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The Ifor Works

Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil.

 
   

The Dowlais Guest Keen Ifor Works was the remaining part of the iron and steelworks which spread over a large part of Dowlais and thereafter the world.

 

The Dowlais iron making concern began in 1759, and an apprenticeship at this works was much sought after with over 200 years of skills handed down.

 

There was a multitude of craftsmen, tradesmen and engineers employed and trained at this works, including moulders, furnace men, pattern makers, fitters, blacksmiths, carpenters, electricians, boiler makers, platers, welders, engineering machinists (which included central lathe turners, milling machinists, vertical and horizontal boring operators, planer operators etc). There were also metallurgists, laboratory technicians, draughtsmen, design engineers, technical engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, not forgetting management and all the ancillary and other personnel that helped make this works highly successful and a profitable concern.

Doug Williams

   
 

Ifor Works Diagram (Click to Enlarge)

(Courtesy of Doug Williams)

 
Ifor Works Aerial View.  
   
 

The Ifor Works from the air - 1970's

 

Ifor Foundry - 1920s.

(Photograph Courtesy of Simon Bryant)

 

Dowlais Ifor Works - being prepared for modernisation .

     

Engine Works Staff

(Courtesy of Richard Hicks)

 

 2 Hudswell Locomotives at the Ifor works

 

Dowlais_IvorWorks_2.JPG (204752 bytes)

 

1970s photograph of the 'Butters' Mould Breaking Crane

(Photograph Courtesy of Doug Williams & Phil O'Brian)

 

 

Click Here

For More

Information on the 'Butters' Crane

 
 

 

Guest Keen Works Football Club

Back Row: Sixth across: Lawrence Pratt who lived in Pentrebach and a cousin of mine.

Front Row: 1. Cyril Morgan, a very talented footballer (married Thelma Powell of Troedyrhiw, who I and a Tenor and Soprano from the Welsh National Opera featured together for a Celebration Concert on the retirement of Dr Ryce in about 1950)

Front Row: 2 Derek Phillips.

(Photograph Courtesy of David Evans and Information Courtesy of Michael Marshall)

 

 

Click Here

For More Of

The Guest Keen

Football Team

 
 

 

The Sunset over the Ifor Works 19th March 1975

Dowlais_Sunset_19_3_75_5.JPG (127374 bytes)

 
Guest Keen and Nettlefolds Home Guard - 1944

 

Brinley Watkins at Dowlais Foundry viewing a 2.0ton Mould Core.

(Photograph courtesy of the John Owen Collection)

 

Smith's shop, 1975.

Photograph courtesy of the John A. Owen Collection

 

 

 

 

Ifor Works - The New By-Product Plant - 1926

 
 

Click Here to See Ray Lewis'

Photographs of the Last Cast at Dowlais

Click Here to Visit

the GKN Bowls Club

Click Here for

the Demolition

of The Ivor Works

Click here for the

Guest Keen Football Team

Click here for the "Butters"Crane

 
 

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