Messrs Byass
Shovel Works, Upper Forge opens
Old Public Hall at Water Street constructed
1875
Building of new Baglan Church (construction started)
1876
Building in Richard Street adapted for the use of the Aberavon Company of Volunteers, a unit of the 2nd brigade of the Welsh volunteers funded in 1859
for a period also used for storage of the arms of the Cwmavon Company of Volunteers
Aberavon RFC formed
Theodore Mansel Talbot dies in a riding accident (Sunday June 18th)
1877
James Shaw and Co purchase Cwmavon Works
1878
Port Talbot Steam Saw Mills and Joinery Mills built
1878-9
Ynysygwas Reservoir built
1879
Construction of Bethany Chapel
1880
New rolling mills built at Taibach Copper Works
Taibach Tinplate Works and Ffrwdwyllt Works built
1864
Vivian & Sons built gasworks at Taibach
1880
D R David’s Tinplate Works established at Taibach
Brombil Colliery closed
1881
Edward Davies’ Tinplate Works built at Taibach
1882
St Catherine’s Church constructed at Baglan by Robert Llewellyn (Construction completed)
Bryn School altered by Mr Talbot at a cost of £100
1883
Sir Arthur Vivian installed a gate on the road to the beach to stop people accessing the beach, which was soon destroyed by residents
Zion Chapel Cwmavon enlarged
1884
Rio Tinto purchase Cwmavon Copper Works
1885
Widening of Velindre Railway Bridge
First passenger service from Aberavon to Pontrhydyfen on Swansea Bay Railway
Viaduct at Pontrhydyfen partially collapses when a train passes over. Wagons fell into the river below, sending a young lad with them. He somehow survives
St Dyfrigs Church constructed
1886
The old Dyffryn Chapel (Dyffryn Isaf Barn) demolished
Mountain School Unsectarian School (Clifton Terrace) opens
CRM Talbot has a successful crop of Tobacco processed at Water Street Tobacco Factory
1887
Opening of the new road to the beach
Mission Church opposite Cwrt Ucha opened
Construction of Victoria Institute and Reading Rooms
1888
Death of Griffith Llewellyn of Baglan Hall
1889
Bryn Navigation Colliery opened
Ty Canol Farm Baglan constructed
1890
Worst of six explosions at Morfa Colliery. 87 men and one rescuer were killed on March 10th
C.R.M. Talbot, MP of Margam dies / Miss Emily Charlotte Talbot inherits Margam Estate
Billy Beynon (Boxer) born (8th April)
1891
Construction of the Bandstand at Aberavon Beach
Percy Hunt (The Great Marvelo) born 5th August 1891
Water Supply installed by Miss Talbot at Penycae and Groes
1892
With cholera threatening the district, two temporary buildings to serve as an Isolation Hospital were constructed on Aberavon marsh
Construction of Constitutional Club
1893
Beach Hill (Jubilee Hill) constructed
In August 24 visitors from the Rhondda Valley drowned in a boating accident at Aberavon Beach
Taibach Wesley Chapel opened
Work on Glanafan School begun
Miner’s Arms Inn closed in Taibach
Cottage Hospital built
Cwmgwina Reservoir constructed
1894
New docks built
Port Talbot Railway Co formed
Talbot Arms Hotel built at Taibach
Margam Urban District Council established
Construction starts on Port Talbot Intermediate School (County / Glanafan), cost £3000
1895
Sandfields Infant School opens
Site of Aberavon Castle cleared
Trissent domestic water supply by Miss Talbot
Taibach Schools extended
1896
Port Talbot County Intermediate School (Glanafan) opened 28th September
Roman Catholic Infant’s School built
Isolation Hospital built on Mynydd Emroch
Urban District Sanatorium built at a cost of £3000
Construction of Wesley Chapel at Tydraw Street
1897
St Theodore’s Church consecrated
Dan Jones of Balaclava Row first Aberavon player to win Welsh Senior Rugby International Cap
Construction of Railway and Docks Offices
‘Evening Post’ Bridge constructed
Public Park supplied by Miss Talbot
1896 – 1897
Dry Dock excavated
1898
Copper Smelting Works at Taibach ceased production
Margam Park gamekeeper Robert Scott murdered (shot) by Joseph Lewis
County Police Station constructed
Royal Oak Hotel (Bryn) constructed
Bryn Brickworks built
Mansel Tinplate Works extended
1899
Port Talbot Central mixed school built at a cost of £6000
1891-1901
Cwmwernderi Reservoir constructed
1900
Building of Jersey Beach Hotel
Crown Patent Fuel Works started
