Welsh Mines Society Cymdeithas Mwyngloddiau Cymru

 Based on the Red Lion Hotel, Llanidloes (01686 412270) - Leader D.Bick.  As to the programme of events, this was as follows:

• Saturday  Meet at the Van Mine 11.45 am prompt (Grid Ref 942878).  2.30pm Gorn Mine 1 mile south of Llanidloes. In the evening there was the usual AGM but unfortunately time didn't allow for the proposed slide show.

• Sunday  Meet at Dylife on the roadside (GR 860940) 10.00 am.  There was much to see, including the 60ft wheelpit, deep adit and various things in Engine Dingle, all hard at work 200 years ago.  2.30pm Geufron Copper Mine (GR 884856), via a very picturesque route from Dylife.

The great 'Red Wheel' pit  (NGR SN 8569, 9399)  or  'How not to preserve your Industrial Heritage'!  Mining Conservation at its best!?   This pit contained what was possibly the largest water wheel ever erected in Wales, some 63ft diameter x 3½ft wide.  It drove 600ft of pump rods in the Llechwedd Ddu shaft located some 150yds to the WSW of here.  The dark stonework which can be seen on the upper right hand side of the picture is the much decayed remains of the building which housed the drawing machinery - the wheel had sufficient power to haul ore out of the shaft too.

"Hail to the President" David Bick, founder of the Welsh Mines Society, provides a narrative to the mining activities and remains in 'Engine Dingle'  (The publication held high, being 'Dylife'.  Authored by David some years back.)

The 'Llechwedd Ddu Engine Shaft' (NGR SN 8558, 9394)  The top of the pump rods, which descend some 600ft.  WMSoc. members (left to right) ??, Chris Williams, George Hall, David Bick & Ivor Brown watch on as John Hine (aka 'Mole') tries his hand at mine dewatering - but with little success!