Although many may find it unlikely today, in the 19th century Henllys was home to one of the earliest scenes of coal production in South Wales.

A small colliery was built on the steep-sided mountainside soon after the discovery of outcrops of coal in 1814 by Joshua Hanson.

To ensure the coal could reach its market, a lease was taken out for a tram road to be built connecting with the Monmouthshire Canal.

By the mid-19th century, high quality fireclay was found in the slopes above the village, and the white firebricks that were made from the fireclay were used in fireplaces throughout south Wales and southwest England.

Small rows of houses were built in the vicinity of the colliery and canal to house the workforce and their families. Belle Vue Terrace, pictured, was built for the miners of Henllys Colliery.

By the mid-1920s, many of the coal seams were exhausted, and subsequently the tram road fell into disuse. Many men were forced to walk daily over Mynydd Maen down into Ebbw Vale to work at the Cwmcarn Colliery.

Nostalgia is researched and written by museum volunteer, Lewis Griffiths.