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Issue2019 No. 1, 2016 2019

The Journal of the Exploration Society 2019

Hello Readers,

Welcome to the Great Orme Exploration Society Journal 2019. In this edition surprises await both above and below ground. Strange happenings on the Orme will make you wonder and stories of mine workings still to be found will set you dreaming. We reminisce over the last twenty years of underground discoveries. There are articles on ancient fossils, old reservoirs and well known songs. We also take a look back at the 2018 Summer Walks and reveal the itinerary for 2019. It's a mixture of past, present and future possibilities to inform and delight.

I hope everyone will enjoy reading it.

As always, a great deal of thanks to all contributors.

Regards

Dave Wrennall – GOES Journal Editor 2019

Cover photograph: The Fach Reservoir by Nick Challinor

PRINTING the JOURNAL

With inkjet printers use at least 90gsm paper (200gsm for the front cover). In order to optimise page sequencing page 1 should be placed on the back of the front cover with p1 p2 page 2 opposite on the next sheet of paper.

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Contents

GOES Inspects Two Reservoirs: St Tudno's and The Fach p 3

Some Fossils that Occur on, or near, the Great Orme, p 7

Halloween Comes to Llandudno p 12

Ty'n-y-Fron Survey by Robinson Geo p 19

Treweek's Shaft: Below the Waterline p 21

Pointers from Vivian 160 years later p 27

Bert Lee (Songwriter) p 31

Looking Back: Some Underground Discoveries since I Joined the Club p 33

GOES Summer Walks 2018 p 37

GOES Summer Walks 2019 p 40

GOES Committee and Contact Details p 41

Incident at Little Orme Quarry / The Caving Code p 42

An image caught in Elephants Cave by Judith Hogg

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GOES Inspects Two Reservoirs: St Tudno's & The Fach (With a bit of background history too!)

This article mainly deals with the above two reservoirs, both of which have been visited by GOES in the recent past. St Tudno’s is a surface reservoir not too far from St Tudno’s Church, while The Fach Reservoir is an underground reservoir near the Camera Obscura. Happy Valley was formerly known as Y Fach; the reservoir taking its name from this.

As Llandudno’s population grew, there were many attempts to develop an adequate water supply. For instance, the North Chronicle (Sat Nov 12th 1853) recorded an Act of Parliament giving permission “to divert Gogarth Springs to a point near a farm house called Tyn y Coed, together with the construction of two reservoirs at or near the Springs of Gogarth aforesaid with pumping engine and works.” A main reservoir was also to be built at Tyn y Coed with a pipe linking Gogarth and Tyn y Coed “with all the necessary approaches, filtering beds and basins.”

Problems with the water supply continued nonetheless. Between 1895 and 1904, a 9 inch water main was constructed bringing water from two Snowdonia lakes, Dulyn and Melynllyn. This proved inadequate and a 15 inch main was soon added.

In 1901, a 53,350 gallon reservoir was established on the top of the Orme so that water could be distributed by gravity to residents living on the Orme.

The Fach Reservoir

In the summer of 2018, GOES visited this underground reservoir under the former putting green by the Camera Obscura.

Several nervous souls descended into a pitch-black chamber where the head torches on our helmets barely made any difference. Steve Lea did a grand job calming our nerves and encouraging us to step off the bottom of the ladder into the Stygian gloom … and thirty

GOES members inspect the entrance. Photo by Christine Jones. www.goes.org.uk 3 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019 inches of cold, murky water! But what a wonderful discovery: scores of elegant brick arches holding up the roof!

The reservoir was an odd shape being approximately 57 paces by 59. The Victorian builders must have had an off day – the water at one end was shallower than at the other, meaning that the floor was not level. When the reservoir was full,

An interesting view down the ladder. Photo by Christine Jones.

the water was 12 feet deep with an overflow at 12 foot 10 inches; the overflow going to the sea.

The Fach Reservoir dates from the 1880s. On June 17th 1880, the Prince of Wales officially opened the reservoir, a fact reviewed in the Llandudno Advertiser May 1st 1909 *: “Two reservoirs are included in this scheme, cue the Fach, of a capacity of 936,000 gals, and the other Llwynon, 48,000. These works were opened in June 1880 by our present king, then the

View of the arches with stalactites (Note the 'tide mark' above the wellies!) Photo by Steve Lea.

Prince of Wales.” The reservoir was a storage reservoir and only appears to have been called upon at peak times between June and September: records for 1903 show it was drawn upon for 202.5 hours in August, whereas in June it was only in use for 24.5 hours. Another view of the brick arches and the way back up the ladder. Photo by Christine Jones. www.goes.org.uk 4 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

The Fach was originally a surface reservoir. Plans were only drawn up in 1914 for a roof supported by the brick arches which so impressed us on the GOES visit.

According to the book “Secret Llandudno” by John Lawson-Reay, water was piped to the Fach from the reservoir at St Tudno’s.

St Tudno’s Surface Reservoir

Just below the prominent path from Pink Farm to St Tudno’s Church is St Tudno’s Well. Further down the hill, and screened by large bushes, lies St Tudno’s Reservoir. When the reservoir was in use, it was fed by the nearby well, but other springs were also diverted to the reservoir.

In 2017, Nick Challinor (GOES) and Christine Jones from St Tudno’s Church led a GOES walk to the well and to the reservoir, both of which are on private ground.

Before construction of the reservoir could begin, William Herapath, a celebrated analyst, investigated the water quality. The results appeared in the North Wales Chronicle July 19th 1862: “I hand you the results of the Analysis of a Sample of Water – in an Imperial Gallon, there are in grains and decimal parts as follows:-

Chloride of Calcium 0.162 Carbonate of Lime 9.963

Sulphate of Magnesia 1.433 Sulphate of Lime 0.433

Common Salt 5.643 Oxide of Iron 0.003

Organic Matter 0.326 Silica 0.463

Nitrates Traces Total Salts per Gallon 18.427”

“There is nothing in this Water to prevent its being used for domestic purposes … it will, therefore, do well for brewing, tea making etc.”

Subsequently, the Llandudno Water and Gas Company received tenders for an open reservoir capable of holding 3,500,000 gallons. The lowest tender was accepted; the construction of the reservoir and the filter beds were to be completed by 1st January 1863.

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Tenders For St Tudno’s Reservoir

£ s d

Mr Joseph Jones, 1983 0 0

Messrs Jn Williams & Jn Jones, Llandudno 1750 0 0

Mr William Jones, Beaumaris 1435 0 0

Messrs George Clarke & Son, Wootton Wawens,

Henley in Harden 1370 0 0

Messrs Edward Brookes & Co, Llandudno 1160 0 0

Undated view of St Tudno's Reservoir. Courtesy of Archives Service.

When GOES visited the site in 2017, it was very overgrown and difficult to identify the place as an old reservoir.

View of St Tudno’s Reservoir 2017 Photo by Nick Challinor.

Author: Keith Morris

* Thanks to Adrian Hughes for drawing attention to this very long article on Llandudno’s waterworks. Thanks also to Christine Jones for helpful information. www.goes.org.uk 6 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

Some Fossils that Occur on, or near, the Great Orme, Llandudno

Introduction

In order to appreciate the fossils of the Orme it is useful to understand some of the geological history of the area and the conditions under which the fossilised animals lived:

The Great Orme comprises rocks of the Visean Epoch of the Carboniferous which were deposited approximately 330 million years (Ma) ago and form part of the Carboniferous Limestone sequence that is present over extensive areas of North Wales and Northern .

In North Wales this predominantly limestone sequence was deposited by a sea which progressively advanced from the north over an approximately west to east trending landmass to the south called the Wales – Brabant Massif. This extended from Cardigan Bay to the Brabant area of Belgium and in Wales comprised older rocks of Silurian and Ordovician age. These had been buckled and raised during the Variscan (Hercynian) mountain building episode that accompanied the closure of the Rheic Ocean during the formation of the unified supercontinent of Pangea.

At the time Britain as part of Pangea was located close to the equator and was beginning its slow drift northwards to its present position. Deposition of the Carboniferous Limestone took place in a warm shallow shelf sea lying unconformably over the northern flank of the Welsh – Brabant massif. These rocks form part of the Clwyd Limestone Group (formerly the Dyserth Limestone Group) and consist predominantly of limestones with minor interbedded sandstone and mudstone bands, and a few local areas of dolomitisation.

