Blaenau Gwent Heritage Forum

Welcome to Blaenau Gwent Heritage Forum

Celebrating our local heritage

Formed in 1995, Blaenau Gwent Heritage Forum has been running for 31 years. It was started with the aim of connecting local history societies and working together as a Forum to preserve, share and celebrate our rich local heritage. The Forum currently does this by hosting free monthly talks, holding monthly committee meetings, organising trips, publishing an annual historical journal and other important historical books and documents, and hosting an annual Heritage Day.

Abertillery, Brynmawr, Cwm, Ebbw Vale, Llanhilleth, Nantyglo and Blaina, Six Bells, Tredegar, Trefil,

Positioned on the edge of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, Blaenau Gwent is a county rich with historic buildings, ancient monuments and important heritage sites, all set within a beautiful mountainous, upland landscape.

Upcoming Anniversaries

2026 – LlANHILLETH MINERS’ INSTITUTE

120th ANNIVERSARY Built in 1906 to serve the educational, recreational, and health needs of miners and their families, this iconic building still stands as a vibrant hub at the heart of the community today.

2026 – MOOSE INTERNATIONAL NO. 1 LODGE, TREDEGAR

100th ANNIVERSARY In 1926 members of the American fraternal order, ‘The Loyal Order of Moose’, came to the UK and established the ‘Grand Lodge of Great Britain’. Led by J.J. Davis they opened their inaugural no 1 lodge in Tredegar, in the same year.

2027 – MARINE COLLIERY EXPLOSION, CWM

100th ANNIVERSARY On 1st March 1927, 52 miners at Marine Colliery were tragically killed in an explosion which occurred in the Black Vein Seam, 350 yards underground.

2027 – EBBW VALE STEEL WORKS

25th ANNIVERSARY of the final closure of the works by Corus, ending the steelmaking era in Ebbw Vale.

2026 – ABERFAN

60th ANNIVERSARY On 21st October 1966, one of the worst mining-related disasters in British history took place in the small village of Aberfan,