A.P.A.C. Ltd.Archaeological Perspectives Analysis Consultancy

ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEFWB/6B/10

Six Bells Land Reclamation Energy Recovery Investments Ltd

Dr N.Phillips 10/01/2012

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Contents

Contents..............................................................................................................................................................1 List of Figures ....................................................................................................................................................2 List of Plates.......................................................................................................................................................2 1 NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY ..............................................................................................................4 2 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................4 2.1 Background .......................................................................................................................................4 2.2 Location and scope of work ..............................................................................................................5 2.3 Geology and topography ...................................................................................................................5 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ................................................................5 3 3.1 Archaeological and historical background ........................................................................................5 4 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................................................7 4.1 Watching Brief ..................................................................................................................................7 4.2 Watching Brief Methodology ...........................................................................................................7 4.3 Recording Methodology ...................................................................................................................9 Post processing................................................................................................................................10 4.4 5 WATCHING BRIEF ................................................................................................................................10 5.1 Watching Brief Results ...................................................................................................................10 6 DISCUSSION AND INTERPRETATION ..............................................................................................14 6.1 Reliability of field investigation .....................................................................................................14 Research ..........................................................................................................................................15 6.2 6.3 Overall interpretation ......................................................................................................................15 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .....................................................................................................................15 7 8 BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES.................................................................................................16

Appendix 1 Digital record

Cover Photograph: DSC00009 Excavation of Pillar and Stall workings Arrail Farm Level.

Copyright Notice: A.P.A.C. Ltd. retains copyright of this report under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988. The Ordnance Survey has granted A.P.A.C. Ltd a Copyright Licence (No. 100046577) to reproduce map information; Copyright remains otherwise with the Ordnance Survey.

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List of FiguresFigure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 11 Figure 12 Figure 13 Figure 14 Figure 15 Figure 16 Figure 17 Figure 18 Location Map Satellite landscape image Management Plan ERI Ltd Test pits Aral Estate 1897 Aral Estate 1907 1920 1:2500 OS Map 1951 1:10 560 OS Map 1964 1:2500 OS Map 1880 1:2500 OS Map 19011:10 560 OS Map 1918 Arrail Farm Abandonment Plan Arrail Farm Level Adits shafts and rope ways on satellite landscape image Adits shafts and rope ways on contour map Old shafts, Pillar & Stall, Arrail Farm Level Abandonment plan on contour plot Aerial rope way tower bases Winding House plan

List of PlatesPlate 01 Plate 02 Plate 03 Plate 04 Plate 05 Plate 06 Plate 07 Plate 08 Plate 09 Plate 10 Plate 11 Plate 12 Plate 13 Plate 14 Plate 15 Plate 16 Plate 17 Plate 18 Plate 19 Plate 20 Plate 21 Plate 22 Plate 23 Old workings adit, 3m x 10m E/W Fault line. Farmer's dumping ground D8 coal strip. Seam revealed tip angle at ranging rod 2 De turfing. Specialised cutter Turf cut to 1m x 2m x 0.2m deep Loading on to traked dump truck Ready for next cut Turf stripping of rough area Turf stripping of rough area 8 Turf stripping with a D8 D8 broken down by test pit 3 for coal seam fault Overview east across coal face Shaft collapse, Pillar and Stall, old workings Pillar and Stall, old workings, wooden prop in situ Pillar and stall work being exposed panoramic sequence 3 Old mine Stall and isolated pillar Overview of 'road' pillar and stall excavation Adit 2x 4m dia S0 21285 03434 Adit 18mx3m NW S0 21225 03359W/SE Adit, sections 48m, track, 2m, 3m width 8m. 3m deep. S0 21238 03283 Two Adits, 30m width 10m. 6m deep S0 21108 03360 Turf stripping showing cut through old workings shaft. S0 21271 03551 2

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Plate 24 Plate 25 Plate 26 Plate 27 Plate 28 Plate 29 Plate 30 Plate 31 Plate 32 Plate 33 Plate 34 Plate 35 Plate 36 Plate 37 Plate 38 Plate 39 Plate 40 Plate 41 Plate 42 Plate 43 Plate 44 Plate 45 Plate 46 Plate 47 Plate 48 Plate 49 Plate 50 Plate 51 Plate 52 Plate 53 Plate 54 Plate 55 Plate 56 Plate 57 Plate 58 Plate 59 Plate 60 Plate 61 Plate 62 Plate 63 Plate 64 Plate 65 Plate 66 Plate 67 Plate 68 Plate 69

