Sculpture, information board and bench, Wattsville

Image: © Jaggery Taken: 16 Mar 2012

Set in a circular area on the north side of Islwyn Road. The sculpture http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1910852 depicts a miner and the village of Wattsville. The information board states that the village of Wattsville came into existence in the late 19th century and is named after Edmund Hannay Watts who formed the London and South Wales Coal Company in 1873. The village was built to provide housing for the workers in the numerous collieries in the area including the Risca Mine, which was situated on the eastern edge of the village. This mine was 855 feet deep and was the first pit in South Wales to have electric lighting at the pit head and underground. An explosion at the colliery in 1880 caused 120 deaths, even though the mine was thought to be among the safest in the area. The information board shows a map of the area and gives suggestions of what to see, such as the wildlife and fauna of the Sirhowy Valley Country Park, Full Moon Visitor Centre and the recently-restored Grade II listed Penllwyn Tramroad Bridge. The Welsh language side of the board is in view. The English language side is on the reverse. The bench was a convenient location for lunchtime sandwiches and coffee to be consumed!

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