Old Abertillery at play

This group of pictures captures some of the locals in their leisure time throughout the years. All of them, except the first, were supplied by Carolyn Ellis.

Built in 1910, the Park's open air pool, high up on the hillside in the trees, awaits its first bathers.

This wonderful picture simply evokes and captures the joy of summer days of innocence in the 1950s. The Kodachrome colour film used suggests the date as the early 1950s, backed up by evidence from the grandstand at the rugby ground in the distance. The pool had undergone renovations since its initial opening some 40-odd years before (see above) with new changing rooms being the most obvious alterations.

Adam Street's "Turkish Delight" entry for an Abertillery carnival in the early 1950s

1979 Carnival. Some of the walking entries, including Orinoco (the Womble) pass Church Street bus shelter and the old South Wales Argus offices.

1979 Carnival. Slightly further up Church Street Adam Street's float passes the Rediffusion shop, Gwillims the outfitters and the International supermarket.

1979 Carnival. More floats wend their way up past the crowds in Church Street before turning onto the Foundry Bridge and making their way to the Park.

At the Park, but this time in 1982 with the Operatic Society's entry for the Best Float prize. Note the previous grandstand in the background.

The 1982 Carnival again and the Abertillery Gymnastic team puts on a display for the crowd.

1982 Carnival. One of the local Jazz Bands warms up the crowds as they start to arrive at the Park for the afternoon's events.