Shaft, 8m dia 2.5 m depth. S0 21129 03371 Aerial ropeway stanchion S0 21255 03331 Stanchion bases. Concrete with iron pylons S0 21296 03278 Aerial tower base S0 21201 03399 Long shot of aerial ropeway stanchion remains Ropeway line to stanchion. Aerial ropeway stanchion S0 21132 03357 Old well. S0 21130 03313 Old well. Internal De turfing section through shaft spoil. S0 21171 03519 De turfing section, linear feature 2. S0 21194 03541 Section through shaft rim deposit. S0 21215 03470 Turf strip exposes second isolated deposit of blue/black shale. S0 21177 03474 Scaled photograph. 4. Trowel points N. S0 21225 03480 Feature section Stone cut by two cable grooves. S0 21193 03420 Support rail or track from old workings. S0 21106 03322 Test pit 8. Spoil sample. S0 21169 03288 Test pit 8. Spoil sample. S0 21169 03288 Shaft collapse, Iron roof support in situ 2 S0 21227 03600 Old workings exposed, curved rail support 2 S0 21267 03560 Tram rails from old workings Close up of iron support rails Top of old workings, close up. S0 21224 03474 Pillar and stall old workings collapse. S0 21220 03604 Backfilled stall. S0 21250 03563 Old mine 'road' workings, both seams. Exposed pillar and stall.S0 21160 03573 Old mine 'road' with prop still in situ. S0 21160 03573 Old mine 'road' with prop still in situ, long view.S0 21160 03573 Excavation along old workings. Pit prop in situ. S0 2118 0358, Wooden roof support in situ. S0 21259 03574 Pillar and Stall. S0 21243 03437 Aerial ropeway stanchion overgrown 6mx2m area posts in situ 1. S0 21226 03372 Tripod stanchion base 8, concrete with iron fitments S0 21519 02964 Aerial ropeway stanchion S0 20721 03765 Tripod 5 stanchion base, concrete with iron fitments, in hollow. S0 21436 03136 Tripod 2 stanchion base, concrete with iron fitments 1 S0 21547 03247 3 point tower. Concrete bases with inset rods, 0.6m square S0 21324 03152 Plate 62: 3 point tower. Concrete bases with inset rods, 0.6m square. S0 21446 03069 Tripod tower. 2m at frontand 2.5 at rears. Running NW/SE S0 21491 03049 Brick base for tower 4 point SO 21584 02941 3 point tower base with base plates SO 21692 03067 Close up of base plate attachments S0 21692 03067 Winding house facia wall, SW corner. S0 20514 03972 Winding house detail. Wheel frame position Winding house, Wheel base fittings

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NON TECHNICAL SUMMARYIn September 2010, Dr. N. Phillips of A.P.A.C. Ltd was contacted by Mr. S Williams, Energy Recovery Investments Ltd, (ERI); in relation to proposed work to be undertaken to landscape spoil from the former Six Bells and Vivian collieries. The proposed work was to strip the surface covering of a small extension to the site; not previously covered by colliery spoil. (ERI), had been advised by Frank Olding, Heritage Officer at Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council,(BGCBC), that the proposed work would require a watching brief to monitor the development for any unknown archaeological resources that may be disturbed. Recording of the surface strip involved recording, numerous abandoned adits and remains of mechanized spoil transportation systems. As the work progressed, a double seam of coal was uncovered during the landscape work, which exposed previously unrecorded mining work relating to early 20th century mining. A sample record of these workings was recorded at various intervals; as the site and extraction schedules allowed. A series of sample pits were also sunk to examine the geology of the site and these were also recorded at the request of the client. All of the archaeological resources recorded during this work was related coal mining from the late 19th century to the second half of the 20th century.

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INTRODUCTION

2.1 Background In July of 2010 a planning application, C/2010/0255 was submitted to (BGCBC) by Mr T Morgan Six Bells Coal Company Ltd for the removal of shallow coal seams and outcrop coal on land adjacent to tip reclamation for Six Bells and Vivian Tip Complex. As a result of the application, Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust (GGAT) advised BBCBC of the need to apply a condition to the development: No development shall take place within the area indicated [this would be the area of archaeological interest] until the applicant, or their successors in title, has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted by the applicant and approved in writing by the local planning authority. WCO 60.69. 23 Such a condition was applied and as a result, Dr N Phillips A.P.A.C. Ltd was contacted in September of 2010, by Mr S. Williams of ERI Ltd to undertake the watching brief.