It is within the limestones, which are sedimentary deposits of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), that most of common fossils of the Great Orme occur. The limestones vary considerably. Some are massively bedded with very little visible structure and are devoid of any obvious fossil material. These beds are composed largely of calcium carbonate that has been deposited directly from CaCO3 dissolved in the sea water and generally represent lengthy periods of stability when little material was being transported into the area from the Wales – Brabant Massif to the south. Other beds show more structure and in places contain a wealth of fossiliferous material, often of a single species. Generally these beds represent shallower, less stable, depositional conditions often associated with arenaceous (sandy) or argillaceous (fine grained) mudstone bands. The bands indicate times when there has been an influx of material from the adjacent land, over a period of years, seasonally, or exceptionally a single storm. Most fossils found on the Great Orme are found in these shallower, near shore, deposits. www.goes.org.uk 7 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

Productus

Fossils of the order Productida, which belong to the Phylum Brachiopoda, are common on the Great Orme and in much of the limestone present along the North Wales coastal area. Although brachiopods have existed from the Cambrian Period to the Recent, those found on the Orme are mainly Gigantoproductus giganteus which date from 328 – 345 Ma. During this time Productids exhibited considerable variation in size, but as its name suggests G. giganteus was the largest, at times attaining a width of over 20cms. They are easily recognisable, being generally semicircular in form and consisting of two valves (shells) which are hinged. They are symmetrical about their mid-line but with each valve being of different size. The larger (pedicle) valve is convex and the smaller (brachial) valve is concave. They lived in shallow water, were sessile (immobile) and were attached to the sediment by spines on the larger, thicker and heavier valve. The spines usually broke off in death and are rarely preserved. The smaller brachial valve opened to allow Gigantoproductus to feed by filtering food from the passing seawater. Productid brachiopods 1 Productus (not from the Orme) - joined the trilobites, rugose corals and almost 95% of known Showing the large pedicle valve species in the mass extinction at the end of the Palaeozoic about with the hinge to the left. 250 Ma ago.

Productids are the fossils seen in cross section all over the Orme from quarry faces, to fallen blocks, in the walls of buildings and in dry-stone walls. However, they are best seen in the back, southern section, of the Bishop’s Quarry near the Summit Complex. Towards the south-western end of the quarry G. giganteus can be seen both in the quarry face and covering the surface of massive fallen blocks. Almost all those in the face have their larger, heavier, convex valve downwards which would be how they would have been in life, although no spines have been preserved. In fact many of the visible examples of G. giganteus are casts preserved as impressions of the inner 2 Productus (not from the Orme) - surface of the shell and not the shell material itself. The smaller Showing the smaller brachial valve upper valve hinged open in life to enable it to feed and is rarely with the hinge to the left. found as in death it usually detached and washed away in the current. As a result of this, in the vertical face of the quarry in places you can see a series of stacked lower valves, or lower valves infilled with sediment that is different to the surrounding limestone.

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3 Gigantoproductus giganteus - In 4 Three G. giganteus - In life position at the Bishop’s Quarry. base of a bed of limestone in Bishop’s Quarry

Crinoids

Crinoids are commonly known as ‘Sea Lilies’. This gives a false impression as in fact they are animals. They belong to the Class Crinoidea and represent the most primitive members of the Phylum Echinodermata, which includes sea urchins and starfish. They are found from the Cambrian to Recent although all of the older fossils, including those of the Carboniferous are examples of the ‘sea lilies’ which are attached to the sea floor, while most of the modern examples are free floating ‘feather stars’.

Crinoids exhibit a wide variation in size from a few millimetres to over a metre, and colonised shallow seas, the continental shelves and parts of the deep ocean and at present have a world- wide distribution. They were particularly well established during the 5 Crinoid ossicles from the broken Carboniferous. They stems of Amphoracrinus – Block from live anchored to the sea defences in . sediment by a stalk or stem , at the top of which is a cup or ‘calyx’ from which five arms radiate. The fine filaments extending from the arms filter plankton from the water which is directed to the mouth 6 Calyx of Amphoracrinus - From the in the centre of the calyx. Carboniferous Limestone of the Pennines. Evidence of crinoids on the Great Orme is largely restricted to portions of the stems or stalks, which www.goes.org.uk 9 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019 tend to break into small individual pieces or ossicles. Usually they can be identified by their circular cross sections, up to about 7mm in diameter, visible on the surface of the limestone. Sometimes longitudinal sections of a series of ossicles may be found. The stems have a central hole through which the internal soft parts of the crinoids pass. Although the calyx is more robust it is much rarer to find as there is only one per animal in contrast to the many broken sections of stem or arms that are available to find. The crinoids from the Great Orme belong to the genus Amphoracrinus which is typical of the Visean Epoch, Carboniferous limestones.

Corals

Corals are not widely or well preserved on the Great Orme due to the structureless nature of much of the limestone. The process of mineralisation has destroyed much of the detail that might have been preserved. However, cross sections and vertical sections of corals can occasionally be seen on weathered surfaces and sometimes identified in indistinct ‘reefs’, although these are usually not very large. The corals that are present belong to the genus Lithostrotion which are colonial corals of the Order 7 Lithostrotion junceum - Boulder from shore Rugosa that became extinct in the mass extinction at the below the Little Orme. end of the Palaeozoic Era about 250 Ma ago.

The many species of Lithostrotion which are common in Carboniferous limestones of Britain, vary widely in form. As colonial corals they comprise separate corallites which in different species may either be

8 Lithostrotion - On a block forming part of the sea defences at Old Colwyn.

tightly packed or separated from each other. Those on the Orme are separated and belong to the species Lithostrotion junceum. Corals are 9 Lithostrotion - Partly dissolved out from a siliceous rock, to show the structure of the corallites. www.goes.org.uk 10 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019 relatively delicate and their development indicates quiet reef conditions and they are usually not found far from their living positions.

Rather than actually in situ on the Great Orme, Lithostrotion is often better observed in fallen blocks or boulders on the shore. Some of these can be assumed to have fallen from the cliffs close to their location, but some of the more rounded blocks may been moved some distance from their source.

Bryozoa (Polyzoa)

Sometimes referred to as ‘moss animals’, Bryozoans are small colonial animals which first evolved during the Late Cambrian or Early Ordovician and have been in the geological record to the Present. Although small, with each individual animal (zooid) being only about 0.5 to 1.00mm long, the colonies, which vary considerably in form, can vary in size from 10mm. to over a metre. Approximately 4,000 species exist, most of which are restricted to marine environments. They filter feed from the water passing over them. Where exactly they fit in the evolutionary story is uncertain although there are indications that they may have affinity with brachiopods

rather than more primitive groups such as corals.

The Bryozoans found on the Great Orme are generally encrusting in nature, being sheets of a single layer of zooids which spread over an area of up to a few centimetres. They are not usually very well preserved and can vary markedly from exhibiting an almost lace-like pattern to being virtually unidentifiable. Much depends on the extent to which remineralisation of the limestone surface has taken place. 10 Bryozoa – Encrusting the

surface of a bed of Limestone on the Great Orme.

Author: Martin Trevelyan - Jones

11 Bryozoa - Examples from the Jurassic (left) and Recent (right).

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HALLOWEEN COMES TO LLANDUDNO

Norma was a mixture of nervousness and apprehension as she waited for her walking group to congregate. She had agreed to lead a Haunted Llandudno Walk as part of the town’s inaugural Halloween Fest. She was well prepared; all her special effects were in place and she had walked the route countless times accompanied by a critical husband assessing every word she uttered. All should go well.

The meeting point was outside the King’s Head, Llandudno’s oldest and, more importantly, haunted public house. Time was up and Norma was about to attract the group’s attention when she noticed a tall man hurrying up the steep hill waving a ticket and calling, “So sorry, so sorry, hope I’ve not held you up too long, name’s Richard, I’m sure I’m the last, so sorry.”

Norma welcomed Richard. The commotion of his arrival attracted everyone’s attention and she took advantage of this to introduce herself and the GOES members who were going to use their torches to keep everyone safe once they had left the street lighting behind. The route was along the Invalid Path to the West Shore and the path would become narrow, spooky and dark.

