National Mills Weekend Mills Open in Wales

National Mills Weekend, Mills open in Wales – 13th and 14th May 2017 Central Wales.

Carmarthenshire Cenarth Mill, Cenarth, Newcastle Emlyn, Carmthenshire. A flour mill from 17th century, on a mill site of about 12th century, with timber and iron undershot waterwheel driving, two pairs of mill stones, one for barley and one for oats. Next to the Teifi falls, part of the National Coracle Centre. Location - Grid reference - SN 270 415 . Near A484 Teifi bridge in Cenarth . National Mills Weekend opening - Saturday and Sunday - 10.30 – 17.30 Contact 01239 710980 www.coracle-centre.co.uk

Museum of Welsh Woollen Industry, Drefach Felindre, near Llandysul, SA44 5UP On the site of a 1902 mill, recently redeveloped to show how the processes turned raw wool into finished cloth. Location - Grid reference – SN 355 392 In village of Drefach Felindre follow brown direction signs. National Mills Weekend opening - Saturday and Sunday - 10.00 – 17.00 Contact – 0300 1112333

Ceredigion Felin Ganol, Llanrhystud near Aberystwyth, Ceredigion. SY23 5AL A corn mill complex complete with machinery and working overshot waterwheel, kiln, and mill house. Now producing and selling organic flours. Location – Grid reference SN 542 698 Approaching Llanrhystud from Aberystwyth, turn 1st left after speed limit sign, before entering village, mill is 100 yds up school lane. National Mills Weekend opening – Saturday 11.00 – 16.00 milling demonstration at 11.30am. Contact - Andy and Anne Parry- 01974 202272 www.felinganol.co.uk

Silver Mountain Experience , Ponterwyd near Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3AB A traditional Welsh, water powered metal mine which worked between 1745 and 1910. This mine produced ores of silver-lead and zinc, transported by sea to South Wales for smelting . Restored waterwheels and water –powered machinery are displayed. Underground visits to the mine, museum, rock and mineral shop, tea and coffee shop. Water play area. Location - Grid reference - SN 732 809 . On A44, 11 miles east of Aberystwyth. National Mills Weekend opening - Saturday and Sunday 10.00 – 16.00 Contact – 01970 890620 www.silvermountainexperience.co.uk

Y Felin Fach , Blaenpennal, near Tregaron, Ceredigion. SY23 4TP A small village oat mill, dating back to at least 1690. Currently under restoration, but complete with machinery and drying kiln. Waterwheel now restored. Location - Grid reference - SN 629 643 . Turn off A485, 2 miles south of Bronant, signposted Blaenpennal. Drive down through village, past chapel and Pentre Bach, mill is next on the left, just before river bridge. White buildings with pond in front. National Mills Weekend opening Not open for 2017 due to work in progress Contact – Andrew & Eileen Findon - 01974 251231 or [email protected]

Y Felin, Tynygraig, Ystrad Meurig, Ceredigion, SY25 6AE Also known as Gwnnws Mill, probably early 18th century, part of the Crosswood Estate, machinery scrapped in the 1930’s. Since 1980, the building and pond have been restored, a salvaged waterwheel installed. Machinery and millstones also salvaged, from a local mill, awaiting fitting as part of the future plan to create a working corn mill. Location- Grid reference SN 6917 6952 . 12 miles from Aberystwyth, just off B4340 in Tynygraig. Go between brick pillars opposite bus shelter, down track for 150yds to mill on the right. National Mills Weekend opening.- Not open for 2017 Contact – Brian or Hilary or Thomas Malaws 01974-261428

Felindre, Aberarth Mill, Aberarth, Ceredigion. SA46 0LP Old corn / barley / oat mill , with 12ft waterwheel restored in 1999, by present owner, retains a lot of machinery, and artefacts, but currently without water supply. Ancient mill site. Property currently for sale. Location – Grid reference – SN 479639 Turn off A487 at Aberarth, towards sea, ( no through road ) mill on right about 100yds. National; Mills Weekend opening – Sunday 11am – 4pm Contact – Peter Davies, 01545-570870

Y Felin, Mydroilyn, Lampeter, SA48 7QY A small village corn mill, with 14 ft overshot wheel, two pairs of stones and gearing still in place., mostly 19th century , but raised roofline probably shows an earlier building, probably prior to 1740. Old adjacent cottage, pig sties, and later miller’s house. Waterwheel partly restored, and other restoration work in progress. Location - Grid reference SN 457552 . On B4342 in Mydroilyn village , just below the chapel (at junction with Cribyn road ) . National Mills Weekend opening – Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm. Contact - Glen or Sue James 01545 – 580758

