Cwmystwyth Lefel Fawr

Please be advised that the route through the second tube is temporarily closed, don't try it unless you want steel RSJs down on your head!

A diversion route to skipway and upper stopes is by turning right before the barrier I have put across the level and left at the 'rail bridge'. Left again to an obvious climb up and follow your nose to the main ladderway up and down.

This is part of the ongoing work to secure continuation of access.

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I would like to thank everyone for their kind support re the 2016 calendar fund.

We now have the rest of the steel ready from our supplier, the total cost of the steel is about £800, so as you all can see, the calendar fund money was desperately needed. Well its all been spent where you would all most like to see it go!

The long spans are 12 foot long of 4 inch RSJ, so we will have a bit of fun getting this in.

The other underground works, completed some time ago, cost fairly little, possibly about £200, mostly all my labour. Steel is different ball park. It all had to be cut to precise lengths so any cheap source would probably not have been any good.

Anyway, its money well spent and the job when completed will probably last forever, if anything can.

By way, you can get through the tube still, with care, as the rear frame of RSJ is now secured.

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If anyone is available to help moving the steel into Level Fawr next Monday it would be appreciated.

They are at Penparc, which is the last house but one on the right before the cattle grid. We may have the logistics figured but they will need getting into the mine. 12 foot long 4 inch RSJs with holes in one end for dragging, more men the better.

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Cwmystwyth Lefel Fawr

Please be advised that the route through where the second tube was located is again temporarily closed. The safety of a party could be seriously compromised due to large boulders up on the right, these moved while I watched.

All of the steel is now in place and the area will eventually be made secure to allow safe passage by working from the outside, however advice in meantime is to stay away, if you must go in, use the long route.

This is through the upper stopes, turn right before the barrier I have put across the level and left at the 'rail bridge'. Left again to an obvious climb up and follow your nose to the main ladderway up and down.

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As announced elsewhere all underground works in Lefel Fawr are now completed.

Yesterday I was in there all day with a TV crew filming an episode for a forthcoming series "Hidden Wales". It was the first time I had ever done anything like that, but was told that I was actually very good.

I am hoping that what I said doesn't attract too much criticism as I feel that if I knew what i was going to be asked in advance I could have thought things through a bit better. But the crew were well pleased. It seems that a flow of conversation, enthusiasm for the subject, an outgoing positive attitude and the odd quip are what they are looking for as apposed to a schoolteacher like attitude.

Anyone else who does this should expect an 'interview' type situation where one has no idea in advance what you are likely to be asked. I raised this subject afterwards and was advised that if a person knows in advance what they are going to be asked, they answer as if reading from a script.
My advice is to research your background subject before hand and be ready to mark time a little to give yourself time to put your brain in gear, but keep the flow going.

Anyway, I believe that they may want to do Dinas as well. I look forward to the series.

By way, the new Imolent DX80 super torch proved its worth, also there were 2 of us wearing Scorpions so I get a freebie TV add.
:lol:

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Sounds as though you 'did good', Roy. Which channel and when is it likely to be screened please?

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Will it have subtitles?

Chris.

Will it have subtitles?

Chris.

Welsh or Brummie...?

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Its a company "Lazerbeam Productions". They were very nice people especially Kate Owen who runs it.
I was told that I am very good and will be in great demand, we shall see.

No idea when it will be screened, its called "Hidden Wales", got this wrong before. The inquiries I get re Cwmystwyth are almost weekly, there has been 2 different lots of people filming there this week. Lefel Fawr now its drained in its inner reaches plus the increases accessibility make it an ideal underground film set.
I understand that another popular one is Perkins level at Snailbeach.

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I was told that I am very good and will be in great demand

The new Fred Dibnah of the mining world?;D

One of the professional leaders in charge of H and S said I was the Chuck Norris of mining.
Really, I am just Roy.

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One of the professional leaders in charge of H and S said I was the Chuck Norris of mining.
Really, I am just Roy.

And modest too, Roy, which is what we really like about you ??

:thumbsup:

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Having done quite a lot of this sort of thing the one thing I would say is make sure you get paid; they are, and they are making their money from your knowledge and experience. In the case of a trust ask for a donation to the trust.

It's often a case of give them an inch and they'll take a mile. One production company booked me as "on screen expert" and then tried to use me as an unpaid research assistant. It got to the stage where the production company were phoning me two or three times a day. I got so p*ssed off with them that I threatened to withdraw from the filming unless they stopped bothering me!

That said when it all goes right it can be great fun.

I wasn't too bothered about money this time, I saw it as a window of opportunity, but they have offered, dont know how much though.

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I wasn't too bothered about money this time, I saw it as a window of opportunity, but they have offered, dont know how much though.

Grab it.

Think of it in terms of steel and concrete.

I wasn't too bothered about money this time, I saw it as a window of opportunity, but they have offered, dont know how much though.

It's called a "Facility Fee" you ask (require) and they pay - that's for the site. Your fee you negotiate. NT, EH and Uncle Tom Cobley and all do it, no need to be an exception.

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Roy

I always thought that you had a missed a career in the media. Admittedly radio rather than TV . . .

Cheers

Jon

Roy

I always thought that you had a missed a career in the media. Admittedly radio rather than TV . . .

Cheers

Jon

If he gets on the red carpet he'll have to get a suit (not hard wearing, nor water proof).

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Roy

I always thought that you had a missed a career in the media. Admittedly radio rather than TV . . .

Cheers

Jon

I think that's true of most mine exploration types that I know.

Chris.

I wasn't too bothered about money this time, I saw it as a window of opportunity, but they have offered, dont know how much though.

It's called a "Facility Fee" you ask (require) and they pay - that's for the site. Your fee you negotiate. NT, EH and Uncle Tom Cobley and all do it, no need to be an exception.

Absolutely. Made the mistake of doing a few of these in the past without getting paid. Despite these production companies pleading poverty they all tend to have a bigger budget than us individuals!