A NEW BOOK will chart the rise of one of south Wales’ most prominent coal companies and its subsequent impact on Newport.

Peerless Powell Duffryn of the south Wales coalfield is the work of author Leslie Shore, who is originally from Pontllanfraith,, and was officially launched this week.

The book describes the life of Thomas Powell of The Gaer, Newport who opened steam coal collieries in across south Wales valley sin the 1840s and 50s.

On inheriting his collieries, Powell’s sons had their inheritance inspected by leading mining engineer George Elliot, who founded the Powell Duffryn Steam Coal Company, in 1864, taking ownership of the collieries.

Sir George Elliot, he became a baronet in 1874, developed a friendship with Charles Morgan, 1st Lord Tredegar (who’s family home was Tredegar house).

Elliot played a key role in saving Lord Tredegar's project to complete the construction of Alexandra Dock in Newport from likely failure and his successor, Godfrey, who later became 1st Viscount Tredegar, would also participate with Elliot in the construction of the Pontypridd, Caerphilly & Newport Railway, which enabled coal from the Cynon and Rhondda Valleys to be shipped out solely through the Alexandra Dock, Newport, bringing significant financial gain to the Morgan’s.

The book published by Black Dwarf Lightmoor publishing, can be bought at their website wwwlightmoor.co.uk, priced £24.99 Ends