Local History
The Greater Bargoed Communities First Partnership is currently working with schools in the Greater Bargoed area on a history project which will be uploaded to the website once it is completed. If you have any old photos of the area that we could use or would like to tell us about your memories of growing up in Greater Bargoed and how things have changed, please contact Sara on 01443 864386. In the meantime, we are grateful to the Chamber of Trade for providing news from the Bargoed Journal, starting at 1911.
News from the Bargoed Journal which was a weekly newspaper.
Copies for the years 1909 - 1913 and 1915 - 1917 are held at the National Library of Wales Aberystwyth.
The Chamber of Trade would be very interested to have any information on its activities pre 1970. Please contact mailto:chamber@communityconnectwales.co.uk
15/01/1911
Business rate - 11s in the £
The usual monthly meeting of the BCOT was held at the Plasnewydd Hotel on Tuesday Dr Chas Reidy in the chair.
There was a good attendance and several new members proposed. Among the new faces present were Dr H Hocker, Mr T Wendon Edwards, County Councillor Leyshon Evans and Mr G W D who all received a hearty welcome.
Three very important matters appeared on the agenda – The Bridge Question, the Water Board Bill and the proposed County Court for the valley.
The first matter was thoroughly discussed and the second question occupied the remaining portion of the evening and it was just on the stroke of eleven when the resolution was put to the meeting. The question of the county court was deferred.
Long report “Chamber support the erection of a bridge between Bargoed & Aberbargoed and asking the Councils to come together to discuss the matter”.
16/02/1911
Short report re County Court
Dr C Reidy in the Chair Secretary Mr J Evans.
County Court discussed.
Letter from Mr Edward Lewis stating that he would not again stand for the District Council and that he would strenuously oppose the present water scheme.
30/03/1912
Details of the Emporium Clock which is to be supplied & erected by Gus Jones
04/07/1912
The ordinary meeting of the Bargoed Chamber of Trade & Ratepayers Association was held at the Plasnewydd Hotel on Tuesday evening. Mr W Ebsworth Solicitor presiding over a good attendance which included the Secretary Mr Ewart H Phillips.
The Local Trades & Labour Council’s disappointment
The following letter was read from Mr Moses Price Gilfach the Secretary of Bargoed Trades & labour Council
“Dear sir I am instructed by the Bargoed & District Trades & Labour Council to write expressing their disappointment at the failure of the BCOT to agree to apply to the local authority for compulsory closing order under the Shops’ Act which order would in our opinion secure an earlier and more uniform closing of shops which would be a great benefit to those employed in the distributive trades. We hope that you will bring this matter before your Chamber with a view to reconsidering the whole matter at your earliest convenience. Trusting that you will bring about this much needed and overdue reform which we believe will benefit the employer as much if not more so than the employed”
The Chairman in the course of the discussion that followed pointed out that the failure had been on the part of the Chamber but on the part of a public meeting. Whether there was any praise or obloquy attached to the matter the Chamber had no responsibility for the resolution as the public meeting was represented by all classes of people. The Chairman added that it was the feeling of the Chamber not to agree to any compulsory order.
Mr Price suggested that the letter be allowed to lie on the table but it was eventually decided to reply to the to the Trades Council pointing out to them that the Chamber of Trade was not responsible for the resolution referred to.
Railway facilities
A letter was read from Mr W A Jacobs, secretary of the Rhymney Chamber of Trade stating that the Chamber had under discussion the desirability of having increased train service especially having an additional train from Hengoed to Cardiff on Thursday. They desired the cooperation of the BCOT in making representation to the Railway Co.
It was decided to reply stating that the BCOT had already sent a deputation to the General Manager at Cardiff but had been unable to see him.
Rating Matters
Discussion arose on the question of the proper rating on small shops in dwelling houses and it was decided to send a letter on the matter to the Assistant Overseer for Gelligaer, Councillor Gus Jones agreeing to do all he could to get information on the matter.
On the motion of Mr Gus Jones a resolution was passed expressing the opinion of the Chamber that Parliament should move in about bringing about the proper rating of shops on wheels.
County Court
Discussion took place with regards to the efforts to get a County Court established in the Rhymney V alley and letters from three registrars were read by the secretary. It was apparent, however, from the letters received that so far the efforts of the Chamber had not borne fruit.
Mr Davies the Emporium, suggested that the only thing that they could do would be to communicate further with Mr Clement Edwards MP who had asked for information on the matter by the time he came to Bargoed next. He had not yet been to Bargoed.
Mr Yowerth then moved that they write to Mr Edwards & Councillor Gus Jones seconded. The resolution was carried.
The monthly meeting of the Chamber of Trade was held at the Plasnewydd Hotel on Wednesday Evening.
Mr John Evans the Chairman was supported by Mr Hubert Phillips secretary and a large attendance.
Long report so matters discussed:
Letter from Rhymney & Aber Gas and Water Co reducing the price of gas from 4s 6d to 4s 3d per 1000 and a substantial reduction in charges for the hire of gas meters. Motion from Mr Edward Lewis to seek a further reduction to 4s 0d.
