Archive Archives ~ Welsh Mines Preservation Trust

Tabernacle Baptist Chapel at Cwmsymlog

22/06/2013 EllieArchive, Project Page0

Tabernacle Baptist Chapel at Cwmsymlog

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In 2006 we held two working weekends at the Tabernacle Baptist Chapel at Cwmsymlog. Over the years it had become neglected and looked uncared for. So we decided with the blessing of the Chapel Committee to tidy it up. This is the last resting place of several men who worked at the mine. We did hope that our labours would encourage local residents to take on the upkeep but sadly this has not been the case.

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Our work was appreciated by the Chapel Committee, I received the following letter of thanks from Mrs Griffiths:-

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“Thank you so very much for your letter and photographs of Cwmsymlog. My mother, husband David and I visited the graveyard on Bank Holiday Monday to place flowers on family graves ‑ and we couldn’t believe our eyes how the place had changed! We could actually see the path and walk amongst the graves.

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We hadn’t realised that you had been there the first weekend in April ‑ I’m so sorry to have missed you all, and the opportunity to thank your team for such a fantastic job. You have all worked extremely hard and we (the Chapel Committee) and myself personally can’t thank you enough for what you have done. It’s so heart warming to know that people like you exist and that you are so ready to help in projects such as these. My mother shed a tear or two when she saw how wonderful the cemetery looked and wants to convey her sincerest thanks to you all.

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Once again Mr. Levins, thank you for keeping the Spirit of the Miners alive.

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Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your concern and your hard work. Diolch yn fawr and God Bless you all.”

Receiving a letter such as this, makes it all worthwhile.

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In addition to Mrs Griffiths and the Chapel Committee, the Trust is grateful to Mrs Pat Walker from the Trefeurig Parish Council for their assistance with this project.

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You can find out about our heritage weekend at Cwmsymlog in May, 2013 here.

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Pictures of our work in the graveyard at Tabernacle Baptist Chapel

Simon Hughes with the overgrown graveyard behind

Grave of Captain W H Boundy of South Darren Mine (before)

Grave of Captain W H Boundy of South Darren Mine (after)

Simple unmarked graves of four children. Despite my best efforts, I have been unable to find any information about these graves.

Catherine and Jane Consols Mine

21/06/2013 EllieArchive, Project Page0

Catherine and Jane Consols Mine

In 2003 at the suggestion of David Bick the Trust carried out a “rescue project” at Catherine & Jane Consols mine. The 35 foot Bigland’s wheel-pit was being eroded by a stream that had made its course into and through the wheel-pit over the years since the mine closed. We diverted the stream away from the wheel-pit.

Over the next two summers we carried out vegetation clearance, followed by a survey and minor archaeological investigations, when several interesting features were discovered.

I must thank Tilhill Forestry for their permission to carry out our work at the mine.

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In October 2007 the Trust held an exchange weekend with the Ffestiniog Railway Heritage Group. The mine had its own siding connecting with the railway. The first day they entertained us at the Ffestiniog Railway, including a behind the scenes tour and a trip on the Railway and on the second day we gave them a tour of the mine.

Pictures of Catherine and Jane Consols Mine restoration and exchange weekend

Nigel & Simon Chapman, clearing the wheel-pit

John Alder, Roy Quillam and Harold Morris digging new course for stream

Harold Morris begins clearing the undergrowth at the Smithy

Simon Hughes and Harold Morris in deep discussion

A flight of steps was discovered under a carpet of undergrowth

Paul Smyth begins reconstruction of a dry stone wall

Simon and Nigel Chapman excavating the Engine House ruin

The Engine House ruin following vegetation clearance and excavation, we erected the fence around the building, the materials were supplied by Tilhill Forestry

Lyndon Cooper surveys the site of the Lower Dressing floor

Dave Seabourne exposing a flight of steps

The remains of a small wheel-pit were found

The original slate slab floor was discovered under the covering of vegetation

Chimney of Office, strangely the chimney is above the doorway

Looking along the route of the siding towards the Ffestiniog Railway

Looking along the route of the siding towards the mine

Temple Mine Survey

12/07/2011 EllieArchive, Project Page0

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Temple Mine Survey

In 2007 the Trust was asked to undertake a survey of Temple Mine by the owners the Countryside Council for Wales. This was mainly due to the continuing deterioration of the 40 foot wheel-pit. It was felt that this should be recorded. The Trust saw this as an opportunity to publicise the plight of the wheel-pit, in the hope that funding could be found to restore it.

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Temple Mine Survey (2007)

View Deri Jones’ laser scan of Temple Mine below. To view more of his scans, click here.

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Pictures of the mine:

Penyclun Engine House Restoration

12/07/2011 EllieArchive, Project Page0

Penyclun Engine House Restoration

In 2005 the Trust were approached by CADW (the Welsh equivalent of English Heritage) to manage a project to conserve the building remains at Penyclun Mine. The Trust employed a local builder Harry Naylor and the conservation project was completed within budget..

Pictures of the Penyclun Engine House Restoration

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