Mountains and Orefields: metal mining landscapes in mid and north-east Wales

Nigel Jones, Pat Frost and Mark Walters, Softback, A4, 198pp 

Very well presented details of surface remains of many metal mine sites in North and Mid Wales  includes the following mine sites, Halkyn Mountain, Belgrave, Eisteddfod Minera, Craig-y-Mwyn, Cwm Elan, Cwm Orog, Dalrhiw and Nat y Car South, Gwestyn, Nant yr Eira, Nantygarw, Nantiago, Pen Dylife, Penyclun, Lower Park Minera, Pool Park Minera and Talargoch Clive Shaft

The extraction of natural resources has had a profound effect on the Welsh landscape, and the exploitation of metal ores has been a feature of rural upland landscapes since the Bronze Age. This report breaks new ground by providing a synthesis of information on a range of non-ferrous metal mining sites, and a broad chronological framework from Roman to Victorian times - focusing in most detail on the period of rapid expansion in workings during the 18th and 19th centuries. 
The emphasis of the report throughout is upon the landscape perspective of the mining sites, including topography and setting, as well as the interpretation from the physical remains of the mining techniques used above ground, the sources of power, methods of transport, and on-site processing.
This report will be of interest to readers with a broad interest in landscape history and archaeology, as well as those with a specialist interest in industrial and mining. CBA Research Report 141

£19.95  +  £2.90  Post and packing  


Cwm Gwyrfai, The Quarries of North Wales Narrow Gauge and The Welsh Highland Railways

Gwynfor Pierce Jones and  Alun John Richards, Softback A5, 368pp

To mark the revival of the Welsh Highland Railway two of the leading experts of slate working in wales have come together to present a definitive account of the slate workings along its route and whose products the WHRR's precursor the North Wales narrow Gauge Railway carried. They have included a brief account of these lines and many abortive schemes to bring railways to Gwyrfai and nant Gwynant. Each quarry is described and includes accurate Grid references and details of location imcludes useful black and white photos.

£9.95 + £1.00 post and packing

Aspects of Welsh Slate

Pip Knight- Jones, soft cover, full colour, A5, 71pp 

The author has been painting for some 40 years including painting for the marine biological reasearch at University of wales, in the book she has attemptted to record a number of slate mine sites with colour paintings using her artistic talents, these are supported with informative text, colour photos, some plansand  working sketches. She is also concerned that these monuments are scheduled and provides the criteria the National Assembly of Wales uses to decide on scheduling in addition there are useful contact addresses. It is very well presented and shows a unique enthusiasm for Salte Mining.

£6.95 + £1.00 post and packing

The Slate Railways of Wales,

Alun John Richards, A5,  SB, 212pp

Starting with the Penirhyn Railway of 1801, this book traces the chronology of slate related railways and  tramways throughout Wales. Some lines arose out of need, others out of greed until in all about 100 route miles were dedicated to carrying slate with a further 200 miles vying to do so with varying success. Apart from enabling a great industry to prosper they brought benefits of rail connections to the remotest part of Wales many of which would have been ignored by railway entrepreneurs.

£5.95 + £1.00 p&p

Mike

Now available from www.moorebooks.co.uk