Allt Ddu - Page 4

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* Allt Ddu Quarry (Dinorwic Slate Quarry) *

[Pic 14] Allt Ddu Quarry - Obliteration! II (Sept 2013)

Fast forward 26 years from 1987 to 2013 and Pic 14 (again) shows the view from the top of what was once the big Bonc Fawr embankment, looking north west to where the two long tips (Fawr and Domen Fawr) headed off into the distance. Also in view would have been the summit of the Chwarel Fawr incline and (further on) the site of the Allt Ddu mill. Note how the trees have grown and softened the view (even though it still looks far too artificial!) plus the water now coming out of the infilled pit drainage tunnel. The concrete and stone lined culvert that carries this water threads its way far downhill to just beyond where the end of the tips once were, not far above the Llyn Padarn shore.

[Pic 15] Allt Ddu Quarry - Bonc Fawr embankment site (Sept 2013)

This is the view of the big Bonc Fawr embankment location, which once ran across the scene, the white van being on top of what would have been the embankment before the 1980s landscaping scheme. Even today the giant Dinorwig Quarry tips dominate the scene. Note the landscaped tips left of the pit remains - there was originally a level (part way up) that ran, left of camera, to a point where it crossed the Dinorwig village road and onto a series of tips beyond. This level once contained building remains that i never got chance to explore.

[Pic 16] Allt Ddu Quarry - Connections to Chwarel Fawr II (Sept 2013)

Pic 5 showed the old connections to Chwarel Fawr quarry (formerly located on the hillside opposite) and this is an attempt to replicate that view today - but all major features have vanished under the landscaping, including the Bonc Bach tramway (and its own embankment) which ran across the middle of the photo. Chwarel Fawr quarry was also landscaped and its site can be located by the pale grass areas on the far hillside. Note how the trees have grown compared to a similar view seen in pic 9 from 1987.

[Pic 17] Allt Ddu Quarry - Blast Shelter (Sept 2013)

West of the main Allt Ddu pit was an old smaller working, Bryn Llys, part of which survived the landscaping, and relocated there is this former blast shelter. Sadly this is now the sole remaining structure on the entire site. Note how they also infilled the pit here with waste rubble.