The idea
A Mobile office type building has been donated by a local contractor for the voluntary group at the site. The funding is to raise money to fit out and equip this facility to support the work at the site of the Friends group.
When equipped the facility will support the guided tours programme which has successfully run for 4 years and is planned to expand with additional trained guides already arranged. The site presence will raise the profile of activity at this important heritage site and increase volunteer engagement with the presence on-site, allowing more regular path clearance and litter picking to improve the environment.
In 2019 volunteers from the Friends have undertaken the complete restoration of the Musgrave travelling crane which has been installed back in the roof of the Musgrave Engine house itself the subject of a major restoration heritage project funded by the City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund and subject to CADW approvals.
What we'll deliver
- a base to support a guided walk programme at the site for the public
- A visible presence at the site of the regeneration programme
- A volunteers base to plan and initiate future renovation at the site
- Educational and in future some craft events using metal to demonstrate industry here.
Why it's a great idea
The site is undergoing significant regeneration with heritage lottery funding restoring buildings but a home for the volunteers group is still a number of years away. The siting of a temporary facility can be used to support the regeneration initiative and raise the public profile of this significant industrial heritage site while the restoration programme is running.
Steps to get it done
- Open the Community Centre with exhibition material as the start point for the guided walk
- Provide secure storage for site equipment
- publish a programme of opening days/hours for volunteer meets
The copperworks in the lower Swansea valley was an early example of integrated industrial processes brought about by the combination of entrepreneurs, a skilled workforce, supply of welsh coal by canal, importing of copper ore up the river.It was known internationally as Copperopolis and at one time was refining the majority of the worlds processed copper. The area is arguably one of the seats of the Industrial revolution and is of international significance. The remaining vestiges of this with a handful of listed buildings needs to be cherished and could be developed as a major tourist asset for the area with attendant employment opportunities and value to the local economy
