WHAT NEXT? A 300 MILLION YEAR STORY:

A 300 MILLION YEAR STORY:
from fossils to coal, iron to steel, closure to rebirth.
WHAT NEXT?
THIS BOOKLET IS ABOUT OUR HERITAGE AND A VISION FOR CELEBRATING IT.
www.brymboheritage.co.uk
BRYMBO’S INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE
IRON
When someone mentions Brymbo most people think of steel, even though the steelworks
closed in 1990. Why was Brymbo chosen in the first place, and how did the works grow
from humble origins to be a world leader?
Brymbo’s ground also contains ironstone, and
lime and lead have been readily available from
neighbouring villages for centuries. Access to
these materials and Brymbo’s coal meant that
large scale iron production was possible.
The great ‘Ironmaster’ John Wilkinson spotted
this potential in 1792 when he bought the
500 acres that made up the Brymbo Hall estate,
moving his ironworks to Brymbo from the less
mineral-rich Bersham.
FOSSILS
300 million years ago, long before the
dinosaurs, Wales sat close to the equator
on the super-continent ‘Pangea’. Temperatures
were hot and it rained and flooded often.
Year after year trees and plants grew and died,
and their remains were squashed over time to
become peat and then coal. Other minerals and
rocks formed too, making a series of rock layers.
Sometimes the floods were so heavy that they
covered the trees completely in silt and mud,
Fossilised plant material in situ in Brymbo, 2009
making a very deep layer - and in Brymbo one
such flood captured a whole landscape that
we’ve only recently rediscovered - more than 20 full size trees, still upright, completely fossilised for
us to see.
COAL
Brymbo’s hilly nature has meant that in places the coal seams that lie below us have stuck out from
the side of the hill, making them easy to work without digging underground. This is how coal was
worked as early as the 1400s in Brymbo.
By the 1700s methods of digging down to coal buried below ground had reached Brymbo. In total
there have been more than 100 individual pits just in Brymbo alone, many of them still visible today.
The last coal was extracted in Brymbo in 2005.
Manual movement of coke at Brymbo, 1960s
Brymbo’s drawback was its lack of waterpower,
but this was the time of steam engines when
water power was less necessary. Wilkinson
helped improve the efficiency of steam engines
(fuelling the second wave of the world-wide
industrial revolution) by casting and boring
very accurate cylinders.
STEEL
Although Iron remained in production until
1978 the market had long since switched
to favour steel - a much stronger and more
versatile metal. Brymbo became the first site
in Britain to use modern methods to produce
steel in the 1880s, and during the 20th century
its reputation for quality grew worldwide,
as did the size and scale of the site itself.
The works changed ownership many times,
the last time in 1986 before it closed in 1990.
Steelworkers at
Brymbo, 1900s
LEGACY
Many people remember the day the
works closed. A traditional way of
life for the people of Brymbo and the
surrounding area disappeared overnight.
There was tremendous pressure to find
new jobs and a new role for the site,
and whilst some jobs came to Brymbo
most people had to look elsewhere
for work. The land was extensively
reclaimed ten years ago to make it
suitable for redevelopment: Housing
and the Enterprise Centre have since
been built. A new road, further housing,
a school, supermarket and shops,
business units, and accessible parkland
are all planned for the years to come.
The North West corner of the site
contains the Heritage Area, where
the story from fossils to coal, from
iron to steel, waits to be told.
Aerial view of Brymbo Steelworks, 1970s
A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Brymbo Heritage Group was formed in 2000 by a group of former workers and enthusiasts.
Its aims have been to find ways to tell Brymbo’s story for future generations and to preserve
what’s left of our industrial past.
Since 2011 the group has been looking more seriously at the scope for the Heritage Area to be
opened up to the public as a visitor attraction, park and education centre. A professional study
completed in 2013 has further convinced the group and a whole host of partner organisations
that there is real potential here.
Now, with your help, and the support already committed by partners, we have an opportunity
to secure major investment and establish a world class attraction - right here in Brymbo.
WORLD CLASS?
REALLY?
Yes. Our fossilised forest is unique; not just in
Wales, not just in the UK, nor Europe. But in the
world. There are several sites of ‘petrified forests’
spread across the globe from North America to
Thailand, but none has a complete series of trees
standing upright exactly where they grew.
For now, most of our trees remain buried. Some
samples have been removed for further research
and display, including specimens that will shortly
be exhibited in the National Museum of Wales in
Cardiff. Our vision in Brymbo is to dig carefully
around and expose each and every one of the
20 or so trees that remain, so that we can one
day stroll through the prehistoric forest.
But it’s going to be tricky. We’ve got help from
many geological and museum experts, but
designing the right building to cover and protect
the exposed trees is going to be a challenge.