Rock Mill, Capel Dewi, Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4PH A listed woollen mill, dating from around 1890, built by the great grandfather of the present owner. The last water-powered woollen mill in Wales. A double-width overshot waterwheel powers carding and spinning machinery. Shop selling woollen & other textile products & wools. Location - Grid reference: SN 448 423. On B4459 at Capel Dewi, just off A475 Lampeter to Newcastle Emlyn Road at Rhydowen, or off A485 at Alltwalis. Follow brown signs from Llandysul. Opening times - April to October, Monday-Friday, 10.00-17.00. Saturday 10.00-13.00. Winter and other times by appointment. National Mills Weekend opening times - Saturday 10.00 – 15.00 Contact Tel. 01559 362356. www.welshmills.org.uk/rockcd.m0.html 1

Dyfi Furnace, Furnace, near Machynlleth, Powys. A charcoal blast furnace built in 1755, which was powered by a spectacular waterwheel. Location – Grid reference – SN 685 951. On A487, Aberystwyth to Machynlleth road at Furnace. Car park opposite. Website - http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/dyfifurnace/visitorinformation?lang=en National Mills Weekend opening - Site open, Sat / Sun 10.00 - 16.00

Pontdolgoch Sawmill, Pontgolgoch, near Caersws, Powys, SY17 5NJ A large circular saw and wood working complex powered by an overshot waterwheel, virtually unchanged since the early 1900’s. Location - Grid reference - SO 010 937. Off A470 Newtown to Machynlleth road at Pontdolgoch. National Mills Weekend opening - Saturday 11.00 – 16.00 Contact – Tim Chilton - 01686 688144 [email protected]

Priory Mill, Brecon. [email protected] Noel and Susie Gaskell 01874-611609 National Mills Weekend opening - Not open for 2017.

Trericket Mill, Erwood,near Builth Wells, Powys. LD2 3TQ Formerly a corn mill, but retains much of the machinery and a water turbine. Currently accommodation with special catering options, overlooking the River Wye. Location - Grid reference – So 112 414 . Set back from the A470 Brecon to Builth Wells road between the villages of Llyswen and Erwood with plenty of parking . National Mills Weekend opening – New owners - Not open 2017 Contact -

Pontysgawrhyd Mill, Meifod, Welshpool, Powys. SY22 6XT A large scale mill built in 1810, built on a previous 16th century mill site and waterways, currently under restoration, retains undershot waterwheel , two pairs of mill stones. Machinery and wheel thought to be by William Hazeldine. Location – Grid reference - SJ 195155. Turn off A495 3 miles north of Meifod, on to A490 towards Welshpool for ¾ mile, mill entrance on the right just before bridge. National Mills Weekend opening – Not open for 2017 Contact Dave or Jane Wadley - 01938-500827

Talgarth Mill, The Square, Talgarth, Powys. LD3 0BW A flour mill stopped working in the 1940’s , but now part of a community project to re-vitalise the town. Extensive renovation project, to bring back to working condition, now complete. Hope to be grinding flour on National Mills Weekend, with tours every hour Location - In centre of town , next to town hall. National Mills Weekend opening - Saturday and Sunday 11.00 – 16.00 Contact - 01874-711352 www.talgarthmill.org.uk Felin Talgarth Mill @ Twitter

South West Wales

Y Felin , St Dogmaels, Nr Cardigan. SA43 3DY A working watermill probably late 13th century, restored by present owners in 1981. Producing wholemeal and speciality flours. Location – Grid reference SN 165 459. Follow signs for St Dogmaels Abbey. About 1 mile west of Cardigan. Second turning on left on entering village National Mills Weekend opening times - Saturday 10.00 – 17.00 Contact – Mike & Jane Hall – 01239 613999

Carew Tide Mill, near Tenby, Pembrokeshire. A corn mill built in early 1800’s, powered by the tidal currents, to drive six pairs of mill stones. Open for visitors but not operating at present. Location - Grid reference SN 042 038 Turn off A4777 onto A4075 at Carew. Mill is 1st left in Mill Lane. National Mills Weekend opening - Saturday and Sunday 10.00 – 16.30 Contact 01646 651782

MelinTregwynt, Castle Morris, near Haverfordwest . SA62 5UX A successful mill, still producing unique woollen goods which are exported worldwide. Location - Grid reference SM 894 348 . Off A487 Fishguard to St Davids road, about 5 miles from Fishguard. National Mills Weekend opening – Saturday 10.00 – 17.00, Sunday 11.30 – 16.30 Contact - Eifion Griffiths – 01348 891225 www.melintregwynt.co.uk

