Category Archives: Transport

Blog, Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station, Public Art, Public Realm, Transport

30th April 2015, The College Merthyr Tydfil

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Thursday 30th April 2015 –   I met with John O ‘Shea, Principal of The College Merthyr Tydfil . We talked about the history of the Old FE College and the state of the art new building the college now occupies. I wanted to know more about the aspirations for students coming to this site and how they travelled to get here. The Bus Station project is part of a wider transportation and communication network in the town and region. Many students walk from the train station, so pedestrian routes through the town are of great importance.

The new building by RMJM Architects (who acquired YRM, the Architects of the original 1960’s college building) sits within an extended and spacious public realm with clear desire lines to the pedestrian link bridge. The feasibility study which is considering replacing the current structure with another design which also links to the new Bus Station, is a critical part of the transport strategy for the project. The building also sits upon the site of the former Ynsyfach Ironworks, which was extensively excavated and documented by the Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust before the new building was erected.

Top Centre - The College at Merthyr Tydfil, the heart of the new Learning Quarter. Image: MLA Photography
Top Centre – The College at Merthyr Tydfil, the heart of the new Learning Quarter. Image: MLA Photography

Robert Imiolczyk, Head of Estates at The College has also been a great help and has a wonderful and detailed photographic record of the earlier archaeological works undertaken on the site by GGAT. He has allowed me to reproduce some of the images here.

Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Aerial Image of Merthyr Tydfil College of Further Education circa 1960 by permission of Robert Imiolczyk, Estates Manager, The College, Merthyr Tydfil.
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Aerial Image of Merthyr Tydfil College of Further Education circa 1960 by permission of Robert Imiolczyk, Estates Manager, The College, Merthyr Tydfil.

The original College of Further Education by Yorke, Rosenberg & Mardell Architects (becoming YRM)  is seen here circa 1960 – bottom centre of image. Just above this can be seen the original Iron Bridge at Ynysgau by Watkin George. To the right of the image can be seen the double weir on the River Taff. There is now only one weir which sits just up river from the St Tydfils Shopping Centre footbridge.

Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Detail: The old College of Further Education from an image by permission of Robert Imiolczyk, Head of Estates at The College, Merthyr Tydfil.
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Detail: The old College of Further Education from an image by permission of Robert Imiolczyk, Head of Estates at The College, Merthyr Tydfil.
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Detail: The old College of Further Education from an image by permission of Robert Imiolczyk, Head of Estates at The College, Merthyr Tydfil.
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Detail: The old College of Further Education from an image by permission of Robert Imiolczyk, Head of Estates at The College, Merthyr Tydfil.
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Detail: A description of the College of Further Education when newly built taken from an image by permission of Robert Imiolczyk, Head of Estates at The College, Merthyr Tydfil.
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Detail: A description of the College of Further Education when newly built taken from an image by permission of Robert Imiolczyk, Head of Estates at The College, Merthyr Tydfil.

Very interesting to see the list of project contractors – especially Merthyr Ceramics Ltd who supplied ceramic floor tiles.

Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Detail: The old College of Further Education washrooms, from an image by permission of Robert Imiolczyk, Head of Estates at The College, Merthyr Tydfil.
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Detail: The old College of Further Education washrooms, from an image by permission of Robert Imiolczyk, Head of Estates at The College, Merthyr Tydfil.
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Archaeological Excavations of the Ynysfach Ironworks on the site of The College Merthyr Tydfil. Image: By kind permission of Robert Imiolczyk, Head of Estates at The College, Merthyr Tydfil.
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Archaeological Excavations of the Ynysfach Ironworks on the site of The College Merthyr Tydfil. Image: By kind permission of Robert Imiolczyk, Head of Estates at The College, Merthyr Tydfil.

The brick arched furnace on the far right can still be seen today behind the main college buildings.

Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Archaeological Excavations of the Ynysfach Ironworks on the site of The College Merthyr Tydfil. Image: By kind permission of Robert Imiolczyk, Head of Estates at The College, Merthyr Tydfil.
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Archaeological Excavations of the Ynysfach Ironworks on the site of The College Merthyr Tydfil. Image: By kind permission of Robert Imiolczyk, Head of Estates at The College, Merthyr Tydfil.
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Archaeological Excavations of the Ynysfach Ironworks on the site of The College Merthyr Tydfil. Image: By kind permission of Robert Imiolczyk, Head of Estates at The College, Merthyr Tydfil.
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Archaeological Excavations of the Ynysfach Ironworks on the site of The College Merthyr Tydfil. Image: By kind permission of Robert Imiolczyk, Head of Estates at The College, Merthyr Tydfil.

The image above shows the excavated Refinery Building. This description is provided by Richard Lewis, Head of Projects for GGAT, who managed the excavation programme.