Public Baths built by Miss Talbot
Bryn mixed Schools built at a cost of £1800
Bethel Primitive Methodist Chapel, High Street constructed
The Grand Hotel opened (31st March)
1901-1902
English Celluloid Co erect works at Goytre
1901-1905
Port Talbot steelworks built by Messrs. Gilbertson
1902
North pier opened
Taibach Coop founded
Aberavon Workingmens Club formed
1903
Express Steelworks, Cwmavon, closed
Newbridge opened
Customs House constructed
6 crew of Mumbles Lifeboat James Stevens lost going to the aid of The Christina which ran aground
1904
Construction of Grove Place Chapel
Mountain Infants (Causway) constructed
1905
Building of Vivian Hotel
1906
English Celluloid Works at Goytre closes
Rio Tinto Copper Co leaves Cwmavon for new site at the Docks
1907
Central Athletic Ground opened by Aberavon RFC
Old Market destroyed by fire on January 16th
Margam Urban District offices built
Eagle Brickworks built
Local rifle volunteer units dissolved
Pontrhydyfen Boys and Girls School built at a cost of £6000
1908
Wreck of the Amazon with 21 deaths
St Agnes Church constructed
The Trafalgar ran aground on Aberavon Beach
Jersey Beach Hotel destroyed by fire (14th / 15th December)
1909
Large scale flooding of lower Aberavon (Canister Bridge swept away) (29th September)
Railway Tavern constructed
Tabernacl Newydd Church constructed
Bryn Library erected by local subscription (£346)
Aberavon Gas Works on Victoria Road constructed
Wesley Church Hall at Taibach constructed
1910
St Agnes’ Church consecrated
Grange Street Chapel constructed
New Bryn Brickworks built
St Michaels Church rebuilt and enlarged
1911
St Paul’s Church consecrated
SS Ethelwalda grounded on Aberavon Beach
Calfaria Chapel constructed
Vints “Palace” on Water Street opened as a live theatre
Picturedrome opens as a cinema
Bridge Street Baptist Chapel constructed
Construction of Central Elementary School
Royal Horse Artillery Riding School built at Ynys Street
Central Boys School built at a cost of £14.000
Taibach Infants School built at a cost of £5000
Port Talbot Golf Club opened (12th August)
1912
Constantinople Row demolished
Port Talbot Higher Elementary School opened (Now Dyffryn Lower)
Cottage Hospital (Penycae) extended
Ffrwdwyllt Tinplate Works extended
General Post Office at Station Road constructed
Colliers minimum wage adopted
1911 – 1912
Combined drainage system for Afan Valley and Port Talbot constructed at a cost of £21.000, Miss Talbot contributes £5000
1913
Morfa Colliery closes
Construction begins on the Municipal buildings
Worker’s Hall in Taibach becomes the Picturedrome
SS Broadlands grounded on Aberavon Beach
Cwrt Ucha (Upper Court) Farm demolished
Avonvale (High Street) constructed
1914
Taibach Carnegie Library built
Trefelin School, Velindre opens
Cwrt Isaf (Lower Court) Farm demolished
Old celluloid works at Goytre used as a Prisoner of War Works Camp until 1918
New Theatre opened (2nd March)
1915
St Peter’s Church opens. Church building had been removed from Morfa and rebuilt
St Joseph’s R.C. School opens
Municipal Buildings, Aberavon, completed
Lieutenant Rupert Price Hallowes VC killed at Loos
Bryn Seion Chapel constructed
Work on Goytre Cemetery began.
1916
Port Talbot Hospital built
Preliminary work began on Margam Steelworks
Construction of Taibach Library completed
Taibach Coop officially opened (July 21st)
1918
Miss E.C. Talbot, owner of the Margam Estate, died / Captain Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun inherits Margam Estate
Goytre burial ground made available by Margam Urban District Council
1919
Glanavon House demolished
Taibach Workingmens Club formed
Cwmgwinau Colliery (Goytre) opened
1921
Creation of Borough of Port Talbot incorporating Taibach, Bryn, Margam, Aberavon, Baglan
Rhondda and Swansea bay railway and Docks Company acquired by Great Western Railway Company
Cwmavon coke ovens cease production
Margam Urban District Council terminated
Population of Cwmavon is 6200
Talbot Athletic Ground reopened following closure for WW1
1922
Death of William Abraham (Mabon)
1924
Gospel Hall at Ynys Street constructed
1925
Taibach Copper Mill closes converted in the following year into a tinplate works by Briton Ferry Steel Co.
