Tag: Geocaching Events

News & New Caches 106

One traditional cache and 2 events have been published since our last post:

GCAEG8R Church Micro 14937…Aberffraw by Glaslyn1 Traditional (Premium Member Only) D2/T1.5

Events

GCAEFH4 Trick or Treat with 9 Usual Suspects by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1.5

When: Friday 3rd November
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle LL54 6BB
Party Starts: 6pm
Party Ends: 9pm or when the last person leaves
Attire: Optional Halloween Fancy dress

This event is still very much work in progress there for we will publish more details nearer the day.

GCAED06 GIFF 2023, Geocaching International Film Festival by 9 usual Suspects Event D1/T1

Where: Talysarn Community Centre, Station Road, Talysarn, Caernarfon LL54 6HL
Date: Sunday 19th November 2023
Doors open: 2.00pm
Film showing starts: 2.45pm approx, duration approx 1 hour.
Venue closes: 5.00pm 

The GIFF 2023 souvenir will be awarded to all attendees of this event.

GIFF a Brief History

The Geocaching International Film Festival (GIFF) began in 2013 and was a part of the ‘Geocaching Block Party 2013’ held at Geocaching HQ, in Seattle. The finalist films were screened in a park near HQ and it was a huge success. There was another GIFF in 2014 with the same format.

In 2015 all of the finalist films were ready to go but there was a torrential rain storm. The GIFF team were forced to cancel the event in the park and came up with an alternative plan. Geocachers across the world were invited to host events to show the films in their local communities. This was a great success and this has been the format ever since. 9 Usual Suspect have hosted every GIFF event since 2015.

GIFF Stats

2013: Hosted in Seattle only
2014: Hosted in Seattle only
2015: 449 Events | 46 countries
2016: 123 film submissions | 16 finalists | 526 Events | 44 countries
2017: 47 submissions | 17 finalists | 601 Events | 55 countries
2018: 83 submissions | 16 finalists | 656 Events | 58 countries  
2019: 54 submissions | 16 finalists | 688 Events | 56 countries
2020: Cancelled due to Covid
2021: 61 submissions | 17 finalists | 425 Events | 40 countries
2022: No GIFF due to 20 year anniversary celebrations

News & New Caches 105

Just one new traditional cache near Barmouth and our event published since our last post:

GCAE2D0 Geobabies waterfall walk by svl379 Traditional D1.5/T1.5

International Earthcache Day 2023

This year International Earthcache Day is Saturday 7th October, any earthcache logged on either the 7th or 8th will qualify for the souvenir. To earn the souvenir visit the physical location of an EarthCache, complete the logging requirements to receive both a smiley and the 2023 souvenir.

All non-Premium EarthCaches are open to everyone throughout the weekend on the Geocaching® app from 11:00:00 UTC on Friday, October 6, until 10:00:00 UTC on Monday, October 9.

9US Earthcache Day 2023

Our original idea was to visit the earthcaches at Black Rock Sands but the tide times are against us so we have had to revise our plans and put this event on hold for another day. To find earthcaches that our regular attendees (especially Glyn) have not found is hard, but there are 2 earthcaches at Cwmorthin that have very few finds by locals. This will be our 3rd earthcache day event at Cwmorthin but as it is such a beautiful location I am sure no one will object to returning. For any one who has not geocached here there are a further 15 earthcaches, 25 letterbox and traditionals mostly with high D/T ratings.

Our last visit back in 2017

GCAEC35 9 Usual Suspects Return to Cwmorthin, Tanygrisiau by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T3.5

Where: Cwmorthin, Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog
When: Sunday 8th October 2023
Time: 11am to 11.30am

We will meet up in the car park for the event, around 11.30am we will head up the hill to discover:

GC8AGBJ Rhosydd Crazy Stones…. by treboR nosnwoT Earthcache D2/T4.5
GC8AGQC Rhosydd Vesicles….. by treboR nosnwoT Earthcache D2/T2

CITO 2023 Season 2

Another trailer full……

GCADQC3 CITO 2023 Season 2 by 9 Usual Suspects

Thank you everyone for attending and for your hard work making this another very successful litter pick. 12 bags and 6 blue boxes were filled with the usual cans, bottles, fast food containers and general litter. There was a few bizarre items including a hand held vacuum cleaner, a micro wave oven and set of oars. I would love to know how the oars got to the wood behind Tescos. After the litter pick cake, drinks and geochat were enjoyed before everything was packed away for another day. All collected rubbish was disposed of at the recycling centre.

