I would rather not comment further at this stage, they were only outlines of ideas. I would not want Llechwedd to get wind of them until the pros and cons had been worked out in more detail.

I would rather not comment further at this stage, they were only outlines of ideas. I would not want Llechwedd to get wind of them until the pros and cons had been worked out in more detail.

Might be a bit late for that, given that some of Llechwedd/Greaves' employees/staff are members of this site......

Grahami

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Yes!

I have thought, although this might just be me being naive, that a successful preservation attempt (whether it be MO or anybody else) would be one that worked to the benefit of both landowner and preservation group.

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Might I sugest 'Simon', being quite level headed and with the right attitude and intelligence be elected as a representetive on behalf of all of us. To work out a plan regarding the preservation of or some of the buildings at Maenofferen quarry.
And then to have a chat with Mr Roberts the manager regarding.
There is nothing to lose really is there as the buildings are fast deteriorating with vandals and the weather.
Are there not some buildings at the Oakeley which could do with some preservation?

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There are local people interested in the various buildings at MO and Foty. I think it needs some co-ordination to get things to happen.

As has already been stated, the best way to see anything happen at any of these sites is to try and ensure the owners "get something out of it" too. That was our idea for MO with Greaves.

I have contaced Dr Dafydd Gwyn chairman of Gwynedd Industrial History Society. He would be interested in attending a meeting should one be called. He also has good links with Greaves, he is involved with the Eclipse & Coalition conservation project.

You've nothing to lose by holding a meeting to gauge interest in helping preserve what's left - a handful of people did that in Sheffield in 1959 to see how many people would be interested in trying to protect lead mining remains in Derbyshire and the result was PDMHS, still going strong after 50 years....

Trying to preserve remote buildings does have its problems, as NPHT found with their restoration at Coldberry, but if there are volunteers willing to help try and keep the remaining buildings weatherproof, secured against vandals and under watch in general then some form of organisation will greatly help any negotation with the site owners.

Good luck!

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One mill which is was at least scheduled (I think) is the ruins of the Hafodlas mill at Bettws y Coed. It was originally considered for the very reason that it is untypical! I've found my negs from our various explorations and surveys between 1986 and 1989 and scanned them in, so I'll post them as I can. I've uploaded a few this afrenoon from the mill in 1986, when it was very green!

PS Simon/Vanoord is there some way in the list that Hafod Las Bettws can be distinguished from Hafod Las Nantlle, please?

Cheers

Grahami

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Speaking of untypical slate industry buildings that have statutory protection, doesn't Cwmystradllyn 'slate factory' (mill?) have protection?

Further to what I put earlier. My contact with Dafydd Gwyn has resulted in communication from Llechwedd who want me to discuss ideas further with Dafydd with a view to having a meeting with Llechwedd.

PS Simon/Vanoord is there some way in the list that Hafod Las Bettws can be distinguished from Hafod Las Nantlle, please?

Cheers

Grahami

I've added (Nantlle) and (Betws) after the names. Hope that covers it?

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PS Simon/Vanoord is there some way in the list that Hafod Las Bettws can be distinguished from Hafod Las Nantlle, please?

Cheers

Grahami

I've added (Nantlle) and (Betws) after the names. Hope that covers it?

Great - thanks. Now I get the correct one first go. Did you know when you lose something, when you find it again its always in the last place you looked.

Grahami

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On Tuesday 18th May, Dr. Dafydd Gwyn* and I had a meeting with Andrew Roberts (Llechwedd Mine Manager and MD) To discuss the current state of the buildings at Maen Offeren and can anything be done to prevent deterioration.

Andrew started off by saying that he recognised that Llechwedd had made mistakes in the past but wanted to do the right thing where MO is concerned. However he needed to get across that it is a working quarry employing local people and that cannot be sacrificed in any way. We all agreed that had to be the case. He also emphasised that Llechwedd have very little money for such a project. That said, he is very worried about the deterioration that has been happening to the buildings caused by weather, vandalism, and thefts. He is keen to get others, be they organisations, or individuals, including volunteers involved to try and address these problems.

We went on to discuss various ideas that Dafydd and I had, these were welcomed. The general thoughts are that it could possibly be run as an additional attraction for the Quarry Tours operation. It is felt that some local community involvement might help stem some of the vandalism problems.

Andrew ended the meeting by reiterating that he really did want to do the right thing here and whether or not the project succeeded only time would tell, but it would not be by lack of effort on his part.



*Dr. Dafydd Gwyn – Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, Gwynedd Industrial History Society (chair), Festiniog Railway Company, and lecturer at Plas Tan y Bwlch.

Excellent to hear that the issues are at the very least being discussed with Llechwedd.

Regarding employment in Bleneau - the meeting very much had its priorities correct (in my opinion).

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I am going to start a new thread about the Maen Offeren buildings.