Mine Maps

[darran]

Hi Debs

I've looked at the OS map and on Google maps and I see there's a street called Tegfan next to the cemetery so I'm assuming the slopes behind that street became known as Tegfan locally as you suggested. I'm from Darran Terrace in Ferndale so I know the mountain behind very well and there are a few local names there as well.

Sheila

[mochyn]

That's the one Sheila. Here's a photo:

http://images.sgrech.net/bucket/tegfan.jpg

Alan

[darran]

Ah Alan - I remember you and the boys climbed up there a few years ago after visiting the cemetery wasn't it?

Sheila

[RogerWood]

Hi Debs

I've looked at the OS map and on Google maps and I see there's a street called Tegfan next to the cemetery so I'm assuming the slopes behind that street became known as Tegfan locally as you suggested. I'm from Darran Terrace in Ferndale so I know the mountain behind very well and there are a few local names there as well.

Sheila

It says on the old maps that it's called "Taren Maerdy"
And "Craeg y Ffaldau" is the opposite side of the valley.

[mochyn]

Ah Alan - I remember you and the boys climbed up there a few years ago after visiting the cemetery wasn't it?

Yes, well, I was asking for directions to the Bristol Tump, but I'm afraid we've not got that far yet. I took that photo on the way up to visit the location above Highfield where my mother's ashes reside. In fact, by coincidence, I'll be up there this coming Saturday to deposit my father's ashes in the same spot. Although I've never lived in Ferndale myself, I still feel an attachment to that particular spot up in the mountain. I've two great grandparents and a great-great grandfather in the cemetery below at Maerdy/Ferndale, my parents lived next door to each other in Highfield, and of course there's the view across to Blaen where I also have family connections. I dare say it all looked rather different back in the early part of the 20th century though, with all the pits and the dust.

Alan

[JohnPitt]

...
Hi Debs
There seems to be some confusion about pit numbers in Ferndale.
Take a look at some old maps on Flicker.
The nearest to Tegfan is:- http://www.flickr.com/photos/thereggy/3211077084/
There are a few maps of Ferndale so you should be able to count the shafts.

I agree the numbers are confusing because one of the "Ferndale" pits (number 3) was actually bought by David Davies being before (and later!) known as "Bodringallt" near Gelli.
So what is this No 3 pit on the 1875 Map? which seems pretty close to the No 2 and No 4 pits sunk some 15 years later on the Maerdy side of the town?

Am I right in thinking that some of the R Fach pits were linked right through to the R Fawr pits?

[darran]

I'm not sure about the numbering of the 'Ferndale pits but I should imagine they were chronological and possibly all owned by David Davies. This link lists them and their location -

http://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk/Photo.htm


I don't think the Rhondda Fach and Fawr pits were linked underground but the Ferndale pits access underground did extend to under part of the other valley. I don't think there was an access shaft from there to the Ferndale workings though although there may have been a ventilation shaft. This link from the South Wales Coal Annual for 1908 is excellent, especially pages 1 to 32 which are specifically about Ferndale -


http://www.archive.org/stream/southwale ... 3/mode/2up


Maerdy was linked to Tower Colliery, Hirwaun underground however.

Sheila

[JohnPitt]

I'm not sure about the numbering of the 'Ferndale pits but I should imagine they were chronological and possibly all owned by David Davies. This link lists them and their location -

http://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk/Photo.htm


I don't think the Rhondda Fach and Fawr pits were linked underground but the Ferndale pits access underground did extend to under part of the other valley. I don't think there was an access shaft from there to the Ferndale workings though although there may have been a ventilation shaft. This link from the South Wales Coal Annual for 1908 is excellent, especially pages 1 to 32 which are specifically about Ferndale -


http://www.archive.org/stream/southwale ... 3/mode/2up

Yes good link, and it is clear from the Bodringallt entry that this was indeed "Ferndale No3" and was kept running after being worked out " 1936-1959 ......... for the purpose of ventilation for Ferndale Nos.1 and 5 pits."

Maerdy was linked to Tower Colliery, Hirwaun underground however.

Sheila

Ah yes that's what I think was jogging my memory. Linked first to Bwllfa, then Tower.

When you realise that just 4% firedamp can sustain a blast - less with a lot of coal dust in the air - this ventilation business was/is absolutely crucial as witness the current accident in New Zealand

[debambury]

Hi All

Thanks for all the links and information, on and off list, sorry I havent been on had a few computer problems and not enough time to sort through it all.

This is all so interesting to me, you wouldn't realise today, from my recent visits, how vast the coal mines were in this area. My Grandad was the first 'boy' down the pits in Llanharry but I can imagine that in an area such as Ferndale whole families were linked into the pits, it must of been such a blow when they were closed. I must say the area has recovered well though as I certainly fell in love with it.

Thanks for naming 'my' mountain as well, sorry it was off topic.

Thanks Debs