Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: industrialisation

Rhondda Heritage Park exists on the site of the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery as a testament to the coal mining history of the Rhondda Valleys, which until the end of the 20th century was one of the most important coal mining areas in the world. In an area only 26 km long, Rhondda alone had over 53 working collieries at one time. The earliest recorded opening and mining of a coal level was in 1790 by Dr Richard Griffiths, who was also responsible for bringing the first tram road into the Rhondda. Until the 1950s the coal industry maintained a steady level of production and employment, but since that time there has been a continuing dramatic decline. At Lewis Merthyr production came to an end in 1983. Only some 20km north lies the village of Aberfan. On 21 October 1966 there was a catastrophic collapse of a colliery spoil tip, that was created on a mountain slope above the village. Heavy rain led to a build-up of water within the tip which caused it to suddenly slide downhill as a slurry, killing 116 children and 28 adults as it engulfed Pantglas Junior School and a row of houses. Near Wrexham lies Gresford. A disaster occurred there on 22 September 1934 at Gresford Colliery when an explosion and underground fire killed 261 men. Today, it is hard to believe, that the wages of those killed were only paid to their families up to the time of the explosion, which was half their shift. There were no severance payments. Over £580,000 in donations went into a relief fund. The money collected was "considered too much for men and women of the lower classes."

Cardiff is the capital and, with around 370,000 inhabitants, the most populous city in Wales. In 1081, William the Conqueror had a castle built on the remains of a Roman fort. The first mention of Cardiff dates back to 1093, when the knight Robert Fitzhamon, a follower of William, was entrusted with a fief here. Cardiff was granted city rights in the 13th century, but remained a relatively small town. In 1404, Owain Glyndŵr, a Welsh leader who led a 15-year Welsh revolt against English rule in Wales, burned Cardiff to the ground and took possession of the castle. The settlement was rebuilt. In 1538, Henry VIII closed the Dominican and Franciscan monasteries of Cardiff, the remains of which were used as building materials. In the 19th century, the city experienced an unexpected growth spurt thanks to industrialisation and coal mining. The harbour was expanded and developed into the largest coal port in the world. Carousel

Cardiff is the capital and, with around 370,000 inhabitants, the most populous city in Wales. In 1081, William the Conqueror had a castle built on the remains of a Roman fort. The first mention of Cardiff dates back to 1093, when the knight Robert Fitzhamon, a follower of William, was entrusted with a fief here. Cardiff was granted city rights in the 13th century, but remained a relatively small town. In 1404, Owain Glyndŵr, a Welsh leader who led a 15-year Welsh revolt against English rule in Wales, burned Cardiff to the ground and took possession of the castle. The settlement was rebuilt. In 1538, Henry VIII closed the Dominican and Franciscan monasteries of Cardiff, the remains of which were used as building materials. In the 19th century, the city experienced an unexpected growth spurt thanks to industrialisation and coal mining. The harbour was expanded and developed into the largest coal port in the world. When the museum was founded, it had been collecting artefacts for 25 years. A predecessor institution called the Cardiff Museum of Natural History, Arts and Antiquities opened its first premises in 1882. Plans for the construction of a new building took many years before the foundation stone of the current museum building was laid in 1912. It was not fully completed until 1932. Cedric Morris / 1889 – 1982 Self Portrait / 1919

Cardiff is the capital and, with around 370,000 inhabitants, the most populous city in Wales. In 1081, William the Conqueror had a castle built on the remains of a Roman fort. The first mention of Cardiff dates back to 1093, when the knight Robert Fitzhamon, a follower of William, was entrusted with a fief here. Cardiff was granted city rights in the 13th century, but remained a relatively small town. In 1404, Owain Glyndŵr, a Welsh leader who led a 15-year Welsh revolt against English rule in Wales, burned Cardiff to the ground and took possession of the castle. The settlement was rebuilt. In 1538, Henry VIII closed the Dominican and Franciscan monasteries of Cardiff, the remains of which were used as building materials. In the 19th century, the city experienced an unexpected growth spurt thanks to industrialisation and coal mining. The harbour was expanded and developed into the largest coal port in the world. When the museum was founded, it had been collecting artefacts for 25 years. A predecessor institution called the Cardiff Museum of Natural History, Arts and Antiquities opened its first premises in 1882. Plans for the construction of a new building took many years before the foundation stone of the current museum building was laid in 1912. It was not fully completed until 1932. Vincent van Gogh / 1853 - 1890 Portrait of the Artist / 1887

