I would like to, hopefully, put some of our critics at ease by explaining our intentions fully in relation to our work at Cwmorthin.

I began the project four years ago as a solo effort to record the history of the valley, its buildings and its people. From various visits to the National Library of Wales and the Meirionnydd archive to trawling through censuses, parish records, rent books and electoral registers I recorded the development of a community. It grew from an agricultural base of two farms into an almost wholly industrial support settlement as the quarries grew. At a peak, almost 200 men, women and children were living there, including lodgers who barracked with the resident families.

The remains of the buildings they lived and worshipped in are all that is left of this strong and vibrant community who endured the hardship of such a remote place and the poverty of low income.

These buildings are not mills, powder magazines, workshops and wheelhouses – they are the homes of the families who gathered around their fireplaces in the depth of winter; they cooked, debated, slept and educated themselves as best they could. Children played in the fields and gardens where they grew their own vegetables.

This is part of the history of the area – of Tanygrisiau, of Blaenau Ffestiniog itself – and is part of the heritage that developed alongside and irrevocably linked to the slate mines of ‘Stiniog.

We believe it is important to preserve this settlement as part of the social history of the area rather than the industrial history which your fellow explorers quite rightly fight for.

Rest assured there will be no “new path all around the lake”. The trackway from the mouth of the cwm to the bottom of allt Rhosydd will be untouched. A culvert will be constructed to allow safe and dry access to Plas Cwmorthin. The original trackway that joined Cwmorthin Isaf to Cwmorthin Uchaf will be discreetly uncovered and extended along the original track from Cwmorthin Uchaf to near the Plas.

The information boards will be discreetly placed to convey information about each building.

The effect on the serenity of the cwm depends entirely on how many people visit the cwm at any one time. Whilst the “heritage trail” will be there for people to follow if they so wish it will only serve for anyone wishing to venture there. There will be no buses going there, no masses of cars etc.

The road up to the cwm will be off limits to mechanised vehicles and will not be improved in any way by the project. People who wish to go there will be encouraged to start at the Lakeside Café Car Park. Likewise any guided tours organised by individuals will also begin there.

I hope that this will serve to allay the fears of most who have blogged on the matter. We aim to protect and conserve, not destroy and ruin.

Mel ap Ior Thomas

We are an informal group of historians and amateur archaeologists with the same aims of preserving the Cwmorthin settlement.

I started studying the history of the cwm and its people some years back and it attracted the interest of some of my friends. Bill Jones, a keen and knowledgeable amateur archaeologist, found Cwmorthin Uchaf a very interesting site and between us we decided on a dig. The owner, Tim Jenkins - via his father Peter - gave us full support and aided by other enthusiasts we commenced the dig about three years ago. Other historical research continued - and still does - and the group's interest expanded to the rest of the dwellings ... which is where we are now.

Deri Jones and Associates who specialise in laser scanning have done a full scan of the farm and a partial of Tai Llyn (interrupted by bad weather) and Deri remains supportive of our project. You may have seen recent underground mine laser scans he has done recently?

Mel ap Ior Thomas

.....a Dolwyddelan Historical society talk next week about Cwmorthin (the cwm, not specifically the quarry).

Date: Monday 3 February, 7.00pm
Venue: Dolwyddelan Community centre (opposite the railway station)
Speaker: Mel ap Ior Thomas

In connection with this, members may be interested about a Dolwyddelan Historical society talk next week about Cwmorthin (the cwm, not specifically the quarry).

Date: Monday 3 February, 7.00pm
Venue: Dolwyddelan Community centre (opposite the railway station)
Speaker: Mel ap Ior Thomas

Trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg