Re-development, re-generation reclamation and re-utilization is happening everywhere today - but what is it all replacing?
We all know what the Romans did for us, not to mention the Elizabethans, but very few people care too much about the industrial heritage and archaeology of the UK.
This site aims to record some of the 'leftovers' from Monmouthshire's industrial revolution along with a little of their history and location plus a record of the sites we have already lost.
All too often I have intended to visit a site from our industrial past - only to find that it has already been suddenly replaced by rows of new housing or a retail park!
So take a good look around you and make the most of what you can see..... before it really is too late!!
The main sections cover the Eastern, Western, Sirhowy and Rhymney Valleys along with a section for Newport City and rural Monmouthshire.
The sub-sections cover more localised areas, with potted histories of selected sites and some idea of what to look for, along with a comprehensive index of all
identifiable sites, photos and maps. This site builder is not too good at handling photos yet so there are lots more at
http://philjenkins.fotopic.net/.
Some areas have more coverage - some have very much less, as there's plenty still to do. All I need is limitless time!! One day....
The 'Further Reading' page has links and details of the many websites, books, magazines and sources of information that have contributed to my knowledge of the area.
Many thanks to all of them.
Please get in touch if you have any comments, queries or additional information, all of which will be acknowledged.
The Industrial Archaeology of Monmouthshire - the full works.
This 'Excel' spreadsheet will, one day, contain the National Grid references and brief details of all identified sites in Monmouthshire.
Click on the link below to open or save it.
I am updating it continuously but there are many areas yet to research and add to the list - so I've started in the South and am slowly working North.......
I love maps so most of my own input has been by examining the old maps of Monmouthshire and relating the sites to today's Ordnance Survey maps.
Then, when I get the chance, I go exploring and photographing what is left. I've found that a great way of finding new areas to explore is to join the Ramblers Association.
I'm a member of Islwyn Ramblers :-
http://www.islwyn-ramblers.co.uk/index.html
and I've stumbled across many interesting sites on their rambles. For a not-too-serious record of my ramblings and roaming see here:-
http://philjenkins22.spaces.live.com/
The history snippets are taken from the published sources acknowledged on the 'Further Reading' page. Dates prefixed 'b' usually refer to when a site first appeared on the
OS map and when it was marked 'disused' or was no longer shown. The dates on OS maps are usually the dates they were published so sites on them have appeared or
disappeared a few years earlier than those quoted.
All the photos and sketches are mine and copyright but you are very welcome to download, print and use
them for your personal research etc. If you do find out anything interesting please let me know.
The site has been created and maintained using the 'Microsoft Office Live Small Business' suite and 'Expression Web' for Mozilla Firefox v3.5.5 with a resolution of 1280 x 800.
Site last updated on
29.03.10 - Sirhowy Valley
10.03.10 - Newport and rural Monmouthshire
03.03.10 - Pontypool
02.03.10 - Blaenavon
20.01.10 - Abersychan and Varteg
The main spreadsheet, 'The Industrial Sites of Monmouthshire', is being constantly updated and I upload the latest version whenever the updates above take place.
