Friday 29 November 2013

Hill's Tramroad - Blaenavon to Llanfoist

Hill's Tramroad was an important highway from the early 1800's.  It ensured the efficient and speedy transportation of iron from Glandyrys ironworks, limestone from Pwll Du Quarry and coal from Big Pit to Llanfoist quay where it could be loaded onto barges and taken by the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal down to Newport for export.  Previously cargo had been taken down the valley to join the canal at Pontypool, but the Mon & Brecon managers made a deal to take goods at a cheaper rate, even though the goods would still need to be hauled through Pontypool to Newport.
Keeper's Pond, Blaenavon

Our walk was part of the Living Landscapes Project and we started at Keeper's Pond on the road from Blaenavon to Abergavenny. On a clear, sunlit winter's day, we were surrounded by wide views extending many miles into the welsh landscape. A wonderful day for exploring with a knowledgeable guide and adequate clothing, but this mountain is exposed to all winds and weathers.  It would have been an extremely hard life working here every day in clothing made from wool.  Very little shelter would have existed for the men walking or riding the tram road.

We descended on a pathway on the opposite side of the road from the car park. Gradually we descended until we were surrounded by the walls of a deep valley.
Representation of Garndyrys Ironworks, image located at Keeper's Pond


Iron 'bears' left below Garndyrys
The tram road followed the contours of the mountainside like a bright green ribbon against the browning bracken banks. The metal rails have all but disappeared, but the stones which anchored them, if you look carefully, can still be found along the route.  Sometimes they still lie in long rows with bolt holes and on the incline grooves can be found from the ropes or chains which helped haul the trams.

Along the way our guide, Tom Maloney, pointed out piles of stone which would have been strategic buildings along the tram road. There were also the remains of well-structured retaining walls, still holding the bank at bay. He explained that where the tramway dropped below the slag dumping areas, the men built tunnels to protect the tramway and users from debris from the works.

Its difficult, standing on a green mountainside, surrounded by glorious views and peaceful countryside, to imagine it as the site of a busy, noisy ironworks full of men taking large amounts of ironstone, limestone and coal and producing iron.

Trees now mask much of this industrial roadway and almost hide the slope of the incline, but if trees were here when the tram road was in use they would have caused problems of leaf-litter, obstruction by growing too close to the tram road, and delay by falling on the tramway. Any of these problems would have delayed the horse-drawn trams and cost the owners and leaders money.

Remaining stone built tunnel, possibly to protect the tram road

Tom pointed out a couple of tunnels, but they would be almost invisible to anyone walking the pathway without knowledge of the scene.

The exact description of the transport is unknown, but could have consisted of between one and three trucks, being hauled by between one and three horses, depending on the cargo. The lead horse would probably have had a man walking alongside.

Depending on the terrain, the track could have been single in places and double in others, allowing traffic both ways.

Stones extending into the distance, spaced at regular intervals,
The ground in constant shadow, still covered in frost.
At Llanfoist a mock-up of trucks awaits our debate. Unfortunately, we have more questions than answers.
How big would they have been?
How many would have been linked together? How much iron would they have held?
How many horses would have been used?





Our first glimpse of the canal appears with a  canal-keepers cottage, sited to view traffic approaching from the tram road as well as along the canal from Brecon.

An ancient tunnel still exists underneath the house and the canal.  A strange place to walk, thinking of all those who have been through there over the last 200 years.




a mock-up of trams 

The entrance to the tunnel beneath the canal and then the house.

www.visitblaenavon.co.uk









Monday 25 November 2013

Blaensychan Valley (Cwm Nant Ddu Valley) also Blaenserchan


Drive north along the eastern valley and at Pontnewynydd, turn towards Cwmffrwdoer. Follow the narrow road up the hill past the cricket club, and at the crossroads turn left. The lane ends in a small car park and a cycle gate leads to a metalled footpath.
View towards Pontnewynydd and beyond

reeds and pond life returning
This footpath takes you along an almost flat walk up into the narrowing valley.  Our industrial heritage has a heavy presence for those looking for it;  slag tips, demolished buildings, sealed mine shafts and more.

But despite this dour sounding detritus, nature is ever present, gradually covering the scars left by miners earning their living.
cottoneaster



prickly gorse taking hold
Abandoned bricks from demolished buildings, proudly display their place of manufacture; "Abersychan," or "Ebbw Vale." Both brickworks now long gone.
mushrooms











The slag, dumped on the mountainside as waste, is now becoming naturalised, but motorbikes and four-by-fours erode the delicate greenery, allowing the black slag to leach and erode down the valley with every rainfall.  Even this can still look beautiful…



These holes seem to indicate yet another hazard !

Rubble of baths or canteen, white tiles still prominent





Friday 22 November 2013

'Guardian' book signing, Sebastien Boyesen


Sebastien Boyesen,

(Update) 



Everything went to plan on Sunday.  Fans of Sebastien and admirers of Guardian queued to purchase a pictorial history of the memorial's creation.  Then they queued to meet Sebastien for a personal signing.  He greeted everyone with a genuine smile and spent time to find out a little of who they were. 


As an artist who spends his life creating sculptures, he feels Guardian is something special. He mentioned getting goose-bumps as he drove down the road within sight of it.

A few signed copies of 'Guardian' are still available for sale at Ty Ebbw Fach, Six Bells. They would make a wonderful Christmas present, or just a coffee table book to browse through.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
(Previously)

The renowned artist Sebastien Boyesen, will be signing 1st edition copies of his new book.

