Before the quarry days, Croesor would have been made up of scattered smallholdings, Hen Bryn Gelynen is one of these ancient farmhouses. At the end of the 90s, the building was bought by Cyfeillion Croesor with the intention of it becoming a creative hub in the village for visitors and local people alike creating a cultural boost and promoting the Welsh language. By now, Hwb Croesor is home to regular activities for all ages organised by a group of hardworking volunteers – and there’s a good ‘paned’ to be had in the café!
Education in Croesor
Look closely at the slate circle. These slate slabs used as fencing are known in Welsh as ‘crawiau’. This circle was created by Croesor’s school children at the end of the 80s.
When the quarry was in full swing, around 100 children attended the school but by the time it closed in 2008, only 1 child attended the school.
Ysgol Croesor’s education was unique with former pupils remembering their swimming lessons taking place in the river, random walks up Cnicht, but also winning national competitions.
Education as it should be, some might say!
People of Croesor
Self-education is often found at the root of Welsh culture. There is no better example than Bob Owen Croesor (1885 – 1962). A farmhand, before working in the quarry like most boys in the area, he had a great passion for books. He widely studied the history of the Welsh people who emigrated to America and was well-known for his book ‘Diwydiannau Coll’ about the lost industries in the area between the Dwyryd and Glaslyn rivers. People travelled from afar to question Bob Owen about his specialist fields. He won many an Eisteddfod and he received an OBE for his work.
Ancient Trails
Making your way down the valley and through the woods, it is a chance to reflect on all the lost industries that Bob Owen mentions. In this area, we would see men ploughing the land with oxen at the beginning of the eighteenth century, mushrooms were foraged to make ketchup, flailing was popular and in this area between Croesor and Nantmor, cattle from Llŷn and Arfon would be shoed before being driven to be sold in England.
River Industries
Can you hear the river roaring?
For centuries, the area’s industries have taken full advantage of the strong force of the river to run water wheels and mills.
Parc’s wool factory was a huge success between 1806 and 1900 with all kinds of wool products being created using innovative machinery. The location was perfect to receive wool from the sheep kept on Y Moelwynion and Cnicht.
Ceunant Parc Quarry
You are now entering the land that once roared with the sound of tools and machinery used at Ceunant Parc quarry. Ceunant Parc quarry was famous for its unique slate with the rock veins running horizontally. The slate was used for making billiard tables, chimneys, smoothing plains and decorative goods. Despite the quarry being small, the value of the rock was high and ‘ridgings’ from this slate were transported to England, Germany, Denmark and Norway.
The Village
It is impossible to have reached this point without having noticed the turquoise houses scattered around the parish of Llanfrothen. These houses are owned by the Brondanw Estate – the estate of Portmeirion architect, Clough Williams-Ellis. Local people live in each house and the estate’s ethos is strongly demonstrated in the are – tai, gwaith, iaith (houses, work, language). These are what keep our Welsh communities alive. Clough Williams-Ellis brought many creatives and intellectuals to the area during his time – authors, artists, scientists and mathematicians.
End of Walk
Thank you for completing this walk around our valley, we hope it's given you a sense of the local history that has shaped this famous landscape.
This self-guided tour was created by Beca George & Llinos Griffith on behalf of Cyfeillion Croesor. Special thanks to all those who took part, either through interviews, who shared their photos or artworks, attended the range of events we hosted or contributed their time and energy in any way.