First publication of Port Talbot Guardian
Memorial Park at Taibach opens
Taibach Tollhouse demolished
Richard Burton (Richard Walter Jenkins) born 10th November
Catholic population of Aberavon is 3300
1926
Underhill House demolished
Sir Arthur P. Vivian died at Bosahan, Cornwall
Taibach Memorial Park opened.
Taibach Copper Works sold to the Briton Ferry Steel Co. And converted into Blackplate Rolling
Margam Road, Presbyterian Chapel opened.
Cwmgwinau Colliery (Goytre) closed
1927
Pugh and Co constructed (High Street, next to Avonvale)
Destroyer Sylphi grounded on Aberavon Beach
Ebleys Cinema Cwmavon constructed
1928
Major General Sir Robert Baden-Powell and Lady Powell were guests of the Fletchers at Margam Castle for the Welsh Scout Jamboree in the park.
Fire at Tavern Y Bwlch
Death of David John ‘Afan’ Thomas
1931
St Joseph’s Church completed.
Vivian Park and bowling green laid out
Population of Port Talbot is 40,672
1932
National Eisteddfod held at Taibach Park
Groeswen Hospital built.
Old Isolation Hospital on Mynydd Emroch closed
In August, four young boys examining the wrecks of the Ethelwalda and Broadland drowned Aberavon beach
2 buses collide near Ty'n y Caeau, Margam killing 4 Taibach residents
Death of Boxer Billy Beynon by a mining accident at Bryn Colliery on 20th July
1933
The gas holder behind Port Talbot Railway Station constructed
1934
Aberavon Town Hall in Green Park demolished
1935
Water Street, Taibach demolished
Charlotte Street demolished
1936
Cotton Row demolished
1937
Regent Cinema opens in Taibach
Former Colliery Manager, Mr Richards murdered (shot) at Theordore Road
1939
Noddfa Independent Chapel built
1940
Stac Y Foel demolished (July 4th)
1941
Six civilians killed by a bomb at Corporation Road
Margam Estate sold by Captain Andrew Fletcher / Sir David Evans Bevans purchases Margam Park
Taibach Youth Centre set up in Eastern School
1944
HMCS Chebogue enters Port Talbot Dock following a German U boat (U-1227) torpedo attack, 7 men killed
General Dwight Eisenhower visits American Troops at Margam Castle
1945
Death of Photographer Newark Lewis
1946
Formation of Steel Co. of Wales
Coed Parc House, Cwmavon demolished
1947
Last competition at Port Talbot Golf Club
1948
Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery visits Steel Works (June 23rd)
1949
Westgate Cottages on High Street demolished
Cottages at Brombil demolished
Carreg y Rhew Farm (Margam) demolished
1950
Park School opened
1951
Closure of Borrows tinworks.
Abbey steelworks strip mill begins production
Large areas of dunes cleared at Sandfields for housing.
Glanymor first school built on Sandfields Estate
Twll Yn Y Wal cottage demolished
Baglan House purchased by Port Talbot Corporation and demolished
1951-1952
Nine hundred houses built at Sandfields including “prefabs”. Building would continue for the next twenty five years.
British Oxygen Co. erect works at Longlands Lane
1952
17 acre Harvey’s Lake filled in.
RAFA Club opened
A Creosote spill from Nantewlaeth coal washery on the river Corrwg wiped out the Afans fish stocks.
1953
Taibach (Vivian Sheet and Blackplate Works) Ffrwydwyllt Tinplate Works and Burrows Works all close
Last tollgate in Port Talbot at junction of Tollgate Road and Morfa Road demolished
Margam College of Further Education opened
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation on SCOW field (June 2nd)
Ynysygwas Bridge, Cwmavon collapses due to flooding
1954
Old Baglan Church gutted by fire
December, Death of Rees Oates, 5 Balaclava Row, Taibach. He was the youngest - and last - survivor of the Morfa Pit Explosion 10th March, 1890
1955
Tywyn School opens
Red Dragon opens
Dock Street demolished
Margam Tollgate demolished
Briton Ferry Bridge officially opened (October 31st)
Afan Charter (14th Century) presented back to Council
Port Talbot Gas Welfare Club officially opened (December 12th)
1956
George VI Memorial Hall opened by Princess Margaret.
Princess Margaret inspects new sea defence wall and unveils plaque.