“The casting bed in the refinery are run out bays and water troughs. The iron ore (and limestone and coke) was fired in the blast furnace and cast into pigs in the casting house which was located in between the furnaces and refinery. The pigs were then taken to the refinery and subjected to further firing in an oxidising furnace and then the molten metal run out on a tray that sat on top of the long rectangular metal cistern (as seen in your photo) filled with continuously flowing water. The molten metal quickly cooled on this plate to form tea-tray sized refined ‘finers’ wrought iron plates. The removal of further impurities was aided by water being thrown over the molten metal which caused the slag to mobilse (exploding off in tiny slag balls).” 

Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Archaeological Excavations of the Ynysfach Ironworks on the site of The College Merthyr Tydfil. Image: By kind permission of Robert Imiolczyk, Head of Estates at The College, Merthyr Tydfil.
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Archaeological Excavations of the Ynysfach Ironworks on the site of The College Merthyr Tydfil. Image: By kind permission of Robert Imiolczyk, Head of Estates at The College, Merthyr Tydfil.

 

 

 

Blog, Education, Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station, Public Art, Public Realm, Transport

29th April 2015, ‘Fragile?’ at the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff

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 29th April 2015 – Before taking the train up to Merthyr, I stopped off in Cardiff to take a look at this exhibition at the National Museum Cardiff. Well worth the diversion and a possible connection to our project for the new Bus Station.

‘EXHIBITION  Fragile?

 
18 April–4 October 2015

Did you ever expect to visit a ceramics exhibition and be asked to bring your vinyl collection along with you? Or to be invited to walk over and destroy one of the exhibits?

Fragile? showcases the beauty and diversity of contemporary ceramics practice in its widest sense. It explores the artistic and expressive possibilities of ceramic as a material, including the contradiction between two of its inherent qualities – durability and fragility.   

The exhibition includes key works from the collection of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, shown alongside major, exciting installations commissioned from Phoebe Cummings, Clare Twomey and Keith Harrison. Ambitious new works by four Wales-based artists – Claire Curneen, Walter Keeler, Lowri Davies and Adam Buick – will be shown together with specially-commissioned films that will delve into each maker’s creative process.    

Fragile? is generously funded by The Colwinston Charitable Trust and supported by The Derek Williams Trust’. 

National Museum Cardiff

Fragile?', Ceramics exhibition at the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping
Fragile?’, Ceramics exhibition at the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping
Fragile?', Ceramics exhibition at the National Museum Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping
Fragile?’, Ceramics exhibition at the National Museum Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping
The work of Adam Buick as seen in 'Fragile?', Ceramics exhibition at the National Museum Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping
The work of Adam Buick as seen in ‘Fragile?’, Ceramics exhibition at the National Museum Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping

I have been thinking about the possibility of commissioning contemporary applied arts, made by craftspeople based in Wales for the Bus Station project. How I go about this at this time is uncertain, as we probably have no budget for this, but I can clearly see a place for individual works within our proposal and concept for the Bus Station as a community space, referencing the locality and legacy in a personal and highly skilled manner. This reflects back to the skills and experience of former Ironworks employees and others from associated and parallel industries in the town. Adam Buick is an artist based in Pembrokeshire who references the varied landscapes of South Wales in his work.

'Fragile?', Ceramics exhibition at the National Museum Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping
‘Fragile?’, Ceramics exhibition at the National Museum Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping
Twenty Four Bricks, Various Manufacturers, Wales. 'Fragile?' National Museum Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping
Twenty Four Bricks, Various Manufacturers, Wales. ‘Fragile?’ National Museum Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping

Twenty four bricks from various 19th and 20th Century manufacturers in Wales are also on display in the exhibition. “Clays suitable for making bricks are commonly found above or beneath coal seams, so Wales has been home to many brickworks. Most brick clays are fired red but local variations can produce a wide range of colours and textures. Bricks are commonly inscribed with the maker’s name or the place of origin, adding to their local character”. ‘Fragile?’ Exhibition Notes. There were a number of brickworks active in Merthyr – amongst them were:

Jenkins

Merthyr Brickworks

Trebeddau

Dowlais

Hill’s Plymouth Co Ltd

Heolgerrig Brickworks

Thomas Town Brick & Tile Co. 

Twenty Four Bricks, Various Manufacturers, Wales. 'Fragile?' National Museum Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping
Twenty Four Bricks, Various Manufacturers, Wales. ‘Fragile?’ National Museum Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping

I have also been talking to Andrew Renton, Head of Applied Art at the National Museum of Art, Wales about collaborating in the discussion about commissioning contemporary applied art for the new Bus Station Building.

The historic ceramics collection is very impressive too. Wales had several important manufacturers of pottery and porcelain including Nantgarw and Cambrian. 

“Founded in Swansea in 1764, the Cambrian Pottery found success by imitating the high-quality pottery made fashionable by Josiah Wedgwood in Staffordshire.

