ONLY a couple of years after this photograph was taken, a tale of trauma was to take place under Broad Street, according to John Lewis and Malcolm Thomas in their book ‘Blaenavon through the years’.

In 1917, a five-year-old called Bill George was collecting water for his chickens in a culvert in Amors Field to the rear of King Street.

There had been a lot of recent rainfall and Bill fell into the culvert and disappeared into the fast flowing water course which swept him under the town and towards the Afon Lwyd far below.

Fortunately for Bill, his friends raised the alarm and all the potential rescuers raced down Broad Street to the water and sewer outlet - which was then behind the Queen Victoria public house.

He was caught by a bunch of rescuers including local doctors, Dr Carter and Dr James who took the unconscious boy to the nearby home of Mr Williams in Corn Street.

The doctors revived Bill and his injuries only extended to a cut forehead and some bruising.

What a lucky boy.

Nostalgia is provided by Torfaen Museum.