Help needed with Manod/Cwt Y Bugail Quarry· Page 2

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AndyC
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16 years ago

#21

I can confirm that the underground sequences were at Manod - and they did dust down an old Yeti costume on it.

However I do not think that Bessie was filmed there - all the scenes with Bessie were at Cwm Bychan.

Other locations for the five doctors were, sort of, on the hill to the East of Manod (drive East from Ffestiniog, the turn left) and also those gardens on the road to Croesor.

In other news, Portmeirion was Italianate Italy (Tom Baker) and Ogwen Cottage was Tibet (Patrick Troughton).

When you visit Parys Mountain, a walk description says Dr Who was filmed there. This is Bollocks.

And the one with the Maggots was in the South Wales coalfields.

Been injured while at work and are not to blame?

Get over it.

Scooty
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16 years ago

#22

You sound like you were around when they were filming the story, is that the case Andy? Or at the very least, a big Doctor Who fan. 🙂

JohnnearCfon
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16 years ago

#23

I have no idea whether I am correct in this, but there is one shot (with the tower superimposed) that has always looked to me like the section of the Rhiwbach tramway between CwtyBugail (the proper one, not Manod) and the head of Rb 3 incline (imagine standing with your back to Llyn Newydd). At one point there is even a track where the Rb tramway should be.

AndyC
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16 years ago

#24

The Latter. And I have often visited locations. Can you imagine how a love of both Dr Who locations and of Quarries go together beautifully.

I assume you are aware that there is the odd book on locations. The best one was about 1996 by the Dr Who Appreciation Society. This was mainly a list, but does have grid references. They may have copies.

In 2005 I did drive up to the big, locked, gates of Manod. A year later I walked along the tramway that passes other Cwt-Y-Bugail - and they were certainly blasting at Manod (a process called untopping).

I have a question. Was the 80's seminal TV series 'Edge of Darkness also filmed at Manod?

Been injured while at work and are not to blame?

Get over it.

Scooty
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16 years ago

#25

Then you and I are two of a kind. Big Doctor Who fan who loves travelling around visiting the locations used. Thats partly why this book is coming about. I'm planning a visit to North Wales in a month or so and as I say, this is the only location that is "unverified" so to speak. Hopefully by then, we might have solved the mystery of where this sequence was filmed!

What other DW related locations and specifically quarries have you visited? Contributions to the book would be very welcome. 🙂

AndyC
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16 years ago

#26

"JohnnearCfon" wrote:
I have no idea whether I am correct in this, but there is one shot (with the tower superimposed) that has always looked to me like the section of the Rhiwbach tramway between CwtyBugail (the proper one, not Manod) and the head of Rb 3 incline (imagine standing with your back to Llyn Newydd). At one point there is even a track where the Rb tramway should be.

I have a general idea where I think that was, but I am certain it is not the Rhiwbach Tramway. I watched both versions of the story just a couple of months ago, and would have recognised it.

OK, I have got off me bum and found one of the reference books. That was Carreg Y Foel Gron, here:

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=274500&Y=342500&A=Y&Z=126

Been injured while at work and are not to blame?

Get over it.

JohnnearCfon
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16 years ago

#27

Another oft repeated mistake in Dr Who locations in quarries is in SE England.

The episode Deadly Assasin is often quoted as being filmed in Betchworth Quarry. Whilst this is true it is not the whole story. The railway sequences were filmed in Brockham Quarry at the long closed Brockham Narrow Gauge Railway Museum about 2 miles west of Betchworth. The locomotive was one of only two surviving diesels built by Ransome and Rapier of Ipswich. A friend of mine was the driver in that scene with his head wrapped in sacking so his identity would not be revealed.

AndyC
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16 years ago

#28

"Scooty" wrote:

What other DW related locations and specifically quarries have you visited? Contributions to the book would be very welcome. :)

I am going to show my age here. When I saw Destiny of the Daleks back in 1979, I recognised Winspit Quarry. Always enjoed there, and a few years later got old enough to appreciate the boozer in the local village.

I have been down the Pig Pit at Bleneavon, and Dan yr Ogof Caves (Pirate Planet). But cannot remember what other quarries at the moment.

talking about the Five Doctors, this bit of Youtubery is wonderful - anyone can enjoy. And in the second one, spot a bit of Penyorsedd.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ8bZgWEoaY

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=qe3e5kmtduc

Been injured while at work and are not to blame?

Get over it.

