Gelli Colliery, Gelli, 1921

Sunk by Edmund Thomas and G. Griffiths in 1877 to the bituminous coal levels. 

Thomas built Maindy Hall in Ton Pentre so that he could keep eye on both Gelli and Tynybedw collieries.  

Four men lost their lives here in an underground explosion in 1871.

In 1878 shafts were sunk to reach the steam coal levels.

Five men died of their injuries and 16 others were badly burned after an explosion in the Globe pit, on the 21st of August 1883. 

In August 1883, an explosion killed 5 miners and badly injured 21.  

In 1884 it was sold to Cory Bros. of Cardiff, together with Tynybedw Colliery for £130,000.  At its peak in 1928 it was producing 95 tons of coal a day. 

In 1896, there were 578 men employed at Gelli Steam and 127 men at Gelli House coal. 

By 1908 the workforce numbered 777 and 128 respectively.

In 1918 there was 380 men employed at the house coal pit and only 120 in the steam pit.

By 1945 only the Steam coal pit was still opened and there were 536 men employed.

The Colliery closed in January 1962

This colliery was also known as the "Globe"

Many is the time when I was a youngster that I was chased by the local Bobby for playing in this colliery.