Lewis Merthyr

It is 30 years since coal production stopped at Lewis Merthyr Colliery in Trehafod. The first coal mining pits on what was to become known as the Lewis Merthyr site were opened in 1850, one was called ‘Hafod' , and was opened by David and John Thomas, another was called 'Coed Cae' and was opened by Edward Mills. Both were abandoned shortly afterwards due to the conditions of the workings, as flooding was a problem.

During the mid 1870s William Thomas Lewis, who later became Lord Merthyr, purchased and re-opened the pits. ‘Hafod' closed around 1893 and ‘Coed Cae' closed in the 1930s

Two more pits were opened, ‘Bertie' around 1880 and ‘Trefor' shortly afterwards. By this time nearly one million tons of coal was produced annually.

In 1929 the colliery was absorbed into the Powell Duffryn Group. By 1933 both ‘Bertie' and ‘Trefor' had stopped winding coal. In 1947 the colliery was nationalised.

In 1958 Lewis Merthyr merged with the neighbouring Ty Mawr colliery, with all coal winding at Lewis Merthyr ceasing and coal being brought to the surface via Ty Mawr. By the end of the 1960s the colliery was known as Ty Mawr/Lewis Merthyr Colliery

On 14 March 1983 production ended at the colliery, except for a four foot seam which continued until July that year. By this time the coal had not run out it was simply cheaper to get it from elsewhere.