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This has been done to death on here, so I'll keep the history brief. Was very surprised how much is still remaining here considering how far the demolition work has progressed, still an amazing site for a mooch
The history -
A colliery was first opened in Beddau in 1909 by the Great Western Colliery Company, with 2 shafts, Mildred and Margaret being sunk. Coal was first extracted in 1914, and the colliery remained active until 1986, when it was closed, leaving an estimated 80m tons in coal reserves underground.
The site underwent a massive £9m modernisation scheme between 1952-60, which included the construction of the coking plant in 1958. Cwm Coke was sold to a private venture in 1986 when the colliery closed. The coking plant was fed by Cwm Colliery until 1986, and 3 others from the nearby area via road and rail, until it's eventual closure in 2002.
The explore -
Explored twice, due to encountering workmen of some description, having only explored one building on the first attempt, so we had to scarper. Second attempt was a rather wet, but relaxed affair, not a soul in sight. We didn't encounter any of the Secca mentioned in previous reports. Couldn't find his portacabin either, so I'm assuming they've packed up shop and left.
Access is simple , although we ended up having to go a different way after encountering the bridge guardian, as we weren't willing to face him in battle.
Most of the remaining buildings are accessible, but with all the stairs and ladders chopped, getting up to higher levels is difficult, couldn't do the central tower at all, after climbing the rubble, we decided against scrambling over the rooftop and attempting to climb the dodgy looking wall to get inside.
There's lots of little details still to be found dotted around the site, so definitely worth the journey to visit.
Bridge Guardian -
Externals -
My favourite part of the explore, the laboratory -
Remains of the coking ovens -
I do love Gauges and control panels... -
Some Workshop machinery -
Oddities -
Thanks for looking.
Photo Heavy
This has been done to death on here, so I'll keep the history brief. Was very surprised how much is still remaining here considering how far the demolition work has progressed, still an amazing site for a mooch
The history -
A colliery was first opened in Beddau in 1909 by the Great Western Colliery Company, with 2 shafts, Mildred and Margaret being sunk. Coal was first extracted in 1914, and the colliery remained active until 1986, when it was closed, leaving an estimated 80m tons in coal reserves underground.
The site underwent a massive £9m modernisation scheme between 1952-60, which included the construction of the coking plant in 1958. Cwm Coke was sold to a private venture in 1986 when the colliery closed. The coking plant was fed by Cwm Colliery until 1986, and 3 others from the nearby area via road and rail, until it's eventual closure in 2002.
The explore -
Explored twice, due to encountering workmen of some description, having only explored one building on the first attempt, so we had to scarper. Second attempt was a rather wet, but relaxed affair, not a soul in sight. We didn't encounter any of the Secca mentioned in previous reports. Couldn't find his portacabin either, so I'm assuming they've packed up shop and left.
Access is simple , although we ended up having to go a different way after encountering the bridge guardian, as we weren't willing to face him in battle.
Most of the remaining buildings are accessible, but with all the stairs and ladders chopped, getting up to higher levels is difficult, couldn't do the central tower at all, after climbing the rubble, we decided against scrambling over the rooftop and attempting to climb the dodgy looking wall to get inside.
There's lots of little details still to be found dotted around the site, so definitely worth the journey to visit.
Bridge Guardian -
Externals -
My favourite part of the explore, the laboratory -
Remains of the coking ovens -
I do love Gauges and control panels... -
Some Workshop machinery -
Oddities -
Thanks for looking.
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