The Eastern Valley of South Wales
The electoral ward of Abersychan is known as the North Ward of Torfaen County Borough Council. There are approximately 3,000 households in the ward making up a population of around 7,400 people.
Torfaen Borough is based mainly on the Eastern Valley, which, as its name implies, is the most easterly valley of the South Wales Coalfield. The main towns of Torfaen are Blaenavon, the most northernmost; then, in order going down the valley, are Abersychan, Pontnewynydd, Pontypool, and Cwmbran, which is the most southerly. Torfaen covers some 98 sq km and has a population of almost 91,000.
Abersychan and Garndiffaith Area
Abersychan and Garndiffaith are the two main areas in the Abersychan Ward, which also includes Talywain, Pentwyn, Varteg, Victoria Village, and Cwmavon.
The Afon Llwyd (Grey River) runs down the valley to join the River Usk at Caerleon and marks the boundary of the coal-field. There is no coal to the east of the river until the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. In the Abersychan ward, the ironworks and coal mines were all situated on the west side of the valley. Iron and coal was transported along the valley floor, mainly to Newport, originally by pack horse, then canal, and, finally, by rail.
Previous Boundary Names
Abersychan and Garndiffaith was, for many centuries, part of the county of Monmouthshire and part of the Trevethin diocese. The local government re-organisation meant a change of county name from Monmouthshire to Gwent in 1973 and in 1996 yet another re-organisation caused the county councils to change to county borough councils, and the Abersychan and Garndiffaith area is now part of the Torfaen County Borough Council area.
Last Modified on: 05-12-2018