Most of these underground photographs were taken by Mr W. Jones of Hanbury Rd, Pontnewynydd, Pontypool in 1910.
Copyright belongs to the National Museum of Wales.
Note how the haulier has his lit candle in the front of his cap while at the same time smoking his clay pipe. Attached to the tram is a length of iron called a 'Gun', which is linked to a 'U' shaped piece of iron called a shaft. You can see the shaft running from the horses rump up to the level of its front legs. The leather traces were attached to this in order to take the weight and strain of pulling this tram, especially when it was full. Another thing of interest was the way a miner would have ties called 'Yorks' around the calves of his legs, to stop the bottom of his trousers from getting torn and wet. Judging from the body language of this horse it was a miserable job for any animal to do. Note also the horse's 'Nose bag' hanging around his neck. This was a 'Drift' mine, where the horse could be brought out to his stable every night. In deep mines things were different, because there were not very many holidays then, which meant the horse would have seldom left the mine at all, but would have stayed in the underground stables when at rest.
This photo was taken at the 'Clog and Legging' about the year 1910, and shows a horse pulling a tram. The Haulier leading the horse was Samuel Waite (grandfather of Councillor Neil Waite of Blaendare). His grandson, Neil, recognised his Grandfather on the photograph, if anyone else recognises a relative, or indeed anyone they know on any picture, we would be pleased to hear about, to help complete the history of the photographs, please E-Mail climo25@aol.com
Today Neil is a passionate historian when it comes to anything within his ward. The restoration of the Glyn pits being among his interests. Like ourselves he is a member of the Glyn Pits steering group, which has been set up for the benefit of the future of this old mine. In the year 2000 he produced a book on local history which covers the Race, Penyroel. Cwmlickey, Cwmynyscoy,and Pontymoile. He played football for the race and rugby for Pontypool, serving on their committees along the way. So all in all he has had, and still has, a busy schedule, but still finds time to enjoy a pint at the Race Club with local people, while at the same time listening to their concerns about the area.
