www.brymboheritage.co.ukTHIS BOOKLET IS ABOUT OUR HERITAGE AND A VISION FOR CELEBRATING IT.

WHAT NEXT?

A 300 MILLION YEAR STORY:from fossils to coal, iron to steel, closure to rebirth.

FOSSILS

COAL

300 million years ago, long before the dinosaurs, Wales sat close to the equator on the super-continent ‘Pangea’. Temperatures were hot and it rained and flooded often. Year after year trees and plants grew and died, and their remains were squashed over time to become peat and then coal. Other minerals and rocks formed too, making a series of rock layers.

Sometimes the floods were so heavy that they covered the trees completely in silt and mud, making a very deep layer - and in Brymbo one such flood captured a whole landscape that we’ve only recently rediscovered - more than 20 full size trees, still upright, completely fossilised for us to see.

Brymbo’s hilly nature has meant that in places the coal seams that lie below us have stuck out from the side of the hill, making them easy to work without digging underground. This is how coal was worked as early as the 1400s in Brymbo.

By the 1700s methods of digging down to coal buried below ground had reached Brymbo. In total there have been more than 100 individual pits just in Brymbo alone, many of them still visible today. The last coal was extracted in Brymbo in 2005.

IRONBrymbo’s ground also contains ironstone, and lime and lead have been readily available from neighbouring villages for centuries. Access to these materials and Brymbo’s coal meant that large scale iron production was possible. The great ‘Ironmaster’ John Wilkinson spotted this potential in 1792 when he bought the 500 acres that made up the Brymbo Hall estate, moving his ironworks to Brymbo from the less mineral-rich Bersham.

Brymbo’s drawback was its lack of waterpower, but this was the time of steam engines when water power was less necessary. Wilkinson helped improve the efficiency of steam engines (fuelling the second wave of the world-wide industrial revolution) by casting and boring very accurate cylinders.

STEELAlthough Iron remained in production until 1978 the market had long since switched to favour steel - a much stronger and more versatile metal. Brymbo became the first site in Britain to use modern methods to produce steel in the 1880s, and during the 20th century its reputation for quality grew worldwide, as did the size and scale of the site itself. The works changed ownership many times, the last time in 1986 before it closed in 1990.

When someone mentions Brymbo most people think of steel, even though the steelworks closed in 1990. Why was Brymbo chosen in the first place, and how did the works grow from humble origins to be a world leader?

BRYMBO’S INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE

Many people remember the day the works closed. A traditional way of life for the people of Brymbo and the surrounding area disappeared overnight. There was tremendous pressure to find new jobs and a new role for the site, and whilst some jobs came to Brymbo most people had to look elsewhere for work. The land was extensively reclaimed ten years ago to make it suitable for redevelopment: Housing and the Enterprise Centre have since been built. A new road, further housing, a school, supermarket and shops, business units, and accessible parkland are all planned for the years to come.

The North West corner of the site contains the Heritage Area, where the story from fossils to coal, from iron to steel, waits to be told.

LEGACY

Fossilised plant material in situ in Brymbo, 2009

Manual movement of coke at Brymbo, 1960s Aerial view of Brymbo Steelworks, 1970s

Steelworkers at Brymbo, 1900s

WORLD CLASS? REALLY?Yes. Our fossilised forest is unique; not just in Wales, not just in the UK, nor Europe. But in the world. There are several sites of ‘petrified forests’ spread across the globe from North America to Thailand, but none has a complete series of trees standing upright exactly where they grew.

For now, most of our trees remain buried. Some samples have been removed for further research and display, including specimens that will shortly be exhibited in the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff. Our vision in Brymbo is to dig carefully around and expose each and every one of the 20 or so trees that remain, so that we can one day stroll through the prehistoric forest.

But it’s going to be tricky. We’ve got help from many geological and museum experts, but designing the right building to cover and protect the exposed trees is going to be a challenge.

THE INDUSTRIAL LANDSCAPEConserving and re-using the ironworks, coal mining and steelworks buildings may seem straightforward, but raising enough funds to pay for the work required is a bigger issue. In 2013 the buildings were surveyed to establish the cost of stabilising and conserving them, and this alone was estimated at £2.5m. To then bring them back into use, perhaps to contain a visitor centre, working foundry, art studios, small business spaces, cafe, study centre, and so on will cost more again.

Our focus now is on working out what might go where, how much each part would cost, who might help us fund each element, and how each part (and the whole) would keep itself going year after year.

The vision is to harness the fossils, the industrial buildings and the surrounding landscape as a single Heritage Area.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE?The Heritage Area has huge potential to bring in visitors from far and wide as a world class geological site and shining example of Britain’s contribution to the industrial revolution and modern life. But what could it do for us the people of Brymbo?