Cardiff is the capital and, with around 370,000 inhabitants, the most populous city in Wales. In 1081, William the Conqueror had a castle built on the remains of a Roman fort. The first mention of Cardiff dates back to 1093, when the knight Robert Fitzhamon, a follower of William, was entrusted with a fief here. Cardiff was granted city rights in the 13th century, but remained a relatively small town. In 1404, Owain Glyndŵr, a Welsh leader who led a 15-year Welsh revolt against English rule in Wales, burned Cardiff to the ground and took possession of the castle. The settlement was rebuilt. In 1538, Henry VIII closed the Dominican and Franciscan monasteries of Cardiff, the remains of which were used as building materials. In the 19th century, the city experienced an unexpected growth spurt thanks to industrialisation and coal mining. The harbour was expanded and developed into the largest coal port in the world. When the museum was founded, it had been collecting artefacts for 25 years. A predecessor institution called the Cardiff Museum of Natural History, Arts and Antiquities opened its first premises in 1882. Plans for the construction of a new building took many years before the foundation stone of the current museum building was laid in 1912. It was not fully completed until 1932. Vincent van Gogh / 1853 - 1890 Rain, Auvers / 1890

Cardiff is the capital and, with around 370,000 inhabitants, the most populous city in Wales. In 1081, William the Conqueror had a castle built on the remains of a Roman fort. The first mention of Cardiff dates back to 1093, when the knight Robert Fitzhamon, a follower of William, was entrusted with a fief here. Cardiff was granted city rights in the 13th century, but remained a relatively small town. In 1404, Owain Glyndŵr, a Welsh leader who led a 15-year Welsh revolt against English rule in Wales, burned Cardiff to the ground and took possession of the castle. The settlement was rebuilt. In 1538, Henry VIII closed the Dominican and Franciscan monasteries of Cardiff, the remains of which were used as building materials. In the 19th century, the city experienced an unexpected growth spurt thanks to industrialisation and coal mining. The harbour was expanded and developed into the largest coal port in the world. When the museum was founded, it had been collecting artefacts for 25 years. A predecessor institution called the Cardiff Museum of Natural History, Arts and Antiquities opened its first premises in 1882. Plans for the construction of a new building took many years before the foundation stone of the current museum building was laid in 1912. It was not fully completed until 1932. Claude Monet / 1840 – 1926 Waterlilies / 1905

Cardiff is the capital and, with around 370,000 inhabitants, the most populous city in Wales. In 1081, William the Conqueror had a castle built on the remains of a Roman fort. The first mention of Cardiff dates back to 1093, when the knight Robert Fitzhamon, a follower of William, was entrusted with a fief here. Cardiff was granted city rights in the 13th century, but remained a relatively small town. In 1404, Owain Glyndŵr, a Welsh leader who led a 15-year Welsh revolt against English rule in Wales, burned Cardiff to the ground and took possession of the castle. The settlement was rebuilt. In 1538, Henry VIII closed the Dominican and Franciscan monasteries of Cardiff, the remains of which were used as building materials. In the 19th century, the city experienced an unexpected growth spurt thanks to industrialisation and coal mining. The harbour was expanded and developed into the largest coal port in the world. When the museum was founded, it had been collecting artefacts for 25 years. A predecessor institution called the Cardiff Museum of Natural History, Arts and Antiquities opened its first premises in 1882. Plans for the construction of a new building took many years before the foundation stone of the current museum building was laid in 1912. It was not fully completed until 1932. Alfred Sisley / 1839 – 1899 The Cliff at Penarth / 1897

