Bryn Eglwys 1979

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[Pic 1] Bryn Eglwys Quarry - Managers House (1979)

My first ever trip up to Bryn Eglwys was in 1979. It involved a trudge up Cantrybedd incline (nowhere near as over grown as it later became) to the Lower Mill site, then onwards up Beudynewydd incline, to eventually emerge at the site of the Managers house (and - in front - the quarry office remains) which was still partially standing at that time. Unfortuneatly, the only camera i had with me that day was an ancient Kodak - and there was not much film left in it ... ahh well i thought, always another day to photo the wealth of buildings still standing! How wrong i was ... the next time i returned everything had been flattened. Aaargh!

* [Pic 2] Bryn Eglwys Quarry - Drum hut next to Waterwheel pit and Compressor house (1979) *

[Pic 2] Bryn Eglwys Quarry - Drum hut next to Waterwheel pit & Compressor house (1979)

Across the way from the Managers house was the Drum hut (for a winding drum that was used to uphaul - via a cable to an inclined shaft - from chamber 8B) and directly behind this was a waterwheel of (app.) 20 foot diameter ... with the pillars for the launder still to be seen in situ. Also visible is the (still) roofed end of the compressor house.

[Pic 3] Bryn Eglwys Quarry - Launder to Waterwheel (1979)

Looking along the launder towards the waterwheel site and (beyond) the cottages and ruins of Bryn Eglwys farm.

* [Pic 4] Bryn Eglwys Quarry - Carpenters Shop and Barracks (1979) *

[Pic 4] Bryn Eglwys Quarry - Carpenters Shop & Barracks (1979)

A very poor photo but it's included because it offers a rare frontal view of the Carpenters Shop and the (later addition) upstairs Barracks. Note the large central doorway.

For further information (and some excellent photos of the quarry) the book 'Slates From Abergynolwyn' (Alan Holmes / Gwynedd Archive Services) makes excellent reading and, of course, 'The Talyllyn Railway' (J.I.C.Boyd / Wild Swan) is a valuable source of info.

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