Introductions and safety warning over Norma began her well- rehearsed Haunted Llandudno Walk with, “Has anyone seen a ghost today?” The question concentrated everyone’s attention immediately. “Are you sure?” she continued. “Walking along the prom, was everyone you saw human? Spirits are not only out in the evenings and at night when the light is playing tricks with our vision. I hope you all realise that they are amongst us all the time. That is especially so this time of the year. Look carefully behind me,” she instructed, indicating the wall of the King’s Head. “See the bricked in original doorway? Over the years many a phantom figure has been seen continuing to come and go through this door. If we stay here long enough we might even see someone wearing a doublet and hose doing so tonight!” This caused a buzz of excitement as everyone took turns to peer, point and occasionally gasp and look around in surprise. Norma began to relax, the group seemed to be suitably impressionable.

After a few more minutes staring at the wall Norma led her group of walkers away slowly and carefully along the dimly lit tarmac path. They passed behind some of the oldest Llandudno houses and Norma waxed lyrical about them - What memories these old hearths have, there would have been www.goes.org.uk 12 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019 many stories over the centuries of births, marriages and deaths. Some of the ancient miners would have lived here: a hard and dangerous occupation with many a tragedy, if only the walls could talk.

Norma continued, “I don’t know if you are aware that sometimes echoes of the early miners hammering can still be heard. A little further on, once we are closer to some of the old mining areas, we will stop and listen for them but tonight, because it’s All Hallows Eve, they might not be heard as clearly because of all the protection these traditional dwellings will have put up against beings from the other world. Unfortunately for us, any ghostly Knockers, as they are known, will be frustrated by this. What keeps the spirit world out keeps them in, unable to emerge from their hearths.”

This was Norma’s cue to describe what would traditionally have been done throughout Wales to keep homes safe at Halloween. A wag in the group called out, “We can smell the garlic from here!” “Oh no, no!” Norma corrected him, “No garlic would have been used, that’s only in books. It’s twigs of hazel that give the most reliable protection. I was brought up in a small country village and every year I keep my childhood traditions alive - in my house tonight there’s a small hand tied posy of evergreen foliage protecting every window and doorway – a powerful hazel twig, prickly holly, fragrant rosemary and thyme tied around a strongly scented pine branch. It’s the only way to be safe and I tell you no lie.”

“Let us move on,” she continued. “Follow me - we are safe here thanks to these houses but that might change once we leave them behind.” She led them on past the rest of the houses, some curtains twitching as they ambled past, until they reached the entrance to Haulfre Gardens. Everyone, including Norma gasped. It was magical. Christmas lights generously loaned by almost everyone in her neighbourhood lit up the whole hillside. It was like entering fairyland and the whole group meandered slowly along enjoying every moment, delighting in even the incongruous – the Father Christmases endlessly racing up ladders, reindeer galloping frantically but making no progress and the groups of snowmen in the background sedately waving their brooms.

Onwards to the end of the gardens. Now the adventure began. It would be dark from now on. Norman was waiting, handing out flaming garden torches for the walkers to light their way. GOES members switched on their torches and headlamps. This was exciting, a buzz of anticipation went up as Norma prepared them to pause and listen for the Knockers.

Suddenly, a whoosh was heard followed by a cry of alarm as a small stone thudded to the ground. “Anyone hurt?” cried Norma. “Must have been a rabbit,” was the response. “No, more likely a hare,” was another. To her surprise Norma www.goes.org.uk 13 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019 gave voice to a sudden thought which surfaced unbidden in her head, “Witches turn themselves into hares when escaping from danger! Let’s get away from here, quickly now, there’s rubble above us from an old mine. The stones must be coming from there.”

As she spoke a louder crashing sound was heard, a large boulder was coming down, directly above Norma. Instinctively she sensed it and grabbed the two nearest people, pulled them towards her and, to her relief, she saw the tall figure of Richard with his arms spread wide making a passage for the stone to pass through. They held their breath as it shot through the gap then, despite its bulk, rolling feebly to a halt below them.

All the walkers were shaken and followed Norma almost at a run when she called in earnest this time, “Let’s get away from here; it’s dangerous tonight!” She thanked Richard briefly and thought she must do so properly later, checked that everyone was still unhurt then wondered if there had been enough time for Norman to reach the Bear’s Cave before they were passing below it. He had prepared a bonfire there to add drama to the walk.

Her worry changed to terror as flames leapt into the sky. She had expected a small fire not a conflagration like this. It was large enough to get completely out of control, what had Norman been thinking of? Was he safe? She felt the blood draining from her face and her skin cold and clammy.

The effect on her group was unexpected, they seemed mesmerized by the sight of the flames, beginning to enjoy themselves again. Norma swayed weakly and peered for a sight of Norman and almost fainted with relief when a cheer went up as he came into view coming down the narrow path. The cheer became much louder when he took a bow and apologized for not removing his head!

Norma recovered her composure and steadied the group before the descent to the West Shore. “Great care now please, watch your footing and hold the railings as you make your way down the steps.” Everyone obeyed, proceeding carefully, almost in danger of setting each other on fire as they lowered their flaming torches to light their pathway.

Once down, all the group thanked Norma profusely and to her embarrassment tipped her generously, pressing notes into her hand and stressing what a wonderful start to their evening the walk had been. Even Richard, when she sought him out to thank him pressed a large note into her hand insisting that she kept it and said that he was so looking forward to joining her next year. Norma had mixed feelings about this, she had been elated when the walk ended, relief that it was over combining with pleasure that everything had gone so well. Misgivings set in soon after, she had been very lucky, the falling stones could, at worst, have killed someone and she recalled vividly her panic over www.goes.org.uk 14 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

Norman’s safety as flames burst forth from the Bear’s Cave. Norman’s reassurance that he was well below the cave when this happened did nothing to calm her.

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When the invitation to open the next Halloween weekend with another ghost walk arrived, she dithered. Not unexpectedly, the use of naked flames was forbidden. Unsure of what to do she began to walk the brightly lit streets of Llandudno and together with Norman she invented the very useful concept of House Ghosts.

House Ghosts were the shadowy presences that floated around the older houses, barely noticed by the householders except for their rustlings on windless nights and the cold spots where they gathered to rest and gossip. Occasionally they amused themselves by hiding odds and ends then laughing soundlessly at frantic cries of “Where are my keys?” and “I’m sure I left it there!” or “What on earth is going on here!” when furniture was inexplicably moved. Household pets were aware of the House Ghosts’ presence; cats ignored them; dogs, surprisingly, feared them, refusing to enter rooms when they were active and pet birds always reacted with such surprise that they became a source of constant entertainment for the House Ghosts.

As Halloween approached the House Ghosts became more active and their imaginary antics combined with snippets of Llandudno’s history, tales of Welsh folklore and stories from Norma’s childhood accompanied by choreographed special effects provided on cue by Norman and helpers from GOES intrigued, frightened and amused the Halloween walking groups.

Norma however, a slightly superstitious person at heart, began to wonder if there were outside forces at work. Her audiences remained appreciative, but she felt that her routes and stories had become stale and predictable. She decided that next year would be her last – it was time for someone younger and more imaginative to take over.

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Next year her luck ran out. The weather forecast was atrocious, strong winds and heavy rain expected to last all afternoon and night. Norma put her wet weather plan into action. She had been mentally preparing for such a night for years and her imagination had run riot. She hired the vintage coach for a trip around the Orme.

It was an excitable group that boarded the coach, every seat taken. The driver made his usual introduction to the tour then Norma took over and the driver was amazed at what he was hearing. So www.goes.org.uk 15 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019 many stops to listen for cries of sailors in distress and to view sites of accidents, drownings, shipwrecks and suicides - he thought it was a wonder anyone ventured around the Orme in daylight, let alone in the gloom of a stormy night. By the time the coach pulled in for its usual break at the Rest and be Thankful Cafe the driver was becoming increasingly uneasy. This was not helped by Norma solemnly handing him a bunch of herbs to protect his coach for the rest of the journey.

All the passengers trooped off the coach to surround Norman who was waiting in the empty car park burning incense in a small brazier. Norma joined them throwing some additional incense on to the fire, increasing the pungent fragrance. Unexpectedly, for a few moments, the flames shot up frighteningly high lighting the dark sky then just as dramatically died down to a manageable fire again.

Unbidden the group formed a circle, linked hands and started chanting haunting, long forgotten traditional Welsh Halloween rhythms, amongst them- “Adref, adref am y cyntaf, hwch ddu gwta gipia’r ola!” (Home, home quickly; the tailless black sow will grab the last one!) The Welsh term for Halloween was in use and pebbles and stones were being thrown into the fire, another ancient Welsh custom.

