I am currently doing some serious re-timbering in the Frongoch adit. The situation is far worse than I though and I would respectfully ask people to stay out for time being.
I dont believe that the mine gets many visitors, I can usually tell by the manhole covers.
Will advise as soon as completed.

---

Please all be advised that the re timbering is now finished, if anyone interested.

I shall get some photographs posted evetually, pity someone was not there with a camera when I was putting some new timbers into the big stull. Straddling the foot and hanging and wielding my sledgehammer with bits falling about me, health and safety right out of the window here.

---

Excellent work Roy! :thumbsup:

Just to confirm - it is this Fron-goch? http://www.aditnow.co.uk/mines/Frongoch-Mixed-Mine/ 

---

Excellent work Roy! :thumbsup:

Just to confirm - it is this Fron-goch? http://www.aditnow.co.uk/mines/Frongoch-Mixed-Mine/ 

Yes, its the one.

---

As I was poorly for some time just after completing this work, I never got to describe what had been done.

The first area requiring attention was a large stull on the vein near Boundary Shaft, The outward and extreme inward stemples were as rotten as a pear.

Photo about 1990
🔗Frongoch-Mixed-Mine-User-Album-Image-004[linkphoto]Frongoch-Mixed-Mine-User-Album-Image-004[/linkphoto][/link]

Same after 2010 retimber
🔗Frongoch-Mixed-Mine-User-Album-Image-54719[linkphoto]Frongoch-Mixed-Mine-User-Album-Image-54719[/linkphoto][/link]

The outward end was removed by straddling the cheeks and belting it out with a sledgehammer. It was so rotten it totally disintegrated in a shower of debris and the hammer went flying out of my hands.
Being directly under the stull was the safest place as it would not be possible for the whole stull to collapse but deads could fall down just outside it.

The inner end needed some thinking about as it was impossible to remove the rotten timber at all.

🔗Frongoch-Mixed-Mine-User-Album-Image-54720[linkphoto]Frongoch-Mixed-Mine-User-Album-Image-54720[/linkphoto][/link]

The other area was were the main drainage adit passes through the vein, this is the area illustrated by a photo in the late David Bick’s book. I think the last timbering here was done by Nancarrow in the 1930s
Photo, outbye looking in

🔗Frongoch-Mixed-Mine-User-Album-Image-54722[linkphoto]Frongoch-Mixed-Mine-User-Album-Image-54722[/linkphoto][/link]

Note the packwalling between the uprights, typical of my style.

Next photo, inbye looking outbye

🔗Frongoch-Mixed-Mine-User-Album-Image-54721[linkphoto]Frongoch-Mixed-Mine-User-Album-Image-54721[/linkphoto][/link]

Many thanks to Paul Smyth who helped.

By the way, access is obviously OK now!

---

Dear Roy,
This site looks great on the surface too so might visit sooner rather than later as I need a good trip to finish of the summer... Is site access allowed and what other good surface stuff is local to it with particular emphasis on engine houses etc as per my fetish ::) .

Your timberwork here no doubt will be well received... don't know how you do it but glad you do.

Cheers IC

---

Hi Mr ICLOK
There are 2 landowners, the upper site with the main buildings is owned by Mr John Bray, a direct descendant of Capt Nicholas Bray. If you go there and he asks you what you are doing, just explain your interest in the mine and mention my name.

The lower site is owned by my good friend Arthur Edwards of Cwm Newidian Uchaf, there is no problem with either surface or underground access. The latter is by the shaft shown on my website www.mineexplorer.com.
Please replace the manhole covers after you leave.

---

Well done Roy, Once again sterling work! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

---

Cheers Roy, Any other big sites or engine houses nearby I could pull in on same trip.
Regs IC

---

Ian,

there are all sorts of mining remains littering that part of mid wales, you should refer to David Bicks metal Mines of Mid wales the gridreferences are all contained

Mike

Iclok

As well as the badly decayed surface remains at Frongoch, to the south are the remains of the Belgian Mill at Wemyss. Slightly further west are the remains of Frongoch Generating Station (Pont Ceunant), a Cathedral sized building and a wheelpit at West Frongoch.

I will send you some info direct, this evening.

All the best

---

Mr MarkC

Just noticed your picture.

🔗Frongoch-Mixed-Mine-User-Album-Image-017[linkphoto]Frongoch-Mixed-Mine-User-Album-Image-017[/linkphoto][/link]


The taper plug was used to plug the the top of the rising main so if pumps stopped water not drain back into system.

Pumps are not generally stopped, but at Frongoch the rods needed constant repair due to engine shaft being updraught.

Evidence is the number of rods plus obvious plank and bracket lash up in the shaft.

Iron rod is a complete pump rod which in my opinion was there as temporary replacement while timber rod under repair. Must have shook the engine a bit!

---

Hi ICLOK

Can you email me with your email add. I've sent you 2 messages, but neither show up in my sent box. I've got some maps plus a spreadsheet with over 300 Dyfed mines on it.

Thanks and my email is [email protected]

---

Done mate... went away with no mail access and no mobile access due to customer with me for 2 full days
Regs IC and thanks

---