PW_1_2018_090118_flip

Article

For anyone who has never yet visited the South Wales area, we would really encourage you to take in all of these aforementioned activities, which are all children friendly, although you should contact the Big Pit first to identify any age restriction. The other point that would need to be mentioned as regards the Big Pit is that whilst the entrance to the mine is at road level, the restaurant area is at the top of an extremely long and steep walk up the hillside. There is no road up to this level for the public. So now we start working on ideas for the 2018 event, which we hope will be held in the Dyfed Powys Branch area of the Region.

Bill did tell us that when he worked in the mines himself he frequently worked on his side in tunnels two feet high, and you would remain in that position for the eight hour shift, including whilst eating your food. He was never short of identifying the extreme dangers of working down in the mines, although when asked if he would encourage his son to work in that profession should the opportunity arise again, he said he would. Very strange, but anyone knowing the mining community will quickly identify the immense strong bond that these men have towards each other. It is sad that with the demise

of the mining industry in this country we saw a whole way of life swept aside. Within the Welsh Valleys it broke the chapel communities that gave rise to the wonderful choral singing that is so identifiable with male voice choirs. On leaving the Big Pit we headed a mile down the road to the UNESCO site of the Blaenafon Iron Works. This is a large open museum (and free) where visitors are able to view the old furnaces and workers cottages, as well as listening to extremely loud descriptive commentaries played out against the background and roar of the furnaces. By now the wet weather was really sweeping through the valley, but it didn’t deter a member of the office team who had offered to present a basic guide to the buildings and museum area once she had heard we were members of the IPA.

POLICE WORLD Vol 63 No. 1, 2018

15