This included creamware, black basalt and pottery beautifully painted by artists like Thomas Pardoe. High standards were maintained after 1802, when Lewis Weston Dillwyn took over the pottery.

The porcelain made between 1813 and 1826 at Nantgarw near Cardiff and at the Cambrian Pottery in Swansea is some of the most beautiful ever produced.

The man behind it was William Billingsley, a porcelain painter by training. From 1814 to 1817 he helped Dillwyn make porcelain at Swansea, before returning to Nantgarw in 1818 to make it himself.

Some Swansea porcelain and most Nantgarw porcelain were sent to London for decoration and sale to the top end of the market. The rest were decorated locally, until 1826 in Swansea and until 1823 at Nantgarw.

Pottery continued to be made in Swansea at the Glamorgan Pottery (1813-1838) and at the Cambrian Pottery, which closed in 1870. Llanelli’s South Wales Pottery was the only significant pottery left in south Wales until it too had to close in 1922.

The story of Welsh pottery and porcelain is told in the Joseph Gallery. The site of the Nantgarw China Works is now a museum, a few miles north of Cardiff.”  National Museum Wales, Cardiff. 

Welsh Pottery & Porcelain in the collection of the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping
Welsh Pottery & Porcelain in the collection of the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping
Welsh Pottery & Porcelain in the collection of the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping
Welsh Pottery & Porcelain in the collection of the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping
Welsh Pottery & Porcelain in the collection of the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping
Welsh Pottery & Porcelain in the collection of the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping
Welsh Pottery & Porcelain in the collection of the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping
Welsh Pottery & Porcelain in the collection of the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping
Welsh Pottery & Porcelain in the collection of the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping
Welsh Pottery & Porcelain in the collection of the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. Image: Christopher Tipping

 

 

 

Blog, Education, Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station, Public Art, Public Realm, Transport

Up on Wilko’s roof, Merthyr Tydfil 21st April 2015

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21st April 2015

St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre – I had the opportunity to get up on Wilkinson’s roof for an amazing 360 degree panoramic view of Merthyr and the surrounding hills. Nick Megor, the Shopping Centre Manager accompanied after gaining permission from Wilkinson’s Store Manager.

Looking South over the Swan Street site in Merthyr Tydfil & towards Caedraw as seen from Wilko’s roof by permission of Wilko’s and St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre. Image: Christopher Tipping
Looking South over the Swan Street site in Merthyr Tydfil & towards Caedraw as seen from Wilko’s roof by permission of Wilko’s and St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre. Image: Christopher Tipping
Upland Landscape of Merthyr Tydfil from Wilko’s roof by permission of Wilko’s and St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre. Image: Christopher Tipping
Upland Landscape of Merthyr Tydfil from Wilko’s roof by permission of Wilko’s and St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre. Image: Christopher Tipping
New Bus Station site on Swan Street during demolition of the Police Station as seen from Wilko’s roof by permission of Wilko’s and St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre Manager. Image: Christopher Tipping
New Bus Station site on Swan Street during demolition of the Police Station as seen from Wilko’s roof by permission of Wilko’s and St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre Manager. Image: Christopher Tipping
The College at Merthyr Tydfil with footbridge over the River Taff as seen from Wilko’s roof by permission of Wilko’s and St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre. Image: Christopher Tipping
The College at Merthyr Tydfil with footbridge over the River Taff as seen from Wilko’s roof by permission of Wilko’s and St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre. Image: Christopher Tipping
Looking North over Merthyr Tydfil River Taff footbridge as seen from Wilko’s roof by permission of Wilko’s and St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre. Image: Christopher Tipping
Looking North over Merthyr Tydfil River Taff footbridge as seen from Wilko’s roof by permission of Wilko’s and St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre. Image: Christopher Tipping

Nick also had a collection of aerial photographs of the local area probably taken in the late 1970’s / early 1980’s and during construction in the mid 1960’s of the pedestrian bridge linking the west side of the Taff to the east and the new – as then – shopping centre.

Looking North East across Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre, circa 1960's showing the St Tydfil's Link Bridge under construction across the Taff. The bridge was installed just below the weir. Image: by kind permission of St Tydfil's Shopping Centre Manager.
Looking North East across Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre, circa 1960’s showing the St Tydfil’s Link Bridge under construction across the Taff. The bridge was installed just below the weir. Image: by kind permission of St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre Manager.
Looking North East across Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre, circa 1960's showing the cranes involved in the construction of the St Tydfil's Shopping Centre. Image: by kind permission of St Tydfil's Shopping Centre Manager.
Looking North East across Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre, circa 1960’s showing the cranes involved in the construction of the St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre. Image: by kind permission of St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre Manager.
Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre, circa 1960's showing the St Tydfil's Link Bridge under construction across the Taff. Image: by kind permission of St Tydfil's Shopping Centre Manager.
Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre, circa 1960’s showing the St Tydfil’s Link Bridge under construction across the Taff. Image: by kind permission of St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre Manager.
Postcard image looking North West across the Taff towards the FE College, circa late 1960's showing the now dismantled arm of the St Tydfil's Shopping Centre footbridge. Image: by kind permission of St Tydfil's Shopping Centre Manager.
Postcard image looking North West across the Taff towards the FE College, circa late 1960’s showing the now dismantled arm of the St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre footbridge. Image: by kind permission of St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre Manager.