Cardiff is the capital and, with around 370,000 inhabitants, the most populous city in Wales. In 1081, William the Conqueror had a castle built on the remains of a Roman fort. The first mention of Cardiff dates back to 1093, when the knight Robert Fitzhamon, a follower of William, was entrusted with a fief here. Cardiff was granted city rights in the 13th century, but remained a relatively small town. In 1404, Owain Glyndŵr, a Welsh leader who led a 15-year Welsh revolt against English rule in Wales, burned Cardiff to the ground and took possession of the castle. The settlement was rebuilt. In 1538, Henry VIII closed the Dominican and Franciscan monasteries of Cardiff, the remains of which were used as building materials. In the 19th century, the city experienced an unexpected growth spurt thanks to industrialisation and coal mining. The harbour was expanded and developed into the largest coal port in the world. When the museum was founded, it had been collecting artefacts for 25 years. A predecessor institution called the Cardiff Museum of Natural History, Arts and Antiquities opened its first premises in 1882. Plans for the construction of a new building took many years before the foundation stone of the current museum building was laid in 1912. It was not fully completed until 1932. Augustus John / 1871 – 1961 A Frensh Fisherboy / 1907

Cardiff is the capital and, with around 370,000 inhabitants, the most populous city in Wales. In 1081, William the Conqueror had a castle built on the remains of a Roman fort. The first mention of Cardiff dates back to 1093, when the knight Robert Fitzhamon, a follower of William, was entrusted with a fief here. Cardiff was granted city rights in the 13th century, but remained a relatively small town. In 1404, Owain Glyndŵr, a Welsh leader who led a 15-year Welsh revolt against English rule in Wales, burned Cardiff to the ground and took possession of the castle. The settlement was rebuilt. In 1538, Henry VIII closed the Dominican and Franciscan monasteries of Cardiff, the remains of which were used as building materials. In the 19th century, the city experienced an unexpected growth spurt thanks to industrialisation and coal mining. The harbour was expanded and developed into the largest coal port in the world. When the museum was founded, it had been collecting artefacts for 25 years. A predecessor institution called the Cardiff Museum of Natural History, Arts and Antiquities opened its first premises in 1882. Plans for the construction of a new building took many years before the foundation stone of the current museum building was laid in 1912. It was not fully completed until 1932. Cedric Morris / 1889 – 1982 Caeharris Post Office Dowlais

Cardiff is the capital and, with around 370,000 inhabitants, the most populous city in Wales. In 1081, William the Conqueror had a castle built on the remains of a Roman fort. The first mention of Cardiff dates back to 1093, when the knight Robert Fitzhamon, a follower of William, was entrusted with a fief here. Cardiff was granted city rights in the 13th century, but remained a relatively small town. In 1404, Owain Glyndŵr, a Welsh leader who led a 15-year Welsh revolt against English rule in Wales, burned Cardiff to the ground and took possession of the castle. The settlement was rebuilt. In 1538, Henry VIII closed the Dominican and Franciscan monasteries of Cardiff, the remains of which were used as building materials. In the 19th century, the city experienced an unexpected growth spurt thanks to industrialisation and coal mining. The harbour was expanded and developed into the largest coal port in the world. When the museum was founded, it had been collecting artefacts for 25 years. A predecessor institution called the Cardiff Museum of Natural History, Arts and Antiquities opened its first premises in 1882. Plans for the construction of a new building took many years before the foundation stone of the current museum building was laid in 1912. It was not fully completed until 1932. George Pool / 1915 - 2000 Welsh Miners Morning Shift