There was a wild look in the eyes of most of the passengers as they climbed back on to the coach. The chanting continued, louder and becoming threatening as it lapsed into a strange foreign language. Others started asking for a blessing and shouting the Lord’s Prayer at full volume causing the incomprehensible wild chanting to become even louder and more insistent, attempting to drown out the prayers.

Norma was shocked at what she was witnessing, fearful of boarding the coach without Norman in support. He was to remain at Rest and be Thankful to clear and secure the Halloween scene he had set up earlier. By now the coach driver was in a terrible state. He was shaking with terror and refusing to climb back on to his coach with such a baying mob of unruly passengers on board. As he cowered and wilted Norma became angry both with him and with the ungrateful, abominably behaved crowd on board. Eying the passengers yelling, gesticulating, hammering on the seats and windows her anger turned into fury as she stepped on to the coach. She hit the driver’s microphone hard and shouted, “Everyone calm down and return to your seats immediately or we will have no choice but to remain here all night”. This was met be hisses of derision and rude gestures from an unseeing sea of jeering faces. Furious now she yelled and through the microphone her voice was deafening, “Shut up and sit down in your seats right now or; and I mean it; you will be locked in the coach until the police arrive to deal with the lot you. This coach ride was meant www.goes.org.uk 16 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019 to be a treat; not a Pagan ritual!” Stunned silence followed for a moment then as a murmur of discontent grew into a cacophony she yelled again, fury giving her confidence, “It’s your choice; silence and we go; anything else and the coach is locked, and you stay here. Do you understand me?”

This time, they remained silent . Shaking now with anger Norma turned to the driver, ordered him on board and to drive his coach. Once they were jerkily underway the chanting resumed and behaviour deteriorated so Norma yelled once more, deafening through the microphone, “You heard me. I will stop the coach at any time!” then privately to the driver, “Go as quickly as you can, let's get these off our hands!”

The poor driver did his utmost – it was dark, the bends were sharp and the road narrow. He skidded, hit the curb, scraped against the cliff and bounced off the retaining protective wire several times as he gathered speed. He would have killed them all if anything had been coming towards them once they had left the one-way system. The left hand swerve he made into the tree lined Gloddaeth Avenue was almost catastrophic, the coach barely straightened from the skidding turn. They hurtled along the dual carriageway, crossed the two roundabouts without slowing or stopping until they were racing along the car lined street towards their destination, Venue Cymru. It was a wonder they had survived. The driver was a quaking mess again and Norma, now the adrenaline surge had left her, felt so weak that she could not trust her legs to stand.

By now the passengers were a howling mob again, racing off the coach in a stampede once the door was open only to be halted by a group of burly security guards disguised as ghosts, ghouls and skeletons.

“Never again,” whimpered the driver. “I can’t take the coach an inch further tonight.” Norma put a weary hand on his shoulder, “Same for me, never again, I don’t know how things got so out of hand. I can’t thank you enough.”

Turning towards her, the driver jumped, noticing there were still three passengers on board. One had been prostrated on the floor praying loudly since leaving Rest and be Thankful and the rhythmic hum of The Lord’s Prayer could be heard emanating from him as he rose to his feet.

Both Norma and the driver cowered as they approached. One, a stranger to Norma approached the driver and appeared to try and comfort him. The other two Norma recognised, familiar figures, Richard and Dominic. They had been on all her previous walks. She tried to gather herself but failed until she realised that Richard was sitting quietly beside her and she found his presence strangely comforting. “Oh Richard,” she wailed, “What went wrong? Terrible, terrible, I could have had us all killed. Never again will I have anything to do with Halloween!”

www.goes.org.uk 17 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

Richard replied sternly, “My dear lady, that is nonsense, banish those negative thoughts from your mind. You and everyone else were perfectly safe while we three were with you.” Norma’s eyes shot open at his next remark, “We are Guardian Angels and you are a very special lady who makes us feel perfectly welcome while mingling in your world. How many other humans recognise that we are always walking amongst you? You really are a remarkable lady”. Norma’s mind flew to her standard introduction; “Has any of you seen a ghost today?” Didn’t he realise she was joking? Obviously not.

Richard continued, “When we are not working, we like to have fun and we really did so tonight.” He nodded towards the man crouching beside the driver, “Sebastian has had the time of his life. His work is to guide people through difficult patches in their lives. Tonight, he guided the hurtling coach and he is thrilled to discover that his skill can be transferred to inanimate objects. As you can see, he is equally good with people; look at the way the driver is responding to his ministry.”

Dominic was sitting across the aisle in silence. Richard addressed him, “You were a great success tonight Dominic, I was very impressed with your work.” Turning to Norma he explained, “Dominic enjoys playing with fire.” Norma in turn glared at Dominic recalling the terror she had felt when flames shot out of the Bear’s Cave when Norman was nearby. Dominic looked away, shame faced, reluctant to meet her angry eye. Richard noticed and repeated, “You were superb tonight, everyone who looked into that flaming brazier went wild with excitement, hypnotised by the dramatic flames”. Dominic gave a shy smile, Richard returned it with a beam and Norma, to her dismay felt, despite her disapproval, the approach of a smile.

Curious, she asked, “What is your role in all this Richard?” “Me?” he replied, “I like mischief, mainly, seeing the expressions on people’s faces when the unexplained or unexpected happens. I was a great admirer of your House Ghosts, I loved helping their antics along. Mind, sometimes I have been surprised myself. Remember that large boulder that careered down the Orme on your first walk? Totally unexpected! It went right through my legs!”

Addressing the driver as well as Norma, Richard enquired, “How do you both feel by now? Rested? Sufficiently recovered to set off for home?” They both felt surprisingly refreshed. The coach pulled smoothly away and dropped Norma off outside her house. Richard accompanied her to the front door and before entering she turned towards him intending to give him a grateful hug. Her open arms closed over thin air. There was nothing there. Author: Judith Morris

www.goes.org.uk 18 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

Ty'n-y-Fron survey by Robertson Geo

We were contacted in 2018 by Robertson Geo who were wanting to test their latest sonar surveying device in a flooded shaft. Ty'n-y-Fron was an obvious site. On June 19th their van squeezed into Prospect Terrace and a winch deployed to lower the equipment. There was an air of excitement and anticipation amongst the GOES members present, as first a camera and then the sonar were lowered down the shaft and into the water below. The results were to say the least surprising. There is reference to the shaft being 700ft (213m) deep, We all know the first 249ft (76m) to the adit is dry but what lies below in the water?

Van and winching mechanism

Well to everyone's utter disbelief there was a blockage just 2 metres into the water! Both camera and sonar returning with a layer of mud into which they had sunk. Anticipation Despite the disappointment, consolation was taken in that the few readings obtained at least proved the sonar worked, it only having been tested in a fish tank previously! Camera assembly Mud on the sonar www.goes.org.uk 19 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

As to the blockage this can probably be blamed on a combination of collapsed staging from the shaft, rubble from the original beehive capping and the likelihood that at some time builder's rubble been thrown in whilst renovating the nearby houses.

The next time GOES descends the shaft the blockage certainly needs probing to see if it is solid. So far nobody has claimed to have plumbed the water to greater depths in previous years.

A shocked team ponder the results

Sonar enters into water at 76m

Thanks to Paul Worthington- Engineering and Development Manager for Robertson Geo for providing and explaining the data.

Perhaps the day's greatest legacy may prove to be the interest it sparked in what lay beneath the waters of Treweek's Shaft and a reappraisal of William Vivian's Reports from the 1850's Author: Dave Wrennall www.goes.org.uk 20 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

Treweek's Shaft: Below the Waterline

It is possible to discover something about what exists below the water at the bottom of Treweek's Shaft by studying a number of surviving Company Reports written by John Taylor and Sons the mine owners between 1854 and 1857 that were printed and sent to Adventurers (Shareholders). They are full of information, particularly the sections written by William Vivian the Mine Manager. Teasing out the detail has provided additional insights into the mine and its operation.