Christmas Dinner

Yes, we know it is only September but bookings for groups are already being taken. We are planning to return to Tafarn Yr Afr/The Goat Inn, Glandwyfach, on either Saturday 25th or 29th Wednesday November. Do you have a preference? Please contact us either through comments or message 9 Usual Suspects geocaching account.

Another 2025 Event

Save the Day……. London Calling Mega 2025

London Calling have announced that they will be hosting this event for the third time on Saturday 3rd May 2025.

News & New Caches 104

GCAE2X5 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 61 by 9 usual Suspects Event
When: Wednesday 27th September
Where: Anglesey Arms, Harbour Front, Caernarfon LL55 1SG
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves

Event Reminder

GCADQC3 CITO 2023 Season 2 by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Saturday 16th September 2023
Where: Parc Dre/Morfa Caernarfon
Time: 11am-1pm

Why not come and join us for another litter pick at one of our regular sites. Our task for the day will be to pick up as much litter as possible starting from the the bridge, around the park then following the River Seiont towards Lon Eifion cycle path. By attending this event you will earn CITO 2023 Season 2 and 75 points towards this months Wheel of Challenges souvenirs.

Cadw, Open Doors 2023

Cadw is a Welsh word meaning ‘to keep’ or ‘to protect’ and is the historic environment service of the Welsh Government. Cadw works to protect the historic buildings, structures, landscapes and heritage sites of Wales.

This September, more than 200 of Wales’ historic sites, landmarks and hidden gems will offer visitors free entry, events or guided tours. Explore some of the country’s lesser-known and smaller-scale sites ― several of which are usually closed to the public.

Why not take the opportunity to visit Barclodiad-y-Gawres Burial Chamber.

When: Saturday 23rd Sep – Sunday 24th Sep 2023
Where: Barclodiad-y-Gawres Burial Chamber, Ty Croes, Anglesey, LL63 5TE
Time: Tours will be at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Meet at the monument.

Barclodiad-y-Gawres is a partially reconstructed Neolithic burial chamber, famous for its decorated stones. The spectacular, cliff side position of this later Neolithic monument is one of its great attractions and accessing it provides a short pleasant walk.  Barclodiad-y-Gawres means ‘The Giantess’s Apronful’ and is a traditional local name.

To find out what is happening near you click on this link Open Doors

2025, A Big Year for Geocaching

2025 sees not only the 25 anniversary of Geocaching but also 9 Usual Suspects 10th birthday – there will be a lot happening. Below is the first event that has come to our attention:

Piratemania Germany

Save the date! Piratemania Germany 4th-6th July 2025

It has recently been announced that in 2025, Piratemania will travel from England through the English Channel across the North Sea and through the Rhine to Germany. The event has yet to be published but will be somewhere in North Rhine-Westphalia. We will keep you updated as more information is released.

Hopefully we will be there…….. will you?

News & New Caches 102

A couple of new caches since our last post:

GCADDJN Mountain View by TeuluOBedwar Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAD7W2 St. Iestyn by BobPuffin Traditional D1/T1.5

Event Reminder

GCACYNA 9 Usual Suspects Visit a Wreck by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T5
When: Saturday 2nd September 2023
Where: Wallasey Beach, New Brighton, Wirral
Time: 7.15-7.45pm

For any one who would like to walk out to the wreck as part of a group we’ll be meeting in the corner of the Wallasey beach car park, N 53° 25.888 W 003° 04.748. We will be starting our walk to the wreck around 6.50pm. Let’s hope for a lovely dry evening…….

The Demise of the SS Denham

The SS Denham, a 103-ton survey vessel, had left Liverpool landing stage between 8am and 8.30am on the morning of July 18th 1946 to make a survey in Liverpool Bay. The vessel was heading back to Liverpool after completing its survey between 1pm and 2pm when it struck a German mine that was still hidden in the waters off New Brighton despite the bay having been swept for such devices. The explosion tore the vessel apart, killing eight members of the crew and left only one survivor, FC Whitby, who was thrown unconscious into the water by the force of the blast.

Photo by kind permission of Ian M Hazeldine https://antonymes.pb.photography/

The inquest found the German mine had lain undetected on the bed of the river after being dropped during an air raid. A crater was later found underneath the wrecked vessel containing fragments of the detonated mine.

