Welsh Journals

MINING ACTIVITY NEAR NEWTOWN, POWYS TREVOR MORRIS, B.SC., M.ED., MRIC., C.CHEM. Introduction Newtown lies well to the west of the Cardiganshire-West Montgomer- shire Mining Field' and to the east of the Shropshire Mining Field.] The geology of the area consists of Silurian shales and mudstones over- lying similar Ordivician shales. The former is unfavourable for miner- alisation compared with the latter. The rocks are overlain with bouldei clay often to a great depth. Yet despite these unfavourable geological conditions and its position, there is evidence for seven mines/trials in the vicinity of Newtown. 1. Newtown Hall (Also known as Newtown Park) S0095909 The remains of the mine are positioned on the Nantoer side of the River Severn lying half-way between the nineteenth century Milford Hall woollen mill and the remains of the Nantoer salmon trap. Between these two positions in a loop of the River Severn the bank of the river rises to a steep cliff about 60 feet above water level. The position of the mine lies half-way along this cliff. The author located its position in 1966 but the description of Davies3 shows that the mine has deteriorated rapidly with time. Indeed an experienced industrial archaeologist in 1978 could find no trace of it.4 Today (1979) there are two levels, one above the other, both of which are run in and blocked. To a casual observer it would appear that these depressions were run in badger/fox-holes or the result of soil erosion. ^or a recent survey see D. E. Bick (1978) The Old Metal Mines of Mid Wales, Newent, Gloucestershire, especially part IV and its associated references. 2 F. Brooks and M. Allbutt (1973) The Shropshire Lead Mines, Moorland Leek, Staffordshire. 3O. Davies (1936) "Ancient Mines in Montgomeryshire continued Newtown." Montgomeryshire Collections 45, pp. 152-155. *0. Davies (1936) on. cit.