Neath History - Neath Antiquarian Society

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Neath History - Neath Antiquarian Society The page for the Neath Antiquarian Society, covering the history of Neath and District since 1923. For all queries, contact [email protected].

President: Mr David Michael
Chairman: Mr Keith Tucker
Secretary: Mrs Mary Walker
Treasurer: Dr Paul Richards

The Neath Antiquarian Society (NAS) was founded in 1923 as a natural successor to the Neath Philosophical and Antiquarian Society which had its origins in 1834. The badge of the former Society, depicting the great seal of Neath Abbey, was adopted by the new NAS as its emblem. The NAS was formed to maintain and restore ancient monuments of Neath and District; to study history, manners, customs, art and literature; to visit places of archaeological and architectural interest; to arrange lectures and meetings; to collate all available information that shall be of interest and value to the Society and to publish transactions; to set-up and maintain and, when possible, add to the Society's library, manuscripts, records, books and objects of interest; to maintain a Museum and Repository of records; and to pursue such other activities as are incidental to, or conducive of the attainments of these objects. Soon after its foundation the Society was involved in the major excavation of Neath Abbey ruins. This took many years and involved the removal of over 7,000 tons of industrial waste. Later excavations took place at St. Margaret's Chapel and at Neath Castle. The Society has had a number of different homes in the town but in 2001 it moved to its present accommodation at the Neath Mechanics' Institute in Church Place. In a joint venture with the West Glamorgan Archive Service the extensive archives of the Society were properly catalogued and made accessible to a wider readership. The Society shares the building with the West Glamorgan Archive Service. The Mechanics' Institute is only five minutes' walk from the railway station or the bus station and is alongside St. Thomas' Church in the middle of the town.

ON THIS DAY: On 23rd October 1888, the South Wales Daily News extensively reported on a visit to South Wales by the Duke...
23/10/2026

ON THIS DAY: On 23rd October 1888, the South Wales Daily News extensively reported on a visit to South Wales by the Duke & Duchess of Teck.

The itinerary included Swansea Market, where they were presented with gifts by John Parry Reynolds of Cwm Pandy Mills, Cimla.

In Wales a ‘Fulling (or Tucking) Mill’ - the purpose of which is both the cleaning and thickening of cloth – may be known as ‘Y Pandy’ or a ‘Pandy Mill’. Between circa 1845-1910 on the bank of the Crythan Brook at Cimla stood the ‘Cwm-pandy Fulling & Dyeing Mills’ under the control of the Parry, and then, the related Reynolds families.

The outstanding quality of their finished products brought royal praise and numerous awards were won at various national competitions. Unfortunately, the business would become a likely victim of industrialisation. Thereafter, the living accommodation continued to be used until circa 1960 and was subsequently demolished over the ensuing few years, thereby bringing an end to the association of Cwm-pandy with its origins.

A street named ‘Pandy View’ nowadays overlooks the area acknowledging both the local industry and associated hard-working people of the mill.

An article chronicling the origins, period of production, and subsequent demise of Cwm Pandy Mill, with some additional commentary on those both linked to the business and details of the subsequent residents of the remaining house post-closure, is available at Neath Antiquarian Society Mechanics’ Institute, reference NAS Z 120/6.
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💻To view more local history and see what the Neath Antiquarian Society is all about, click here: https://bit.ly/47H4lie

We are open at Neath Mechanics' Institute every Monday and Thursday, 09:30 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:45.

ON THIS DAY: On 20th October 1961, Lletty Nedd was officially opened as the new home of Neath YM.This was the site of th...
20/10/2026

ON THIS DAY: On 20th October 1961, Lletty Nedd was officially opened as the new home of Neath YM.

This was the site of the old Neath Union Workhouse at Pen-y-Dre. Lord Aberdare, who was chairman of the Youth Work Committee of the National YMCA Council of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, was on hand to open the facility.
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💻To view more local history and see what the Neath Antiquarian Society is all about, click here: https://bit.ly/47H4lie

We are open at Neath Mechanics' Institute every Monday and Thursday, 09:30 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:45.