The inquest heard from a witness who upon hearing the boat had struck a mine, left Liverpool landing stage by motor boat to try and aid the stricken vessel. On arrival he heard Mr Whitby had been rescued, and spotted the SS Denham. It had sunk in 18 feet of water just over a mile from St. Nicholas’s Church. The tide was ebbing and as soon as the wheelhouse was uncovered he boarded the wreck with a diver. After the tide had fallen further and they had removed a considerable amount of wreckage they recovered the body of ship’s master, Kennedy, from the wheelhouse. He was found alongside the wheel. They searched the engine room and found MacDonald. The weather began to deteriorate, and they discontinued the search when all the bodies but those of Campbell, Roscoe, and Haldane had been found. They searched again on July 20, and these last three were found. He added that the SS Denham was so damaged as to be a total loss.

Photo by Jo (73JLS)

Later the wreck’s wheelhouse and funnel were removed so as not to cause a hazard to shipping.

Crew on board SS Denham killed in the explosion

  • CAMPBELL, WALTER JAMES (59), First Engineer Officer, Denham SS, Lighthouse and Pilotage Authorities
  • COLLINS, WILLIAM (37), Able Seaman, Denham SS, Lighthouse and Pilotage Authorities
  • GIBBONS, GILBERT ERNEST (61), Principal Surveyor, Denham SS, Lighthouse and Pilotage Authorities
  • HALDANE, WILLIAM HENRY JAMES (56), Steward, Denham SS, Lighthouse and Pilotage Authorities
  • KENNEDY, MALCOLM (43), Master, Denham SS, Lighthouse and Pilotage Authorities
  • MACDONALD, ROBERT (37), Fireman, Denham SS, Lighthouse and Pilotage Authorities
  • RICHARDSON, JOHN EDWARD (28), Seaman, Denham SS, Lighthouse and Pilotage Authorities
  • THOMAS ATKINSON (31), Mate, Denham SS, Lighthouse and Pilotage Authorities

New Section of Coastal Path from Aberogwen to Porth Penrhyn

The new section of the Wales Coast Path between the Spinnies Nature Reserve, Aberogwen and Porth Penrhyn, Bangor was opened to the public on the 31 July 2023.

Guidebook to walking the Wales Coast Path | Cicerone Press

Back in May 2021 Gwynedd Council issued a ‘Public Footpath Creation Order’ to establish a public footpath through the Spinnies Nature Reserve and the Penrhyn Estate. After successful negotiations between Gwynedd Council, Penrhyn Estate and North Wales Wildlife Trust the new route was agreed. The new path will be accessed through the Spinnies main gate, then follow the estate wall crossing over Afon Ogwen via the old estate bridge.

The new section follows the coast on the edge of Penrhyn Estate with stunning views of the Menai Straits, Anglesey and Penrhyn Docks. This is the most significant re-alignment project since the opening of the Wales Coast Path in 2012.

The path has been developed sensitively to ensure that the unique intertidal habitat of the Menai Strait is protected. Work have been taken to reduce any negative impact including screening the path from the beach roosting birds, erecting bat and bird boxes to mitigate the effects of creating the new path through a semi ancient woodland.

 Please note, you will not be able to access the Penrhyn Castle from the path.

News & New Caches 100

Two new caches since our last post, both Premium Member only, plus several events for your diary:

GCACMY5 A Fine Pair # 1737 ~ Llanfairpwllgwyngyll by Glaslyn1 Multi D3/T1.5
GCACNPA The geocaching bug by seanx90 Traditional D1.5/T1.5

Events
GCACV3K 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 60 by 9 Usual Suspects
For this months Nosh & Natter we are back at the Snowdonia Parc, Waunfawr.
When: Wednesday 30th August 2023
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves

Photo by Jo (73JLS)

GCACYNA 9 Usual Suspects Visit a Wreck by 9 Usual Suspects
Another 9US adventure this time to visit the wreck site of the SS Denham…… more details in our next post.
When: Saturday 2nd September 2023
Where: Wallasey Beach, New Brighton, Wirral
Time: 7.15-7.45pm

GCACVFT REALLY SideTracked – Great Orme, Victoria Station by Pink icing
When: Saturday 14th October 2023
Where: King’s Head, Old Rd, Llandudno LL30 2NB
Time: 1.30-2.30pm

GCACRX3 Geocaching Halloween Event at The Bryntirion Inn by martin&lindabryn
Whether you’re looking for tricks or treats, this Halloween bash at The Bryntirion Inn is the place to be. 
When: Saturday 28th October 2023
Where: The Bryntirion Inn, Llandderfel, Bala
Time: 7pm – 11pm

Event Reminder

GCAB70R 9US Celebrate International Geocaching Day 2023 by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1.5
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle
When: Saturday 19th August, 2023
Time: 2.00pm-6pm (the bar will remain open until the last person leaves!)
Games Start Time: 2.30pm
BBQ: 5pm
Trackable Raffle Draw: 5.30pm
9 Usual Suspects invite you to join them in the beautiful Nantlle Valley to celebrate International Geocaching Day, the theme for this years event is ‘An Afternoon in the Pub’. There will be darts, dominos and a pub quiz, fun for everyone. If intending to be there please log a ‘will attend’ to enable us to plan catering for the day.

