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When iron was cast it was brittle and not much use, so it
was forged by beating it with hammers which made it more malleable. The main forge
for Blaenavon iron was originally at Cwmavon, a couple of miles down the valley.
Originally the iron was destined for Newport via Pontypool, but when economics
dictated it should be dispatched over the Blorenge via Llanfoist, the Cwmavon
forge was in an awkward place. So the operation was transferred to Garndyrys near
Pwlldu tunnel, on the route to the new canal. Various other enterprises have existed
at Cwmafon including a brewery, but the main claim to fame now of this small hamlet
is the survival of possibly the best examples of workers' terraced housing in the UK.
They are all in normal domestic use and as listed buildings will probably
stay that way for some time yet. The only difference from when they were built
is that the main road has been diverted to a little below that seen here, but
otherwise very little has changed. |
