One peculiar custom which existed until about 1880 in Aberavon was the elevation of popular personalities to the realms of fantasy, one being made Emperor of Aberavon. This appointment was last made at a function held in the old Aberavon Town Hall in Green Park in 1863,when John Richards of Court Isaf Farm, south of the River Avon, was elected as Shon .Emprwr  Brafan. The reason behind this tradition is obscure, being evidently engendered by a carnival spirit, being called upon to preside over various social fuctions. Similar customs prevailed in other local towns.
John Richards ,was known locally as a poor mans friend, he was a prosperous farmer, who before his  death in 1868,owned considerable property in the area of Richard Street, Charlotte Street ,and St .Mary`s Church, most of his assets eventually passing into Chancery. Many of his tenants were Irish, and when they quarrelled he persuaded them to participate in an old Welsh custom locally called Nido dros y Scupall where they would jump over a broomstick, this was also common at engagement parties,the activity being considered to be a kind of covenant, whereby the engaged parties were bound to future martital harmony. It would appear that this custom had survived from pagan times.
In 1848 John Richards was reported as an active supporter of municipal reform, at a time when the streets of Aberavon were left in a filthy condition, there being no public drainage or municipal scavenging. As the Cambrian newspaper reported in a letter printed March 1858,he took it upon himself to take his cart into the town, removing ten tons of ashes and filth from the streets where he owned property.
He lies buried in his family`s box tomb near St. Mary`s Hall, which informs us that he died at Lampeter at the age of 61.
[ Many thanks to Mr.A Leslie Evans for recording the above in his book Bygones of old Aberavon and Kenfig ]
I can add the following-
Monumental Inscription B.152.St.Mary.Aberavon GFHS.
Tombstone poor.
Here lie the remains of Thomas son of Thomas Richards
Of Lower Court Farm in the parish of Margam
Who died the 12th day of Jan.1806.aged 2 yrs 6 months
All you that come my tomb to see . As Iam here so must
You be. As you are there so once was I. Therefore in time prepare to die.
Underneath lieth the remains of the above named 
Thomas Richards of Lower Court Farm in the parish of Margam
Who departed this life the 24th day of November 1836 aged 88 years
Here lieth the remains of John Richards,Esq
Late of Lower Court Farm in the parish of Margam
Who died at Lampeter 4th.April 1868 aged 61 years.
Aberavon Burial Index-
Thomas Richard buried 26.Nov.1836.Lower Court Margam aged 86.
Thomas Richards buried 24.Mar.1838.Courtisha Aberavon aged 31.
Elizabeth Richards buried 30.Jan.1847.Lower Court Margam aged 76.
John Richards buried  8.Apr.1868 Lampeter aged 61.