It is worth pointing out that the interpretation of nineteen century writings and some pieces of mining jargon can be subjective. Readers are therefore directed to view the documents in full on the GOES web site www.goes.org.uk/assets/Journals/John_Taylor_Reports.pdf In the following pages blue text is taken directly from the original documents. 1854 (Dec. 22nd) Annual General Meeting

In this Report we find that the Company formed the previous year (by John Taylor and Sons, the new owners) was finding progress slow, hindered generally by poor working practice. The men refusing changes had been on strike for most of 1853, and when they returned, before any profitable work could be done, the priority was to clear and to Tributers generally worked in gangs, and had a limited repair the shafts and the levels which had portion of a lode set them, called a tribute pitch, beyond which they are not permitted to work, and for which they been choked up by refuse thrown into or left received a certain portion of the ore that they raised (or a behind in them, during a long series of years. percentage of its value). They were skilled men, who The problem had been that, the mine had knew by experience what the ground was like and approximately how much it would cost to have their ore been worked solely upon tribute; (by assayed and crushed at the surface. However as ore tributers) that is to say, that each set of veins changed in thickness, workability and quality they didn't know just how much of the valuable mineral they workmen took one half, two thirds, or in most would get to surface. cases in this mine four fifths of the value of any ore they could work out, and did this without any regard to the state in which they left the ground for any successors. The consequence was that all the road-ways, or even air passages, were blocked up, and many of the most valuable parts of the mine were completely inaccessible. Maintaining the integrity of the mine and opening up new areas was normally paid on a piecework Tutworkers were contracted to remove a certain cubic capacity of material constructing tunnels, shafts and adits etc. basis ('tutwork'). It was essential but less profitable than 'tribute' work.

Great faith was put in the knowledge and skills of the new Mine Captain, William Vivian, and over the ensuing 12 months the big project would be.... the driving forward of the great day level or deep adit www.goes.org.uk 21 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

(Penmorfa Level) to a point directly below Treweek's Shaft, and to sink that shaft as rapidly as possible, to effect a communication with the adit. Once this was done a bold crosscut was envisaged to tap productive veins to the east and west of the shaft. The mood was upbeat. The monthly costs are now almost balanced by the sales of ore, and if we should be not less fortunate in discovering and opening productive veins than we have been, very satisfactory results may be reckoned upon.

A detailed report by Captain Vivian followed. Initially he reiterates the fact that a vast amount of work and expense had been put into practically an abandoned mine before work on tribute could begin. In a section about Higher Shaft he states The adit-level (Penmorfa Level) north of this shaft towards Treweek's has been driven nearly 60 yards; this level has been exceedingly hard for driving; the bed in it is highly crystallized and the string poor; we have lately had but four men working in it, but we have again put six men to hasten it on, as this is an important level to drive, although poor at present. He also points to a crosscut, indicated on a sectional diagram which has been driven on Higher Shaft's 95- yard level to meet with Treweek's Shaft. (Unfortunately the plans and diagrams occasionally referred to in these documents are all now lost.)

He goes on to describe Treweek's Shaft. This shaft was 76 yards deep, it has now been sunk 35 yards deeper, and there is still 64 yards to the adit-level,.... At the 50-yards level a crosscut has been driven 42 yards, to communicate with Lester's workings (Wagongate).... At the 76-yards level (Passage just above present day water level) we are driving a cross east, and have intersected a string, but poor....There is no mention of the passage south towards Basecamp.

Vivian indicates Treweek's Shaft has now been sunk to 111 yards allowing a 110-yard level to join with the cross cut driven from Hughes's String on Higher Shaft's 95-yard level.

Referring to a sectional plan of Treweek's 110-yard level he goes on, it will be seen that we have driven the cross west 41 yards (from Hughes's String) to meet the shaft, and since we have holed it have driven a few yards north and south on string Cefn.... also a few yards on the middle course of strings, which for distinction we call Ellis's. The shaftmen are now cutting a plot here at this level, after which we propose to drive on the strings again, and as soon as possible begin to sink the shaft deeper.

(NB The top of Treweek's Shaft is at 166.0m AOD, if the top of Higher Shaft, now hidden through landscaping, had been 13.7m (15 yards) lower at 152.3m AOD the 95-yard level in Higher and the 110- yard level in Treweek's would coincide exactly. In reality Higher Shaft is more likely to be at 150m AOD which would make its 95-yard level slightly lower, allowing for a flow of excess water from Treweek's to Higher, which would help to facilitate the continued sinking of the former).

In sinking the shaft we expect soon to meet the Great Shale bed, to get through which we apprehend some trouble with the water in the shaft, but below that the adit level (Penmorfa Level ) coming in will

www.goes.org.uk 22 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019 most probably drain the ground.

Vivian sums up rather reservedly; there is no ore-ground in reserve and the future is dependent on new discoveries, however he maintains that the costs in the following six months can be covered. 1856 (June 13th) Annual General Meeting

This report begins with a reference to a 1855 (Dec. 29th) AGM, minutes of which have not survived. It had been adjourned as it had been deemed necessary to pump out the lower workings (Those seen presently flooded in Penmorfa) and remove rubbish, before any meaningful decisions about future operations could be made.

As the 1856 report continues it is apparent that Committee members are now placing much hope in these lower workings. Funds raised through a sale of 500 additional shares would be used to help facilitate the project. On the other hand Treweek's Shaft was beginning to be seen as a drain on resources. Over the previous four months, costs (new boilers, repairs to shaft and pumping) had been about 545/- a month, whilst returns had been just over 400/- a month.

The ground which has been opened upon several of the strings by Treweek's Shaft, and by the crosscuts and levels from it, yields a fair quantity of ore upon tribute, and will continue to do so; but it does not appear to offer such chances of any large or rich deposits, such as were met with, and such as we expect will again be found, below the adit. (In the now flooded sections of Penmorfa.)

William Vivian reports that since the last meeting the focus has been on Treweek's Shaft, which has been sunk 30 yards deeper, entire depth from surface 140 yards. In the upper part of the last sink we passed through a grey limestone bed, called by the miners the little yellow copper bed, from its being the only bed above adit that bears exclusively yellow ore. This bed is very similar to the beds that have been worked below adit; its thickness is six yards. Below this bed is the great shale, nine yards thick, which was so hard as to require blasting to sink through, but is so decomposing a character as to render it necessary to secure the shaft with timber after sinking through it. The next bed below is the black stone bed, one which proved very productive in the south part of the mine. On this bed, that is, at the bottom of the shaft, a crosscut has been driven to cut Ellis's strings, on which we have been raising ore at the 110-yards level; but although we have cut some strings, none of them have proved productive. It would still be desirable to extend this crosscut further east; but it has been suspended some months to enable us to start another level north from the shaft, in the bed above the shale, 120 yards from surface, in which the string held out promise of ore. This level has been driven 20 yards north, yielding good saving work, and continues to look promising. From the north end a crosscut has been extended 6 yards west, yielding good stones of ore throughout. There are nine men at work here, driving the level north, and rising in the back, the bed next above being very likely to yield carbonate www.goes.org.uk 23 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

www.goes.org.uk 24 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019 ores. The workings here are altogether promising; and on this bed we purpose to drive a crosscut west to prove the western ground as soon as we conveniently can without interfering with the

parties now at work.

The 110-yard level on Ellis's string is extended 28 yards north and 30 yards south, having holed southward to some old workings, which were made westward from an eastern course of strings for a short distance only; and we have resumed the driving of the level south by six men on tribute. This place also looks kindly, and, as there are some very strong cross-strings ahead, is considered a good trial. The north end is now driving by four men on tutwork, and yields saving work. The bottom of the 110-yard level, both north and south of the cross, have been stoped on tribute; about A spot height can be expressed as AOD ‘above ordnance one third of our returns since the last meeting datum’. The usual Ordnance Survey datum point is mean have been made from these tribute stopes. sea level at Newlyn in Cornwall. Hence for the layman a The adit-level is extended north to the point spot height AOD is height above sea level. where Treweek's Shaft will meet it when down. The ground in this level is composed of compact white limestone, unpromising for ore. It was from the unfavourable character of this bed, and some others above it, as seen in the shafts south of this already sunk through, (Vivian's and Higher Shafts?) that we recommended the suspension of this level and Treweek's Shaft for the present, believing that there are other more promising points in the mine for trial.

Vivian argues at length that greater profits are likely to be made by concentrating efforts below adit level. With an expectation that Higher Shaft would be properly linked to the Penmorfa level. You will perceive by the position of the Higher Shaft on the plan, that should the ground continue productive northward, which there is every reason to hope for, it will soon be advantageous to sink that shaft, already communicated to the adit-level.