Princess Margaret visits Abbey Works (April 26th)
Regent Cinema in Taibach closes
MV Maria Pompei grounded on Aberavon Beach
Aberavon Sea Walls constructed
1957
Tir Morfa School opens
Twelve Knights Hotel opens
MV Michel Swenden grounded at Aberavon Beach
1958
Sandfields Comprehensive school opens
Baglan hall demolished
Margam Abbey Pilot Boat delivered to Port Talbot
The Dunes Pub opened
1959
New road alongside promenade named Princess Margaret Way
Glenhafod, Aberbaiden and Pentre Collieries closed by NCB
Children killed at the wrecks on Aberavon Beach
1960
St Therese's school and church opens
Train Crash at Pwllyglaw (November 24th)
Mill Row demolished
The Marine Hotel (The Four Winds) opened
1961
The construction of a petrochemical factory at Baglan Bay was first announced on 31st January when Glamorgan County Council gave outline planning permission to BRITISH HYDROCARBON CHEMICALS (BHC) and FORTH CHEMICALS LTD.
Morrison road Library opens
Port Talbot Steelworks melting shop closed
Removal of S S Ethelwalda and S S Broadlands
Traethmelyn School (Strauss Road) constructed
Scott’s Shop (Formerly Prestons) Taibach demolished
1962
The Greenstars Clubhouse opened
1963
Traffic ceased on the Rhondda and Swansea Bay railway. (December 1st 1962 for passengers)
Port Talbot Steelworks demolished.
Construction of Miami Beach Funfair on the Little Warren
Traethmelyn School opens
Capel Moriah demolished
Groeswen Farm (Bella Farm) demolished
British Hydrocarbon Plant at Baglan (later BP Chemicals) came into production, Sir Keith Joseph, Minister for Welsh Affairs, officially opened the Baglan site, on 16th October
Bryn Navigation Colliery closes
Lord Mayor of London visits Port Talbot
Goytre Railway Yards closed
Town by-pass begun
Balaclava and Inkerman Row East demolished
The Steel Company’s reservoir at Margam built
Ty Mawr demolished
Ros a Mar function room opened (Victoria Road)
Bethel Primitive Methodist Church demolished
Lord Mayor of London procession (31st May) (Sir Ralph Perring)
1964
Dyffryn Railway Sheds closed
Dyffryn Upper School opened
The “Amazon” public house opened taking its name from the wreck on Morfa Beach 1908 when 21 people lost their lives.
Tir Caradog demolished
Tetrapods placed at North Pier
Railway crossing gates on Station Road / High Street removed
1965
The Afan Lido opened by the Queen
First Catholic comprehensive “St Joseph’s” opens
“The Star” and the “Welcome to Town” public houses closed
Population of Port Talbot is 51,322
Inkerman Row West demolished
Engine Row (Cwmavon) demolished
Ty Canol Farm (Baglan) demolished
1966
Sports Centre completed
Port Talbot by-pass opened (July 22nd)
National Eisteddfod held at Port Talbot
New Fire Station opened at Taibach
Sandfields Methodist opened
Baglan Social Club (Now Baglan Community Church) constructed
Naval Club opened in November. Official opening on December 2nd
Dyffryn Comprehensive School officially opened 3rd May
Pentwyn Estate constructed
New headstone laid on Dic Penderyn’s grave (May 15th)
Large part of Taibach Copper Works demolished for new Steelworks access road and Glamorgan Fire Station
1967
Steel Company of Wales absorbed into British Steel Corporation
Mount View Club opened
BP fully acquired the British Hydrocarbon Plant site at Baglan and its businesses
1968
Newlands, the last local colliery, closed
28th October BP announced what, at the time, was “the largest single investment in new plant made, so far in the BP Group” – estimated at over £125million (1968). Baglan Bay became one of the biggest petrochemical manufacturing sites in Europe
1969
Talbot Arms Hotel becomes the Taibach RFC Club
Trinity Hall Consecrated
The first around the pier swim is organised by the Greenstars. 22 entrants. Robbie Phillips is the first winner
Baglan Moors foundations completed
The Mansel War Memorial is moved from the Mansel Tinplate Works to Vivian Park.
