We saved our historic listed engine house

Feb 28 2008 by Wendy Horton, South Wales Echo

AN IMPORTANT part of South Wales’ industrial past is to be saved for future generations.

The Grade II listed Cornish Engine House in Bedwas has had its future secured after a long campaign to save it by local historians and conservationists.

There had been fears that the ancient monument, which was once at the heart of the thriving Bryngwyn Colliery where 200 men worked, would be lost forever when a housing estate was built around it.

But developer Charles Church Wales has pledged to restore the unique building and maintain it for 25 years providing its long term future is overseen by the local authority.

There are also plans to landscape the area with the help of a Cadw grant which could see the wire fencing which surrounds it replaced with wrought iron railings.

A recent meeting of members of Caerphilly County Council agreed to take over future responsibility of the building and its eventual ownership if the developers uphold their end of the bargain by bringing the pumphouse up to scratch.

Local county councillor Ray Davies welcomed the news after campaigning alongside local historians for 12 years.

“Victory has at last been won by those who have been campaigning to preserve the village's ancient monument, Britain's last remaining Cornish pumphouse.

“Bryn Gwyn Colliery was a thriving coal mine during the mid-19th Century and was the main reason for Bedwas' development and expansion over the last 150 years.”

Min Miles , a member of the Bedwas and Trethomas local history group, said: “We are very pleased and want to thank the people who have helped us get to this stage.”

The council’s cabinet member for regeneration, Tudor Davies, said: “The council is delighted to be able to work with the owners of the engine house to help preserve this important monument for future generations”

“There are few remaining traces of our industrial heritage left in this area so it is important that we take every opportunity to protect any significant structures.”

wendy.horton@mediawales.co.uk