Tag Archives: Merthyr Tydfil Historical Society

Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station – Contextual Presentation

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 Where permissions to use images have not been possible, these images have been withdrawn from posting online.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

 

 

 

 

Ynysfach Engine House

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.