Ratgoed - Page 1

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Ratgoed quarry is situated in an isolated valley (Cwm Ceiswyr) to the north east of Corris and can only be accessed by a pleasant (and nicely level) walk along the trackbed of the Ratgoed tramway - which once ran from the foot of the quarry to a connection with the Corris Railway at Aberllefenni. Indeed, this tramway was once the only route in and out of the valley and was a lifeline to the quarry (and Cymerau quarry - which it passed en route) as well as a small community that once lived nearby. Closed since 1946, Ratgoed is now (like so many other workings) almost buried in trees as afforestation has covered the site - which is now causing more havoc as tree felling has been taking place and more disturbance has occured. Despite this however, there are still some fine remains to be seen, and my first walk up to (and around) the quarry on a hot sunny september day in 1987 was well worth the effort. Please note - for reference there is a sketch map of Ratgoed on page 3.

[Pic 1] Ratgoed Quarry - Main exit incline winding house and drums (Sept 1987)

The original workings* at Ratgoed were close to the valley floor (these can be found amongst the trees, near to the lower mill, but are badly degraded and overgrown) but the later quarry is further up the hillside and spread out over at least 8 known levels. Connecting the workings with the valley floor was a long incline running down from level 8 (Pic 1 - above - shows this inclines winding house complete with drum remains) which replaced another (older) incline situated slightly to the north, and which can still be traced. The route of the level 8 / valley floor incline is easilly traceable (though like most of Ratgoed it is deep amongst the trees) and was obviously twin tracked.**

* It is a presumption of mine that these workings pre date at least 1840, while the quarry proper dates from at least 1847.

** A.J.Richards (Slate Quarrying at Corris / Gwasg Carreg Gwalch) suggests this incline may have at one time been converted to a table type - the interesting 'wooden pin-down pillar' adaption into the braking system that he mentions (and which supports his theory) can be seen on the left hand wall, with the redundant long remote brake lever just out of view in the undergrowth below - but any other physical evidence at the summit and valley floor is scant - time and overgrowth may have buried the proof either way.

[Pic 2] Ratgoed Quarry - 'Middle' mill remains (Sept 1987)

Strangely for a quarry of this size (Ratgoed could by no means be termed large) there was at various times 3 mills constructed - the 'Upper' mill* was on level 6, then close to the above mentioned incline head on level 8 was the 'middle' mill (see Pic 2 above) and down on the valley floor was the (appropriately named) 'Lower' mill - which stood close to the foot of the main exit incline amongst a small group of buildings, all of which are derelict and roofless. When 'Middle' mill, the newest of the 3, was built an adit had opened just a few yards to its south (this was the outlet for 2 shafts down from the level 7 underground workings - but contains no workings of its own - and was, at least latterly, the sole exit route for level 7 produce as its own adit became marooned by waste from above) and connected by a tramway along a short shelf.

* There are few remains of this mill.

[Pic 3] Ratgoed Quarry - The view of level 6 from atop level 5 tips (Sept 1987)

Pic 3 (above) shows the next main level up, level 6, which connected down to level 8 via 2 inclines - a winding house wall of the uppermost incline can just be made out beyond the small (weighbridge?) building. Out of view (on the right) is the scant remains of the 'Upper' mill, while the short cutting (lower right) led to the level 6 adit with an incline (down from level 5)just traceable on its far side beyond the fencing. This incline had an overbridge close to its summit where it bisected the level 5 rubbish run. On level 5 was a large but now badly degraded pit (technically 3 pits - with a tramway route piercing the 2 dividing walls) accessed from a neat cutting on level 5. Within this is a curious isolated adit and tramway shelf - presumeably now marooned after quarrying removed its connection.

(Continued on Page 2)

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