 

Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre, circa 1980. Image: By permission of St Tydfil's Shopping Centre Manager.
Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre, circa 1980. Image: By permission of St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre Manager.
Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre, circa 1980 showing the pedestrian link bridge across the River Taff. Image: By permission of St Tydfil's Shopping Centre Manager.
Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre, circa 1980 showing the pedestrian link bridge across the River Taff. Image: By permission of St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre Manager.

At the top left of this image can be seen the Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station – which is now on the move to a new site just out of shot here on the far right of this image on Swan Street.

Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre, circa 1980 showing the Bus Station at the bottom and the site of the new Bus Station at the very top. Image: By permission of St Tydfil's Shopping Centre Manager.
Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre, circa 1980 showing the Bus Station at the bottom and the site of the new Bus Station at the very top. Image: By permission of St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre Manager.
Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre, circa 1980 showing the Bus Station at the far left and the site of the new Bus Station just out of shot on the far right. Image: By permission of St Tydfil's Shopping Centre Manager.
Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre, circa 1980 showing the Bus Station at the far left and the site of the new Bus Station just out of shot on the far right. Image: By permission of St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre Manager.

 

 

 

 

Blog, Education, Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station, Public Art, Public Realm, Transport

Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station – Contextual Presentation

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On 5th March 2015, I made a presentation to the Bus Station Stakeholders Meeting of current contextual research in relation to the Bus Station project and the Link Bridge Study.

I thought it may be of interest to post all these images here. There are a fair few – so bear with it ! – it is useful to know how the research is being delivered and what is shaping my approach. The screenshot image below gives a clear idea of the number of images I am posting – stick with it as there are some great images and quotations…

 

I have credited all sources of information and am grateful to all organisations and individuals who have assisted me thus far. Where permissions to use images have not been possible, these images have been withdrawn from posting online.

Where Ordnance Survey Maps have been used, they are all out of copyright, however, I have added a credit – ‘Reproduced from the …date… Ordnance Survey Map’, which the Ordnance Survey suggest on their website.

At the scale above – the individual images are not so clear – so I have added all the images individually. It makes for a long post – but hopefully you will find something of interest here !  Here goes – Image No.1 …

Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project. Contextual research presentation. Artist: Christopher Tipping

 

This ends the presentation images – 

 

Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project - Ynysfach Iron Works was on the site now occupied by The College, Merthyr Tydfil. The remains of the original Blast Furnaces are visible as is the restored Engine House at the north of the site. Image: Christopher Tipping
Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station Project – Ynysfach Iron Works was on the site now occupied by The College, Merthyr Tydfil. The remains of the original Blast Furnaces are visible as is the restored Engine House at the north of the site. Image: Christopher Tipping

 

 

 

 

Blog, Public Art, Public Realm, Station Quarter North, Southampton, Transport

Station Quarter North, Southampton

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This week saw the delivery and installation of the first bespoke cast concrete units to site. Wilson Massie of Balfour Beatty Living Places has let me use his images taken during the works to install. Balfour Beatty Services are delivering and installing all the project on site.

The units are manufactured by CCP Ltd – Cornish Concrete Products, nr Truro.

Southampton Station Quarter North - 'Type C' bench units being installed on site by Balfour Beatty Services. Image: Wilson Massie BBLP
Southampton Station Quarter North – ‘Type C’ bench units being installed on site by Balfour Beatty Services. Image: Wilson Massie BBLP
Southampton Station Quarter North - 'Type C' bench units being installed on site by Balfour Beatty Services. Image: Wilson Massie BBLP
Southampton Station Quarter North – ‘Type C’ bench units being installed on site by Balfour Beatty Services. Image: Wilson Massie BBLP
Southampton Station Quarter North - 'Type C' bench units being installed on site by Balfour Beatty Services. Image: Wilson Massie BBLP
Southampton Station Quarter North – ‘Type C’ bench units being installed on site by Balfour Beatty Services. Image: Wilson Massie BBLP
Southampton Station Quarter North - 'Type C' bench units being installed on site by Balfour Beatty Services. Image: Wilson Massie BBLP
Southampton Station Quarter North – ‘Type C’ bench units being installed on site by Balfour Beatty Services. Image: Wilson Massie BBLP
Southampton Station Quarter North - 'Type C' bench units being installed on site by Balfour Beatty Services. Image: Wilson Massie BBLP
Southampton Station Quarter North – ‘Type C’ bench units being installed on site by Balfour Beatty Services. Image: Wilson Massie BBLP
Southampton Station Quarter North - 'Type C' bench units being installed on site by Balfour Beatty Services. Image: Wilson Massie BBLP
Southampton Station Quarter North – ‘Type C’ bench units being installed on site by Balfour Beatty Services. Image: Wilson Massie BBLP
Southampton Station Quarter North - 'Type C' bench units being installed on site by Balfour Beatty Services. Image: Wilson Massie BBLP
Southampton Station Quarter North – ‘Type C’ bench units being installed on site by Balfour Beatty Services. Image: Wilson Massie BBLP