Solva Woollen Mill, Middle Mill, Solva, Pembs, SA62 6XD A working woollen mill, producing large range of woollen goods, Location – Grid reference – SM 805258 National Mills Weekend opening – Not open for 2017, Normally open Monday to Friday 09.30 - 17.30. Contact - 01437-721112

2 South West Wales (continued)

Roch Mill, Roch, Haverfordwest, Pembs. SA62 6JX A flour mill with machinery intact, last used about 1953, under restoration by current owners since 2000, with new waterwheel castings fitted 2009. Currently run as self-catering accommodation. Renewable energy projects in progress on the site. Location – Grid reference SM 873223. In Roch, take 3rd on the right, behind Victoria Inn, past the school, for about ½ mile , with mill at bottom of hill on the right. National Mills Weekend opening - Not open for 2017 Contact - Dave or Pat Smith www.rochmill.co.uk 01437-710764

South Wales

St Fagans Museum of Welsh Life, near Cardiff. A museum site containing a relocated gorse mill, woollen mill, tannery , sawmill, were water powered on their original sites. The corn mill with a waterwheel operated by re-circulated water. Location –Grid ref- ST 110 770. Off junction 33 of M4, West of Cardiff, follow brown signs. National Mills Weekend - open Sat / Sun 10.00 - 17.00 free admission. Car park £3.50 Contact - 0300 1112333 www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/stfagans

Y Felin Ddwr, Parkmill and Craft Centre , Gower, Swansea, SA3 3EM A corn mill and farm complex retaining waterwheel and machinery, currently operating as a heritage and craft centre. Location - Grid reference - SS 534 893 National Mills Weekend opening - Saturday 10.00 – 17.30 Sunday - 10.00 – 17.30 Contact - Sarah, 01792 371206 www.gowerheritagecentre.co.uk

Pontrhydycyff Mill, Langynwyd, Maesteg, Nr Bridgend, Glamorgan A flour mill dating to circa 1780, with an overshot wheel turning some machinery. 2 pairs of millstones, not in use art present. Hydro power scheme in operation (water permitting ). Location Grid reference – SS 873 892 From the S, turn right off the A4063 at Llangynwyd, turn left at Tylers Arms, first left down lane into mill. National Mills Weekend opening – Not open 2017 mill currently for sale Contact John or Rhian on 01656 – 731929 or 07429 637068

Mathern Mill, Mathern, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6LG, A corn mill whose existence can be traced back to at least the 17th century. Although milling ceased in 1968 much of the Victorian machinery remains intact. There are 4 pairs of millstones and a brick built engine house which housed a steam engine to supplement the water supply. The mill is unrestored and only the ground floor will be open to visitors. Location – Grid reference ST515916 - On entering Mathern village from A48, turn right at the war memorial and follow lane for 400yds. National Mills Weekend opening - Saturday 14.00 - 17.00 , Sunday 14.00 - 17.00 Contact Dave & Jan Bowen 01291- 622282

Aberdulais Tin Works and waterfall, Neath, SA10 8EU. This steep gorge is the site of an early tinplate works. Now contains what is claimed to be the largest water wheel in Europe generating electricity, together with a water turbine driving another generator. Owned by the National Trust . Location - Grid reference SS 771994 At Aberdulais, on A4109, about 3 miles NE of Neath. National Mills Weekend opening - Saturday and Sunday - 10.30 – 16.30 Entry fee if not National Trust member. Contact - 01639-636674 [email protected] Website - http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/aberdulais-tinworks-and-waterfall/

Llanyrafon Watermill, Cwmbran, NP44 8HP A 3-storey stone built mill, which worked until 1951, and was damaged by fire subsequently. Now owned by Torfaen Council and under restoration by the Friends of Llanyrafon Mill, when funding permits. Has iron machinery and a small overshot waterwheel. Location – Grid reference ST303946 Llanyrafon Way,Cwmbran, Torfaen. Leave A4042 at Crown roundabout towards Cwmbran, on Llanfrechfa Way, Take 4th on right, then immediately left on to tarmac path to social club and mill car park. National Mills Weekend opening – Saturday and Sunday 14.00 – 16.00. Cwmbran and District Amateur Radio Association will be in attendance , on air to other mills and anyone else who wishes to join in. Free admission. At other times – Bank Holiday Mondays – 14.00 – 17.00 or by appointment. Contact – Marion Davies, tel 01633-482780. Email - [email protected] Website - www.welshmills.org.uk/llanyrafon.m0.html

3 North Wales

Pant-yr-Ynn Mill, Bethania, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, LL41 3LZ. It is the earliest surviving slate mill of Diffwys Quarry, which pioneered the great slate industry of Blaenau Ffestiniog. It became a woollen mill in 1881, and closed in 1964, when the machinery was scrapped. The 24 foot waterwheel was restored, and now houses an exhibition of relics and watercolour drawings by resident artist, Falcon Hildred. Location – Grid reference – SH 709 454 - Off A470 at Bethania , up a no through road towards slate tips, Mill is ¼ mile on right, beside waterfall. National Mills Weekend opening - Not open for 2017. Contact - Falcon Hildred 01766 830540. Ring first to avoid disappointment.