Whilst the ground opened already by Treweeks Shaft, with workings at 50, 76, 110, and 140-yard levels might continue to bring in money on tribute for some time. Several other small trials have been made on the eastern string, at the 110-yards level at Treweek's, some of them yielding a little ore, and proving that copper-bearing strings exist through the entire length of the crosscut driven west at the www.goes.org.uk 25 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

110-yards level to meet Treweek's Shaft, holding out great promise for the north ground. 1857 (March 20th) Special General Meeting

The Committee is presented with Captain Vivian's Reports written on February 4th and March 16th. The north ground about Treweek's Shaft is on the whole much the same as reported previously. The 120-yards level is extended 16 yards further north, and would have been driven much further, but the ore at this place opened out in scattered patches through the bed 12 yards wide. This was making the ore expensive to extract. There were ten men working it. The 110-yards level north is extended 22 yards, and a winze sunk six yards to a deeper bed. This level has sometimes looked very promising, though on the whole it has but just paid the cost of driving it. Rather than driving it further, eight men were now employed stoping the bottom of the level, downwards to the deeper bed which seemed to be the best ore. If this proves to be the case Vivian may open the level in this bed. (A 116-yard level?). Since the last meeting the 110-level south of this shaft.... produced a great many tons for ore....but for the last four months it has been poor.... we last week removed the men to.... below the adit level.

These have been our principal tutwork operations; besides which, several small trials have been made in rising and sinking through different beds, to assure us that we are working on the best beds of ore; and a few trial shafts on the runs of some of the old productive workings at surface have also been sunk at a trifling expense..

The End Game....

Sadly, since the abolition of duty on imported copper in 1848 and the opening up of large reserves overseas the profitability of Welsh copper mines had became increasingly marginal. This was especially the case for the Llandudno Company formed in 1853 by John Taylor and Sons, with much money having been expended putting the mine back into a workable state. Losses of £4,000 (1853-4) £1,060 (1855) and £1,494 (1856) were offset by selling additional shares and even voluntary pay cuts - Vivian himself relinquishing a quarter of his salary.

In an attempt to become more profitable the sinking of Treweek's and its workings were largely abandoned, probably as a temporary measure, whilst efforts were concentrated below Penmorfa adit level, the geology being deemed more favourable. However with the additional costs incurred together with flooding problems it was never to produce the hoped for rewards. Workers became increasingly hard to keep leaving for better wages and improved conditions as labourers in the rapidly developing resort of Llandudno, with Vivian accusing them of lacking any spirit of adventure.

The Company was eventually liquidated in 1860 and the lease was given up the following year. There was very little interest in this part of the mine thereafter and Treweek's Shaft was never completed.

Author: Dave Wrennall www.goes.org.uk 26 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

POINTERS FROM VIVIAN 160 YEARS LATER

1850's Cross Section Revisited:

In this slice through the Old Mine workings (the only surviving contemporary diagram) a straight level is depicted running from near the foot of Treweek's to Higher Shaft and on to Vivian's Shaft. (A to B)

In William Vivian's report of 1854 a cross cut is described leading from the 110-yard level of Treweek’s Shaft to Hughes's String on Higher Shaft's 95-yard level.

The top of Treweek's lies at 166.0m AOD, the 110-yard level is at 65.4m AOD. A B

Unfortunately the top of Higher Shaft has been lost in landscaping but it certainly lies close to the 150m contour. If so its 95-yard level would start slightly lower at 63.1m AOD. (A difference that might allow drainage from Treweek's).

The top of Vivian's Shaft lies at 133.3m AOD. (16.7m (18.3 yards) lower than the top of Higher Shaft). Any straight level continuing as illustrated to reach Vivian's Shaft at a depth of 63.1m AOD would emerge 70.2m (230.3ft) down the shaft. (Possibly as a 77-yard level).

The Great Shale Bed in Vivian Shaft lies between 60.9m and 67.7m AOD. The ‘lost’ level may well have been in this unstable area which has suffered from heavy slumping. No level was observed when the shaft was surveyed in 1990.

www.goes.org.uk 27 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

Workings at Treweek's 110-yard level:

At the foot of Treweek's Shaft as we know it today there is water. This is the 76-yard level 96.5m AOD. On rare occasions, presumably after a very dry spell, the water has disappeared and a blockage has been observed about 8m down.

Vivian describes a crosscut running east from Treweek's Shaft on the 110-yard level (65.4m AOD) towards Higher Shaft. Any water in Treweek's above this level should drain away. Might it be possible that below the blockage it is in fact dry down to the 110-yard level? (Clearly anything further down will still be flooded, in the 1850's it would have required pumping as progress was being made downwards towards the Penmorfa adit level).

Intriguingly a survey done in February of this year down to 'Location 50' the partially flooded section of workings below Basecamp revealed that they lie at approximately 68.0m AOD at their southern end, dipping underwater at their northern end by 2 metres (66.0m AOD) or more. The 110-yard level in Treweek's Shaft and the crosscut are at 65.4m AOD ! www.goes.org.uk 28 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

At Treweek's 110-yard level there are three mineral veins mentioned by Vivian, all orientated north to south. String Cefn is at the shaft, Hughes's String is at the eastern end of the crosscut, 41 yards (37.5m) away, and Ellis's 'the middle' String lies between them. The workings recently surveyed continue northward under the water and would intersect the crosscut approximately half way along its length indicating they are on Ellis's String.

www.goes.org.uk 29 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

The fact that these workings below the present day water level in Treweek's Shaft are largely dry, yet are very likely to be connected to the shaft by the crosscut suggest either:

1. Treweek's Shaft is dry below the water and blockage at the 76-yard level. 2. Treweek's Shaft is totally flooded and a further blockage perhaps in the crosscut prevents a balancing effect that would empty the shaft through Location 50. 3. Something between the two, a partially dry shaft and a blockage.

Today the workings in Location 50 are flooded to the north as they approach the crosscut this would indicate that there is a restriction in the crosscut further to the east or on Hughes's String hindering the water's flow. This ponding up effect would have been much worse had not the water found its present day escape route, flowing along a passageway to the south in Location 50 and disappearing under a false floor. (Possibly the old workings holed into described by Vivian in 1856). Without it this area might have flooded up to the level of Basecamp.

Jones's String and lost connections to Higher Shaft:

Vivian describes this string as being to the east on Higher Shaft's 40, 60 and 130-yard levels (exactly 44 yards (40.2m) east in the case of the latter). He also says Jones's cuts across Hughes's String, which runs north from Higher Shaft on the 95-yard level. So Jones's has to be a diagonal string.

The precise site of Higher Shaft at surface has been lost during landscaping but it was probably downhill of the present day road slightly below the 150m contour. Underground its location is marked on the 106 - 112m AOD survey as shown, but lower down at the 92m AOD level an area of large rocks and infill perhaps pinpoints it more accurately. (Both in orange on the diagram opposite).

Today Jones's String can be identified as workings east of the flooded crosscut heading NW towards Romans. The winze described from the 60 to the 40-yard levels is here, as Vivian indicates, exactly 44 yards (40.2m) from the suggested location of Higher Shaft. (NB GOML's 'Central Vein' west of the flooded crosscut would be on Hughes's String).

According to Vivian's descriptions there are connections from Higher Shaft on both the 60-yard (95.1m AOD) and the 40-yard level (113.4m AOD) to Jones's String, these have yet to be discovered. (There is also a link at the 130-yard level but this is much deeper and corresponds to no workings yet found).

The equivalent heights in Jones's String lie above and below the winze. The workings above are at 112m AOD, the flooded crosscut below the winze is at 94m AOD. This latter passage is orientated directly towards the suggested location of Higher Shaft. Author: Dave Wrennall

www.goes.org.uk 30 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

Bert Lee: (Songwriter)

Recently I was involved in a project researching and photographing war graves in the municipal cemetery on the Great Or me. There are 36 in total – 18 each from the First and Second World Wars and while most of the grave markers are the familiar white Portland stone, a couple of the First World War soldiers are commemorated on family headstones – and these are harder to find.

While trying to locate the final resting place of Private Albert William Poole of the South Lancashire Regiment– a soldier awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty - I

stumbled across the grave of songwriter, Bert Lee.

When we think of great British songwriters of the twentieth century we might include Ivor Novello, Noel Coward, Lennon and McCartney even Pete Townshend but what about Bert Lee? In a 30-year career, Lee, with various writing partners, churned out more than 3000 songs, hundreds of sketches, seventy-five stage shows, dozens of pantomimes and seventeen films. He wrote for such luminaries as , Jack Buchanan and and wrote songs including ‘Joshua’, ‘Good- Bye-Ee’, ‘Hello! Hello! Who’s Your Lady Friend?’, ‘When Father Papered the Parlour’ and ‘Paddy McGinty’s Goat’.

Bert Lee was born William Herbert Lee in Ravensthorpe, Yorkshire in 1880. He played the organ at his local Wesleyan chapel and after leaving school was apprenticed firstly to a book-seller then to a firm of piano dealers, Wagstaff’s of , as a tuner. In 1915, while in London, Bert Lee met his future song writing collaborator Bob Weston and for the next twenty years the two of them wrote a huge catalogue of songs. Bert Lee at the height of his fame www.goes.org.uk 31 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

Their motto was “a song a day keeps the bailiff away!”.

The First World War inspired them to write more and more songs to keep the country’s spirits up and gave rise to their biggest hit ‘Good-Bye-Ee’. The inspiration for this came when Lee and Weston were at Victoria Station in London and saw a crowd of girls from the Crosse and Blackwell factory waving and shouting to a battalion of soldiers embarking for France.

Weston and Lee’s success continued until 1936 when Bob Weston suddenly died from a brain tumour. Things were never the same for Bert although in 1938, he and Bob Weston’s son, Harris, produced one last barnstorming hit - “Knees up Mother Brown”; although Bert Lee referred to it “as a load of old rubbish”. At the outbreak of the Second World War, Bert was on holiday in Llandudno and decided to stay, buying a house on Knowles Road. He settled here writing the odd song and playing snooker at the County Club on Lloyd Street.

Bert Lee died in January 1946, aged 65.

Author: Adrian Hughes

(Memories of my first record: Val Doonican singing Paddy McGinty's Goat: The Editor.)

Bert Lee in later life www.goes.org.uk 32 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

Looking Back

Some Underground Discoveries Since I Joined The Club

It was on the 20th March 1999 whilst visiting the Great Orme Mines, as a paying member of the public, that I became aware of the labyrinth of workings existing off the tourist route. It awoke in me a desire to delve into the area further, prompting me to get in touch with the Great Orme Exploration Society. Just over a week later, after attending the regular Thursday evening meeting held at the Kings Head, I was on my first GOES trip, down the Ty Gwyn, on Sunday the 28th of March.

In those days club members met each Sunday at 10am in Plas Road and made a decision where to go. It wasn't long before I was experiencing the thrill of looking for and finding new ground, the Simms Shaft being unearthed in the Ty Gwyn mine a few months later, after several sessions of digging.

Between finding the Simms Shaft and our recent success in linking Penmorfa with Pyllau there have been many more discoveries either of entirely new sections of mine or of connections made between known areas. This article celebrates our clubs achievements by listing them in chronological order with reference to the Journal in which they feature.

1. Simms Shaft Ty Gwyn: July 4th 1999. Discovered after a number of digging sessions. (My first trip with GOES was in Ty Gwyn earlier in the year, March 28th). Journal No 2 1999

2. Chiselled Hole Romans: Nov 21st 1999. An enlarged 'porthole' led to new ground. 'Is it Owens?' Journal No 1 2000

3. Attic Link Up Penmorfa, Rift One: Dec 3rd 2000. Dig through to 1st Attic (top of Main Stemple Shaft) from attics above Wet Stemple Shaft. Journal No 1 2001 (The three attics explained Journal 2017 p15).

4. Tramming Level Extension Penmorfa, Rift Three: Feb 11th 2001 Discovered by abseil. Opening of 'voice connection' blockage at ground level and insertion of protective barrel Oct 10th 2010. Journals No 2 2002 / No1 2011

5.Porth-yr-Helyg Below Marine Drive: 2002. GOES excavated down behind the broken (blown up!) entrance to a short section of adit with a solid roof and ginged wall. It was blocked by a large boulder and infill. In 2008 digging made good progress over the boulder to a backwall until repeated collapses of www.goes.org.uk 33 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019 infill occurred. Last dug Dec 7th 2008. Journal's No 1 2002 / No 1 2009

6. Carpenter Series Penmorfa, Rift Three: March 17th 2002. John Carpenter opened a small hole at the end of a cross cut. Workings explored the following week, down to pool, soak away and blind winze and then up to Surprise Chamber on the 'Wet Way'. Journal No 2 2002

7. D-day Rift Treweeks Shaft 135m Level: June 24th 2004. Explored two weeks later up to an extensive 149m level. Journals No 1 and 2 2005

8. New Dig Treweeks Shaft 135m Level: 2005 Started 30th January, cleared and cautiously climbed, just the once, to northern end of D-day Rift 149m level July 24th 2005. Now blocked by rockfall. Journal No 2 2005

9. Ali Series Bryniau Poethion: 2007 Discovered February 7th by Alison Davies whilst out walking her dog on a frosty morning. Steam was observed rising out of a small hole close to Roman Shaft. She squirmed inside on the 10th. Explored and surveyed by a team the following week. Journal No 1 2008

10. Knacker's Yard Connection Ali Series: March 4th 2007 A smoke bomb ignited in the highest section of D-Day Rift proved a connection with the Ali Series was very close. Journal No 1 2008 A link was eventually engineered June 28th 2009. Journal No 1 2010

11. The Time Tunnel Romans, Location 5 (Duncan James): Nov 25th 2007. After probing an in-filled tunnel in a tight cavity the previous week the team returned armed with a rake. It was excavated to reach a well known winze (previously regarded as being blind) Ben's Extension was added the same day to reach the 'map rock' close to Roman Shaft. Journal No 1 2008

12. Clog Passage Penmorfa: Rift One, June 15th 2008. Discovered whilst measuring the Internal Shaft on an abseil rope. A blind cross cut 100m long, heading east, full of clog prints. Journal No 1 2009

13. Parallel Inclines Ty Gwyn: May 10th 2009. Re-establishing access: Digging passed spoil in 1st Incline (Handing unearthed artefacts into main adit via hole in ginging) to reach 2nd Incline, exiting down through tight squeeze to fall into main adit. Journal No 1 2010 In March 22nd 2015 the spoil was again dug in the 1st Incline, eventually emptying a 1.5m wide 5m high shaft leading towards surface. Journal 2015. www.goes.org.uk 34 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

14. A Drive into Town Ty Gwyn: July 26th 2009 / Feb 21st 2010. Beginning in a low passage inundated at high tide, this infilled passage behind a brick wall runs south under Church Walks. Excavated over six or so trips for 20m to where the roof was rising. Journal No 1 2010

15. Anniversary Chamber and Icing on the Cake Passage Romans: Sept 27th 2009. An extension to Location 15, with some lovely calcited artefacts. GOES's 25th year was commemorated with this find. Journal No 1 2010

16. Walkable Route Treweeks Shaft 135m level / D-day Rift 149m level: Apr 24th 2010. A connection initially discovered August 2nd 2009 ( on the same day as the nearby workings of The Smithy and Slithering were found ). It was excavated fully eight months later to provide a much easier route between levels. Journal No 1 2010

17. Beyond the T Junction Romans, Location 2: July 18th 2010. 25m of new passage with workings and artefacts. The nearby Maul Hole was explored the same day. Journal No 1 2011

18. 'Higher Shaft' Area Lower Treweeks, Location 25: July 24th 2011 An old dig revisited. Successfully dug and protected by the insertion of a barrel. Excavations had started a week earlier. A direct way into Location 31 and GOM workings beyond. Journals 2013 / 14 (Surveying in 2019 suggested the dig is not Higher Shaft. Journal 2019).

