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The
local Afan Colliery operated until the late 1960s and was one
of a number of mines providing employment and growth of
communities, such as Resolven, in the Neath Valley.
The
popular Rheola indoor market is located near the village on
the site of what was an aluminium works. The lake that was
associated with the works is shown in the picture, top left
above. |
In 1791, the
Neath Canal Act authorised the building of a canal between Glynneath in
the north to Melincryddan in the south – a distance of ten and a half
miles. Its original purpose was to carry iron ore from the various mines
and outcrops at the head of the valley to the Venallt ironworks at
Cwmgwrach, the Melin-y-Cwrt ironworks and Neath Abbey ironworks. The
canal was completed in 1795 and barges carrying 25 tons plied the
waterway. In 1799, the canal was extended to Briton Ferry (Giants Grave)
from where it was exported by coastal vessels.
This proved a catalyst to
the development of collieries and settlements in the Vale of Neath
and stimulated the growth of
other industries. Resolven grew at this time, but remained a rural area
and in 1800 it still had nineteen working farms.
Forestry is still an
important industry in the valley and the Forestry Commission has its
local headquarters in Rheola Forest overlooking the village. Afan Forest
Park Visitor Centre, four miles from the village is well worth a visit.
Resolven was however very
much part of the South Wales mining community serving the coal, iron and
steel industries that drove the first industrial revolution. Today it is
a pleasant rural village. |
This
Swansea Valley Web-site is sponsored by Craig-y-Nos Castle, the
ideal place to stay when visiting the area.