CLIVE was joined by 10 walkers who set off in sunshine from Penarth to enjoy the industrial past of Blaenavon, but upon their arrival they were surrounded by thick damp fog. Prior to the late 1700’s this area was mainly used for agricultural purposes and sheep farming, until the advent of the industrial revolution and the opening of the ironworks in 1789 when a small village grew up, followed by industrial housing in the early 19th century for the workers as production increased.

Setting off past the Rifleman’s Arms which no doubt took its name from the fact that there were three rifle ranges on the southwest slopes of Mynydd y Garn-fawr which overlooks the village, they climbed the first of many grassed-over spoil heaps to reach Ball’s Pond which provided water for the ironworks and balance systems for the local pits. This area was rich with minerals of coal, iron ore, fire clay and limestone and as far back as the mid 1500’s people were employed to scour for iron ore on and around the Blorenge which was an early form of open cast mining, whilst woodcutters collected timber from the mountain forests to fuel furnaces in nearby Pontypool.

Following paths thick with mud in places, led them to the WT station where a tall mast loomed out of the dense fog and crossing a road they entered Foxhunter car park pausing only to view the grave of Harry Llewellyn’s famous horse, whose accomplishments are listed on the gravestone. A well-worn track across open moorland led them to the 559m trig point on Blorenge where a stop was made out of the slight breeze in the shelter of old limestone rocks for morning coffee.

Descending over slippery rocks and following a narrow path through wild heather they joined the old tramroad above Garn Ddyrys where a forge alongside the primitive railway that was built by Thomas Hill opened in 1817. Pig-iron from Blaenavon travelled to Garn Ddyrys to be forged into wrought iron which was taken along the railway to the Brecon and Abergavenny Canal at Llanfoist Wharf and loaded on barges to be taken to the sea ports. The fog completely blotted out the surrounding views as they followed the contours of the hillside to reach the pond at Pen-ffordd-goch, which translated means top of the red road and refers to what is now the B4246, where a road was not built until 1835 when an Abergavenny ironmaster decided to construct a more direct route to Blaenavon and the road was made from crushed local red sandstone and iron slag forming a red road!

Continuing towards Pwll-du they passed the site of the water balance lift where a loaded tram would be placed onto a bucket at ground level, whilst an empty tram at the top was placed onto a bucket and filled with water from the balance pond that had been cut into the hillside, then allowed to fall using a brake to stop it, thereby raising the loaded tram to the top. From Pwll-du they made their way uphill to the Dyne Steel Incline, a double-inclined standard gauge railway, the brainchild of Thomas Dyne Steel which opened in 1850 and ran between New Pit and Pwll-du Quarry.

Crossing the top of flattened disused tips the leader abandoned plans to continue to Coity because of the fog and instead the group lunched in total silence surrounded by an eerie mist before going downhill to Upper Brick Yard. A footpath at Bunkers Hill above the Blaenavon Ironworks led them through to the B4248 from where they deviated to view the southern entrance to the Pwll-du Tunnel, which was constructed as part of Hill’s Tramroad linking Blaenavon to Garn-Ddyrys and then steeply down to Llanfoist Wharf. At just over 2km’s in length it was the longest horse-drawn tram tunnel in Britain and returning to the Rifleman’s Arms, a swift drink was enjoyed before leaving the locals to enjoy the rugby match between Wales and South Africa.

On December 14, a change to the programme, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for an 8-mile moderate walk from Chepstow visiting the Eagle’s Nest and the ruins of Piercefield House; contact William on 01446 747239.

Wear suitable clothing, preferably boots and carry waterproofs, food and drinks. Some degree of fitness is required and if you are in any doubt, then please contact the walk leader for advice. To follow the group please log onto www.penarthramblers.wordpress.com Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.