wide local government reorganisation. Transport The reopening of Abertillery railway station has been identified as a future development of the Ebbw Valley Railway. Education Abertillery Learning Community provides all-through education for the town and neighbouring areas. Until the 1970s the town had its own local authority-run Grammar school providing education up to the age of eighteen. Tertiary education is now provided by Coleg Gwent at Ebbw Vale – opened in 2013. Industry There are several small and medium-sized business parks in the area offering a range of business premises. In 2014 the largest employer was Tyleri Valley Foods. Many local people commute outside the area to work. Sport, leisure and tourism Abertillery Town cricket club and Abertillery Blaenau Gwent RFC formed in the 1880s. Both have their playing headquarters at "the Park" one of the most picturesque sporting complexes in the UK. The town supports two local Saturday football teams: Abertillery Bluebirds and Abertillery Excelsiors. There are numerous other sports activities running on an organized basis such as bowls, badminton, squash etc. The surrounding landscape provides hill walking opportunities and walker led groups are thriving in the area. One example is Ebbw Fach Trekkers walking group. The local museum has displays showing what life was like in the area in its heyday. It also has its own "valleys" Italian café complete with original furnishings. The Metropole theatre holds musical and drama events – from Blues to amateur dramatics and dance. The Guardian memorial is a destination for visitors to South Wales and amateur photographers in particular as evidenced by trip advisor. The visitor centre Tŷ Ebbw Fach stands nearby and provides cafe and visitor "mining valley" experience facilities. Notable people See also :Category:People from Abertillery. Local people of note in the fields of civil engineering, sport, science, medicine, religion and art: Chris Hill, professional tennis player Harold Jones (murderer), the 15-year old killer committed 2 murders in 1921. Jack Shore (MMA fighter), competes in the UFC Thora Silverthorne, leading activist within the Communist Party of Great Britain, Labour Party MP for Reading, veteran of the Spanish Civil War, founder of the Association of Nurses, and former president of the Socialist Medical Association International relations Abertillery is twinned with: Royat, France See also Aber and Inver as place-name elements Abertillery and District Hospital References External links Abertillery Online BBC On This Day item about Six Bells Abertillery Bluebirds Football Club Photos