By attending this event you will earn a souvenir, International Geocaching Day 2023.

9 Usual Suspects 29 Series

Some of our caches in our 29 series are getting increasingly difficult to maintain so we are giving notice of intention to archive all at the end of October except the 3 Church Micros and the TB hotel. The series has been very popular since its publication on the 29.2.2016.

For everyone that has completed the series Lon has designed a profile badge.

Copy and paste the following text to your profile page:

<a href=”https://imgflip.com/gif/148sl8″><img src=”https://i.imgflip.com/148sl8.gif“/></a>

We hope to place a new series on leap day 2024………..

News & New Caches 99

Five new caches and an event have been published since our last post:

GCACEYB The Tree-O Squad by JSWhitehead21378 Traditional D3/T1.5
GC6RC4B A bridge to nowhere by Gumpay Traditional D2/T2
GC9Z20R Take a seat by Mossfamilymacc Traditional D1.5/T2
GC9Z219 Carreg y Defaid by Mossfamilymacc Traditional D1.5/T1.5

Premium Member Only
GCACNPA The geocaching bug by seanx90 Traditional D1.5/T1.5

Event
GCACR6T Trotting in to Prestatyn by TeeferTheCat Event
When: Saturday 14th October 2023
Where: The William Morgan, 29-31 High Street, Prestatyn LL19 9AH
Time: 6.30-7.30pm

Event Reminder
GCAB70R 9US Celebrate International Geocaching Day 2023 by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1.5
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle
When: Saturday 19th August, 2023
Time: 2.00pm-6pm (the bar will remain open until the last person leaves!)
Games Start Time: 2.30pm
BBQ: 5pm
Trackable Raffle Draw: 5.30pm
9 Usual Suspects invite you to join them in the beautiful Nantlle Valley to celebrate International Geocaching Day, the theme for this years event is ‘An Afternoon in the Pub’. There will be darts, dominos and a pub quiz, fun for everyone. If intending to be there please log a ‘will attend’ to enable us to plan catering for the day.

Piratemania 15 Pirates Royalists & Roundheads

GCA2BBR Piratemania 15 Pirates Royalists & Roundheads

This years Piratemania was held in the village of Naseby, Northamptonshire. The village is famous for the ‘Battle of Naseby’, fought in open fields on the foggy morning of the 14th June 1645 between the 14,000 strong Parliamentarian New Model Army (Roundheads) and the less than 9,000 Royalist army (Cavaliers) of King Charles I.  After nearly three years of conflict, this was the decisive battle of the Civil War. Only about 4000 Royalists escaped the field, most of whom were either cavalry or senior officers, some seriously wounded. The main royalist field army had been literally destroyed. The King had lost his best officers, seasoned troops and artillery. All that now remained was for the Parliamentarian armies to wipe out the last pockets of Royalist resistance, which it did within the year.

Naseby village hall was a perfect location for this years Piratemania with everything on one site, camping on the large, level, playing field, an excellent children’s playground featuring a pirate ship and plenty of on site parking. The village has a very friendly well stocked shop and we can highly recommend the pub, The Royal Oak, where we had a few P&P stops plus Sunday Lunch. Shame the weather was not a little kinder, I have never seen so many Pirates wearing down jackets!

We all enjoyed the new caches, though one road section was a bit hairy with small children, the adventure labs were fun especially the night ones, but the best bit of ‘pirates’ is to catch up with geocaching friends. This year a record 5 of the original 9 Usual Suspects in attendance, we were also accompanied by more friends and reserves than in previous years.

Sunday nights quiz saw the Usual Suspects Team return a respectable score of 54 out of a possible 64. After the quiz came the geocoin auction to help raise funds for next years Piratemania. We know how hard it is to raise funds to support 9US, it must be a nightmare trying to fund a Mega event. So we had donated one of our slate coins which made £51.00!

News & New Caches 98

First we must apologise for the lack of recent posts so this one maybe a bit longer than normal!

