Following Martin Roe's useful contribution :
the Cwmystwyth mine sites were included in a report by the then Dyfed County
Planning Department in April 1984 entitled "The Future of the Derelict Metal
Mining Sites of Dyfed". Obviously the continual chopping & changing of local
authority size, competence & personnel makes for lack of continuity in
policy. The report states :
"The past importance of metal mininig in the county suggests that some sites
should be considered as part of our local heritage...the tourist potential
should not be overlooked...the report seeks to set out the main land use
options for dealig with the various sites, based on widespread consultations
with official bodies, recreational interest groups and interested
individuals". These included most of the mining archaeology associations
then active, both in Wales itself and in Britain at large.
Under the heading "sites with the most important physical remains",
Cwmystwyth merits the following entry :
"Large site on side of U-shaped valley and beside unfenced minor road.
Approximately 20-30 open levels ; 3 shafts. Mill buildings, wheelpits;
crusher house ; tramway ; incline ; leats ; opencuts ; dumps". Level Fawr is
distinguished so "Main access and drainage level for Lisburne Mines
(adjacent to road). Stone portal. THE COUNTING HOUSES ARE LISTED BUILDINGS".
Further on, analysis of present and possible reuse includes ;
"The sites most regularly used for geological education are CWMYSTWYTH...it
is clear that one of the most frequently used mines (for caving and mining
history groups) is CWMYSTWYTH which has an impressive array of underground
workings in addition to its impressive array of surface remains;;;the mine
would be particularly suitable for development as an interpretive centre.
Any such activity should be limited to the lower levels of the mine, AS THE
UPPER AREA IS IN AN SSSI"
It's clear that a strong case could be made over the archaeological merits
of the site, starting from this report and the Listed Status of part of the
Level Fawr site. The SSSI status of part of the site is also a strong case
for abstaining from disruptive works. Therefore one ought to bring into the
fray Stephen Hughes at the RCAHM Wales (Aberystwyth), industrial archaeology
officer, and Nigel Springer at the CCW, officer responsable for SSSI's. It
ought to be demonstrated that the site has archaeological & historical merit
& that elsewhere (eg France) it would be automatically protected as such. I
would be very willing to provide further administrative & legal information
on this. Perhaps mining history organisations or NAMHO itself already have a
policy document on this?
Venceremos
Ian Cowburn
Président, Association Archéologique pour l'Etude des Mines et de la
Métallurgie, CCSTI L'Argentière-la-Bessée F-05120, tel (00 33)492 23 04 48,
fax (00 33)492 23 20 90, mèl [log in to unmask]
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