1970
Neolithic axe found on beach by Mr T H Morris of Aberavon
New tidal harbour and BOS plant opened by the Queen
Coastal Tanker Winsdale H grounded on Aberavon Beach
1971
Port Talbot dock closed on December 31st
The “Crown Hotel” and the “Prince of Wales’” Inns demolished
Station Road Police Station demolished
St Dyfrigs Church demolished
Plas Newydd constructed
Cwmavon Library opened
Zion Church (Clarence Street) demolished
1970 – 1971
Bus Station at town opened
1971-1976
Most of old Aberavon in the upper Water Street and High Street area demolished
1972
River Afan burst its banks, some 500 homes flooded in Aberavon
Following a fire the “Walnut Tree” hotel was demolished
Carmel Chapel demolished
The following pubs / inns / hotels - The Angel, Avonvale, Globe, Hong Kong, Lamb and flag, Oddfellows, Red House, Castle Hotel, Red Lion, Welcome to Town, Royal Exchange are demolished
Municipal Buildings demolished
1972-1974
Construction of temporary Council Offices at Bevin Avenue
1973
Hotel Executive opened, renamed Aberavon Hotel in 1980, later renamed Aberavon Beach Hotel
Christchurch opened on the moors, later sold to a car firm in 1989. Now demolished
Church of Our Lady of Margan opened
Groes Primary School built
Sir David Evans Bevans died
Margam Castle and Park purchased by Glamorgan County Council for £400.000
Demolition of Evening Post Bridge at Taibach in May
Port Talbot Police Station officially opened (was operational end of 1972)
1974
Afan Borough formed
The town's name was changed to Avan but for various reasons the decision was reversed a few years later
Employment at the BP site reached almost 2500 with some 5000 contractors employed during the major expansion period
Railway Tavern demolished
Water Street Baptist Church demolished
Vints Palace demolished
Aberavon Gas Works closed (10th June)
1975
Groes Village and chapel demolished to make way for M4
Morfa Mawr Farm demolished (6th – 7th December)
General Post Offices at Station Road demolished
1976
Princess Anne opens new Town Centre. (20th February)
St Teilo’s Church demolished
National School demolished
New Hall demolished
Aberavon Workingmen’s Club demolished Relocated at Baglan Moors. Taken into receivership in 1977
Groes Chapel re-opened at Tollgate Road
Carmel Chapel opened (2nd October)
1977
Demolition of old town market
Margam Castle gutted by fire (August 4th)
Tabor Chapel (Cwmavon) demolished
Margam Park and restored Orangery opened by the Queen
Gareth Edwards opened the Baglan Shopping Centre (6th February)
Percy Hunt (The Great Marvelo) dies
1978
First performances of “Behold The Man” held at Margam Park, next performance in 1979 and then biannually for 20 years
The first of the fires at the Afan Lido
1979
The Old Vic constructed
1980
All Saints Church Cwmavon demolished
1984
The “Port Talbot Hotel” in lower Water Street demolished
New Mount Surgery built
Death of Richard Burton (Richard Walter Jenkins)
1986
Prince Charles and Princess Diana visit the British Steel Company
1987
Tirmorfa Primary School is changed to Rhosafan Welsh speaking School
1988
Halfpenny Bridge at Greenpark is replaced
The first Salmon is caught in the River Afan for 150 years by Colin Walton (4th September)
1987-1988
Dock Hotel demolished
1989
Civic Centre opened by Princess Anne
Cwmcerwin Tunnel entrance is bricked up
1990
RAFA club closes. Reopens as the Grove in 1992
Death of Llewellyn Heycock C.B.E.
Smyrna Chapel (Taibach) closed
Morfa Colliery memorial (At the Steel Works) unveiled
1991
Opening of Port Talbot Indoor Bowls Centre
In January a violent storm breaches the sea wall near the Jersey Beach Hotel
Afan Lido refurbished, later to be named “The Aquadome”
Forge Road Baths demolished (24th September)
1992
Traethmelyn School (Strauss Road) demolished
Morfa Colliery memorial (At Taibach Library) unveiled
The Drill Hall at Ynys Street demolished
1993
Zion Chapel (Cwmavon) closed
1994
BP Chemicals announced the closure of the Ethylene Cracker and its associated plants at Baglan Bay. This resulted in 600 job losses (350 BP/ 250 contractors) and brought the BP workforce down to 350
Freemans Cigar Factory closed (March 31st)
1995
Majestic Cinema (Odeon) demolished
1996
Harbour deepened to 16.5 Mtrs
Death of Historian / Teacher A. Leslie Evans
Death of Photographer Viv Knowles
1998
Port Talbot Library officially opened (14th August)
1999
Final performances of “Behold the Man” held at Margam Park
BP Ethanol plant and Styrene plant closed and dismantled in 1999
Plaza cinema closes for the final time on January 4th
Jersey Beach Hotel closed
New bridge at Velindre officially opened (28th October)
2001
The Jersey Beach hotel destroyed by fire for a second time.
