Ceredigion Helps Celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the First Fresh Water Supply in London

The Cwmsymlog Chimney. Built in 1855 and restored 2006 by Trefeurig Community Council with a grant from the Spirit of the Mines regeneration project.
© Crown copyright: Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

Four hundred years ago this year, a Welsh entrepreneur Hugh Myddelton from Denbigh completed the construction of the New River, which brought fresh drinking water from Hertfordshire to north London. As a reward for this work he was granted the leases on a number of mines in Ceredigion. These mines were so rich in silver that bullion was transported to the Tower of London to be minted into coins.

On May the 25 and 26 the Metal Links Project, a European funded project to reconnect people with their mining heritage, and the Welsh Mines Preservation Trust will be providing free guided tours of Cwmsymlog, Berth Llwyd (now known as Bronfloyd), Goginan and other mine sites that were once owned by Sir Hugh Myddelton. Samantha Jones, Community Archaeologist for the Metal Links Project said, “It is odd to think today that this beautiful part of rural Ceredigion has a connection with the hustle and bustle of London. This event will mark that connection and engage people with an element of their past they may not be aware of, that Ceredigion was an industrial landscape”.

Saturday 25th will also see a short memorial prayer said in the ruins of a chapel (Capel Myddelton) that bears his name at Cwmsymlog mine. The service will pay respects to Sir Hugh and the miners that worked there. Sir Hugh built the chapel for his miners soon after he acquired the mine. For a few minutes at 12pm the chapel will be brought back to life. All are welcome to join us.

At 7pm on Saturday 25 at the church hall Llanbadarn Fawr there will be a series of short talks by local archaeologists and enthusiasts on the life of Sir Hugh and on the mines he owned. All are welcome.

All events over the weekend are free. Walks will be starting at 10am from Cwmsymlog (SN700 837) where there will be a free shuttle bus to ferry walkers between sites. Please bring a packed lunch and wear sensible footwear and appropriate clothing.

For further details contact Samantha Jones, samantha.jones@rcahmw.gov.uk or call 01970 621203.

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