CYNON COAL

 

Note. The information below is given in response to requests for additional details on the writing and production of the book “Cynon Coal”.

Work began on this book in 1992, resulting in its launch, on Nov. 12th. 2001, at the Cynon Valley Museum. Initially, an outline of ten chapters was produced by the Publications’ Editor, John Mear; volunteers then undertook to research and write on various chapters. Mel Godsall and Bryn Davies worked ceaselessly on the Table of Mines from the beginning, Douglas Williams concentrated on photographs and maps.

Contributions from the writers can be summarized as follows:
 

Chapter	Page	Topic	Writers
1	1	Topography, Geography	Tom Evans
2	15	Iron Working, early coal working	John Mear
3	31	Development	John Mear
4	55	Expansion of Mining	Bryn Davies
5	103	Social conditions, Utilities	Elfed Bowen & John Mear
6	123	Religion: Education and Leisure	Elfed Bowen: Huw Davies
7	147	Working conditions	Bryn Davies
8	161	Trades Unions	Ken Collins
9	171	Post World War 1	Tom Evans
10	181	Post World War 2	John Mear
Appendix
A	199	Table of Mines	Bryn Davies & Mel Godsall
B	245	List of Sources	Bryn Davies & Mel Godsall
C	249	Mining Terms	Bryn Davies & Doug Williams
D	263	Bibliography	John Mear
E	265	Coal Masters	Ken Collins
F	273	Output Figures	Ken Collins

 

Boxes

Pages: 4, 17, 22, 27, 29, 30, 31, 40, 51, 56, 62, 77, 131, 151, 154, 158, 176, 180 — John Mear

Pages: 53, 60, 86, 104, 108, 110, 114, 116, 119, 121, 134, 157, 159, 168, 175 — Elfed Bowen

Pages: 113—Geoffrey Evans, 195—Ivor Morgan, 163—Tom Evans.

 

Reminiscences Page 197—Elfed Bowen, End Papers—John Mear.
 

Index Page 275: E. Bowen, B. Davies, J. Mear, E. Rose, D. Williams, — enlarged by E. Bowen.

 

The Writers. All were History Society Committee members and resident in the Cynon Valley. Brief details, including pre-retirement employment and History Society responsibilities as follows:

• Elfed Bowen, B.Sc., Teacher, Head of Science, Mountain Ash Comprehensive School.[Society Book Sales.]
• Ken Collins, B.A., Mid Glamorgan Fire Service. [Society Treasurer, — position held for over 20 years.]
• Bryn Davies, Overman, Tower Colliery, Hirwaun. Chairman of Local NACODS branch.
• Huw Davies, B.A., Teacher, Head of English, Mountain Ash Comprehensive School.
• Tom Evans, B.Sc., Teacher, Head of Geography, Aberdare Boys’ Comprehensive School, History Society Founder Member, [ex-Postal Sales, initiated Associate Membership.]. Wartime Captain, South Wales Borderers, D-Day veteran.
• Melville Godsall, M.E., Official, Fforchaman Colliery, Cwmaman. Mines’ Manager in Peru and Sierra Leone, Small Mines’ Manager in South Wales.
• John Mear, Civil Service Officer, Welsh Office, Cardiff. History Society Founder Member and first Secretary, [served as Secretary for twenty years], Publications’ Editor from Society’s formation in 1971 to 2004, a total of thirty-three years. Set up the “framework” for ‘Cynon Coal’, edited and contributed immensely in many ways.
• Douglas Williams, Surveyor, South Wales Electricity Board. [Society Postal Sales, Visual Aids Organiser.]
   

E.B. 18.6.2005.