Graham, - I need to set the record straight as clearly there is some misinformation about
The SMT / SCMC had an agreement with Wrexham Council to set up the Bersham Colliery Trust - the SCMC were joint partners from the start. The idea had been to encourage local suport, help them set up agreements, run joint open days then let them take over. A couple of ex miners took an interest but beyond that they simply didn't bother turning up on work days, open days or anything. Teams from Shropshire (including myself and then partner) spent several days cleaning and clearing rubbish to make the site safe and sort out plans for displays etc and as a result we were left running it.
I can also tell you that Adrian P worked solidly to get this going and was still working on site when most of us had given up.
We also had enough projects of our own in Shropshire and although we tried very hard to generate interest holding open days, local news items etc but the response was zero. As a result The Bersham Trust was reluctantly folded and the SCMC and SMT recieved the seed funds back.
For the record The point of Ayr Engine was brought to the site as a result of a long campaign by one of the interested miners and was on site when we started to get involved as we realised the importance of all this. Part of his very public campaign had been stop the Welsh engine being lost to the English, several other coal artefacts are also stored on the site as a result. He was quick enough to shout but very slow to do anything else.
Wrexham Council now have the control of the site and should be opening the builldings but if any one has a look at Minera nowadays ypu know how pathetic this will be. The council had also suggested the Trust also take on Minera which was worrying .
If anyone feels like it they would happily pass the keys on for you to run.
I hope that clarifies our involvement and helps recognise the graft that was put in and puts to bed any further negative comments about the Shropshire involvement.
Mike
Mike