Mines of the Gwydyr Forest: Metal Mining Ventures in the Heart of North Wales. (Revised 2nd Edition) (post Free)
Description
John Bennett and Robert Vernon,Sb, 565pp
Rob Vernon and John Bennett have had a long association with the metal mines of North Wales. As a schoolboy John would often visit the working mines in Gwydyr, and retained an interest in their history. Rob grew up in Liverpool and frequently visited the Betws-y-Coed area. After graduating in geology in 1969 his interest was awakened in Gwydyr’s rich mining history.
Their ‘Mines of the Gwydyr Forest’ series of books, published between 1989 and 1997 was well received and was used by others to conduct their own mine exploration.
It was always intended ‘one day’ to publish the series as one complete volume. John sadly died in 2019, but most of his historical notes survived. Rob had fortunately kept all the illustrations, together with some of the mine plans and reports, and this has enabled ‘Mines of the Gwydyr Forest’ to finally be produced as one complete, revised and updated, volume.
The book starts with an Introduction followed by a section on the geology and mineralisation. This is followed with examples of early mining in Gwydyr. Much of the more detailed mining information comes from the latter-half of the 19th century, and the following sections follow a similar format to the original series. The central areas, south and north, deal with Llanrwst and Hafna mines, respectively, plus related mines; North-East Gwydyr is primarily Parc mine and the plateau area to the south; North-West Gwydyr includes Pandora and the Llyn Geirionydd area; South-West Gwydyr includes the Cyffty and Coed Mawr Pool area; Aberllyn and adjacent mines are discussed in the section on South-East Gwydyr. The penultimate chapter covers the mines on the northern edge of the Gwydyr Forest, Cae Coch and adjacent mines. The book concludes with an Epilogue
Mines of the Gwydyr Forest was originally published as a series some 30 years ago. - Reviews for that series included:
For Parts 1 and 2 that covered the Llanrwst and Hafna mines, respectively, a reviewer for the Denbighshire Historical Society stated that, 'All in all, two beautiful books, attractively planned and laid out. A must for all industrial archaeologists, local historians and conservationists, who will be surprised to discover what lies beneath the blanket of conifers that obliterates so much of the standing history of the Conway valley.'
Another reviewer of Part 5 for the Association for Industrial Archeology (AIA) (Review XVII, 1, Autumn 1994 p.98) complimented that, '.... this is an excellent, detailed study of both the history and field archeology of an important group of mines.'
When the final book in the series was published in 1997 the series was considered in its entirety by the AIA (Review v.XIX, 1997 p.102)'The whole series of Gwydyr Mines Publications has helped to explain the archaeological remains of industry buried within the largely coniferous woodland of the Gwydyr Forest. It is a popular tourist area, and the two authors give guidance on access to the site remains as well as explanations of them. This reviewer is delighted that they have achieved their initial goal so successfully, and the whole series is highly recommended.'
A review by the Shropshire Caving and Mining Club (Quarterly Journal, October 1997) the same year 'A most useful addition to the literature on Welsh mines - thanks John and Rob for all the work done in producing this series.'
Rob Vernon and John Bennett have had a long association with the metal mines of North Wales. As a schoolboy John would often visit the working mines in Gwydyr, and retained an interest in their history. Rob grew up in Liverpool and frequently visited the Betws-y-Coed area. After graduating in geology in 1969 his interest was awakened in Gwydyr’s rich mining history.
Their ‘Mines of the Gwydyr Forest’ series of books, published between 1989 and 1997 was well received and was used by others to conduct their own mine exploration.
It was always intended ‘one day’ to publish the series as one complete volume. John sadly died in 2019, but most of his historical notes survived. Rob had fortunately kept all the illustrations, together with some of the mine plans and reports, and this has enabled ‘Mines of the Gwydyr Forest’ to finally be produced as one complete, revised and updated, volume.
The book starts with an Introduction followed by a section on the geology and mineralisation. This is followed with examples of early mining in Gwydyr. Much of the more detailed mining information comes from the latter-half of the 19th century, and the following sections follow a similar format to the original series. The central areas, south and north, deal with Llanrwst and Hafna mines, respectively, plus related mines; North-East Gwydyr is primarily Parc mine and the plateau area to the south; North-West Gwydyr includes Pandora and the Llyn Geirionydd area; South-West Gwydyr includes the Cyffty and Coed Mawr Pool area; Aberllyn and adjacent mines are discussed in the section on South-East Gwydyr. The penultimate chapter covers the mines on the northern edge of the Gwydyr Forest, Cae Coch and adjacent mines. The book concludes with an Epilogue
Mines of the Gwydyr Forest was originally published as a series some 30 years ago. - Reviews for that series included:
For Parts 1 and 2 that covered the Llanrwst and Hafna mines, respectively, a reviewer for the Denbighshire Historical Society stated that, 'All in all, two beautiful books, attractively planned and laid out. A must for all industrial archaeologists, local historians and conservationists, who will be surprised to discover what lies beneath the blanket of conifers that obliterates so much of the standing history of the Conway valley.'
Another reviewer of Part 5 for the Association for Industrial Archeology (AIA) (Review XVII, 1, Autumn 1994 p.98) complimented that, '.... this is an excellent, detailed study of both the history and field archeology of an important group of mines.'
When the final book in the series was published in 1997 the series was considered in its entirety by the AIA (Review v.XIX, 1997 p.102)'The whole series of Gwydyr Mines Publications has helped to explain the archaeological remains of industry buried within the largely coniferous woodland of the Gwydyr Forest. It is a popular tourist area, and the two authors give guidance on access to the site remains as well as explanations of them. This reviewer is delighted that they have achieved their initial goal so successfully, and the whole series is highly recommended.'
A review by the Shropshire Caving and Mining Club (Quarterly Journal, October 1997) the same year 'A most useful addition to the literature on Welsh mines - thanks John and Rob for all the work done in producing this series.'
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