“Merthyr Express” 22 September 1906

Closing an Historic Inn   On a Wednesday night week, the historic Cross Keys Inn, Pantywaun, was closed. It was a very old hostelry, situated high up on the mountain between Fochriw and Dowlais Top, and was well known to farmers and dealers who frequented the Waun Fair. For the last 23 years, the house has been kept by Mr. and Mrs. William Thomas, who succeeded her parents. The latter, who is about 50 years of age, was born there, and only left it for a brief period after her marriage. The Cross Keys was ordered to be closed under the new Licensing Act at the last sessions, the Rhymney Brewery Company being paid £800 compensation for the surrender. The place was the headquarters of the Pantywaun Quoit Club. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were some of the strongest supporters of religious movements in the district. The last sale of intoxicants took place on Wednesday night, and what remained of the stock, for the house had only a beer licence, was given away free on Thursday.

The following are Merthyr Express newspaper reports of various fairs

19 May, 1866   Waun Fair    The first fair of the season took place last Monday. Business was very brisk.

2 June, 1866   Waun Fair   The attendance at the mountain fair was much thinner than usual. With the exception of a few horses and pigs, no stock was on the ground, and business, necessarily, was very slack

8 September, 1866   Waun Fair    The annual fair noted for the sale of apples and fruit took place last Monday. Business is reported to have been brisk in all departments.

18 May 1867   The Waun Fair    The May Cattle Fair took place last Monday. Business was not very brisk, the attendance being unusually small

22 June 1867   Waun Fair    This Fair was held last Monday, and was attended by farmers in considerable numbers. The show of stock was not large however, and a very small amount of business in cattle was done. Towards the evening, a great number of persons visited the Fair from Dowlais, Rhymney etc, and before the night the assistance of the police was necessary to quell several fights

30 September 1871   The Waun Fair    The “apple and pear” – one of the most important of our Waun fairs – was held last Monday. A large number of farmers arrived by the morning train, and we learn that the attendance was quite as numerous as on any previous occasion. Stock of every kind was plentiful and obtained excellent prices. As is customary in the evening of this the last fair of the year, a ball was held at the Crown Inn. Music of “brassy” description was played, and the company tripped it merrily for several hours. Host Davies was as usual very obliging.

7 September 1872   Waun Fair    The usual Waun Fair was held on Monday, when there was a good attendance of buyers and sellers. There was a limited supply of cattle, which reached £16 to £18 each. There were no cows or calves for sale. Ewes 20 shillings to 26 shillings, and draught horses from £20 to £50. Mountain ponies reached from £7-£14, and from £20-£35 respectively. There was a plentiful supply of pigs sold at usual prices.

16 May 1874   Waun Fair    The usual fair was held on Wednesday. There was an abundant supply of cattle but there were no buyers. We are informed that there has not been such a poor fair for some time

29 September 1888   Waun Fair    The last Fair of the season was held on Monday last at Twynywaun, when there was a good attendance. The market proved to be over-stocked with horses, “suckers” fetching from between 28 shillings to 35 shillings. There was no demand for cobs, and the carters made a poor show. The demand for cattle, sheep, and pigs, was however very good.