It would bring: Extra community facilities - shops, businesses, open space and parkland, improved access and environment quality; Opportunities for employment, training, volunteering and the further development of community-run organisations; A restored reputation and pride - putting Brymbo back on the map as a place regarded across the world.

Brymbo Heritage Group was formed in 2000 by a group of former workers and enthusiasts. Its aims have been to find ways to tell Brymbo’s story for future generations and to preserve what’s left of our industrial past.

Since 2011 the group has been looking more seriously at the scope for the Heritage Area to be opened up to the public as a visitor attraction, park and education centre. A professional study completed in 2013 has further convinced the group and a whole host of partner organisations that there is real potential here.

Now, with your help, and the support already committed by partners, we have an opportunity to secure major investment and establish a world class attraction - right here in Brymbo.

A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Fossilised plant material in Brymbo, 2009

Painting by Peter Roberts showing fossilised trunk in situ in Brymbo, 2007

Partially reassembled fossilised root system on display in Brymbo Machine Shop, 2014

Collapsed roofs at Brymbo Ironworks, 2014

Come and see the exhibition in the Enterprise Centre and find out more about our rich and proud history and see what’s in it for you and generations to come!

Open days are organised throughout the year, rain or shine - take a look, have a stroll, and be amazed.

If you can’t wait ring 0800 772 0981 to arrange your visit.

ALL OF THIS ON OUR DOORSTEP

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1. FOSSIL FOREST More than 20 fossilised trees from 300 million years ago, all upright and waiting to be displayed to a world-wide audience.

2. BLAST PIT People have mined coal in Brymbo since the 1400s; Blast Pit was the main source of coal to turn into coke to fire the furnaces in the early days of the iron works; it closed in 1915. Several of the pit buildings and shafts remain.

3. IRONWORKS John Wilkinson built his ironworks here from 1796 onwards, including the No.1 Furnace, North and South Foundries, and the Pattern Makers Workshop that all remain to this day. The Machine Shop is one of the later steelworks buildings and dates from 1920.

4. CHARGING WALL Rising over 20 metres this enormous wall supported the coke ovens and railway lines that brought raw materials to be ‘top loaded’ into the furnaces.

5. AGENT’S HOUSE Built before the ironworks in the late 1700s John Wilkinson turned this group of three cottages into the office where sales and purchases were made and where the Agent lived.

6. WONDERBANK Formed originally of mining spoil from the ‘Wonder Pit’ and ‘Blast Pit’ this now provides an uninterrupted view North to Liverpool, East across the Cheshire Plain and South to the Wrekin.

7. ECOLOGY AREA This long valley area was home to parts of the railway, pit workings and one of the original steelworks entrances; since the 1990s it has steadily been established as an ecology area and is home to many newts in specially formed ponds..

8. ENTERPRISE CENTRE An exhibition about Brymbo’s Heritage is located in the main reception area and extends down the corridor towards the gym; FREE TO VISIT!

9. THE NEW ROAD A spur of the new road will provide access directly into the Heritage Area. Aerial view of Brymbo Heritage Area and its surroundings

OPENING UP THE SITE FOR VISITS

BUILDING THE MOMENTUM... AND A FOLLOWING!

WHAT WILL IT ACHIEVE?

RECORDING STORIES & PUBLISHING PICTURES

We’ll be putting together a programme of visits, open days and tours for everyone - from school children and teachers to kids and their grandads, for the general public and for groups that have particular interests in the site. We can’t make it fully open yet - it simply isn’t safe enough, but get involved and help us bring forward the time when it can be fully open!

Everyone who visits goes away inspired, and those of us who live here know how deserving Brymbo is. We want to capitalise on this enthusiasm to show funders how we can all work together to make this a world class visitor attraction, one that tells the full story from fossils to coal to iron and then steel, and one that creates jobs and wealth in the community once more.

This project is all about engaging the local community, the significance of the site to Wrexham and its people, and finding ways to get people involved in telling Brymbo’s story. Along the way we’ll be looking for residents’ views on how the Heritage Area should be developed, what features should and perhaps shouldn’t be included, and for ways of making sure it thrives and continues to grow year after year.

Capturing memories of the area, particularly relating to the steelworks and its impact, is the main theme of the project. This includes collecting, cataloging and publishing photographs as well as recording your thoughts and recollections. We’ll be using audio recorders and video cameras to make sure the stories can be passed from generation to generation.

