Coal is usually associated with the valleys of South Wales, in particular the Rhondda. However, coal has been mined in North Wales since the middle ages. The north Coalfield history begins in the Tudor times, when coal was exported to Ireland in mid 17th century from Flintshire.
The Penrhos Engine House in Brymbo is one of the locations that Jon and Alister visited. It is the oldest surviving building associated with the North East Coalfield. By 1780, Bersham was one of Europe's leading ironworks, due to John 'Iron Mad' Wilkinson, the proprietor of the Bersham ironworks who developed the north east Coalfield. Wilkinson was responsible for producing the cylinders used in Watt's steam-engines and armies across several countries depended upon the cannon he developed.
Llay Main Colliery was the last major mine to be opened on the North East Wales Coalfield and began production in the early 1920s. The village of Llay was built to accommodate the miners with the different grades of housing reflecting their occupiers' different status within the mine. At its peak, Llay Main produced nearly 23,000 tons per week. With a work force of 2,500, the largest of any colliery in Wales, this was a key employer in the local economy. The colliery closed in March 1966 and on the same site is now Llay Industrial Estate, however, the Colliery Offices have survived and are now a social club.
Another of the locations is the Gresford Colliery which was sunk in 1907. It was a modern pit and one of the largest employers in the area. In September 1934 an underground explosion led to the death of 265 miners, one of the largest disasters in Welsh mining history. After 24 hours, the mine was sealed to prevent further loss and the bodies of the miners were never recovered. The pit head has now disappeared under an industrial estate but the head gear wheel was preserved and now forms part of the Gresford Disaster Memorial along with a plaque.
Rhosllanerchrugog is another of the locations and here it is possible to see that unlike South Wales, the mines are not sited in deep valleys but on level plain areas. Mining began here in the 16th century but was thoroughly developed during the 18th and 19th century. This is probably the most famous North Wales mining village which looks out towards Hafod and Bersham colliery spoil heaps.
Bersham Colliery dates from the mid 19th century. A major accident occurred in 1880 when eight men were killed in an explosion. It was the last but one Coal mine to close in north Wales following the miners strike of the 1980s. There are now discussions to turn it into a mining museum.
Weblog: History & Memories