Some images from last night’s History Talk at Neath Town Hall!
20/10/2026

Some images from last night’s History Talk at Neath Town Hall!

ON THIS DAY: On 20th October 1904, the foundation stone of the old Neath Library was laid. The stone was laid by Mrs Eva...
20/10/2026

ON THIS DAY: On 20th October 1904, the foundation stone of the old Neath Library was laid.

The stone was laid by Mrs Evan Evans-Bevan, Mayoress of Neath.

The new Neath Library opened on Water Street on 1st February 2023.

ON THIS DAY: Mayor of Neath Evan Evans-Bevan Esq. J.P. laid the pictured stone at the entrance of Neath Market on Green ...
20/10/2026

ON THIS DAY: Mayor of Neath Evan Evans-Bevan Esq. J.P. laid the pictured stone at the entrance of Neath Market on Green Street on this day in 1904.

This building took the place of a previous Neath Market building dating to 1837. That building was almost completely demolished and rebuilt by Messrs John Goodridge & Son in 1904, at a cost of circa £8,000.

20th October 1904 was a busy day for the laying of foundation stones in Neath - the old Neath Library received its own stone that day, with those involved invited to tea at the Gwyn Hall later that day.

You can read an in-depth article about the history of Neath Market in The Neath Antiquarian Volume Four.
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💻To view more local history and see what the Neath Antiquarian Society is all about, click here: https://bit.ly/47H4lie

We are open at Neath Mechanics' Institute every Monday and Thursday, 09:30 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:45.

ON THIS DAY: On 18th October 2007, Neath's Gwyn Hall was gutted by fire.Fears rose that this would be the end of more th...
18/10/2026

ON THIS DAY: On 18th October 2007, Neath's Gwyn Hall was gutted by fire.

Fears rose that this would be the end of more than a century of arts and entertainment at the venue, which opened in 1888 and was named for its benefactor Howel Gwyn.

The roof timbers, structural metal, scaffolding and other debris ended up in a heap in the remaining shell. All that material had to be removed without damaging the remaining walls, which would have potentially caused a collapse. The only way of doing that was to work from above. The skilled and painstaking method was to cut up the material using machinery from above and lift it out piece-by-piece.

These pictures of the aftermath of the fire are shared with thanks to Neath Port Talbot Council.

The Gwyn Hall would reopen 4.5 years later in 2012 following a £10 million refurbishment, with a new glass frontage, a 395-seat theatre, a 73-seat cinema, a dance and rehearsal studio, and a cafe and bar.

What are your recollections of the fire? Did any of you work on the rebuild? Or perhaps you worked at the Gwyn Hall before or after the fire? We'd love to hear your stories!
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💻To view more local history and see what the Neath Antiquarian Society is all about, click here: https://bit.ly/47H4lie

We are open at Neath Mechanics' Institute every Monday and Thursday, 09:30 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:45.

All prepped and ready for this weekend’s book sale!12:30-3pm today inside Neath Mechanics’ Institute on Church Place.See...
17/10/2026

All prepped and ready for this weekend’s book sale!

12:30-3pm today inside Neath Mechanics’ Institute on Church Place.

See you soon!

ON THIS DAY: On 16th October 1931, Woolworth's opened in Neath. So many will have memories of the store being in Neath, ...
16/10/2026

ON THIS DAY: On 16th October 1931, Woolworth's opened in Neath.

So many will have memories of the store being in Neath, but you'll all probably be surprised to learn that the store shut its doors for the final time way back on 6th January 2009, meaning it's been gone for over 17 years!

For those too young to remember it, Woolworth's occupied the site now home to Poundland.

We'd love to hear your memories of Woolworth's - the pick-'n'-mix, the DVD/Video section, or perhaps another part of the store. What do you look back on fondly?

Address

Neath Mechanics' Institute, 4 Church Place
Neath
SA113LL

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 12:30pm
1:30pm - 4:45pm
Thursday 9:30am - 12:30pm
1:30pm - 4:45pm

Telephone

+441639620139

Website

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