Secretary went with rep from Rhymney Chamber to interview Mr Prosser in reference to through trains to Cardiff. Intimated requests from Chambers would be granted.
Matter of Sunday trading in the town was considered in consequence of a letter from the local grocers assoc. Mr Edwards (fruiterer) said that unless something was done to stop the opening of the fruit shops he would certainly open himself. The chief objection was to some of the large shops in Hanbury Road.
County court still being discussed.
The question of the services of the Nurse at Gilfach being extended to Bargoed and it was decided to approach the Gilfach Committee to grant this.
21/12/1912
Property Auction Bargoed
47 Hanbury Road – withdrawn @ £875
48 Hanbury Road - Freehold business with 2 stall stables coach house & loft. Shop & house let @ £45pa. Withdrawn @ £900
6/3/1913
A meeting of the BCOT & Ratepayers Assoc was held @ the Plasnewydd Hotel Mr Wm Ebsworth presiding.
New Members – The Chamber balloted for new members and Mr Terry Williams was declared to be appointed.
Lack of Postal Facilities
The report of the deputation to the Cardiff Postal Master relating to the lack of postal facilities at Bargoed was given by the President & Mr D M Yorwerth and after several members had spoken the report was adopted without dissent, & a vote of thanks tendered to those who had waited on the Cardiff Postmaster.
Urban Council Election
Mr Gus Jones DC., replied to a letter from the Chamber to him to the effect that it would give him the greatest pleasure to stand for election again as the Chamber’s nominee.- It was resolved that the whole chamber should form itself into an election committee to further Mr Jones’s candidature. – Mr W Parrish Station Master Bargoed announced that an influential body had asked him t stand for the Urban Council and as far as he could see he was going to accept but he wished it to be clearly understood that he was not running against Mr Gus Jones he was merely a candidate for one of the two seats and he would be pleased to see Mr Jones secure one of them. Mr Parrish was thanked for his information.
On the motion of Mr W J Davies the annual subscription was reduced to the old figure of 3s & 6d by unanimous consent. The same gentleman made an excellent speech appealing to the Camber to do something to stimulate more enthusiasm into the work. He wished the small debt that they had incurred to be wiped off in some manner. It was resolved to hold a smoking concert at an early date.
1/5 1913
At the request of the President and Officials of the Bargoed Chamber of Trade the members and friends were invited to a grand smoking concert at the Plasnewydd Hotel on Wednesday evening.
The proceedings were of a harmonious character, special artiste being engaged for the occasion. Mr Wm Ebsworth presided and speeches were given by Messrs Gus Jones, D M Yorwerth, W J Davies, E D Price & W H Davies. All the speakers urged the members to take a more active inertest in the work of the Chamber and invited those present not members of the Chamber to join, extending the invitation to the townsmen generally. Mr Francis Gable ably presided at the piano and Mr D Jones gave several excellent performances on the banjo.
5/6/1913
Mr W Ebsworth presided at the monthly meeting of the BCOT. There was not a large attendance.
County Court – abridged report. The president reported that several members of the deputation appointed to meet Mr Clement Edwards on the question of a county court for Bargoed.
Mr Edwards said that by then president was late but they saw Sir D Brynmawr Jones.
Sunday Trading The Secretary Mr Wart Phillips Mr Price Mr Rees and Mr W H Davies were appointed as delegates form the Chamber to a conference to be held at the YMCA Lecture Hall on Sunday afternoon next at 3pm , this being a campaign for the suppression of Sunday Trading.
{Postal Facilities It was decided to write to the Cardiff postmaster asking him if any further developments had taken place with regard to additional postal facilities for Bargoed.
General Holiday the Grocers association having fixed Thursday 26th June as the date of their annual outing, the Chamber passed a resolution expressing the hope that it was a general holiday on that dated. It was decided to send a copy of the resolution to the Shop Assistants Union (Bargoed Branch).
The matter of the County Court was again referred to, and it was decided that the various Chambers be written to, asking for their co-operation and whether they would be prepared to send delegates to a conference of the local chambers.
26/6/1913
New Hotel for Bargoed
Monopoly Value Fixed at £4500
Mr Frank Gaskell (instructed by Mr T J Thomas, Bargoed) applied for a new licence on behalf of the proposed new Capel Hotel, Bargoed to be held by Mr Jenkin Morgan the present licensee of the McDonnell Hotel, Bargoed. Mr St. John Francis-Williams (instructed by Mr C Goodfellow opposed on behalf of Messrs Crosswells the owners of the Gwerthonor Hotel.
Mr Gaskell called evidence showing that there were licensed houses, or).12 each to a population of 2,770.
Mr St John Francis-Williams submitted that if the committee had decided against the proposed Royal Hotel, the objection against the Capel Hotel were much stronger.
The application was granted and the monopoly value was fixed at £4500 the amount to be paid at once.