Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk

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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk

• The Sleeping Giant Foundation

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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk

• The Present

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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk

• The Riverside Walk Llwybr Macho at Abercraf is
  one of the sites of great importance in the
  heritage of the Swansea valley. The feeder for
  the Swansea canal is found here and it is this
  canal that opened up the valleys riches to the
  industrial revolution. This feeder also provided
  water to power some 40 water powered
  installations that are sited along the canal. The
  path was used during the industrial revolution by
  miners and other workers in Abercraf.
• The path benefits from being a site of natural
  beauty in mature deciduous woodland with many
  rare species of plant life. It is a haven for
  wildlife and salmon can be seen leaping the weir
  in late summer.

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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk

• The local community have long desired the path to
  be restored, as plant and tree growth and
  degenerating drainage are threatening to
  undermine the structure. They value the path not
  only as part of the heritage of Abercraf, but
  also as a valuable asset to the health and
  well-being of the local community.
• We are in possession of over 20 signatures from
  people having walked this path for over 20 years
  and are in the process of registering the path in
  the hopes of linking it with the local path
  network. We have been in communication with
  British Waterways and Powys County Council who
  own the land to move this forward.

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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk
The head of the Llwybr Macho riverside walk is an
important historical site. It is here that
the feeder for the old Swansea canal can be
found. It was this canal that enabled the
industrial revolution to come to the valley.
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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk
Many features remain giving a glimpse into the
heritage of the site.
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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk
The river Tawe, which runs alongside the walk, is
forced through a gorge of sculpted rock and
provides much geological interest.
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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk
The whole riverside walk is a haven for wildlife
and many rare plant species can be found.
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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk
The Llwybr Macho riverside walk is a place of
peace and calm away from the rush of daily life.
It is used and appreciated by the local
community.
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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk
It is also of interest to any visitors staying in
Abercrave and the surrounding area.
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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk

• The Past

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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk

• The Swansea Canal was the lifeline of the
  industrial revolution in the Swansea valley.
• It enabled the mineral rich area of the upper
  Swansea valley to be exploited and its goods
  transported globally. Abercraf would not exist in
  its present form if it was not for this valuable
  asset.
• The canal was completed in 1798 with the weir at
  the head of the Riverside Walk being rebuilt
  several times with the last known date of 1842.
• The canal was originally meant to continue
  further up the valley, but due to a geological
  fault it had to terminate at Abercraf. The river
  Tawe which runs the length of the Swansea valley
  is channelled into a rock gorge at Abercraf and
  this enabled the canal builders to utilise the
  force of this water to fill the canal and run
  many other industries around the area.

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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk

• The Future

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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk

• How shall we preserve this place for the future?
• a sculpture trail with work from local artists
  celebrating our heritage
• a heritage trail of information boards
• schools bringing children to learn of the
  heritage of the walk and how it contributed to
  the history of the area
• nature outings in all seasons to watch and record
  the plant and animal life to contribute to
  national nature statistics
• art days with activities for children and adults
  taking inspiration from the environment, the
  weir, the gorge, the wildlife etc
• a procession of workers in period costume with
  a performance at the weir head by local community
  theatre company

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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk

• How do we link with other sites of significant
  heritage value in our area?
• Our area is full of sites of heritage and
  historical importance.
• At present there is very little publicised about
  our area which must be re-addressed as little is
  known of the many new technological innovations
  were started in the valley.
• We can foresee that the regeneration of the
  Riverside Walk will be the first step in the
  promotion of the richness of our heritage and our
  wonderful countryside.
• We can foresee that this can be a start of a
  heritage network of sites in the local area, of
  trails and walks, with guided outings and bus
  trips.

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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk

• Other local sites of heritage and historical
  importance.

Cribarth Mountain Site of geological and
historical importance. The Sleeping Giant
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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk

• Other local sites of heritage and historical
  importance.

Claypons Tram and winding house. Extensive tram
networks are found on the Cribarth and Drum
Mountains
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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk

• Other local sites of heritage and historical
  importance.

Venty Ystradgynlais and District was a centre
of the industrial revolution. Many relics of this
past age are still around but most are in need of
repair, restoration and celebration.
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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk

• Other local sites of heritage and historical
  importance.

Henrhyd Waterfall The tallest in the Brecon
Beacons National Park. Only a few miles from
Llwybr Macho this little known fall and valley
walk is a gem of natural beauty in the upper
Swansea Valley.
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Llwybr Macho Riverside Walk

• Contacts
• John Williams Forestry Commision
• Lin Ashford CCW
• Clive Reed Swansea Canal Society
• Ruth Waycott Herian
• Marcus Punter Powys County Council
• Ystradgynlais Town Council
• British Waterways