Scooty
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Newbie Topic Starter

16 years ago

#29

"JohnnearCfon" wrote:
Another oft repeated mistake in Dr Who locations in quarries is in SE England.

The episode Deadly Assasin is often quoted as being filmed in Betchworth Quarry. Whilst this is true it is not the whole story. The railway sequences were filmed in Brockham Quarry at the long closed Brockham Narrow Gauge Railway Museum about 2 miles west of Betchworth. The locomotive was one of only two surviving diesels built by Ransome and Rapier of Ipswich. A friend of mine was the driver in that scene with his head wrapped in sacking so his identity would not be revealed.

Wow, thats a fantastic revelation. Does any of this railway track at Brockham still survive today?

AndyC
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16 years ago

#30

I have just checked Richard Bignell's 'On Location' book, and he has stated it is Betchworth.

Fantastic news, the ****** seems to stalk me on Dr Who forums contradicting what I say (well, he did once) - I can get me own back now.

Been injured while at work and are not to blame?

Get over it.

Scooty
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16 years ago

#31

"AndyC" wrote:

"Scooty" wrote:

What other DW related locations and specifically quarries have you visited? Contributions to the book would be very welcome. :)

I am going to show my age here. When I saw Destiny of the Daleks back in 1979, I recognised Winspit Quarry. Always enjoed there, and a few years later got old enough to appreciate the boozer in the local village.

I have been down the Pig Pit at Bleneavon, and Dan yr Ogof Caves (Pirate Planet). But cannot remember what other quarries at the moment.

I visited Winspit Quarry last year and its a fantastic place, it has hardly changed since '79. Blakes 7 also used it in a 1981 episode. Again, if you have pictures of these places, you are okay with me to use in the book, that would be great. 🙂

AndyC
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16 years ago

#32

Yes, I am sure I have pictures of the place.

Also some of Ogwen Cottage (Abominable Snowmen). This is 'cos I am also interested in WWII artifacts, and there are some on the very same spot.

Been injured while at work and are not to blame?

Get over it.

JohnnearCfon
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16 years ago

#33

"Scooty" wrote:

Wow, thats a fantastic revelation. Does any of this railway track at Brockham still survive today?

The last time I visited the place (about 6 years ago) there was the odd length of rail although the embankment was clearly visible.

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=519890&y=150987&z=120&sv=519890,150987&st=4&ar=y&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf&dn=893&ax=519890&ay=150987&lm=0

If that link works correctly it will point to the site of the museum. As I said before, some of the quarry scenes were filmed in Betchworh Quarry, it is the railway sequence that was at Brockham Quarry when it was the site of the museum. Although not in the pit itself.

Scooty
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16 years ago

#34

Blimey, I am very glad I decided to post a message on this forum, this is definately causing a rethink for some of these *assumed* locations. A bit of digging has revealed that the locomotive that featured in the episode, Deadly Assassin, still survives today at the Amberley Industrial Railway Museum! At this rate you will have this book of mine rewriting DW Location history!

If its okay with you lot, I shall PM you my email address and hopefully you can share some photos, hopefully I shall put them in the book too. Thanks, Scott.

JohnnearCfon
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16 years ago

#35

Yes, that is correct, it is now at Amberley, as is the skip wagon seen behind the loco in DW.

Finding a photo of Brockham should be easier for me as most of those made it to an album! I will post it on here when I find one or two (it won't be tonight!)

Scooty
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16 years ago

#36

Cheers! Look forward to seeing it! 🙂

Barney
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16 years ago

#37

The last screenshot in the second set that Scooty has posted seems to have too much grass for Manod, considering it is still being worked and the pic is clearly the bottom of a quarry. I am considering that, because Blaen y cwm, Cwt y Bugail (old) and manod are within a stones throw of each other, the BBC researchers just assume that they are all part of the same working, and called it 'Manod'? The pic i refer to looks a little similar to the old Cwt y Bugail !

Scooty
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16 years ago

#38

It is possible that they could have used a mixture of all the quarries...it really isn't clear. And because they are private and have changed so drastically, I'm not sure there is anyway to know for certain. 😞

Barney
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16 years ago

#39

Ok here's a long shot....

If you can trace one of these guys, they just might have some accurate information.
Owen Gwyn Williams - Quarry owner 1983
Emyr Williams of porthmadoc - Author???

Scooty
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16 years ago

#40

A quick dig about doesn't give any links to where Owen Gywn Williams is today, if he is still even alive sadly. 😞 Has Emyr written about Manod Quarry then?