hymac580c
17 years ago
My personal view is that it would not be a good idea at all to change things and get a public footpath to MO mills. Many items from Maen have disapeared as it is,as well as vandalism.
I cannot see anything wrong with the acces footpaths as they are. Ideal for walking the dog etc. etc. 😉
Bellach dim ond swn y gwynt yn chwibian, lle bu gynt yr engan ar cynion yn tincian.
jagman
  • jagman
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17 years ago
Personnaly I think the status qou is just fine as regards footpaths.
If people have a serious interest they will make the effort to get there, if not then they don't need any assistance.
Maenoffern is best left with a low profile, repair and maintenance of whats there would be excellent but part of its charm is that it is left quiet
JohnnearCfon
17 years ago
I never said, nor meant, access to the MO mills! I agree, that would be a bad idea!
Cat_Bones
17 years ago
"jagman" wrote:

Personnaly I think the status qou is just fine as regards footpaths.
If people have a serious interest they will make the effort to get there, if not then they don't need any assistance.
Maenoffern is best left with a low profile, repair and maintenance of whats there would be excellent but part of its charm is that it is left quiet



Agreed. The amount of damage the mills have sustained in the 6 months between my last 2 visits is horrible... improving access while the place is not actively maintained is an invitation for kids to smash up what's left.
Vanoord
17 years ago
"Cat_Bones" wrote:

Agreed. The amount of damage the mills have sustained in the 6 months between my last 2 visits is horrible... improving access while the place is not actively maintained is an invitation for kids to smash up what's left.



It seems the damage caused by vandals is continuing :(

The disaffected youth of Blaenau should be educated about their forefathers' work in digging out the mountains in conditions that few people today would believe, never mind endure. To destroy historic remains such as these is a crime of the worst order.

Going back a bit, does anyone know if CADW are going to do something about listing the mills at Maenofferen?

I know that we have various people who are in the industry who read this site: is there any possibility that the site owners will maintain the buildings themselves, or should someone be offering their help to return some of the buildings to a state of being weather-proof?


Hello again darkness, my old friend...
simonrl
  • simonrl
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17 years ago
"Vanoord" wrote:

Going back a bit, does anyone know if CADW are going to do something about listing the mills at Maenofferen?



I did contact CADW, the chap I spoke to was very helpful, aware of the buildings but not aware of any preservation work or plan to take them on. He said he'd come back to me after speaking to colleagues if there was any news, he hasn't so I guess there isn't. Must have been a rumour 😞
my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by
JohnnearCfon
17 years ago
The Mills (and most of the other buildings) at Maen Offeren are already listed buildings!
JohnnearCfon
17 years ago
"royfellows" wrote:

I dont know if this is of any use but here goes.
If you want to get to MO mill etc easiest route try this.
Blaenau high st, coming from the direction of "old" Ffestiniog, look for a road on the left steeply ascending. Identifiable by a sort of hand rail, not easily missed. Turn off up there and drive up passing an old mill on the right with a waterwheel. Go to the end but park so as to leave a turning circle for the farmer who uses the sheep pens at end. The adjascent house is the home of a lady from Suffolk who is nice to talk to, as is the farmer.
If you climb the ascending path it will take you to MO "office" level that was, and is a far easier route than parking in Blaenau.
RF



It was an easier route until someone tipped a few tons of slate over it!
Vanoord
17 years ago
"JohnnearCfon" wrote:

The Mills (and most of the other buildings) at Maen Offeren are already listed buildings!



Aha!

Well, that makes life a bit more interesting: that at least means that the buildings can't be demolished without permission and presumably de-listing, which I can't see happening as there would be no justifiable reason for doing so.

AFAIK, there are relatively limited powers to force the upkeep of the buildings in a decent state, although at the moment the mills could probably do with a few days' TLC in order to keep the worst of the weather (and vandals) out.

Sadly, many owners have an attitude towards listed buildings in that they allow them to decay to such a state that they are unsafe or beyond repair. Indeed, in Glasgow, listed buildings have a habit of "going" on fire.

I wonder how concerned Greaves are about their listed buildings?
Hello again darkness, my old friend...
simonrl
  • simonrl
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17 years ago
"JohnnearCfon" wrote:

The Mills (and most of the other buildings) at Maen Offeren are already listed buildings!



Agreed, but the enquiry was about CADW taking them over and restoring them, which was the rumour we'd heard from two separate people. Sadly doesn't seem to be true.
my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by
DylanW
  • DylanW
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17 years ago
A bit off topic, anyone heard the latest from Llechwedd??
A sibrydodd yn welw ei wedd, rhowch garrag las ar fy medd, o chwaral y Penrhyn, lle''r euthym yn blentyn i''r gwaith.
simonrl
  • simonrl
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17 years ago
No, what's the news?
my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

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