Project Page Archives ~ Page 4 of 4 ~ Welsh Mines Preservation Trust

Bronfloyd

12/07/2011 EllieActive, Project Page1 Comment0

Bronfloyd Mine (SN 659 835)

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In 2007 the Trust commenced work at Bronfloyd Mine. This mine has the best collection of metal remains of any in Mid Wales. Because of its remote location and being in a steep valley it escaped the ravages of the scrap men over the years. Several tram-wagon bodies are scattered around the site and the axles and spokes of three water-wheels remain.

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Our first job was to survey the site, record the remains and their condition and to clear the vegetation, undergrowth and remove some trees that were damaging the masonry remains.

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The Trust received funding from Ceredigion County Council’s “PLWM” Project and CADW to restore some of the walls of the crusher-house, which were in danger of imminent collapse. Archaeological excavations have been carried out as and when time permits in association with the Early Mines Research Group.

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Pictures from Bronfloyd Mine

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Wheel-pit for 40 foot crushing wheel (before)

Wheel-pit for 40 foot crushing wheel (after)

Wheel-pit for the Drawing Wheel (before)

Wheel-pit for the Drawing Wheel, clearing vegetation Mary & Barry Dupree, Simon Timberlake in background

Just to show that our weekends are not all hard work, Barry takes a power-nap!

Crusher House Wheel-pit following stabalisation of walls

Crusher House following stabalisation of walls

You can view more pictures taken during the survey of the mine in 2007 on the Bronfloyd Mine Photo Archive page here.

Dylife

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Dylife SN 864 940

In 2007 local mine historian and author Michael Brown, launched a project to remove some of the dumped material from the 60 foot wheel-pit of the Martha Wheel at Dylife, this was the largest in Mid Wales. The wheel-pit was cleared to a depth of about 8 feet and the remaining infill was covered with mine waste. We then began a project to excavate the winding house alongside the wheel-pit, where some interesting artefacts were found. Full details of the project can be found in Michael Brown’s book “History of the Dylife Mines”.

Pictures of our work at Dylife

The 60 foot Martha Wheel-pit, before the project began

Another pile of scrap removed from the wheel-pit

A Plumber Block discovered beneath the floor level in the WInding House

In addition to the Plumber Block we discovered two Drive Shafts

Michael Brown proudly displays his Dylife Book at the launch in the Star Inn, Dylife

Cwmbyr

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Cwmbyr Mine (SN 786 947)

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In 2010 we began our work at Cwmbyr, a previous visit had shown that there were some interesting wooden artefacts visible on the surface. We have spent working weekends there each year since. The mine has the best preserved wooden remains of any mine in Mid Wales, we have excavated two buddles, one still has a complete wooden deck; a small wheel-pit with the bottom half of the wheel still in situ; wooden settling boxes, launders and the base of a jigger. We have also excavated the floor of the Winding House alongside the Crusher wheel-pit and the blacksmiths shop.

Read an April 2017 report about our progress at the mine here.

We are most grateful to the landowner Huw Denman for allowing us access.

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