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Mr Williams prepared a brief or an archaeological watching brief which was accepted and the watching brief commenced on site on the 10th of December 2010 and continued intermittently over 25 days until the 8th of March 2011. 2.2 Location and scope of work The location of the site is the south eastern end of Cefn yr Arail: an area of hill marked Coetgae; west of Six Bells, Blaenau Gwent, fig 01. Grid Ref: 3210 2035, at c. 380m OD. The site can be reached by an unmetalled track from the A4046 some 2 kilometres north west of the Aberbeeg roundabout. The general site of some 36 hectares designated NPRN 402093 Industrial Spoil Tip (RCAHMW). The image in fig 02 shows the site in 2006, however, during the watching brief period, the majority of the site was an ever moving cycle of access ways; excavation and deposition, as large earthmoving machinery extracted and landscaped the former colliery spoil tips. The management plan for work on the site; as provided by the client is shown in fig 03. The specific area of concern to the watching brief was some 7 hectares of open moorland at the south east the site. This can be seen on fig 02 as the green area between the bottom right of the tip and ending at the field walls and is denoted in fig 03 as Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Cuts. This area of unenclosed moorland formed a gentle slope, east through to south/south west and showed evidence of mineral exploitation: adit scars and some of the pylon bases and tip lines for spoil transportation systems, fig 02. 2.3 Geology and topography The solid geology of the Cefn yr Arail ridge falls within the Upper Carboniferous period, Westphalian D, giving a stratigraphy of coal, sandstone, mudstone, ironstone: Pennant series, (BGS 232). Plate 01, shows a section through the hill with two parallel seams of coal separated by a thin layer of clay; Mynyddislwyn Seam, (Davies 1918). The ridge was geologically last shaped by Devensian Glaciation leaving the U-V shaped valleys of the Ebbw Fach and Ebbw Fawr rivers, (Cherns et al 2004). Since that geological period, landscape change has had more impact from industrialisation; coal mining in the valleys which have resulted in spoil heaps, shafts & adits, as well as possible increased instability of the steep valley sides, (ibid). Evidence of this instability can be seen all along the east side of the hill with small cracks and slips, Plate 02. On the top of the hill however, there is evidence of older geological faulting such as the deep linear fault shown on fig 02, as the yellow lines just to the right of centre. Another geological occurrence was picked up during excavation as a dip in the coal seam of some 4 metres, after which the seam sloped east, Plate 03. A set of test pits traced the slope to the edge of the proposed landscaping, down to a depth of 7m below the surface, fig 04. In 2009, Cefn yr Arail ridge was included as Special Landscape Area (SLA) in a report commissioned by (BGCBC), (Thomas 2009). The specific area of the site for this report carried a further designation of (cSINCs) Site of Interest for Nature Conservation, due to the existence of four unimproved grassland habitats and Well-preserved pattern of pre-industrial farmland of small rectangular fields with distinctive stone walls and overgrown beech hedges, similar to those around St. Illtyd across the valley, (ibid.). 3 3.1

ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Archaeological and historical background

The possibility of previously unknown archaeological resources being present on site can be inferred from use of similar topography nearby. Known features such as: 5

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The Bronze Age, Carn y Cefn, round cairn NPRN 305932, (Coflein) to the north of the ridge. To the east; Castell Taliorum NPRN 91965, Motte NPRN 306241 and possible twelfth century church NPRN 12897, (ibid.). Roman finds were also reported at Castell Taliorum (Lewis 1925 in PitmanG 2010). Closer at hand are PRN BG 276, Penrhiwllech Barn., BG277, Penrhiwllech boundary stone., BG278., Penrhiwllech Farm all of unspecified dates, (GGAT). In addition, are the post medieval Cefn Bach enclosure BG437., Hafodafael Limekiln, BG438, Pen Crug Glas Farm dated 1659, BG439, and 17th century Hafodafal Farm BG098, (ibid.). Adjoining the site however is Arail Farm, documented in the 14th century as a grange of the Cistercian Abbey of Llantarnam. It should be noted that Arail farm has various spellings: Aral, Arall, Arral, Arrail, Arael etc. After dissolution of the abbey in 1536, Llantarnams property was seized by the crown, (PitmanG 2010). The present building is listed as post medieval NPRN 36319. Reference to the archaeological importance of the farm was made above with the designation of (cSINCs). At some point in the past, John Hanbury (Pontypool Ironmaster) acquired the land of present interest. Documentation available from the Gwent Record Office, including delineation of the Aral estate of Capel Hanbury can be seen in the 1897 leases and 1907 sub leases for mineral extraction (GRO D.394/C3/3): 1897 Lease to John Lancaster and Company Limited by John Capel Hanbury fig 05 1907 Sub lease to Thomas Frederic Salt from John Lancaster and Company Limited fig 06