Partially reassembled fossilised
root system on display in Brymbo
Machine Shop, 2014
Collapsed roofs at Brymbo Ironworks, 2014
Fossilised plant material in Brymbo, 2009
THE INDUSTRIAL LANDSCAPE
Conserving and re-using the ironworks, coal mining and steelworks buildings may seem straightforward,
but raising enough funds to pay for the work required is a bigger issue. In 2013 the buildings were
surveyed to establish the cost of stabilising and conserving them, and this alone was estimated at £2.5m.
To then bring them back into use, perhaps to contain a visitor centre, working foundry, art studios, small
business spaces, cafe, study centre, and so on will cost more again.
Painting by Peter Roberts
showing fossilised trunk
in situ in Brymbo, 2007
Our focus now is on working out what might go where, how much each part would cost, who might
help us fund each element, and how each part (and the whole) would keep itself going year after year.
The vision is to harness the fossils, the industrial buildings and the surrounding landscape as a single
Heritage Area.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE?
The Heritage Area has huge potential to bring in visitors from far and wide as a world class geological
site and shining example of Britain’s contribution to the industrial revolution and modern life. But what
could it do for us the people of Brymbo?
It would bring:
Extra community facilities - shops, businesses, open space and parkland, improved access and
environment quality; Opportunities for employment, training, volunteering and the further development
of community-run organisations; A restored reputation and pride - putting Brymbo back on the map
as a place regarded across the world.
ALL OF THIS ON OUR DOORSTEP
Come and see the exhibition in the Enterprise Centre and find out more about our
rich and proud history and see what’s in it for you and generations to come!
Open days are organised throughout the year, rain or shine take a look, have a stroll, and be amazed.
If you can’t wait ring 0800 772 0981 to arrange your visit.
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1. FOSSIL FOREST
More than 20 fossilised trees from
300 million years ago, all upright
and waiting to be displayed to a
world-wide audience.
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2. BLAST PIT
People have mined coal in Brymbo since the 1400s;
Blast Pit was the main source of coal to turn into coke to fire
the furnaces in the early days of the iron works; it closed in 1915.
Several of the pit buildings and shafts remain.
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3. IRONWORKS
John Wilkinson built his ironworks here from 1796 onwards, including the
No.1 Furnace, North and South Foundries, and the Pattern Makers Workshop
that all remain to this day. The Machine Shop is one of the later steelworks buildings
and dates from 1920.
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4. CHARGING WALL
Rising over 20 metres this enormous wall supported the coke ovens and railway lines that
brought raw materials to be ‘top loaded’ into the furnaces.
5. AGENT’S HOUSE
Built before the ironworks in the late 1700s John Wilkinson turned this group of three
cottages into the office where sales and purchases were made and where the Agent lived.
6. WONDERBANK
Formed originally of mining spoil from the ‘Wonder Pit’ and ‘Blast Pit’ this now provides
an uninterrupted view North to Liverpool, East across the Cheshire Plain and South
to the Wrekin.
7. ECOLOGY AREA
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This long valley area was home to parts of the railway, pit workings and one
of the original steelworks entrances; since the 1990s it has steadily been
established as an ecology area and is home to many newts in specially
formed ponds..
8. ENTERPRISE CENTRE
An exhibition about Brymbo’s Heritage is located in the main reception area
and extends down the corridor towards the gym; FREE TO VISIT!
9. THE NEW ROAD
A spur of the new road will provide access directly into the Heritage Area.
Aerial view of Brymbo Heritage Area and its surroundings
FIRST STEPS TOWARDS
‘MAKING IT HAPPEN’
Following 2013’s study to consider how the site could be established as a viable heritage attraction
Brymbo Heritage Group were encouraged to seek support from the Heritage Lottery Fund - part
of the UK National Lottery. The group successfully applied for £97,500 to run a three year project
between 2014 and 2016 called...
‘Brymbo’s Heritage Renaissance - Building The Momentum’
OPENING UP THE
SITE FOR VISITS
We’ll be putting together a programme of visits,
open days and tours for everyone - from school
children and teachers to kids and their grandads,
for the general public and for groups that have
particular interests in the site. We can’t make it
fully open yet - it simply isn’t safe enough, but get
involved and help us bring forward the time when
it can be fully open!
RECORDING
STORIES &
PUBLISHING
PICTURES
Capturing memories of the area, particularly
relating to the steelworks and its impact,
is the main theme of the project. This includes
collecting, cataloging and publishing photographs
as well as recording your thoughts and
recollections. We’ll be using audio recorders and
video cameras to make sure the stories can be
passed from generation to generation.
BUILDING THE
MOMENTUM...
AND A FOLLOWING!
Everyone who visits goes away inspired, and
those of us who live here know how deserving
Brymbo is. We want to capitalise on this
enthusiasm to show funders how we can
all work together to make this a world class
visitor attraction, one that tells the full story
from fossils to coal to iron and then steel,
and one that creates jobs and wealth in
the community once more.
