Our latest project is the preservation of a circa 1870 Cornish Boiler, built at George Green’s Foundry in Aberystwyth. The boiler was removed from its vault by the farmer who donated it to the Trust on the advice of Simon Hughes of Talybont.
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It is now in safe storage in a Council Depot in Aberystwyth, this summer we will begin conserving the boiler, under the guidance of The National Museum of Wales. It is hoped that it will be displayed in a prominent position in the town, as close as possible to the site of the former foundry.
In early October 2013, two working days were organised by Simon Timberlake, to continue conservation work on the “Tan Yr Allt” boiler. You can read more about what we achieved in such a short time here.
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Our thanks to Simon Timberlake for the post below:–
Between 2005 and 2010 the Trust made several visits to Cwm Elan Mine to survey and record the remains there. In 2009 we were asked by the Elan Valley Trust to provide a Survey and Conservation Report (see below). They were hoping to obtain funding for conservation work at the mine.
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
Views of the Chapel before work began
Views of the Chapel before work began
Views of the Chapel before work began
Work in progress
Work in progress
Work in progress
Work in progress
Work in progress
Work in progress
Work in progress
Work in progress
Work in progress
Work completed
Work completed
Work completed
Work completed
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.
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
Work begins at Bigland’s wheel-pit
The stream flowing in to the wheel-pit
The stream being diverted
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
The Smithy building is exposed
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
The restored dry stone wall
Bryan Grimston restoring the stone work
The Engine House ruin before work began
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
Office Building at Upper Dressing Floor
Office Building at Upper Dressing Floor
John Alder clearing the undergrowth
Chimney of Office, strangely the chimney is above the doorway
Office Building after a trim up
Rear of Office Building
Looking along the route of the siding towards the Ffestiniog Railway
Looking along the route of the siding towards the mine
In 2009 we conducted a survey of this mine and some underground features, to provide information to the Royal Commission for Ancient Monument in Wales (RCHAMW) to make a reconstructive video of the mine and provide information for interpretation boards. This project was funded by Ceredigion County Council’s “PLWM” Project.–
You can view some of our pictures from the mine here and view the video below.
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Deri Jones has carried out a laser survey of the waterwheel. You can view a video of his results below, and find more of his laser scans here.
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The Trust also carried out vegetation clearance at the mine to open up pathways through the mine site, so visitors can access. In 2012 we held a Heritage Weekend at the mine, to celebrate the launch of the video.
Clearing undergrowth to expose the wheel-pit of the winding wheel
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