The John Lancaster and Company interest in the local minerals can be dated back to at least 12th April1881 by surrender of lease document dated 1894; referring to a 1881 lease by John Lancaster and Company Limited to the Nantyglo and Blaina Ironworks Company Limited, (ibid.) It is the industrial, archaeological resource that commands the main visual impact of the general site. This resulted from the deposition of spoil from the Six Bells and Vivian collieries down in the valley below. The first evidence of spoil tipping may be represented on the 1920 OS map, although the depicted raised area on top of the hill; west of the Iron and Tin Plate works, carries no annotation, fig 07. The survey for the 1951 map, however, shows that another parallel spoil tip has been added, covering an old field enclosure. In addition, two linear spoil deposits have been recorded; one of which is along the route of an aerial ropeway from Arail Griffin Colliery, fig 08. On the 1964 edition, more detail is added including details of former tramways and aerial ropeway pylons. The spoil area has now increased quite dramatically, obliterating the earlier field systems, fig 09. In 1890-1892, two coal mine shafts; Arail Grffin nos 4 & 5, were sunk in the valley below Arrail Farm by the John Lancaster Company Ltd, (Lawrence 2010). These two shafts would become more commonly known as the Six Bells Colliery. The Lancaster Company became a subsidiary of the Ebbw Vale Steel and Iron Company Ltd, c 1915-16. The mine was mothballed in 1930 due to lack of trade, (WCM 2011) and the assets of the mine were disposed of in 1936 to Partridge, Jones and John Paton Ltd (GRO D394). The latter company ran the mine until 1947 when it was nationalised. In the 1970 s all coal production at Six bells was raised through the neighbouring Marine Colliery at Cwm. The pit closed in 1988. The neighbouring Vivian Colliery shaft was sunk in 1889 with coal being raised in 1891 by the owners; Powell's Tillery Steam Coal Co, (Lawrence 2010).

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Vivian, like six bells came into the ownership of Partridge, Jones and John Paton Ltd until nationalisation in 1947, although coal extraction ceased here in 1958 after which the shaft was used as a downcast for Six Bells, (ibid.). Specific to the area of the watching brief are the old adits and workings on the open moor to the south and east of the spoil tips, fig 02. The 1st edition 1880 OS map shows the earliest working as Level (Coal) although there is an un-annotated but similar cut to the west, fig 10. The same area mapped in 1901 shows an increase in mining activity, fig 11. The western adit has now become a double excavation and the western one extended along its length. Both are now annotated as Old Coal Levels. A third adit has also been added. On the 1920, map there is little to no change to the double fronted western adits nor the central adit however, the eastern adit seems to have been foreshortened, fig 07. All still carry the annotation Old Coal Levels. There is however, a new coal level further east which may have a tram line and rectangular building associated with it. The 1964 OS map has one extra adit added and all annotation removed, fig 09. A mine abandonment plan of the area provided by the client, records the Arrail Farm Level Abertillery completed to June 1918, fig 12. As an aid to locating the extent of the Arrail Farm Level, a copy has been overlaid on the 1920 Os map, fig 13. Documentation for this level records that Nicholas, E and Son worked the level from 1906 to 1910, working five days in 1906, four days in 1907, four days in 1908 and four days in 1909 they produced coal for their own consumption. In between 1911 to 1916, the work was continued by Thomas Nicholas with a period of closure, between 1912-1913. The seam was identified as that of the Mynyddyslwyn (Tony 2007). The level was taken over by the John Lancaster Company from 1917 until 1921 when it was abandoned, although work had been suspended from 1919 (ibid.).

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AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Watching Brief

The aim of the watching brief was to preserve by record, within the resources available, any archaeological deposits uncovered during groundwork. The watching brief would also ensure that: in the event of archaeological resources of significance, being discovered and requiring treatment beyond the remit of the watching brief; then steps would be implemented to ensure that their treatment would be undertaken within the standards recommended by the IFA. 4.2

Watching Brief Methodology

FieldworkGroundwork at the site entailed twenty five days of recording and observation during excavation work. The work started on the 10th of December 2010 with the final day on the 8th of March 2011. The watching brief requirement was intermittent; dictated by the work schedule of the overall site, adverse weather conditions and mechanical breakdown of crucial plant machinery.