Lets start with the caches that have been published since our last post

GCABP1M watch out for the trolls! by CheesyPasta Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCABQDY Brambles of Lon las by CheesyPasta Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCABRND The Wright Box by Brynvj Traditional D1/T1.5
GCAC0DF Bay Books by escapefromwork Multi D3.5/T1
GCAC3VK Bryn Wylfa View by cacheB8S Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAC6DN Coastal Cache. The old Lifeboat Station by cacheB8S Traditional D1.5/T2.5
GCACB4E HHH – A Hunt on the Hindlea Headland by cacheB8S Traditional D2/T2
GCAC9PK Portable Magic by escapefromwork Traditional D2/T1

Event Reviews

GCAB60H CITO, A487 South, Quick Pick by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T4

Before………..
After……….

Thank you everyone for attending and for all your hard work in tiding up this lay-by. Again our weather god was on our side, it might have been grey but there was no rain until we had packed up. After the previous days rain we were very surprised on attendance numbers. With many hands making light work we saw the area quickly transformed, 11 bags of rubbish picked from this very small area. In an ideal world there would be no litter as everyone would dispose of their rubbish responsibly.

The hard working team

After a litter pick we always message Gwynedd Council with our results and reporting any concerns we might have, the following is taken from our latest report:

“We think part of the problem here is caused by lack of litter bins. The lay-by is a popular stop off point for visitors travelling to/through our area, a litter infested lay-by is not a good look. Please could the council consider placing a couple of bins in each lay-by.” 

We received the following reply from Norman Hughes:

“Thank you all for your work, clearly a great improvement. Thanks for highlighting this location I have passed on your comments regarding new bins at the location. I have also forwarded your message to our Street Scene Manager. I will update you once I receive an update.
Again many thanks to all volunteers.”

Let’s hope we won’t have to be back here for a long time……..

Nosh & Natter 59

GCAB6AZ 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 59 by 9 Usual Suspect D1/T1

What an awful night? Not the weather you expect for the end of July! Again we were amazed at the turnout for an outside event, not just wet but very cold for July. A huge thank you to Cemlyn for coming to our aid and opening up his works canteen, giving us a dry and very comfortable venue for our event.

Wheel of Challenge, Iconic Cacher

What comes next in Wheel of Challenges? – Official Blog

The Wheel of Challenge, Streak Star!, ended on Sunday 6th August. The next challenge, Iconic Cacher, started on Monday 7th August and finishes on Sunday 3rd September. To qualify for the 2 souvenirs, easy and hard, find as many different icons that you can.

Earn the easy souvenir for this challenge by finding and logging these three different cache types:

  • Traditional Cache
  • Adventure Location
  • Event Cache

Earn the hard souvenir for this challenge by finding and logging these eight different cache types:

  • Traditional Cache
  • Adventure Location
  • Event Cache
  • Virtual Cache
  • EarthCache
  • Multi-Cache
  • Mystery Cache
  • Letterbox Hybrid

The next challenge will be announced on August 29th.

News & New Caches 97

At last we have our two new caches on Lon Eifion replaced, still can’t believe they went missing before they were published. Both are different containers than the original but are custom made. There are no hints so we have increased the difficulty ratings.
GCAAH62 Lon Eifion, Depend by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D3/T1
GCAAH55 Lon Eifion, On the Defence 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D4/T1

This is the first Victoria’s Post Box cache in North Wales and only the second in Wales.
GCAB5H7 Victoria’s Post Box #170 – Llanfaglan by Clueless_Goose Letterbox D3/T1.5

All the other caches published this week are premium member only.

Premium Member Only

GCABBGQ Togetherness by Clueless_Goose Traditional D3.5/T1.5

Congratulations to Dawn, escapefromwork, on her 4th anniversary of geocaching and placing a new series of 5 caches to mark this occasion.
GCABEYH Happy Anniversary by escapefromwork Traditional D1/T1
GCABEYT Happy Anniversary 2 by escapefromwork Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCABEZ7 Happy Anniversary 3 by escapefromwork Traditional D2/T1.5
GCABEZM Happy Anniversary 4 by escapefromwork Traditional D2/T1
GCABF07 Happy Anniversary 5 by escapefromwork Traditional D1.5/T1.5

Event Reminders

It is a busy week for events with 3 local and the start of Piratemania.

GCAB60H CITO, A487 South, Quick Pick by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T4

When: Sunday 23rd July 2023
Where: Lab-by, Caernarfon By-pass
Time: 11-12pm

Please note there is a very steep bank involved in this litter pick. Parking is limited at the  published coordinates, if anyone could car share it would be appreciated.
Note: This not a souvenir event
I am hoping that the current weather forecast for Sunday is not correct.