19. Big Drop Dig Penmorfa, Rift Three: 2011. Found May 20th 2001, Journal No 2 2002 Dug unsuccessfully a few times over many years. When finally opened up Oct 15th 2011 it led to extensive higher workings. Barrels were inserted Jan 22nd 2012 to preserve access. Journal 2014

20. Internal Shaft Ty Gwyn: Sept 4th 2011. Earlier in the week an area of collapse in the main adit, previously tunnelled through and safeguarded with a metal framework, was found to have collapsed, completely blocking the passageway. A little digging revealed a major shaft with a concrete cap and even some tarmac! Early in 2012, numerous visits reduced the level of the fallen material reinstating normal access. Journal 2012

21. Moon Dig Penmorfa, Rift Three: 2012 - 13 Started Feb 26th 2012. After five days of digging, two entrapments, days spent moving ladders into position and bagging deads to stabilise the approach, the higher 'Bowie' workings were reached May 26th 2013. Journal 2014

www.goes.org.uk 35 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

22. Leahy Series Penmorfa, Rift One, Attic Area: 4th July 2015. Mike Leahy a visitor from UCET revisits a dig in the 2nd Attic and finds several new passages. Another exit is also unearthed into the 3rd Attic. Journal 2017

23. Space Oddity Uchaf Penmorfa, Rift Three: Oct 11th 2015. A new area of 'blackness' discovered and partially entered after digging in Space Oddity Chamber. It represents the highest known working in Rift Three. Unfortunately found to be blocked Jan 31st 2016 and so far not reopened. Journal 2017

24. Pyllau Connection Penmorfa, Rift One, Attic Area: Aug 24th 2016. After a survey of the system and much probing Ledge Dig finally provided the elusive link into Pyllau after six days of muddy excavation. Journal 2017

25. Ty'n-y-Fron Shaft Survey by Robertson Geo: June19th 2018 Sadly sonar indicated a blockage just 2m below the waterline! However this disappointment led to a reappraisal of Treweek's Shaft below the waterline based on the Reports of William Vivian in 1854/56 and 57. Teasing out the detail has given insights into hidden workings and will hopefully provide a stimulus to uncovering some of them in the future.

Over the years our Great Orme has been kind in giving up some of its secrets although surely the most valuable prize was the friendships we forged and the memories we created during our many adventures. So often we laboured hard, took some risks, laughed and sighed, forever wondering what lay ahead. We probably didn't realise that whilst we were making our way through the Great Orme, rolling its rocks and floundering in its mud, it was finding its way into us and we were discovering something of ourselves. Countless photographs, drawings, emails, video's and articles will bear witness to its influence on our psyche and the places we unearthed and recorded will endure as testament to our endeavours.

Author: Dave Wrennall

www.goes.org.uk 36 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

GOES SUMMER WALKS 2018 24th May Summit Area walk.

24th May: Summit Area Walk.

31st May: Return from the RA Gun site.

7th June: Little Orme Quarry area.

14th June: Pink Farm and Powell's Well Walk.

www.goes.org.uk 37 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

24th June: Bodysgallen Oblelisk and area.

28th June: Wendy's Flower Walk.

12th July: Lovers / Invalids Walk plus the Donkey Path. 5th July: A walk with Sally the Great Orme Warden. www.goes.org.uk 38 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

26th July: Zigzag Routes and Caves. 19th July: Elephants Cave (changed

from Kendrick's Cave due to rock fall).

9th August: Great Orme Cemetery Walk

2nd August: Little Orme (Hubert Stone) with Adrian Hughes. Memorial Walk (did not make the monument due to tidal conditions).

16th August:

Under the Pier. www.goes.org.uk 39 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

GOES SUMMER WALKS 2019

All walks start at 7pm and are usually gentle strolls, which last approximately 2 hours. Sturdy footwear and waterproofs are advised. Below is a list of the proposed walks, but all are subject to confirmation. Please check the community news section in the North Wales Weekly News and the GOES Calendar (on Website), which will provide full details of the walk taking place and recommend the arranged meeting place. If however, the weather is poor, then the walk is very likely to be cancelled or postponed until a later date.

23rd May. Parc Farm Wall walk. Meet at the Great Orme Visitors Centre Car Park - GR SH 766833. 30th May. Monks Path Circle route. Meet at the Marine Drive West Shore Toll House (will need good walking boots) - GR SH 768823. 6th June. Conwy Morfa. Meet at the Beacons Car Park (there may be a charge for Parking and Wellington Boots advised). (Low tide 2006hrs 0.78mtrs) - GR SH 773791. 13th June. St Tudno's Church Graveyard walk. (with walk guide Christine Jones). Meet at St Tudno's Church - GR SH 969838. 20th June. Haulfre Gardens exploration. Meet at Marine Drive West Shore Toll House - GR SH 768823. 27th June. Wendy's Flower Walk. (with walk guide Wendy McCarthy). Meet at the Half Way Tram Station by the Water Pump House - GR SH 772833. 4th July. Hubert Stone Memorial. (Little Orme - Low tide 1909hrs 0.53mtrs). Meet at the end of the beach North Shore (may need Wellingtons or swimming costumes) - GR SH 804822. 11th July. Pen Dinas. Meet at the Ski Slope Car Park - GR SH 778831. 18th July. Kendrick's Cave area. Meet by the Empire Hotel at the top of Mostyn Street - GR SH 780827. 25th July. Llandudno Hospital Walk. Meet at the Llandudno Hospital Car Park - GR SH 784809. 1st August. St Tudno's Cemetery Walk Part Deux. (with walk guide Adrian Hughes). Meet at St Tudno's Cemetery Chapel - GR SH 768838. 8th August. Linking the Great Orme Wells. Meet at the Half Way Tram Station by the Water Pump House - GR SH 772833. 15th August. Special Trees/Shrubs of the Orme . Meet at the Half Way Tram Station by the Water Pump House - GR SH 772833.

Author and Walk Coordinator: Nick Challinor

www.goes.org.uk 40 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

GOES Committee and Contact Details:

Chairman: David Wrennall email: [email protected]

Vice Chairman: David Broomhead Mob: 07555 371509

Secretary: Gareth Davies email: [email protected]

Treasurer: Stephen Lea email: [email protected]

PR Officer: Nicholas Challinor email: [email protected]

Additional GOES Contacts:

Archives Officer: Stephen Lea email: [email protected]

Equipment Officer: Gareth Davies email: [email protected]

Journal Editor: David Wrennall email: [email protected]

Summer Walks Coordinator: Nicholas Challinor

email: [email protected]

GOES meets informally every Thursday evening in The Snowdon, 11 Tudno Street, Llandudno from 9.30pm. http://www.the-snowdonhotel.co.uk/ All are welcome.

The Great Orme Exploration Society (GOES) was formed in 1985 and became a Company Limited by Guarantee and not having a share capital on 7th April 1999. It is a member of the National Association of Mining History Organisation (NAMHO), British Caving Association (BCA), and works in association with the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust (GAT), the Early Mines Research Group (EMRG) and the Gwynedd Bat Group (GBG). Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the Society.

www.goes.org.uk 41 The Journal of the Great Orme Exploration Society 2019

The following is an account of an incident at the Little Orme Quarry sent to GOES' Facebook by Lianne Jones which was written by her grandfather.

The Caving Code:

1. Get the basic gear: Helmet, lamp, warm clothing, spare lighting, insurance. 2. Get permission from the owner: Always leave the site secure and follow the 'country code', close the gates. 3. Tell someone where you are going. How many, which mine and where, time in, out and home-contact; if overdue contact CAVE RESCUE 999. 4. Never go underground alone or intoxicated: The minimum number is four, one to stay with the casualty and two to go for help. Alcohol or drugs in you, or one of the group, compromises the safety of the entire group. 5. Do not exceed your capability: Do not over estimate your skills and endurance; and remember it is always more difficult coming out against gravity. 6. Do not get lost: Take a reliable plan or guide from the local group. 7. Never climb on mine ladders or machinery: If it is rotten you will accelerate at 32ft/sec/sec. 8. Never climb on stacked or dead walls: They may collapse around you like a house of cards; take care. 9. Never fool around underground. It might be the last thing you do for yourself or your mate(s), or they do for you. 10. Do not spoil the mine environment: Take rubbish home, leave artefacts in situ, leave bats and other flora/fauna alone. Do not smoke. 11. Know your emergency self-help drills: Don't panic; apply first aid to save life (bleeding, breathing, consciousness) prevent deterioration (shock, hypothermia) and promote recovery (reassurance, and go easy on the gallows humour); stay with the casualty while two of you go for help. 12. Access to the mines on the Great Orme is controlled, but is available to caving groups or individuals via the Great Orme Exploration Society Ltd. Arrangements for guided access can be made with the Society Secretary.  TAKE only photographs, LEAVE only footprints, KILL only time. www.goes.org.uk 42