The Industrial Revolution and Kite Country

Although deliberate shaping of the landscape can be traced back to the early Middle Ages, with the clearance of areas of forest to make way for sheep and cultivated land, the deliberate and almost unthinking destruction of the countryside began in earnest in the 17th century with the exploitation of mineral resources. Although gold had been mined at Dolaucothi since Roman times, silver and lead deposits were also discovered and ruthlessly excavated. Traces of lead mining can be seen in several places, especially in Rhandirmyn in the upper Towy valley (see Map 12). The old miners' cottages on the hill behind the village are worth seeing.

All the raw materials for iron making were discovered close together in the Clydach Gorge to the South-West and the first furnaces were set up there in about 1600 (see Map 9). Today the Gorge is a fascinating place for those interested in industrial architecture.

The significant limestone outcrops to the South of Kite Country were increasingly quarried to supply the iron industry and, later on, to supply quicklime for agriculture. Today these quarries are largely silent, slowly becoming colonised by wild plants, birds and animals, but the scars on the landscape remain.

The greatest transformation of all was caused by the mining of coal along the whole of the area immediately to the South of what is now the Brecon Beacons National Park. This huge area, known collectively as the Welsh Valleys, lives forever in the shadow of an industry that has now passed into history as a result of commercial necessity. It may take hundreds of years before the Valleys are returned to a semblance of natural beauty. However, whilst not strictly forming part of Kite Country, it is hard to avoid taking an interest in what was once an area of tremendous industrial significance and the visitor should at least try to take in some of the many communities established to staff the now deserted pits. A few have been kept open for tourists and the Rhondda Heritage Park near Pontypridd and the Big Pit at Blaenafon are very interesting and informative. Whilst at Blaenafon you could also visit the 18th century Ironworks now preserved by CADW. The importance of Blaenavon to the history of the Industrial Revolution was recognised in November 2000 when it was accorded the status of World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It really is worth a visit to take in the effects of 2000 years of industrial development on the landscape.

A most significant remnant of the Industrial Revolution is the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal linking Brecon and Pontypool. Completed in 1812 to carry industrial and agricultural goods, the canal could not compete against the railways and fell into disuse by the 1930s. It has now been re-opened as a leisure resource and you can either take an easy walk along the towpath or ride on one of the many barges available locally.

During the last 100 years further dramatic changes have been made to the Kite Country landscape in order to meet the increasing demands of industry and a growing population. Whilst they are a significant benefit to leisure interests - especially fishing - the numerous reservoirs have undeniably and artificially changed the natural beauty of the mountains and valleys. Also, the ubiquitous plantations of conifers have all but replaced indigenous broadleaved trees and are of little benefit to wildlife. Strenuous efforts to preserve the remaining areas of old forest are now being made by various conservation groups, especially the Woodland Trust and the various Wildlife Trusts. They deserve our full support.

The Future of Kite Country

Go to History Introduction