Abertillery is a former mining town set in the heart of Blaenau Gwent, South Wales. Surrounding towns and villages include Blaenavon, Pontypool, Cwmbran, Newbridge, Nantyglo, and Ebbw Vale. The Abertillery Blues Festival is held annually and attracts many interesting acts each year, including Earl Thomas, Andy Fairweather Low and the Oli Brown Band. In 2009 camping was introduced for the first time, improving the atmosphere and helping to make the festival even more successful. The Ebbw Fach River runs along the western edge of the town to its confluence with the Ebbw River at Aberbeeg, 2.5km south west from Abertillery. The Cwmtillery Lakes area is also close by and is abundant with wildlife. In fact, it is the only place in the UK where the Silurian Moth can be found in their natural habitat. There is also a small church, St Paul's, beside the lake, and adjacent to its cemetery are several striking Victorian and Edwardian obelisks. The A467 passes through the west of the town along the Ebbw Fach River, giving easy access to the rest of the Blaenau Gwent county.