Cardiff is the capital and, with around 370,000 inhabitants, the most populous city in Wales. In 1081, William the Conqueror had a castle built on the remains of a Roman fort. The first mention of Cardiff dates back to 1093, when the knight Robert Fitzhamon, a follower of William, was entrusted with a fief here. Cardiff was granted city rights in the 13th century, but remained a relatively small town. In 1404, Owain Glyndŵr, a Welsh leader who led a 15-year Welsh revolt against English rule in Wales, burned Cardiff to the ground and took possession of the castle. The settlement was rebuilt. In 1538, Henry VIII closed the Dominican and Franciscan monasteries of Cardiff, the remains of which were used as building materials. In the 19th century, the city experienced an unexpected growth spurt thanks to industrialisation and coal mining. The harbour was expanded and developed into the largest coal port in the world. When the museum was founded, it had been collecting artefacts for 25 years. A predecessor institution called the Cardiff Museum of Natural History, Arts and Antiquities opened its first premises in 1882. Plans for the construction of a new building took many years before the foundation stone of the current museum building was laid in 1912. It was not fully completed until 1932. Vincent Evans / 1896–1976 After the Blast

Cardiff is the capital and, with around 370,000 inhabitants, the most populous city in Wales. In 1081, William the Conqueror had a castle built on the remains of a Roman fort. The first mention of Cardiff dates back to 1093, when the knight Robert Fitzhamon, a follower of William, was entrusted with a fief here. Cardiff was granted city rights in the 13th century, but remained a relatively small town. In 1404, Owain Glyndŵr, a Welsh leader who led a 15-year Welsh revolt against English rule in Wales, burned Cardiff to the ground and took possession of the castle. The settlement was rebuilt. In 1538, Henry VIII closed the Dominican and Franciscan monasteries of Cardiff, the remains of which were used as building materials. In the 19th century, the city experienced an unexpected growth spurt thanks to industrialisation and coal mining. The harbour was expanded and developed into the largest coal port in the world. When the museum was founded, it had been collecting artefacts for 25 years. A predecessor institution called the Cardiff Museum of Natural History, Arts and Antiquities opened its first premises in 1882. Plans for the construction of a new building took many years before the foundation stone of the current museum building was laid in 1912. It was not fully completed until 1932.

Cardiff is the capital and, with around 370,000 inhabitants, the most populous city in Wales. In 1081, William the Conqueror had a castle built on the remains of a Roman fort. The first mention of Cardiff dates back to 1093, when the knight Robert Fitzhamon, a follower of William, was entrusted with a fief here. Cardiff was granted city rights in the 13th century, but remained a relatively small town. In 1404, Owain Glyndŵr, a Welsh leader who led a 15-year Welsh revolt against English rule in Wales, burned Cardiff to the ground and took possession of the castle. The settlement was rebuilt. In 1538, Henry VIII closed the Dominican and Franciscan monasteries of Cardiff, the remains of which were used as building materials. In the 19th century, the city experienced an unexpected growth spurt thanks to industrialisation and coal mining. The harbour was expanded and developed into the largest coal port in the world. The New Theatre was opened to the public in 1906. The first public performance was a production of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. In the early years of BBC radio broadcasts in the late 1920s, performances and concerts were broadcast live from the New Theatre.

Cardiff is the capital and, with around 370,000 inhabitants, the most populous city in Wales. In 1081, William the Conqueror had a castle built on the remains of a Roman fort. The first mention of Cardiff dates back to 1093, when the knight Robert Fitzhamon, a follower of William, was entrusted with a fief here. Cardiff was granted city rights in the 13th century, but remained a relatively small town. In 1404, Owain Glyndŵr, a Welsh leader who led a 15-year Welsh revolt against English rule in Wales, burned Cardiff to the ground and took possession of the castle. The settlement was rebuilt. In 1538, Henry VIII closed the Dominican and Franciscan monasteries of Cardiff, the remains of which were used as building materials. In the 19th century, the city experienced an unexpected growth spurt thanks to industrialisation and coal mining. The harbour was expanded and developed into the largest coal port in the world.

