Esgair Hir Buildings Survey

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Esgair Hir 6

Esgair Hir Buildings Survey

In 2009 we began a survey of the remaining buildings at Esgair Hir Mine. This mine has an important place in the history of Cardiganshire’s mining history.
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Following a rich discovery of ore at Esgair Hir c1690, Sir Carberry Pryse successfully petitioned for the overturning of the Mines Royal Act, to release the mines from the ownership of the Crown. On 8th February 1693 an Act of Parliament was passed, which removed Crown Ownership of the mines containing precious metals; gold and silver. This allowed local landowners to develop or lease mines on their land. Full details can be found here.
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Sir Carberry was so elated at the overturning of the Crown Monopoly, he rode from Parliament to Esgair Hir in 48 hours, no mean feat in those days. At times because of it’s anticipated wealth the mine was named the “Welsh Potosi” Mine, after the incredibly rich silver mines at Potosi, in Bolivia.
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The mines other claim to fame is to be found in George Borrows “Wild Wales”, on his famous walk across Wales Borrow arrived at the mine, when he asked what the mine was called he was told:- “The Potosi Mining Company, the richest in all Wales”.
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The story can be read in the book which is available as a free ebook online here. The account of Borrow’s visit to Esgair Hir can be found at the end of Chapter 80 and the beginning of Chapter 81.
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The buildings at Esgair Hir are in a very ruinous condition, we wanted to record what remained before the deteriorate further. At some point we would like to be able to errect an Interpretation Board at the mine to tell its story to visitors.
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View more pictures of Esgair Hir in our Photo Archive page from the mine.

Castell Mine Crushing Mill Survey

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Castell Mine Crushing Mill Survey

In March 2012 we carried out a survey of the Crushing Mill at Castell Mine. Parts of the building are in a poor state and could soon collapse. It was decided to record (photograph, measure and draw) the building before this happened.


Click here to view the photo archive page, showing Castell Mine in 1995.

Heritage Weekends

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Most years since 2004, the WMPT has held a Heritage Weekend in Mid Wales. The weekends consist of guided walks around mining sites led by members of the Trust and an evening of illustrated talks. These weekends are mainly aimed at local people and visitors but are open to anyone who wishes to attend. You can find out about our next heritage weekends and other upcoming events here. Pictures from some of our heritage weekends are at the bottom of the page.

2014           WMPT Heritage Weekend (report)

26 May           Van Mine walk & talks at Van Institute

27 May           Van Mine walk & clearance work

28 May           Van Mine clearance work

2013           Metal Links/WMPT Heritage Weekend

25 May           Cwmsymlog, Darren

25 May           Talks Village Hall, Llanbadarn Fawr

26 May           Bronfloyd, Cwmerfin, Goginan

2012           Metal Links/WMPT Heritage Weekend

26 May           Ystrad Einion

26 May           Talks Memorial Hall, Talybont

27 May           Ystrad Einion

2011           Not held

2010            PLWM/WMPT Heritage Weekend

17 July           Cwm Mawr, Abbey Consols

17 July           Talks Village Hall, Pontrhydfendigaid

18 July           Llwyn Malus

2009            PLWM/WMPT Heritage Weekend

27 August           Esgair Hir, Esgairfraith

27 August           Talks Hafod Arms, Devil’s Bridge

28 August           Bwlch Gwyn, Llwyn Teifi, Rheidol Valley

2008           Not held

2007           Spirit of the Miners/WMPT Heritage Weekend           

25 August           Cwmystwyth

25 August           Talks Village Hall, Ysbyty Ystwyth

26 August           Cwmsymlog, Bronfloyd 

27 August           Frongoch, Wemyss, Pont Ceunant, Graig Goch

2006           Spirit of the Miners/WMPT Heritage Weekend 

3 June           Bodcoll, Mynach Vale, Dolwen

3 June           Talks Village Hall, Ysbyty Ystwyth

4 June           Nantsyddion, Nantycreiau

2005           Spirit of the Miners/WMPT Heritage Weekend

27 August            Cwmsymlog

28 August            Logaulas, Glogfach, Glogfawr

28 August            Talks Miners Arms, Pontrhydygroes

29 August            Erglodd, Alltycrib

29 August            Talks Memorial Hall, Talybont

2004           WMPT Heritage Weekend

28 August           Cwmystwyth

28 August           Talks Ysgoldy Goch, Cwmystwyth

28 August           Cwmystwyth

Funded Projects in Mid Wales

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Over the years the Trust has worked with the three European Funded Projects in Mid Wales.

Metal Links (2011-2014)

This European funded project managed by the Royal Commission for Ancient Monuments of Wales. The project brings together four former mining communities in Wales and Ireland. Mid Wales and Parys Mountain being the Welsh communities.

Metal Links have provided sponsorship for the Heritage Weekends and the Ceredigion Mines Forum, which the WMPT have continued to organise.

The WMPT is assisting Metal Links with various projects.

PLWM (2008-2011)

Another project managed by Ceredigion County Council, funded by CCW and CADW. A project using the legacy of the former metal mining industry and its associated development as a driver for economic benefit in Northern Ceredigion.

With funding from PLWM the WMPT continued to hold Heritage Weekends and assisted with an interpretation project at Ystrad Einion Mine which resulted in an animated video and interpretation boards at the mine. The Trust cleared undergrowth and saplings to open up views and pathways around the mine.

With sponsorship from PLWM the Ceredigion Mines Forum continued.

Spirit of the Miners (2005-2008)

A project managed by Ceredigion County Council, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) and the European Objective 1 Program. It was a community regeneration project that set out to create an identity for North Ceredigion using the legacy of metal mining as a theme for regeneration.

With funding from Spirit of the Miners the Welsh Mines Preservation Trust held a Heritage Weekend each year, established the Ceredigion Mines Forum and set up the clean up operation at Pont Ceunant Generating Station at Frongoch.

The project funded many other worthwhile projects see the Spirit of the Miners Website.

Removal of Dumped Rubbish from Mine Sites in Ceredigion

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First Picture
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Following on from the clean up operation at Pont Ceunant Generating Station the Trust began working with Ceredigion County Council to clean up other sites. The Council were fortunate to obtain funding, which enabled Cwmystwyth, Bronfloyd, Darren and Logaulas Open Cut to have all the rubbish removed. The Trust also received some funding from Ceredigion CC to continue this work and some anti fly tipping initiatives. Details of these will be added to this site in due course.
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It is most pleasing to report that since the clearance took place no further dumping has taken place at any of the locations.
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The Trust is grateful to Ceredigion County Council.
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