Many of the mid C20 silica mine photos come from two collections:

In the mid 1950s, "Ingot", the illustrated magazine of Richard Thomas & Baldwins Ltd ran a photo feature of the mine. The negs of the first eight or so years of Ingot (including the Dinas photos) were held at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television at Bradford. With most Ingot articles, a few dozen medium format negs were shot off but only a handful used in print. It would be worth contacting the Museum to see what other images they hold from this photo assignment. They probably hold the relevant issues of Ingot magazine too. Unless copyright was transferred to the Museum, rights will be held by Tata Steel UK Ltd as successors to RTB / BSC / British Steel plc / Corus Group plc.

In the early 1960s, shortly before closure, the National Museum of Wales made a photographic record of working techniques using medium format negs. Around 20 photos were shot. A few have been published - e.g. plate 137 in D.M.Rees "Historic industrial scenes: Wales" (Ashbourne: Moorland, 1978). The Museum also holds a full set of Ingot magazine and the negs of the second eight or so years of the magazine (post-dating the Dinas assignment).

The Bill Bowen photo collection was well known in the Glynneath area and more than one person holds copies.

I've been told by locals that the Sun House Mine might possibly have been outside of the main Dinas area.

I've been told by locals that the Sun House Mine might possibly have been outside of the main Dinas area.

Thanks. Will search further afield.

Edit: Potential outcrops seem to cover a very large area!

Not sure if the link will work but it's to the "Ingot" images.

https://www.flickr.com//photos/125139274@N05/sets/72157652323953051/show/ 

Improved access to the mine.

In 2017 we launched an initiative to improve access to the mine. Initially this in the form of a proposed walkway to reconnect the original mine track. However this was refused under the SSSI designation of the site.

As an alternative we are to investigate the status of a Public Right of Way which for some reason is not shown on Ordnance Survey maps. This Right of Way crosses land of which the owner has shown hostility to anyone venturing on the land for recreational purposes.

🔗111431[linkphoto]111431[/linkphoto][/link]

Please note that the tarmac road which extends past the car park is a Council public road, although it only leads to the farm.

Our primary purpose is to enable people using our mine for diving be able to easily transport heavy equipment such as air tanks to the mine avoiding the steep up and down climbs that exist on the Craig y Dinas route.

http://my.rctcbc.gov.uk/myRhondda.aspx 

You will need to click on Public Rights of Way and Adopted Roads

I will need to investigate the current state of the path and work with the local authority Right of Way Enforcement Officer. There is also a potential issue regarding the vehicle use of the public road as it only leads to the farm and there could be a turning problem.

I am very grateful to Natural Resources Wales the Craig y Dinas soil landowner for help on this matter.

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Sorry to hear about the planning refusal. I suppose a wooden bridge incorporating the remaining RSJ stubs as anchor points is out of the question on cost grounds?

We used to use that lane from Cefn Rhigos before the by-pass cut it off, it has a very steep bend which is steep enough to make hill starts difficult, even in good conditions, (1 in 7 or under IIRC).

I haven't been up there as yet, I need to look to see if the right of way has the statutory fingerpost and if not report it.

Any bridge on the mine road is out of the question due to the SSSI. The original proposal would have cost about £50K and would have been externally funded.

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Pen cae drain farm appears to have an 'internet presence'.

I tried a search and only got a sort of directory thing. Does it have a website of its own?

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I couldn't find an actual website for the business. Infuriatingly, Google Streetview does not go as far as the footpath.

and I see a red no entry sign, admittedly somewhat bent, in front of the gate.

Blocking a public road is a criminal offense of making a public nuisance and is arrestable.

Do you remember a song years ago, "He fought the law and the law won"?
:lol:

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I would guess the council will turn a blind eye as long as he leaves the gate open and just gives an impression of a private road.
His actions are probably to deter the sort of behaviour that necessitated the car park barriers?

If he blocks the public road its a police matter.

I have to say though, all this is speculation as he hasn't done anything yet regarding the legal use of that route.

I can see an issue in a vehicle turning round which would have to stay off the private land irrespective of a turning space. If everything had to be carried from the car park there will possibly be little advantage to this route. I have yet to look at it but it looks a steep climb from the car park.

Google Earth shows nothing due to the trees.

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Roy

Could a vehicle get up there to drop of kit and then lets say reverse down, or even reverse up ?

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Roy

Could a vehicle get up there to drop of kit and then lets say reverse down, or even reverse up ?

This is an option that I want to look at.
I need to look at that, and also possibility of turning space etc.

If anyone around here before me, appreciate info and pics.

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Land Registry search.

The mines on that land do not belong to him. They are severance mineral rights, "all mines and minerals", same as my rights on Craig y Dinas, and belong to the Marquis of Bute and Earl of Dumfries.

Its currently John Crichton-Stuart.

There are three different land registry entries, one covering the land opposite my Upper Dinas has specific mention of the footpath.

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Improved access to the mine

I visited the site on Saturday with the purpose of ascertaining the condition of the Right of Way to the wooden footbridge.

I started by looking at the Council Adopted tarmac road and noted that the gate at the bottom, which was always open, had been recently removed along with its posts and holes filled with concrete.

Ascending the road I was dismayed to see that the commencement of the ROW was blocked with landfill bordered by debris, also there was no mandatory fingerpost sign.

🔗111549[linkphoto]111549[/linkphoto][/link]

🔗111548[linkphoto]111548[/linkphoto][/link]

This has been duly reported to Rhondda Cynon Taf, the local authority.

As the ROW was inaccessible from that end I retraced my steps and went on to the the mine where the ROW starts from the footbridge. From the bridge it bears to the right and is more or less discernible and reached the concrete bases of the ropeway standards.
Immediately adjacent to the last one is a stile in good condition. Crossing this the path follows a fence and runs parallel with the gorge reaching a second stile. After the second stile the path becomes very indistinct and then drops down to a flat area with no sign of the path at all. Crossing this area, eventually the edge of the landfill comes into sight.

The whole path needs clearing by volunteers, but could easily be done. I do have to say that even in its present state it is a very easy walk and a much shorter route.

The tarmac road has passing places and wide area where a vehicle could turn around. It could stop adjacent to the start of the ROW once established, drop off passengers and equipment, and then carry on down to the Dinas Rock car park.

I am now awaiting response from the local authority who I have contacted this morning.

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Right of way

Really Overgrown Walk

Yes. I found it impossible to get down to the ground beyond.

It also needs clearly marking, the sign is mandatory and the responsibility of the local council. You see these signs everywhere.

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Roy has the rubbish been put there as a obstruction since the farmer now knows about your intentions ?

Have you met the guy ?

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