Thanks for the great filming with steady camerawork and good picture compositions, which I didn't know back in 1999 you'd done so comprehensively. The gold was in getting into the tunnel successfully and safely, and being part of the first team to get close in recent times to the Y-junction of the Garnddyrys and Tyla entrance branches. There is a strategy for making more progress based on the knowledge gained inside so far, but it involves managing the water inside the tunnel without causing pollution or other problems on the surface and also pumping air to the working face from the surface. Both the substitute mine manager, John Lister, and the mines surveyor, Paul Deakin, seen in the video, are now sadly deceased through health issues, so there's currently no one in place to help meet the mining regulations when reopening an abandoned mine. This is essential for the safety of everyone concerned - my forthcoming book(s) on the history of Llangattock Mountain and the Heads of the Valleys contain graphic accounts of those who got it wrong in coal mines when using naked flames underground, etc., etc. etc. The Pwll Du to Blaenavon tramroad tunnel has coal workings to either side along the route and these will have to be plugged as progress is made inside the tunnel down through the mountain. The drop of 70 feet (how the miners measured it!) from the upper to the lower entrance was sufficient when the tunnel was open, without blockages inside, to cause a howling draught. Thereby the tunnel was ventilated quite adequately when it was operated by horse-drawn trams and later a stationary engine. It was also used by villagers living at Pwll Du as a short cut when going shopping in Blaenavon, especially during wintertime. In fact it was difficult not to be blown off your feet at the top end when atmospheric conditions drove the strongest draughts! The ultimate purpose is to explore and make a survey of the tunnel interior for comparison against the National Coal Board (NCB) abandonment plans of 1961. If the condition of the tunnel is satisfactory then my personal dream is that the tunnel can be stabilised inside and reopened for the public to be able pass through it, perhaps with a small bus picking people up and/or dropping them off at the Pwll Du end. This was my intention when commissioning Michael Blackmore to make his drawing of the planned reopening works. Although the drawing was paid for by my company, The Secret Bottletop Production Company Ltd, and John Rogers (for Torfaen County Borough Council) (who holds the original), CADW was also supposed to pay the final third but left John to do so instead. Even if all of us who have been keen to reopen the tunnel end up departing this world before the survey work and restoration can be completed, it would be very good to know that videos like this should still be around to help inspire future generations interested in the industrial history which has helped make Wales, Britain and the UK in general pre-eminent around the world.

@kaywills1089

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that very comprehensive reply Clive. Very sad to hear of the passing of John Lister & Paul Deakin.

@pwllduvillage

Ай бұрын

If your ever going up there Clive be nice to meet you and chat

I just watched a 'Time Team' video and this came up on list. I know it's been a few years since it was posted but decided to comment anyway. Interesting to see how much dirt was moved to get to original tunnel roof. Recognised the Pwll Du name but cannot remember why ? I know I've been to Pwll Du farm at some time but it would have been somewhere between 1980 when I was racing motorcycles and 1996 when I worked at UK Plant in Bridgend. (I was doing around 74,000 miles a year driving around South/Mid Wales before actually doing work as 'site service engineer' fixing construction equipment) Now I've got to try and remember why I know it, forgetting things bugs me !

Great Welsh ecentrics, there has to be a Moggy Minor involved. Though a vist to the Big Pit will never disapoint. One side of the mountain totally man made landscape, the other Pure wild.

@judsonethan2648

2 жыл бұрын

I guess I am pretty randomly asking but does anyone know of a good site to watch newly released series online?

wasn't the tunnel actually a link from the Blaenavon iron wprks to the old iron works at Garndyrrus.

@kaywills1089

18 күн бұрын

@@georgebodley8068 I know that it was a link as there are or were two entrances originally I believe. However I think that Clive Gardner who organised the excavator would probably be the most knowledgeable.

What the hell was this all about ... all that comes to mind is claustrophobic endurance test ....

@kaywills1089

2 жыл бұрын

I believe I have explained the reasons behind it, in my introduction. You're clearly not an underground explorer. :)

@janinapalmer8368

2 жыл бұрын

@@kaywills1089 was it worth it in the end ?

@kaywills1089

2 жыл бұрын

@@janinapalmer8368 As far as I am aware, it is still being explored and there is probably a paper that has been produced by Clive Gardiner regarding the current outcome.

Interesting. Pity they didn't get into the tunnel.

@kaywills1089

4 жыл бұрын

They did, but the object was to find and reveal the way in. Then make it safe and create a secure entrance for later planned abd controlled exploration.

@barryclarke3010

2 жыл бұрын

@Andy Gunn what they call a mine tunnel is a "adit" they admit one reason for not opening the adit mouth ( further collapses along the adit) what there not telling you is when its cleared it will lead directly into mine workings ,this adit was driven for haulage and drainage, archaeologists by thier very nature are secretive and possessive, and hide behind health and safety. They get paid for there research and then publish a paper can't have mere mortals having a look can we!

Are there likely to be any furthur explorations planned

@kaywills1089

4 жыл бұрын

You would need to contact Clive Gardiner via www.chelseaspelaeo.org/ to enquire about the outcome of any further exploration.

What WAS the point of all this.

@kaywills1089

2 жыл бұрын

If you would like to read Clive Gardener's reply to my video, he gives a detailed account.

What was the purpose of that digging and testing and stuff?

@kaywills1089

5 жыл бұрын

The digging was to open a safe enrty point into the old workings. I believe that it was thought that a natural cross rift, farther into the workings may have existed. This would then have been explored by those involved in the area. The testing was a requirement of the H&SI to ensure that no explosive gasses were present. Also to ensure a sufficiently low level of carbon dioxide.

@nov3019892008

5 жыл бұрын

@@kaywills1089 ah cool. That explains the tv cameras etc around that area at the time. I lived in Blaenavon for 20 years and wondered what was being filmed

Where's the gold?

@kaywills1089

2 жыл бұрын

Ha ha hah hah hah, LOL..... I wish. :)

They never did get into the tunnel tho????

@kaywills1089

5 ай бұрын

I believe it's been explored further since. I think the point of this exercise was to reveal an open space beyond the collapsed entrance area, secure it as best as possible, then backfill leaving an easier means to construct a more permanent shaft if events eventually warranted it.

Exercise in futility

@kaywills1089

Жыл бұрын

No. Exercise in planning, teamwork and an achievement of objective. Which was to locate and make a safe access into the collapsed mine. The whole point was to leave a secure entrance shaft. If it wasn't what you were expecting then I wouldn't get involved in digging for caves/mines, as it's never a 100% certainty. Although due to the research and everything involved. This turned up trumps on the day. 👌🏻👍🏻🙏🙏🙏