WHAT WILL
IT ACHIEVE?
This project is all about engaging the local
community, the significance of the site to
Wrexham and its people, and finding ways
to get people involved in telling Brymbo’s story.
Along the way we’ll be looking for residents’
views on how the Heritage Area should be
developed, what features should and perhaps
shouldn’t be included, and for ways of making
sure it thrives and continues to grow year
after year.
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
The Heritage Lottery Fund is also helping us to recruit and train volunteers - there’s more
information about volunteering on the back page.
Ring Gary (our Heritage Officer) on
0800 772 0981 - free from landlines!
A selection of old photos showing Brymbo in days gone by
ANNUAL EVENTS
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
A range of events are planned throughout each year.
Check the website or ring 0800 772 0981 for dates, times and arrangements.
You can tell us what you think by completing this survey online at www.brymboheritage.co.uk/survey,
or by getting in touch directly by phone, email or Facebook.. If you’d prefer to put pen to paper why not
complete these final two pages, tear them off and pop them into reception at Brymbo Enterprise Centre.
www.brymboheritage.co.uk
ALL SESSIONS ARE FREE
(Although some sessions have optional activities/items available for a modest charge, such as 4x4
tours of the site and refreshments during open days).
PUBLIC EVENTS
ABOUT YOU
Your name:
Your village/town:
A phone number or email address if you’d like us to contact you:
Open days - find out what the Heritage Area has to offer, what the plans are, and help shape
the area’s future (monthly April to October).
PHOTO DISCUSSION SESSIONS
Looking at old photos with tea & biscuits (monthly throughout the year) and help us behind the
scenes with scanning and cataloguing the pictures
GROUP TOURS
Choose from a range of tours, from general to specific, industrial to geological. Options include
high and low exertion sessions. Call us on 0800 772 0981 to discuss your requirements.
ORAL HISTORIES
For groups or individuals who want to have their stories recorded there are a series of sessions
throughout the year. There are opportunities to get involved in editing and publishing the stories,
too. Call or check the website to find out more or register your interest.
WHAT EVENTS WOULD YOU
LIKE TO SEE TAKE PLACE
IN THE HERITAGE AREA?
WHAT FACILITIES WOULD YOU
LIKE TO SEE IN THE HERITAGE
AREA IN THE LONG TERM?
PLEASE TICK AS MANY AS YOU LIKE
PLEASE TICK AS MANY AS YOU LIKE
Open days
Heritage displays
Personal tours
Working foundry / blacksmith
School visits
Craft shops
Visits by community groups
Cafe
Clean up days
Licensed restaurant
Restoration days
Small business offices
Restoration courses
Small business studios
Reminiscence days
Theatre performance space
Learning courses (please specify)
Music performance space
VOLUNTEERING
Travelling exhibitions
Volunteering open days - find out what’s on offer and consider how you can get involved
(Easter onwards) - to be followed by induction days and then personalised arrangements
to volunteer, with a training plan as necessary.
Sports facilities
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
A series of open events for Teachers are planned during the Summer and Autumn terms.
These events contribute to the development of our education programme spanning all ages.
Off-road vehicle tours of the site
Outward bound facilities
Theatre performances
Skills training centre
Music performances
Adult learning centre
Art exhibitions
Open play space
Archaeology events
Childrens’ soft play area
Family fun days
CORPORATE TRAINING DAYS
Adventure training activities
Find out what’s on offer and consider how your organisation can use the site and its
resources (Ring to discuss on 0800 772 0981).
WHAT ELSE?
WHAT ELSE?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP RUN
THE HERITAGE AREA?
We’re a group of enthusiasts and we’ve achieved a lot already. Imagine how much more we could
do with twice or three times as many people - could you be one of those who brings a new idea,
fresh views and energy to help make this happen?
Get in touch if you’d like to join the group, its management committee, or perhaps if your
organisation can help us in some way.
VOLUNTEERING
There’s something for everyone to get involved
with - at a time to suit you, with as much or as
little commitment as you want to make.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE
YOU’D LIKE TO TELL US?
Training is provided - some of it accredited and we can record as much or as little as you
want for CV development or personal interest.
The ‘to do’ list is huge – could you help with:
Scanning photos
Conducting interviews, editing sound
and video
Clearing pathways
Designing signage and displays
Stewarding public events
Acting as a tour guide
Re-enacting scenes from Brymbo’s past
Creating art
Writing up historical accounts
Undertaking academic research
Helping design and run the
schools programme
What else can you think of?
Complete this survey online at www.brymboheritage.co.uk/survey or tear this page out and
drop it off at reception in the Brymbo Enterprise Centre, or post it to:
Brymbo Heritage Group, c/o Brymbo Enterprise Centre,
Blast Road, Brymbo, Wrexham LL11 5BT
This booklet is available on request in Welsh and as both an English and Welsh spoken recording on our website.