Following 2013’s study to consider how the site could be established as a viable heritage attraction Brymbo Heritage Group were encouraged to seek support from the Heritage Lottery Fund - part of the UK National Lottery. The group successfully applied for £97,500 to run a three year project between 2014 and 2016 called...

‘Brymbo’s Heritage Renaissance - Building The Momentum’

The Heritage Lottery Fund is also helping us to recruit and train volunteers - there’s more information about volunteering on the back page.

Ring Gary (our Heritage Officer) on 0800 772 0981 - free from landlines!

FIRST STEPS TOWARDS ‘MAKING IT HAPPEN’

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

A selection of old photos showing Brymbo in days gone by

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ABOUT YOU

Your name:

Your village/town:

A phone number or email address if you’d like us to contact you:

WHAT EVENTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE TAKE PLACE IN THE HERITAGE AREA?

Open days

Personal tours

School visits

Visits by community groups

Clean up days

Restoration days

Restoration courses

Reminiscence days

Learning courses (please specify)

Off-road vehicle tours of the site

Theatre performances

Music performances

Art exhibitions

Archaeology events

Family fun days

Adventure training activities

WHAT ELSE?

Heritage displays

Working foundry / blacksmith

Craft shops

Cafe

Licensed restaurant

Small business offices

Small business studios

Theatre performance space

Music performance space

Travelling exhibitions

Sports facilities

Outward bound facilities

Skills training centre

Adult learning centre

Open play space

Childrens’ soft play area

WHAT ELSE?

WHAT FACILITIES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE HERITAGE AREA IN THE LONG TERM?

PLEASE TICK AS MANY AS YOU LIKE PLEASE TICK AS MANY AS YOU LIKE

ALL SESSIONS ARE FREE (Although some sessions have optional activities/items available for a modest charge, such as 4x4 tours of the site and refreshments during open days).

PUBLIC EVENTS Open days - find out what the Heritage Area has to offer, what the plans are, and help shape the area’s future (monthly April to October).

PHOTO DISCUSSION SESSIONS Looking at old photos with tea & biscuits (monthly throughout the year) and help us behind the scenes with scanning and cataloguing the pictures

GROUP TOURS Choose from a range of tours, from general to specific, industrial to geological. Options include high and low exertion sessions. Call us on 0800 772 0981 to discuss your requirements.

ORAL HISTORIES For groups or individuals who want to have their stories recorded there are a series of sessions throughout the year. There are opportunities to get involved in editing and publishing the stories, too. Call or check the website to find out more or register your interest.

VOLUNTEERING Volunteering open days - find out what’s on offer and consider how you can get involved (Easter onwards) - to be followed by induction days and then personalised arrangements to volunteer, with a training plan as necessary.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING A series of open events for Teachers are planned during the Summer and Autumn terms. These events contribute to the development of our education programme spanning all ages.

CORPORATE TRAINING DAYS Find out what’s on offer and consider how your organisation can use the site and its resources (Ring to discuss on 0800 772 0981).

A range of events are planned throughout each year. Check the website or ring 0800 772 0981 for dates, times and arrangements.

ANNUAL EVENTSYou can tell us what you think by completing this survey online at www.brymboheritage.co.uk/survey, or by getting in touch directly by phone, email or Facebook.. If you’d prefer to put pen to paper why not complete these final two pages, tear them off and pop them into reception at Brymbo Enterprise Centre.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

www.brymboheritage.co.uk

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Complete this survey online at www.brymboheritage.co.uk/survey or tear this page out and drop it off at reception in the Brymbo Enterprise Centre, or post it to:

Brymbo Heritage Group, c/o Brymbo Enterprise Centre, Blast Road, Brymbo, Wrexham LL11 5BT

This booklet is available on request in Welsh and as both an English and Welsh spoken recording on our website.

There’s something for everyone to get involved with - at a time to suit you, with as much or as little commitment as you want to make.

Training is provided - some of it accredited - and we can record as much or as little as you want for CV development or personal interest.

The ‘to do’ list is huge – could you help with:

VOLUNTEERING

Scanning photos

Conducting interviews, editing sound and video

Clearing pathways

Designing signage and displays

Stewarding public events

Acting as a tour guide

Re-enacting scenes from Brymbo’s past

Creating art

Writing up historical accounts

Undertaking academic research

Helping design and run the schools programme

What else can you think of?

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO TELL US?

We’re a group of enthusiasts and we’ve achieved a lot already. Imagine how much more we could do with twice or three times as many people - could you be one of those who brings a new idea, fresh views and energy to help make this happen?

Get in touch if you’d like to join the group, its management committee, or perhaps if your organisation can help us in some way.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP RUN THE HERITAGE AREA?