Blaina

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Blaina
Welsh: Y Blaenau
Monmouthshire
Location
Grid reference: SO1908
Location: 51°46’0"N, 3°10’0"W
Data
Post town: Abertillery
Postcode: NP13
Dialling code: 01495
Local Government
Council: Blaenau Gwent
Parliamentary
constituency:
Blaenau Gwent

Blaina is a small town in the ancient parish of Aberystruth, Monmouthshire, situated deep within the valleys, between Brynmawr and Abertillery. The name is from the Welsh Y Blaenau, meaning "the sources" (springs).

From 1500, four churches have served as the parish church of Aberystruth in Blaina. The first church was built sometime between 1495 and 1505. In his “History of Aberystruth” (published 1779), Edmund Jones mentions a debate as to where the church should be built. A central site in centre of the parish was chosen where the church is today. The second St. Peter’s was built on the same site in 1827 but was destroyed by fire in 1853. Growng industry and population growth needed a larger church and this was opened was opened on 12 July 1857. This served the parish until it was demolished in 1968 due to concerns about its structure being weakened by mining subsidence. It was replaced by the current St Peter's, opened in 1974.

Until 1962, when it closed, Blaina had a station on what had originally been the Great Western Railway branch line from Newport.

Outside links

Remains of the station in 1966
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