 

Blog, Public Art, Public Realm, Station Quarter North, Southampton, Transport

Station Quarter North, Southampton

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Yesterday, Tuesday 17th March saw the first of the Type C cast benches arrive on site to be crane-lifted into place at Station Quarter North.

Balfour Beatty Living Places – Services Division are doing a great job in regard to the installation and delivery of the whole project on site.

‘Outside Wyndham Court a great deal of the footpath and landscaping is down and this gives a glimpse of how the scheme is going to look. Block paving of the public car park has started, trees are in and yesterday the first of the new bespoke stone benches was crane lifted into place.’  Taken from the Southampton Station Quarter update bulletin, 18th March 2015, Balfour Beatty Living Places.

Wyndham Place as seen from Wyndham Court showing Southampton Central Station Quarter Regeneration project. Image: Wilson Massie, Balfour Beatty Living Places.
Wyndham Place as seen from Wyndham Court showing Southampton Central Station Quarter Regeneration project. Image: Wilson Massie, Balfour Beatty Living Places.
Wyndham Place, Southampton seen from Commercial Road looking west showing Southampton Central Station Quarter Regeneration project. Bespoke Cast Concrete benches during installation. Image: Matt Dyer, Senior Project Engineer, Balfour Beatty Living Places - Services Division.
Wyndham Place, Southampton seen from Commercial Road looking west showing Southampton Central Station Quarter Regeneration project. Bespoke Cast Concrete benches during installation. Image: Matt Dyer, Senior Project Engineer, Balfour Beatty Living Places – Services Division.

Bespoke benches during installation. Unfortunately, one of the 6 units has a lighter finish than the others. This can be remedied post installation on site by the manufacturer CPP Ltd.

Blog, Public Art, Public Realm, Station Quarter North, Southampton, Transport

Station Quarter North, Southampton

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On Thursday 12th March I flew down to Newquay to visit CCP Ltd – Cornish Concrete Products –  to review production on the first set of bespoke benches for Southampton Station Quarter.  I was meeting up with Simon Taylor, Urban Design Manager – Southampton Highways Partnership, Balfour Beatty Living Places, who is the Design Manager for the Station Quarter project. Simon met me at Newquay Airport & we drove down to Bissoe to CCP’s manufacturing plant.

Gatwick Airport to Newquay with Flybe - around 55mins - not bad !
Gatwick Airport to Newquay with Flybe – around 55mins – not bad !

I left Ramsgate on High Speed 1 for London, St Pancras, then by Tube to Victoria to pick up the Gatwick Express & Gatwick to Newquay by Twin Prop and from there by car to Bissoe – easy ! A great day – but one delay along the way could have been a disaster – fortunately it was brilliant.

Great views of Southampton and the Isle of Wight on the flight down. Image: Christopher Tipping
Great views of Southampton and the Isle of Wight on the flight down.
Image: Christopher Tipping

The units below are the first to be manufactured and are, as such the sample test for the project. We will be looking to iron out any issues presenting at this stage and develop a methodology for ensuring quality control through the production period. The Type C unit – is only one of several bespoke profiles being developed – with each profile there are accompanying bespoke ends and specials to be made.

Southampton Station Quarter - Visit to Cornish Concrete Products Ltd to review manufacture of Type C bench Units.
Southampton Station Quarter – Visit to Cornish Concrete Products Ltd to review manufacture of Type C bench Units.

This is a single unit, part of a six unit seating set for the landscape works. The seating forms part of the interpretation and public art created for the project. The units as seen here have yet to have the etching treatment to expose the surface aggregates, so appear quite light in colour. The finished colour and aggregate mix reflect the multi blend granite paving used throughout the site and is informed by the geology of the site – alluvial gravels – which were at one time quarried nearby in the area now occupied by the Civic Centre. These gravels would have formed the beach of the River Test Estuary, which was – until 175 years ago – to be found where Blechynden Terrace now stands.

