WE DIDN’T receive any replies about last week’s Now and Then picture, which was of Newport Road, Cwmcarn, so better luck this week.

Cwmcarn is set in the Ebbw Valley, in the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire. It grew with 19th-century coal mining, but is now known for its extensive mature forestry and greenery, that attract thousands of visitors and mountain biking enthusiasts each year.

The name of Cwmcarn came about in 942 when Llywarch ap Cadogan gave Villa Treficarn Pont (estate near the bridge over the Carn) to Bishop Wulfrith with King Cadell’s guarantee i.e. the place where the Carn meets the Ebbw (now Cwmcarn).

Following the Norman invasion of Wales the separate townships of Abercarn, Cwmcarn and Newbridge were given a manorial title of Abercarne. The three townships were also within the boundaries of the ancient parish of Mynyddislwyn and remained therein up until comparatively recent times.

The Cwmcarn Colliery development started in 1836 as a single 180ft downshaft for the nearby Prince of Wales Colliery at Abercarn operated by the Monmouthshire Iron and Coal Company.

The Cwmcarn Forest Drive now runs over the shafts of the colliery and relics of colliery buildings can still be seen on the slope above the old shaft. The present day lake that is stocked by the Cwmcarn Angling Association was originally downstream of the colliery’s washery.

Looking southwest to the end of the Mynydd Henllys ridge can be seen a mound which forms the highest point of what remains of Twmbarlwm Hill Fort.

It was at the heart of the territory of the Silurian Celts, the dominant Celtic tribe of this area. It was probably constructed between 500 and 150 BC, the site being chosen due to its strong defensive position with very steep slopes on all sides, and its excellent view of the surrounding area and the Bristol Channel where any approaching threat could easily be seen.

The origin of the mound at the eastern end of Twmbarlwm remains a mystery. It may have been a Roman signal tower, erected after the Romans defeated the Celtic Silures of the area. The hill fort is likely to have played a major role during the Romans’ invasion of the area, it would certainly have been a place of refuge during times of conflict.

Ref: your.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmcarnforest/history/history