Why not come along and meet the sculptor who designed and built
this magnificent iconic statue.


‘GUARDIAN’ 

on

Sunday 8th December 2013

at

Tŷ Ebbw Fach. Chapel Road, Six Bells, NP13 2ND

4.30pm – 7.30pm

ALL WELCOME

Come along and get a 1ST Edition signed copy of this beautiful photographic record of Guardian, Six Bells Miners Memorial.

The Café at Tŷ Ebbw Fach will be open for beverages and home made cakes.


Free car parking opposite.

All profits from sales go towards supporting the regeneration of Six Bells.



https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Cafe-at-Ty-Ebbw-Fach-/149557788572722?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialTyEbbwFach

Thursday 21 November 2013

Dare Valley Country Park, South Wales




Dare Valley Country Park is just down the road from Aberdare. Set on the mountainside there are gentle sloping pathways taking in lakes and a river with more testing grassy slopes for the adventurous hiker.


A recent activity weekend gave visitors the opportunity to try things they may not have had the opportunity to try before.  They included caving, archery, orienteering, bush craft and a zip wire.




Along the entrance driveway are a stables and caravan park and opposite the car park an adventure playground.  Supervised canoeing can be arranged on the lakes.


The two tier cafe provides a range of snacks and meals (the coffee and walnut cake comes in huge portions) with plenty of seating always available.



Just a wonderful place to wander and enjoy the welsh countryside and wildlife.


Wednesday 20 November 2013

Cardiff Barrage



As well as providing spectacular views across to Mermaid Quay, the barrage's walkways have become a regular haunt for joggers, dog-walkers, cyclists and sight-seers.

Coastal Path symbol
A container ship passes almost in touching distance.
Forming part of Wales' Coastal Path, ceramic symbols are embedded into the pathway as a reminder. As part of our national heritage, a large piece of coal has been placed on a plinth for all to admire. Unfortunately, there is no label, so our younger generations, less familiar with coal fires, may be wondering why a more comfortable seat was not provided.
The lagoon between the land and the barrage consists of river water from the Taff, and supports different life-forms to the seawater just a few yards away. A fish-run helps wildlife by-pass the barrage with signs discouraging fishermen.

The engineering of the locks is impressive, highlighted with yellow stripes. Apparently these stripes form a very expensive artwork.  If you stand in one particular position, I am told, you have a view of a formation of concentric circles created on different planes on different pieces of the machinery.  I wonder how many people know this.




Barrier is down as bridge is about to open for shipping.
Road bridge lifting for boats to pass through the lock
Roadway section now vertical


Friday 15 November 2013

Cardiff Bay


Before the barrage was built, this area was subject to one of the highest tidal flows in the world, leaving nutritious but unattractive, smelly mudflats for a large part of each day. Not an ideal location to live or even spend much time, unless you were a birdwatcher or a fisherman. The birdwatchers have now moved further along the coast to the Newport Wetlands, and the fishermen take their chance where they can.
The golden Millennium Centre 


The area has taken on a continental feel.  Cafes have outside seating areas, ideal for people-watching. Walkways with pleasant views of the bay, provide a reason to visit. Altogether an attractive space with high-value properties.


Home to the Senedd, the Millennium Centre, Harry Ramsden's Fish Bar and the Dr Who Experience, Cardiff Bay now has appeal for everyone.


The Senedd Building
The barrage itself as well as a place for sightseers, is a regular haunt of the jogger, the business man/woman on lunch break, the dog-walker and cyclist.


Wednesday 13 November 2013

People of Six Bells Miners' Memorial (sandstone)

Strange how information on public objects can disappear into the ether. I have been trying to learn the history of the sandstone miners'  monument sited at Six Bells. Not Guardian, but its predecessor, erected to commemorate the disaster on 28 June 1960 when 45 miners were killed in an explosion in'W' District. It is sited close to the Six Bells Colliery site, but not actually on it as the site had not been cleared.

Below I have included a few images  of the engravings on the memorial. They are disappearing due to erosion and, lichen, moss, etc. Do you know any of these faces?  Can you put a name to them?  If so, please add a comment to this blog, or call in to Ty Ebbw Fach, Six Bells and let them know, before the information is completely lost to the community.  There are twenty-eight in all which need identifying.










































Prior to the Guardian project, in the late 1990's CADW was invited to check on this monument to see if it could be restored as erosion had taken its toll. Unfortunately ground water and weathering meant it could not be saved. It was this conclusion that started discussions on a suitable replacement memorial. 
The outline of the miner's lamp and the pit wheel are already heavily pitted and damaged.

On the side walls the artist has carved portraits of local people. I recently met a man walking his dog and he pointed out his portrait - a really excellent likeness. This started me wondering about the rest of the faces, who they are - and more about the piece itself. 


Showing the hillside position.

I will add to this article if I discover more, but these are the details so far.

It was erected by Blaenau Gwent Borough Council, probably around 1986/7. Two gentlemen played a major part, Paddy Burn and Jim Watkins, I believe both their portraits are carved here. 

The scheme was delivered by a Cardiff based artist by the name of Cassidy (not sure of his first name) He wandered the streets of 6 Bells sketching people that he met and designed them into the monument. (Some say he photographed people who passed the monument as he worked. 

There was an on going consultation process that lead to the final design and I think a time capsule was buried somewhere within the monument that captures all the background. 


The Community Council leased the monument and took over its maintenance for the 30th and 40th anniversaries, but it has since reverted back to the Borough Council.

Sandstone memorial with Guardian visible on the colliery site