Southampton Station Quarter - concrete samples developed with Cornish Concrete Products Ltd for bespoke landscape works. Image: Matt Dyer, Balfour Beatty Services.
Southampton Station Quarter – concrete samples developed with Cornish Concrete Products Ltd for bespoke landscape works. Image: Matt Dyer, Balfour Beatty Services.

We have selected the Blackhill Aggregate – White Cement – Heavy Etch sample to work with –

Southampton Station Quarter - preferred sample developed with Cornish Concrete Products Ltd for bespoke landscape works. Image: Matt Dyer, Balfour Beatty Services
Southampton Station Quarter – preferred sample developed with Cornish Concrete Products Ltd for bespoke landscape works. Image: Matt Dyer, Balfour Beatty Services
Southampton Station Quarter - Visit to Cornish Concrete Products Ltd to review manufacture of Type C bench Units.
Southampton Station Quarter – Visit to Cornish Concrete Products Ltd to review manufacture of Type C bench Units.
Southampton Station Quarter - Visit to Cornish Concrete Products Ltd to review manufacture of Type C bench Units. Bespoke return end unit, showing inverted fibreglass mould.
Southampton Station Quarter – Visit to Cornish Concrete Products Ltd to review manufacture of Type C bench Units. Bespoke return end unit, showing inverted fibreglass mould.
Southampton Station Quarter - Visit to Cornish Concrete Products Ltd to review manufacture of Type C bench Units.
Southampton Station Quarter – Visit to Cornish Concrete Products Ltd to review manufacture of Type C bench Units.
Southampton Station Quarter - Visit to Cornish Concrete Products Ltd to review manufacture of Type C bench Units.
Southampton Station Quarter – Visit to Cornish Concrete Products Ltd to review manufacture of Type C bench Units.

The composite image below, illustrate the evolution of the Type C Bench. The basic section is added to with bespoke and varying ‘ends’, with some units being further cast with lighting recesses.

Type C Bespoke Cast Concrete Bench for Southampton Station Quarter. Drawings by CCP Ltd
Type C Bespoke Cast Concrete Bench for Southampton Station Quarter. Drawings by CCP Ltd
Southampton Station Quarter, Type C Cast Concrete Bench development. Image: Christopher Tipping
Southampton Station Quarter, Type C Cast Concrete Bench development. Image: Christopher Tipping
Bespoke timber mould for the Type C bench fabricated by CCP Ltd. Image: Christopher Tipping
Bespoke timber mould for the Type C bench fabricated by CCP Ltd. Image: Christopher Tipping
Bespoke timber mould for the Type C bench fabricated by CCP Ltd. Image: Christopher Tipping
Bespoke timber mould for the Type C bench fabricated by CCP Ltd. Image: Christopher Tipping

I particularly like to see the timber joinery and craftsmanship which goes into the moulds. No-one else really sees this – and the general public generally have no idea of the work that goes on behind the scenes to achieve the objects they see in the public realm.

 

 

 

Blog, Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station, Public Art, Public Realm, Transport

Ynysfach Engine House

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12th February 2015 – Meeting at the restored Ynysfach Engine House.  

The Engine House was one of a pair of Engine Houses on the Ynysfach Ironworks site. ‘The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd undertook investigations at Merthyr Tydfil College, on the site of the former Ynysfach Ironworks, which began in August 2011 and were completed by January 2012. Archaeologists from the Trust excavated and recorded structures belonging to the former ironworks, which had survived unexpectedly well, buried underneath the college buildings’. 

To see the amazing animated 3D reconstruction of the site. produced as part of the interpretation for the project, press on this link.  A permanent exhibition of this project can be seen at The College, Merthyr Tydfil, which is built upon this site.

 

The restored Ynysfach Engine House, Merthyr Tydfil. Image: Christopher Tipping
The restored Ynysfach Engine House, Merthyr Tydfil. Image: Christopher Tipping

I met withSteve Brewer & Ceinwen Statter , members of the Merthyr Tydfil Historical Society, who operate out of the recently restored Engine House of the former Ynysfach Iron Works.   Mary Owen – Author of book on the New Rectory of Merthyr Tydfil, was mentioned as someone who may have some  insight on Swan Street history. Clive Thomas, the author of a history of Cae-Draw School, was also mentioned. The Merthyr Tydfil Historical Society also publish the Merthyr Historian, which is a 26 Volume history of the town from every source possible. Published from 1976 to the present, it has some engaging and surprising stories, records & contributory essays and images from many individuals. A great resource document ! A set of these publications is available in the Merthyr Tydfil Library.

 

Ynysfach Ironworks by Penry Williams, 1819. http://www.alangeorge.co.uk/
Ynysfach Ironworks by Penry Williams, 1819.
http://www.alangeorge.co.uk/

The site of the former Ironworks is now mostly occupied by The College, Merthyr Tydfil, the original ironworks being demolished and lost before and during the 1960’s.

