A walk to hill pits

On a dark overcast Friday in October we made our way from the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre. Our first stop was the Pwll Ddu Tunnel (SAM:223) entrance near the Blaeavon to Brymawr road. Ascending the near-by bank we made the short steep climb to where the remains of the base of a stone walled house, which have been fenced off. These remains are all that is left of a property belonging to the engine brakeman.

From there we made our way to the old Powder House (a Grade I Listed Building) that looks like the remaining side is about to collapse at any time soon!! We then made are way to Hill's pit chimney and enclosures. Once there we took measurements of the remaining enclosure banks, which will then be plotted onto a map.

Exposed to the elements and left to nature the remains of these stone built enclosure banks take on a natural feel like the surrounding area that once was a hive of activity, now laying dormant.

It is the aim of this group through researching various media to collect and correlate the information along with archaeology surveys to once more to expose and to bring to life what it must have been like to had lived and worked during the time when these enclosures were in use.

Michael Tomboline