2002
Port Talbot General Hospital closed
2003
Neath Port Talbot Hospital opened
Bronze Age spear found on Aberavon Beach
Cooling Towers and stack at BP demolished
2004
Closure of BP Chemical site at Baglan Bay
Combined Cycle Gas Turbine power station built on site of former BP Chemical plant.
2005
Cafe Remos opened
Death of D. Bryn Thomas B.E.M. (Uncle Bryn)
2006
Aberavon Hospital demolished
Beach Hill demolished
Groeswen Hospital demolished
2007
Peripheral ring road from the River Afan to Baglan completed
April 2007 Tata’s buy-out of the steelworks completed. The works continues to be operated by Corus.
Official opening of Intertissue paper mill at NPT Energy Park (Italian company)
Death of Ivor Emmanuel
2008
Sandfields Comprehensive 50th Anniversary
New Years Eve party at Margam Abbey for Sir Anthony Hopkins 70th birthday.
Construction begins on new Welsh Miners Museum at Afan Argoed Park.
Report of £60m investment in Port Talbot Steelworks.
Mini tornado hits centre of town.
Demolition of King George VI Memorial Hall in Taibach.
Opening of new Holy Trinity Church at Sandfields.
Centenary of the wreck of the “Amazon” Plaque unveiled at Port Talbot RNLI Station.
Closure of Holy Cross Church.
2009
Borough Council purchases Plaza Cinema
September – Official opening of Wales’ first commercial-scale biomass power plant at Longlands Lane, Margam
Demolition of Vivian Hotel, Victoria Road
October 1st last publication of Port Talbot Guardian newspaper.
November – Official opening of the Port Talbot Medical resource Centre by Edwina Hart AM Minister of Health and Social Services
December 19th, Fire at Afan Lido. Complex to be pulled down
March, TyreGenics fire, Baglan industrial estate
4000 tons of stone is laid at the western and eastern ends of Aberavon Beach for coastal defence
Margam Discovery Centre constructed
2010
June 20th Centenary of St Agnes Church
August Centenary of Gibeon Chapel
Centenary of Cwmavon Junior School
Construction of Ty Jubilee on site of old Vivian Park Hotel
Construction of New Justice Centre
Deconsecration of Holy Cross Church
Start of work on second phase of peripheral road.
Closure of Arts Centre at Theodore Road
2011
Closure of Methodist Chapel at Cwmavon
Centenary of St Pauls Church
Closure of Baglan Social Club later purchased by a community church group
Michael Sheen's 72-hour Passion Play
Death of Photographer Peter Knowles
2012
Afan Lido demolished
Custom House and Royal Buildings and Port Talbot Railway and Docks Offices demolished
2013
Opening of new road – Harbour Way
Closure of St. Paul’s Church, October 27th
Glan Y mor school demolished
Awel Y mor opened
The new blast furnace in Tata was fired up in February
Tirmorfa Primary School closed
2014
St Pauls Hall demolished
Work started on Train Station refurbishment
Sandfields Girls School demolished
Building Supplies industrial units at Greenpark demolished
Construction started on St Pauls new community centre
Margam Abbey ruins consolidated
2015
Outer lock gates replaced
Train Station refurbishment (Large lifts of metalwork carried out)
St Pauls Hall construction started
Police Station vacated
Old WC block in Water Street demolished (Next to Fire Station)
Capel Mair ruin consolidated
2016
Sandfields Comprehensive School closed
Traethmelyn School closed
Glanafan Comprehensive School closed
New Train Station opened
Bae Baglan School opened
Green Stars Clubhouse closed
Houses on Greenpark built
Weir at Greenpark renovations started
Last publication of Magnet newspaper
Holy Cross Church opened as Chapel of Rest
2017
Weir at Greenpark renovations completed
Sandfields Comprehensive School demolished
Craddock Arms demolished (March)
New Halfpenny Bridge constructed
WW2 Gunnery tower at Morfa Beach demolished by Tata Steel (March)
Port Talbot Police Station demolished (Aug)
Train Station Transport Hub constructed
Glanafan School / County School demolished
Green Stars Club House demolished
Construction started on building on site of old Port Talbot Police Station
2018
New Train Station Transport Hub opened
Bansky painted artwork on garage in Taibach
2019
To be updated soon
2020
To be updated soon
2021
To be updated soon
2022
Banksy artwork removed from Port Talbot by owner John Brandler
2023
Plaza re-opened (Operated by YMCA)
Eagle House demolished