The ruins of Ynysfach Iron Works prior to demolition. http://www.alangeorge.co.uk/
The ruins of Ynysfach Iron Works prior to demolition.
http://www.alangeorge.co.uk/

Alan George, a local historian who’s website ‘Old Merthyr Tydfil‘ is a brilliant repository of old images of the town and a fantastic resource, also attended the meeting.

We discussed the site specific history of the new Bus Station site on Swan Street and references to a building called ‘The Rectory’, which is show on old OS Maps, but is not referred to in any written text I can find. Alan and his colleagues are assisting in researching this. The wider area around Swan Street is also rich in history and community, which needs to be addressed in this contextual study.

The College Merthyr Tydfil as seen from the new Rover Taff Gyratory Link Road. Image: Christopher Tipping
The College Merthyr Tydfil as seen from the new Rover Taff Gyratory Link Road. Image: Christopher Tipping
The College Merthy Tydfil. Image: Christopher Tipping
The College Merthy Tydfil. Image: Christopher Tipping

The new College site – although first developed in the 1960’s – is historically relevant to the Link Bridge project, as not only was this the site of the Ynysfach Ironworks, part of the Cyfarthfa Ironworks, but  the public realm and highway in front of the College and in-between it and the River Taff, was the site of the Glamorganshire Canal.  There was a Lock Gate here, called Parliament Lock.  An Archaeological Report was made by the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust (Contracts Division) to support the Archaeological Watching Brief on Parliament Lock during pipe laying works in October 1995. The Report was prepared for Ove Arup & Partners who carried out the works.The report is really interesting. – click on Parliament Lock, above –

The Glamorganshire Canal and Parliament Lock, Merthyr Tydfil. Image: http://www.alangeorge.co.uk/
The Glamorganshire Canal and Parliament Lock, Merthyr Tydfil. Image: http://www.alangeorge.co.uk/

Parliament Lock Gate and House is in the bottom right foreground of this image of the Glamorganshire Canal. The bridge, seen at the middle far right of this image, is the Ynysgau Iron Bridge across the River Taff, built in 1799 by Watkin George for the Cyfarthfa Ironworks.

Glamorganshire Canal & Parliament Lock. Detail of OS Public Health Map of 1875 - showing the weirs crossing the Taff. The Canal & Lock are highlighted. Reproduced from the 1876 Ordnance Survey Map. Collection of Merthyr Tydfil CBC Libraries.
Glamorganshire Canal & Parliament Lock. Detail of OS Public Health Map of 1875 – showing the weirs crossing the Taff. The Canal & Lock are highlighted.
Reproduced from the 1876 Ordnance Survey Map. Collection of Merthyr Tydfil CBC Libraries.

 

Blog, Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station, Public Art, Transport

Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery

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12th February 2015, Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery

Cyfarthfa Castle was built in 1825 by William Crawshay. It cost £30,000 and was home to the Crawshay’s until 1889. Merthyr Tydfil Corporation bought it in 1909, and it was turned into a school and museum.

I had a very friendly and engaging visit to the Castle Museum, the former home of the Crawshay Family who owned the Cyfarthfa Ironworks.

Cyfarthfa Castle, Merthyr Tydfil. Image: Christopher Tipping
Cyfarthfa Castle, Merthyr Tydfil. Image: Christopher Tipping

I met with Kelly Powell – acting Museums Officer, Benjamin Price – Education and Interpretation Officer, Chris Parry – Community Officer and Michelle Lewis – Community Officer.

Images taken from a Cabinet of Iron samples manufactured by the Cyfarthfa Ironworks, on display at the Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery. Images by permission of Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery
Images taken from a Cabinet of Iron samples manufactured by the Cyfarthfa Ironworks, on display at the Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery. Images by permission of Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery
Images taken from a Cabinet of Iron samples manufactured by the Cyfarthfa Ironworks, on display at the Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery. Images by permission of Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery
Images taken from a Cabinet of Iron samples manufactured by the Cyfarthfa Ironworks, on display at the Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery. Images by permission of Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery
Image taken from a Cabinet of Iron & steel samples manufactured by the Cyfarthfa Ironworks, on display at the Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery. Images by permission of Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery
Image taken from a Cabinet of Iron & steel samples manufactured by the Cyfarthfa Ironworks, on display at the Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery. Images by permission of Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery
Image: A Cabinet of Iron samples manufactured by the Cyfarthfa Ironworks, on display at the Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery. Images by permission of Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery
Image: A Cabinet of Iron samples manufactured by the Cyfarthfa Ironworks, on display at the Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery. Images by permission of Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery
Image taken from a Cabinet of Iron & steel samples manufactured by the Cyfarthfa Ironworks, on display at the Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery. Image by permission of Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery
Image taken from a Cabinet of Iron & steel samples manufactured by the Cyfarthfa Ironworks, on display at the Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery. Image by permission of Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery

Samples such as these by the Cyfarthfa Ironworks,  were made for no other reason that to illustrate and show off the skills of the workers in manipulating iron and steel. Many, if not all of these samples were bent cold !