GCAB75D The great garden of Gwynedd by Young Heed Event D1/T1.5
When: Monday 24th July 2023
Where: Garth Point Garden, Bangor
Time: 5-5.30pm
Young Heed is attending a conference in Bangor and would like to meet local and not so local geocachers.

GCAB6AZ 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 59 by 9 Usual Suspect D1/T1

For this months N&N we will be visiting The Cube a kebab/burger van at Brynrefail, a quick catch up before we head off for Piratemania. Our last event here was way back in April 2017. Let’s hope for a dry, warm, sunny evening!

When: Wednesday 26th July 2023
Where: The Cube, Brynrefail, Llanberis
Time: 6.00pm to 7.30pm or when the last person leaves

Please note the earlier start time.

News & New Caches 96

No new caches, just a couple of events have been published since our last post:

GCAB75D The great garden of Gwynedd by Young Heed Event D1/T1.5
When: Monday 24th July 2023
Where: Garth Point Garden, Bangor
Time: 5-5.30pm
Young Heed is attending a conference in Bangor and would like to meet local and not so local geocachers.

GCAB70R 9US Celebrate International Geocaching Day 2023 by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1.5
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle
When: Saturday 19th August, 2023
Time: 2.00pm-6pm (the bar will remain open until the last person leaves!)
Games Start Time: 2.30pm
BBQ: 5pm
Trackable Raffle Draw: 5.30pm
9 Usual Suspects invite you to join them in the beautiful Nantlle Valley to celebrate International Geocaching Day, the theme for this years event is ‘An Afternoon in the Pub’. There will be darts, dominos, a quiz, and other activities, fun for everyone.

Event Reminder

GCA7B67 The Chens on Tour 2023 – Llandanwg by The Chens Event D1/T1
When: Saturday 15th July 2023
Where: Y Maes Caffi, Llandanwg LL46 2SD
Time: 11-11.30am
The Chens are touring our area and would like to meet local and not so local geocachers.

Dorothea Slate Quarry Captured on Film

Dorothea Quarry is a fascinating place full of industrial history which as the buildings and structures decay is slowly being reclaimed by nature. We have recently had 5 caches published here, anyone who has or is about to visit may find the links below of interest.

The following film links and text is taken from the National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales.

https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-men-against-death-a-story-of-peril-in-our-time-1933-online

The year is 1933, ‘C H Dand, a publicist and scenario writer, here turned his hand to film- making and produced what is believed to be the first sound film made and set in Wales. He used Dorothea Quarry, Tal-y-sarn and the men employed there to enact a dramatic story, the (lost) second reel of which would show a rock taking its revenge on the men for blasting away its supporting slate by collapsing. The quarry’s assistant manager makes a daily risk assessment of the “angry rock”. 

Dand’s film shows the scale of Dorothea Quarry in the Nantlle Valley, possibly the deepest man-made pit in the northern hemisphere, the equipment used and the dangerous nature of the work. The film was premiered at the newly opened Plaza Cinema in Pen-y-groes, its audience the very quarrymen who had taken part in the drama, together with their co-workers and families.’

https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-rails-to-talsarn-1962-online

The year is 1962, Horse-drawn railway: ‘Prince’ and ‘Corwen’ pull slate wagons from Pen-yr-Orsedd quarry to Tal-y-sarn station, guided by Mr Oswald Jones, guard/driver. 

‘The horse-drawn railway from the station at Tal-y-sarn to Pen-yr-Orsedd quarry was part of a longer line – originally all horse-drawn – that ran from the quay at Caernarfon to the quarries of the Nantlle Valley. ‘Prince’ and ‘Corwen’ pull the wagons on this section that closed in 1963. They were probably the last horses used by British Rail. They are guided by Mr Oswald Jones who uses wooden sprags in the wheels as brakes. Oswald’s father, aged 81, helps out at Tal-y-Sarn.

The Nantlle Railway was the first quarry railway to provide a passenger service also. The section from Tal-y-sarn to Pen-yr-Orsedd quarry continued until 1963, the only British Rail horse-drawn line. This footage was shot and is narrated by David E Sutcliffe, a Bull Bay-based BBC stringer (i.e. he would provide the BBC with newsworthy footage from his area) and local cinema operator, not long before the railway ceased operation altogether.’

For a history of the Nantlle valley quarries visit penmorfa.com