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On arrival at the site, the work was directed to the remaining sections Fourth Cut through to Sixth Cut. Cuts First to Third having already been removed fig 03. The main thrust of the watching brief the removal of the overburden. This became directed in two areas: 1 That of the vegetation layer atop the surviving hill side 2 The rock overburden atop the previously un recorded pillar and stall workings Vegetation stripping. The initial part of the watching brief was to fieldwork the hill and record with a handheld GPS and camera, any man made features before they were removed. This was done whilst the ground was being prepared for de-turfing. (A follow up visit was undertaken in November of 2011 to reconcile discrepancies with published OS mapping and site remains). A plan to recover the natural flora had been part of the landscaping design. This involved: de-turfing, transporting and relaying the turf, in previously landscaped area, thereby ensuring the survival of the natural vegetation. To do this a specially built turfing attachment was made, which, when fitted to a large tracked 360 excavator, could cut turf rectangles 1m x2 m x 0.2m deep, Plates 04 07 show the sequence. MOV 09782, MOV 09853 & 098544 on the archive disc show short movies of the work in action. Unfortunately, this form of de-turfing was only successful on relatively even ground and in areas with less bracken. The de-turfing process was begun on the 14th of December and ran through until the 13th of January 2011. Prior to this, the rough ground had been removed by bulldozer, Plates 08 & 09. Movie on archive disc MOV 09780. Once the rough terrain was reached, the turf removal was undertaken in a more rapid style with a D8 and drag bucket, Plate 10 & 11. During this last stage, the dip line of the coal seam (see above) was suspected and sequences of test pits were excavated. Mr T Morgan, the planning applicant, requested that a simple record of these to be made, depth of seam and position. Rock overburden At the beginning of the watching brief, a surviving double seam of coal was being recovered under the area of Fourth Cut, fig 03, Plate 01. As more of the overburden was stripped to expose the intact coal seam for surface extraction, it became apparent that the seam had been previously worked well beyond the known extent of recorded mining, fig 13. The view shown in Plate 12 shows the double seam with the evidence of a previous extraction of the lower seam visible as a square area of orange fill to the left of the 2m ranging rod. Further back in Fourth cut; as the rock coal interface was exposed, various large voids started to appear, Plate 13. These voids were later shown to be the remains of an extensive series of Pillar and Stall workings, Plates 14 - 18, well beyond the area recorded on the Arrail Farm abandonment plan fig 12. Pillar and Stall also called bord-and-pillar A system of working coal and other minerals where the first stage of excavation is accomplished with the roof sustained by coal or ore. One of the earliest methods of working coal seams in Great Britain. It is employed in thick seams and where valuable surface buildings require

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A.P.A.C. Ltd 6 BELLS, RECLAMATION. WB/6B/10 protection from damage by subsidence. A number of narrow roadways are driven in the coal seam to a predetermined boundary. There are two sets of roadways, driven at right angles to each other, and thus the seam is divided into a large number of square or rectangular pillars. These pillars are extracted at a later period. The driving of the narrow roadways is termed working the whole while pillar working is known as working the broken. The width of the roadways and their distance apart are governed by the thickness and nature of the coal seam and the type of roof and floor. The main headings are driven forward and connected at intervals by crosscuts or stentons for ventilation and as a second exit. The bords are driven off the main headings at fixed distances apart, and are connected at intervals by walls. The width of the main headings, crosscuts, and bords varies from 3 to 5 yd (2.7 to 4.6 m). The bords are driven from 15 to 60 yd (13.7 to 54.9 m) apart. The walls are about 2 to 3 yd (1.8 to 2.7 m) wide and driven at similar or greater intervals according to the size of pillars to be formed. Modern pillar-and-stall mining is highly mechanized. See also: crosscut; mechanized heading development; stenton. Also called bord-and-pillar. Nelson 2012.

Initial on site discussion with ERI Ltd owners, Mr S Williams and T Morgan suggested that extraction would be done by removing the fill of the shafts to leave the coal, Plates 15 - 18. The old workings could then be surveyed by the ERI Ltd, contracted surveyor, in order to get a more accurate volume of surviving coal; which would have an effect on the charges for its extraction. As this was a practical solution to recording the archaeology, it was agreed that the official site survey could be added to the watching brief recordings to build up the picture of the old level workings. Areas of old workings therefore were recorded by scheduled site visits by the surveyor and during watching brief visits by A.P.A.C. Ltd. As the watching brief presence became less frequent, the bulk of the recording was reliant on the appointed surveyor. The site was photographed at various stages to provide a record of the work. All photographs taken have been given a unique number and listed in the appendix of this report, Appendix 1. A complete set of the photographs have been included in the archive: in original format. 4.3

Recording Methodology

The first procedure of the watching brief was to record with photography, simple description and location, all of the surviving features that were directly related to human activity, prior to their removal. The majority of these were old adits and sinkholes/shafts although there were structural remains from the spoil process in infrastructure. During the excavation of the old coal level the above recording was continued with the addition of simple sketches to give an overall relationship of the pillar and stall structure. Due to the large area of the site all recording was undertaken with reference to a hand held GPS. The model used was a Garmin e-Trex with an accuracy of