Hendreforgan
| Hendreforgan | |
|---|---|
| Village | |
 Fern Street, Hendreforgan | |
  Hendreforgan Location within Rhondda Cynon Taf | |
| Population | 2,444 |
| OS grid reference | SS 985 884 |
| Community | |
| Principal area | |
| Preserved county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Porth |
| Postcode district | CF39 |
| Dialling code | 01443 |
| Police | South Wales |
| Fire | South Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| UK Parliament | |
| Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament | |
Hendreforgan is a village in the community of Gilfach Goch, in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales with a recorded population of 2,444 in a 2021 census.[1] It is situated on the southern most edge of the Gilfach Goch Valley and sits directly on the head of the Cwm Elái (Ely Valley). The village sits 3 miles south-west of Tonypandy and 2.5 miles west of Tonyrefail. The Nant Ogwr Fach, a small tributary stream to the Afon Ogwr passes through the nearby area.
Etymology
The village's name originates from the Welsh word 'Hendre' meaning 'Old home' likely referring to an ancestral home and the personal name 'Morgan' which softly mutates into 'Forgan' thus meaning the name Hendreforgan translates to, 'The old home of Morgan' or 'Morgan's old home'.
Hendreforgan Colliery
Overview
Hendreforgan Colliery (historically also known as the Cox's) was first opened in 1814, being leased to John and James Evans of Llansamlet, as part of a 99 year lease deal. It was used to mine anthracite coal.[2]
Construction and Output
The mine was documented to be using steam jet ventilation as early as 1828 by Alan Hill, a historic feat for its time. Before at least 1840 the mine contained a stationary underground steam engine, designed by George Stephenson. In 1880 a Waddle type ventilating fan was installed. In 1832 the mine was quoted as producing 120 tons of coal per day, however, post-1832 output increased drastically, peaking at 35,790 tons of coal per day in 1889.
Ownership
The colliery was first documented to be owned by Evan Jones in 1855, later being listed to be owned by Swan & Company in 1858. In 1861 to 1878 it was known to be owned by the Hendreforgan Colliery Company and managed by J. Walters. Later in 1893 to 1896 it was said to have been owned by the Gwaun-cae-Gurwen Colliery Company of Rotherham, being managed by a Daniel Meredith. In 1908 the British Anthracite Colliery Company of London was said to have ownership of the colliery, until 1917 when the New Coedffadle Colliery Company took ownership, being the last time any record of ownership was written.[3]
Hendreforgan Colliery Disaster
On the 11th of November, 1869, an explosion in the colliery killed 6 men and boys. It is believed the explosion happened because of an open flame from a lamp igniting the built up gas in the mine. It was said that the disaster could have been prevented if the mine had simply improved ventilation.[4]
The victims of the disaster were:
- Richard Nicholas, aged 36
- William Hopkins, aged 30
- Thomas Evan Jones, aged 25
- David J. Davies, aged 20
- David Jones, aged 19
- Samuel Arthur, aged 11
Services
See Also
References
- ↑ "City Population: Check for Humans". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 2026-07-18.
- ↑ "Hendreforgan disaster". www.welshcoalmines.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-07-18.
- ↑ "Hendreforgan Colliery". Northern Mine Research Society. Retrieved 2026-07-18.
- ↑ "Hendreforgan Colliery Explosion - Swansea Valley - 1869". Northern Mine Research Society. Retrieved 2026-07-18.
