The New Cemetery in Ystalyfera was opened on the 31st May 1941.

Thomas Evans was the pastor mentioned in the article on the opening of the cemetery. His son, John Brynley, was also a pastor.

Mrs Annie Evans, was the widow of Thomas Evans. Her date of death was in late 1957, so the report on it shown here, is from January 3rd 1958, the first newspaper after that:-

FOUNDER MEMBER OF MISSION The death took place on Sunday, December 29, of Mrs Annie Evans, 72 Wern Road, Ystalyfera, widow of Mr Thomas Evans. A native of Lampeter, Mrs Evans was 78 years of age. She was a founder member of Bethel Mission. Burial took place at Bethel Cemetery, Alltygrug, following a service at Bethel Mission Chapel on Wednesday January 1st 1958.

The South Wales Voice newspaper recorded the first burial at the new cemetery in its 14th June 1941 edition:-

OCTOGENARIAN
The funeral took place on Wednesday at the new Alltygrug Cemetery of Mr John Griffiths 34 Alltygrug Road Ystalyfera, who passed away at the age of 89 years.
This was the FIRST burial at the cemetery, which was opened recently.

The follow-up article from the Saturday 21st June 1941 edition enlarged upon this:-

BURIAL OF MR J GRIFFITHS
As we briefly reported in our last issue the funeral of Mr John Griffiths 34 Alltygrug Road, took place at the New Cemetery. Pastor Tom Evans, Revs Iorwerth Jones Pantteg, Ivor Jones Soar, and W Mon Williams Brynamman officiated.
Mourners were: Mrs Ann Griffiths, widow; Messrs Tom and David Griffiths brothers; Miss Matilda Griffiths, sister; Mr David Jones brother in law; Mrs Eliz Jones, Mrs Ella Griffiths, sisters in law......................

UPDATE
Needless to say this Cemetery has like some others in the district suffered from neglect, although, over the past 2-3 years it has had its approach way cleared and the fencing maintained to ensure the local sheep no longer trample the grave sites.

I have attempted to cut my way through in past years but it looks as though another visit is on the cards after taking the photographs last year: in order to at least document the names left remaining on the headstones.
Val Trevallion