Mines, manganese and mistakes – Alison Barraclough
October 15, 2026 @ 7:15 pm – 9:00 pm
The region around Harlech is well known the Harlech Dome, mineralisation and the Mochras borehole. The most famous and economically important mineralisation is the Dolgellau gold-belt centred on two mines, Clogau and Gwynfynydd, the former closed in 1998 but now being investigated for unexploited gold veins. Less significant are the sedimentary manganese deposits from beds of Cambrian age near the base of the Hafotty Formation, and copper deposits at Capel Hermon. There are also little known but historically important slate quarries and underground workings at Llanbedr and Llanfair.
This talk will briefly consider the gold belt, before exploring the manganese deposits and the still noticeable resulting industrial impacts on the landscape, particularly those in the Moelfre and Nant Col areas. We will then move north of the Harlech dome to the UNESCO Slate Landscape to discuss the some of the quarrying successes of the nineteenth century, and one of the period’s major mistakes.
Alison studied geology and geography at King’s College, London, before talking an MSc at Birbeck College. She taught and examined both A level geology and geography for a considerable period before retirement. Alison has activity been involved in the Geologists’ Association since 2014, and is the current president, as well as being a member of the Reading Geological Society and the Warwickshire Geological Conservation Group. A keen walker, Alison has explored much of the region around Harlech and further afield in North Wales.
This lecture will be offered in a hybrid format. Please join us in person if you can, or register to attend virtually via zoom using the link below.
Register in advance to attend virtually:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/wPyXnPGqTTeJ1LpzUur_IA
Venue:
St Francis Of Assisi RC Church, 110 Warwick Rd, Kenilworth CV8 1HL
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9CGWRNdgFfttDKtd7