Local History Videos

Old photo postcard of the Cold Strip Mill at Ebbw Vale, in Wales (now the Blaenau Gwent area)

Old Images of Ebbw Vale, Wales

Old photo postcard of the Cold Strip Mill at Ebbw Vale, in Wales (now the Blaenau Gwent area)

Enjoy a glimpse of history through old images of Ebbw Vale, Wales.

The steelworks once dominated the landscape and economy of Ebbw Vale, which remains a strong knit community. Images and film recorded a glimpse of the residents’ daily lives at home and work just before the town changed forever.

Old photo postcard of the Victoria Works colliery at Ebbw Vale, now in Blaenau Gwent
The Victoria Works in Ebbw Vale, Wales, were about a mile south of the Ebbw Vale Steel Works. Construction began in 1837. Since that was the year of Queen Victoria’s Coronation, they were called the Victoria Works. By 1883 much of the site had significantly changed, and two new furnaces were completed for the production of 700 tons of iron per week! Old photo postcard of the Victoria Works colliery at Ebbw Vale, now in Blaenau Gwent. Image: Mark Crombie/Flikr.

EBBW VALE STEEL WORKS

Roger Tiley uses a great mix of film footage, old photos, and commentary to describe how the town changed as the steel works disappeared.

EBBW VALE STEEL WORKS – Roger Tiley on YouTube

Ebbw Vale Apprentice School in 1951

When this film was made in 1951, the Ebbw Vale Apprentice School for the Richard, Thomas and Baldwin’s steelworks was just four months old. The new building was stocked with first class equipment, and could accommodate up to 25 ‘boys’ at a time. 

The General Manager, Mr Young, inspects the machine and fitting shop with Mr W F Gilbertson. Mr Morgan, the apprentice master, leads the tour.

Upstairs, the making of machine drawings was taught, with the boys sitting at high angled desks. In addition, lectures taught the theoretical ideas behind the practical work, and a canteen provided a hot meal each day.

“We have got a grand lot of boys. Wicked, of course, but they learn well and give no trouble.”

Mr Pritcher, the Ebbw Vale Apprentice School instructor

ebbw vale apprentice school 1951.wmv – ebbwvalemessages on YouTube

As reported in Wales Online in 2014, some of the school’s apprentices from 1966 held a reunion decades later. 

The Town In The 1960s

The Welsh writer and broadcaster Gwyn Thomas made this fascinating, often witty, black and white film about the steel town in the 1960s.

Young and old struggle about on steep hills, while the working steelworks dominate the valley floor. The tradition of men in the pub and women in the kitchen is just showing signs of change for some, but for most it seems a physically hard life. Some of the playing children are dirty and wear ragged clothing. But there is the solace of a library and nearby fields. At the end of the short film, the town centre appears. 

Gwyn Thomas Visits Ebbw Vale – Gwyn Thomas on YouTube

The Price Family in Ebbw Vale, 1967

In 1967, a young filmmaker stayed with the Price family on their farm. Then he accompanied Glyn Price down to his job in the steelworks.

price family ebbw vale 1967 part 1 – gringo59

From The 1980s

Talking about Local Lives

In 1988, an epsiode of Roy Hudd’s ‘Hometown’ focused on Ebbw Vale. Old film footage and photos are shown between interviews with a variety of older local people. Discussion centres on their lives as children and young adults in the first half of the 20th century. The topics and stories include money, jobs, families and superstitions.

Roy Hudd’s “Hometown” – Ebbw Vale (Part 1) – zoidy zoidster on YouTube

The Bridge Pub, 1989

This home video records a lively night in The Bridge pub on 30 October 1989. Lots of local adults, and the occasional child, appear.

The Bridge Ebbw Vale 1989 Part 2 – AlfSwerveTV on YouTube

The Garden Festival Of 1992

Garden Festivals were a popular event during the late 1980s and early 1990s, occurring in different post-industrial towns and cities. In 1992, Ebbw Vale hosted the Garden Festival.

This home movie was uploaded to YouTube by JJT Adventures, whose grandfather recorded different aspects of the site.

Garden Festival Ebbw Vale 1992 – JJT Adventures on YouTube

Ebbw Vale in 2008

A short clip showing the town’s Woolworths in 2008. Shares in the Woolworths Group were suspended on 26 November 2008. Then the last UK Woorlworths stores closed on 6 January 2009. Across the UK, 27,000 Woolworths staff lost their jobs, and a staple of the British high street disappeared.

You’ll also notice the presence of two phone boxes outside the store. Several people and vehicles go about their daily business.

Ebbw vale, gwent, south wales – trefechan on YouTube

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About the author

Hi, I’m Debbie. I’ve enjoyed books, films, and documentaries about history for more than 30 years. My favourite trips with friends and family are to museums, historic houses, archaeological sites, and I love unearthing old photos and archive film bringing history to life.

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