On 27th June 1912, King George V and Queen Mary visited Dowlais Ironworks. A spectactular steel archway – the ‘Goat Mill Arch’, had been erected for the occasion, & decorated with many locally made manufactured steel components, very similar to, if not the same as those on display in the Castle Museum.

Image of the Royal Visit to Dowlais in 1912 and the Goat Mill Arch by permission of Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery
Image of the Royal Visit to Dowlais in 1912 and the Goat Mill Arch by permission of Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Gallery
Image: Detail of the Royal Visit to Dowlais in 1912 and the steel Goat Mill Arch erected to mark the occasion. Image by permission of http://www.alangeorge.co.uk/
Image: Detail of the Royal Visit to Dowlais in 1912 and the steel Goat Mill Arch erected to mark the occasion. Image by permission of http://www.alangeorge.co.uk/

During the same Royal Visit, a triumphant arch of locally mined coal had been erected. It had formed an entrance into Dowlais House, the former home of ironmaster John Josiah Guest and Lady Charlotte Guest, translator of the Mabinogion.

The Coal Arch - erected for the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1912. Image by permission of http://www.alangeorge.co.uk/
The Coal Arch – erected for the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1912. Image by permission of http://www.alangeorge.co.uk/
The Coal Arch was still standing in 1956, when a decision was made to demolish the structure. Image by permission of http://www.alangeorge.co.uk/
The Coal Arch was still standing in 1956, when a decision was made to demolish the structure. Image by permission of http://www.alangeorge.co.uk/

2015-02-12 14.03.14

Blog, Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station, Public Art, Public Realm, Transport

Meeting Dr Chris Evans, Professor of History, University of South Wales

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12th February 2015 – Treforest, South Wales – the birthplace of SIR TOM JONES !

Treforest Station Railway Footbridge. Image: Christopher Tipping
Treforest Station Railway Footbridge. Image: Christopher Tipping
Treforest Station Railway Footbridge. Image: Christopher Tipping
Treforest Station Railway Footbridge. Image: Christopher Tipping

I met with Dr Chris Evans today to discuss the history of iron production in Merthyr Tydfil and the legacy and impact of this on contemporary Merthyr Tydfil and its aspirations & current regeneration programme. This is in light of contextual research I am doing in regard to the new Bus Station project and Link bridge feasibility study.

Chris is a Professor of History at the University of South Wales, on the Treforest Campus.

We met at Ty Crawshay – Francis Crawshay’s House in Trefforest, now a Museum and Gallery – a part of the University Campus.

Ty Crawshay, Treforest, once the home of Francis Crawshay and now part of the University of South Wales.
Ty Crawshay, Treforest, once the home of Francis Crawshay and now part of the University of South Wales.

We discussed a number of things including:

 Francis Crawshay  – an eccentric member of the Crawshays of Cyfarthfa, who had portraits of his workers painted which was, at the time highly unusual, giving a remarkable insight into the lives of ordinary working people. He was something of a Druidic character, building stone circles and mounds.

 The Upland Landscape of the Brecon Beacons  & its importance in both the past and the future of Merthyr Tydfil. Merthyr is a product of this upland landscape & could make much more of this relationship.

The Taff Trail and how visitors could experience & relate to  Merthyr  as a gateway to the Brecons.

The Creativity and Flair of the great engineers and innovators who were central to the Industrial Revolution in Merthyr not being sufficiently celebrated. Watkin George, William Edwards, William Williams worked at the cutting edge of technology and innovation. Even factory buildings were classically proportioned. Merthyr was a hub of creative knowledge, that became not only world famous, but exported this knowledge all over the world – even sending expertise to set up new Ironworks in Russia for example. The town generated and maintained international contacts, becoming an international crossroads of industry.

Elemental Processes of ironworking – extremely labour intensive. The ability to standardize products and replicate to order under these conditions was testament to the degree of control over processes these manufactories had. Confidence in their technology and how to utilise it successfully

Impact on landscape – early extraction methods included damming rivers and streams and then breaking the dam to allow the raging waters to scour the top soils and expose the iron ore beds. Cinder Tips, & Slag Heaps

Power – the control and management of water was at the heart of Merthyrs advancement. Transport was the other – Canals, Tramways, Railways, Roads, River.

Power – Napoleonic Economy & Rise to Wealth – Atlantic Trade – Iron and Slaves – Dr Chris Evans Research

Anthony Bacon – Founder of Cyfarthfa Iron Works

Ynysgau Iron Bridge lost due to River widening / flood mitigation scheme in the 1960’s.