On Easter Monday 1887, Pontypool became the first town across the UK to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee.
Mr JC Hanbury allowed the events to take place in the grounds of Pontypool House. A fete attracting around 80,000 took place (special trains bring people from across Wales and the West of England) with an Eisteddfod, grotesque balloons, donkey rides, musical clowns, variety acts, and two daring performances by the legendary Blondin on a tight rope 70 feet high. The event concluded with a grand firewords display in which a "fire portrait" of her Majesty was shown.
The Illustrated London News produced a full page fearure about the events - this is is just one of the illustrations but clearly shows what an impressive day it was.