The Gas works on the canal bank closed in the early '60s with the intro of Natural gas, the manager of many years , Mr Ernie Probert continued to live in the old manager's house until he died about 8-10 years ago. In honour of his long service the new canal terminus is named "Probert's basin" and is located opposite Theatr Brycheiniog. The original canal went a further 100 yards further along to the west but was filled in to accomodate the road linking Rich Way, the theatre and Dan-y Gaer road. I have lived in the Watton since 1956 and remember the gas works well, many couring couples used to do their courting along what they called the "hot walls" - I leave it to your imagination what went on!!! I have many pics of the construction of the canal terminus taken by my wife's late uncle who had a car repair business in what was knowns as "Tommy's Yard" just opposite the gas works, and my grandmother kept the pub, the garden of which went down to the canal right opposite the works, now its the Rugby Club and petanque court. Over the last decade the area has been developed into a mix of housing, a supermarket, the theatre, a garage, the job centre and car park. Thankfully the King George V playing field still exists behind the canal terminus( I was the chair of the residents group that saved it from a major developer). I have some old maps of the area that show the canal and the various warves that branched off. The canal was instrumental in Brecon becomming one of the 11 most important towns in the Uk, hauling coal(hence gas works) and lime (yes even above Cardiff, Swansea and Newport) during the 18th c until its decline due to the coming of the railway. There is much more to tell so I will leave it there for the time being.
BTW one of Mr Probert's daughters still lives close to the canal treminus so there is still a link in the area.