Łódź is first mentioned in 1332, when Władysław the Hunchback, Duke of Łęczyca, transferred the village of Lodzia to the bishopric of Włocławek. In 1423 the village was officially granted town rights, but for centuries it remained a small, remote settlement. In 1793 Łódź was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia. At that time the town had 190 inhabitants, 44 inhabited dwellings, a church and a prison. After the Congress of Vienna, the town became part of Congress Poland, a client state of the Russian Empire. In 1820, the government designated Łódź and its surroundings for centrally planned industrial development. The first phase involved the creation of a new city center and the construction of housing estates. The craftsmen who settled were mostly immigrants from Saxony, Silesia, and Bohemia. The first steam-powered loom in Poland was put into operation here in 1839. The abolition of customs duties enabled the town to export its goods to Russia without hindrance. In 1865, a railroad line was opened, providing a train connection to larger markets. By the end of the century, one of the largest industrial complexes in Europe had been built here. The life of the workers was marked by social grievances. In June 1905 about 100,000 unemployed workers went on mass strike, barricading the streets and clashing with the troops. 151 demonstrators were killed and thousands wounded. In 1914 the city was occupied by the Germans. At the end of WWI, the textile industry came to a standstill and the population declined as German workers left the city. The Great Depression closed western markets to Polish textiles while the Bolshevik Revolution put an end to the trade with the East. During the invasion of Poland in September 1939, German troops moved in and renamed the city "Litzmannstadt" after a German general and NSDAP member. The city was immediately Germanized, Polish and Jewish institutions were closed. Low-wage forced labor was introduced. Polish intellectuals were sent to concentration camps or murdered. Nazi authorities established the Łódź Ghetto, which was home to more than 200,000 Jews from the region who were systematically sent to German death camps. In 1945, only 877 Jews were still living here. Today, Lodz is the third largest city in Poland. Most of the buildings here are "new", but there are still some Art-Nouveau buildings in the center.

Łódź is first mentioned in 1332, when Władysław the Hunchback, Duke of Łęczyca, transferred the village of Lodzia to the bishopric of Włocławek. In 1423 the village was officially granted town rights, but for centuries it remained a small, remote settlement. In 1793 Łódź was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia. At that time the town had 190 inhabitants, 44 inhabited dwellings, a church and a prison. After the Congress of Vienna, the town became part of Congress Poland, a client state of the Russian Empire. In 1820, the government designated Łódź and its surroundings for centrally planned industrial development. The first phase involved the creation of a new city center and the construction of housing estates. The craftsmen who settled were mostly immigrants from Saxony, Silesia, and Bohemia. The first steam-powered loom in Poland was put into operation here in 1839. The abolition of customs duties enabled the town to export its goods to Russia without hindrance. In 1865, a railroad line was opened, providing a train connection to larger markets. By the end of the century, one of the largest industrial complexes in Europe had been built here. The life of the workers was marked by social grievances. In June 1905 about 100,000 unemployed workers went on mass strike, barricading the streets and clashing with the troops. 151 demonstrators were killed and thousands wounded. In 1914 the city was occupied by the Germans. At the end of WWI, the textile industry came to a standstill and the population declined as German workers left the city. The Great Depression closed western markets to Polish textiles while the Bolshevik Revolution put an end to the trade with the East. During the invasion of Poland in September 1939, German troops moved in and renamed the city "Litzmannstadt" after a German general and NSDAP member. The city was immediately Germanized, Polish and Jewish institutions were closed. Low-wage forced labor was introduced. Polish intellectuals were sent to concentration camps or murdered. Nazi authorities established the Łódź Ghetto, which was home to more than 200,000 Jews from the region who were systematically sent to German death camps. In 1945, only 877 Jews were still living here. Today, Lodz is the third largest city in Poland. Most of the buildings here are "new", but there are still some Art-Nouveau buildings in the center.