Llynon Windmill, Llanddeusant, Holyhead, Anglesey, LL65 4AB Built in 1775, in operation until storm damaged in 1918, but now restored and the only working windmill in Wales, producing wholemeal flour from organic wheat. Location - Follow brown signs. National Mills Weekend opening – Saturday and Sunday 10.30 - 16.30 Contact - 01407 - 730407

National Slate Museum, Llanberis, LL55 4TY A 50ft waterwheel built in Caernarfon in 1870 which turns again, is part of the restored foundry and workshops complex, and quarrymens’ houses. |Slate splitting demonstrations. Café and shop. Location - Grid reference SH 586 603 . Off A4086 at Llanberis. Follow signs to Llyn Padarn Country Park. Opening times - daily 10.00 – 16.00 (summer 17.00 ) except 25/26 December and 1 January. National Mills Weekend - Saturday and Sunday 10.00 – 17.00 Last admission - 1 hour before closing, but recommend at least 2 hours before closing. Contact - 01268-870630 or 0300-1112333 www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/slate

Trefriw Woollen Mills, Conwy Valley LL27 ONQ Originally the site of a water-powered fulling mill, or pandy, the present building dates from the 1960s. The machinery is powered by a Boving hydro-electric turbine dating from the 1940s. Traditional methods of production are used for Welsh bedspreads, tweeds and travelling rugs. Museum of carding engines, mules, etc Location In centre of Trefriw, on B5106 Betws-y-Coed to Conwy road, about 5 miles N of Betws-y-Coed. Grid reference: SH 780 631 National Mills Weekend opening times - Saturday & Sunday, 10.00-17.00 Shop and turbine house only. Contact - Elaine Williams, tel. 01492 640462.

Felin-Rhyd-Hir, Efailnewydd, Pwllheli, LL53 8TN Location - Grid reference: SH 345 358 On B4415, half a mile to W of Efailnewydd. Felin-Rhyd-Hir is a two-story, stone built water-powered corn mill under a pitched slated roof. The composite overshot waterwheel remains in place on the north west gable wall end, and there are two pairs of millstones which we hope to be able to work in future. The mill was supplied by a pond to the north of the mill, fed from the Afon Rhyd-Hir via a 1.7 km long leat which also captured the tailrace water from Melin Llannor. The Priest family are currently undertaking a large restoration project to return the site to full working order. The mill house has now been restored. Restoration work on mill in progress. National Mills Weekend opening times - Not open for 2017 Contact - Adrian & Carol Priest, tel. 07715 341057mail - [email protected] Web site http://www.felin-rhyd-hir.com

Melin Howell, Llanddeusant, Anglesey Location -Grid reference: SH 348 845 OS sheet: 114 Turn R off A5 at Valley traffic lights; after about 3 miles turn R at pub in Llanfachraeth, L by chapel at T-junction, R at crossroads in Llanddeusant, then 1st L by letterbox. A 3-storey watermill on an early site, dating back to 1335. Restored in 1975, has a fine overshot waterwheel. Opening times By appointment only. Please telephone Mill currently for sale National Mills weekend Not open 2017 National Mills Weekend opening times 2016 - Not open 2017 Contact - I.W. Owen, tel. 01407 730240.

Felin Cochwillan, Tal-y-Bont, Bangor. Location -Grid reference: SH 601 698 OS sheet: 115 Postcode: LL57 3YB Turn off A55 at Penrhyn Castle into Tal-y-Bont village. Built originally as a fulling mill about 200 years ago, was converted later to a corn and oatmeal mill with four pairs of millstones, an oatmeal fan, grain cleaner, dressing machine and a drying kiln. In process of being restored to working order. Opening times 2016 - Visitors welcome by appointment only. National Mills Weekend opening times 2016 Saturday & Sunday 10.00 - 16.00. Not yet confirmed if open 2017 Please note possible road works planned; please telephone for alternative directions if needed. Contact - Cora and Howard Hutchinson, tel. 01248 362800. Email - [email protected] site - www.felincochwillan.co.uk

4 Some mills may charge for admission, but most will accept donations towards expenses or their restoration fund.