Close Window May 1994

DWYFOR TO CLEAR BUT NOT CLEAN

The present owner of the Tannery did not comply with the Dangerous Structures Notice or the Environmental Health Notice served by Dwyfor before Christmas. Dwyfor will therefore carry out the work themselves, and having obtained tenders, has just agreed a
contract. The work will include the demolition of the Laundry buildings and garage in front of the Tannery and Bron Haul, and of the derelict sheds adjacent to the Tannery. The roof of the Tannery will be stripped and the valuable diminished course slates stored
securely. The roof will be covered in metal sheeting to prevent further deterioration of the Tannery. Inside the Tannery, the rotten floor boards and the stairs will be removed to prevent trespassers climbing up and falling through. The beams will remain to brace
the structure. Lintels will be propped where necessary, then the whole will be boarded up to prevent access. Similarly, Bron Haul will be made watertight and secured against access. The porterhouse with white asbestos inside it will go; old water tanks will be removed or made safe; old fuel tanks will be emptied and filled safely.

Dwyfor will discuss with Gwynedd if it might be possible under other legislation to fence the whole site to keep out travellers and gipsies.

The contaminated site slab, and areas of metal and chemical contamination detected within the soil will remain.

Under the terms of the Notices, Dwyfor cannot carry out repairs beyond those essential to safety on the site in general and health with regard to Bron Haul.

While we can be relieved that Dwyfor is taking steps to avoid an accident on the site, we must ask- why this course of action?

USE OF WRONG LEGISLATION?

Unfortunately, Dwyfor has not used the powers available to them in this case under the Listed Buildings and Conservation Area legislation, to acquire the site; then to take up a Welsh Office Derelict Land Reclamation Scheme Grant at 100% to clear all the
modern derelict buildings and the site contamination at no cost to themselves. Since this course of action was suggested to them in 1991 and repeatedly since, the question remains, WHY have they chosen to take action as they have that will cost local ratepayers, instead of drawing in money from the Welsh Office coffers?

MEURIG ROYLES REFUSES TO DISCUSS

Unfortunately, since the Chief Executive of Dwyfor, Mr Meurig Royles has twice refused to meet Trust representatives to discuss the case (in the summer and in the autumn of 1993) we can only use our imagination!

AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the Trust was held on 21st February in Tremadog. Despite the distribution of a leaflet to every household in Treamadog, describing the work of the Trust and inviting residents to the meeting, only 25 people were present.
The meeting was positive in tone however, with the presentation of the Economic Feasibility Study showing a way forward - IF WE CAN ELICIT ACTION FROM DWYFOR.

SORRY

I must apologise to welsh readers if they were unaware of the AGM because of my error in omitting notice of it in the welsh version of Newsletter 5. This got chopped off inadvertently to fit the page.

PROJECT WITH YSGOL Y GORLAN

Good news! This project has now started. Working with the older children, the programme will include visiting the County archives to see maps, old drawings and photographs; drawing and photographing the buildings in Tremadog, and learning about the style and materials in which they were planned and built; Madocks' story and the building of the Cob; interviewing residents to learn about the changes in Tremadog within living memory; discussion of the future of Tremadog - revamping the Square, the effects of the bypass,
uses for several redundant buildings.

The practical outcome will be an exhibition, a leaflet and a booklet for sale - we hope! We hope also to raise awareness and appreciation of the very special qualities of Tremadog. But we need more volunteers to help work with the children, particulars when
we take them out of school. If you have any experience with working with children, or any interest in learning with them, please contact Frances Voelcker, the Trust Secretary. The work is taking place weekly, on a Monday morning. Help with one session or
with many. Fundraising to pay for materials Is going well at present; it may be possible to reimburse travel costs.

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