Had another meeting with Andrew Roberts at Llechwedd yesterday afternoon along with Dafydd Gwyn.
Various ideas and possibilities were discussed. Although we were intending to have a meeting (probably Jan/Feb time) to include other interested parties including an invite to SimonRL from here, we have decided to postpone that for a couple of months. The reason for this is the World Heritage Site bid by the north Wales slate industry sites. Essentially this is a "bid for a bid". The result of the first stage will be known sometime in March. If this "bid for a bid" is successful it will release additional funding for projects within the north Wales slate industry heritage sites. The buildings at Maen Offeren could well be eligible for this. We will be holding a further meeting ourselves immediately after the result is known, then, shortly after that hold a further meeting inviting others. Suggestions so far for invites are SimonRL from here, Steffan ab Owain who is one of the archivists at Gwynedd archives and formerly worked at Maen Offeren, Gwynfor Roberts Gwynedd Council Buildings Conservation Officer. Possibly one or two other representatives too. It has been agreed that any grant applications, etc, etc, will be done by Slate Heritage International. You will recall they are a subsidiary company in the Greaves Group of Companies, who own the two overhead electric locos that are now being stored at WHHR, Porthmadog. That company is already a registered charity so will save a lot on charity set up fees etc.
It was also agreed that any revenue (such as clearing scrap from the mills etc) by volunteers etc will be "ring fenced" for future use on the project.