Blaengwawr (electoral ward)

Blaengwawr was, for much of the twentieth century, an electoral ward for the purposes of electing members to Glamorgan County Council and the Aberdare Urban District Council. Blaengwawr no longer forms an electoral ward and is part of Aberaman.

Gadlys first became an electoral ward in the late nineteenth century with the formation of Glamorgan County Council. Gadlys was also one of the five electoral wards of the Aberdare Urban District Council from its formation in 1894. The other wards were Aberaman, Aberdare Town, Gadlys and Llwydcoed.


History 1889-1914

Blaengwawr first became an electoral ward in the late nineteenth century with the formation of Aberdare Urban District Council. From 1895, Blaengwawr was also an electoral ward for the purposes of elections to Glamorgan County Council following reorganisation of wards in the Aberdare area.

Glamorgan County Council

In 1895, John Howell, who was already a district councillor, became the first member to represent the ward.

Blaengwawr 1895
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Howell unopposed

Howell was again elected unopposed in 1898

Blaengwawr 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Howell* unopposed

In 1901, Howell appears to have been again returned without opposition although the result cannot be traced.

Blaengwawr 1901
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Howell* unopposed

At the 1904 election, Howell was opposed by another Liberal candidate, Gwilym Treharne, who came within 71 votes of victory.

Blaengwawr 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Howell* 610
Liberal Gwilym Alexander Treharne 539
Majority 71
Liberal hold Swing


Treharne intended to oppose Howell again in 1907 but withdrew before the poll.

Blaengwawr 1907
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Howell* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing


In 1910, however, Treharne finally succeeded in ousting Howell, who lost his seat after fifteen years.

Blaengwawr 1910
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Gwilym Alexander Treharne 696
Liberal John Howell* 624
Majority 72
Liberal hold Swing


It can be seen, therefore, that Labour made no challenge for this seat at county level. The position in district election was, however, a different one.

Aberdare Urban District Council

Blaengwawr was also an electoral ward of the Aberdare Urban District Council from its formation in 1894.

Blaengwawr Ward 1894
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Morgan John 767
David Price Davies 600
John Howell 549
John Simon 422
Blaengwawr Ward 1896
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
John Howell* unopposed

In 1899, John Howell was again returned unopposed.

Blaengwawr Ward
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
John Howell* unopposed

In 1900, David Price Davies was returned without opposition.

Blaengwawr Ward 1900
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
David Price Davies* unopposed


In 1901, Llewellyn was re-elected by a large majority.

Llwydcoed Ward 1901
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Rees Llewellyn* 825
W. Williams 291

The 1902 result cannot be traced but in 1903, J.W. Evans was re-elected unopposed.

Llwydcoed Ward
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
John William Evans* unopposed

In 1904 an additional seat was created, allowing T. Walter Williams to be returned alongside Rees Llewellyn.

Llwydcoed Ward 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Rees Llewellyn* 872
T. Walter Williams 866
William Williams 238
Joseph Morgan 177
James Berry 125

References