It started with a simple conversation in the Wrexham Library on Friday morning, it ended with me deep in the undergrowth, covered in scratches, in the Moss Valley. I sometimes wonder what goes on in my brain at times, but as soon as someone mentioned the disused railway tunnel between the Moss and Gwersllt, I knew I'd have to investigate.
The Annual Wrexham Local History Festival was taking place in Wrexham Library, and I offered to help man the Wrexham Miners Project stand. One of our volunteers and keen genealogist Gina was also helping out and her enthusiasm for anything historical was definitely rubbing off. The day started quietly, so we wandered around the other stall and during the chats with our fellow exhibitors we formed links. We talked to representatives of the Parish Church and noticed the numbers of miners and colliers mentioned in the old leather bound books. We talked about the difference between a miner and a collier. It seems that they both the same but a collier only mined for coal.
We spoke to the Wrexham Museum and the links between the miners and football. We talked about the Gresford Disaster and how it affected the area for years after the death of 266 men. The Wrexham Museum, when it opens will be split into 2, with one half dedicated to football. This will be a great addition to the Wrexham area.
And we also spoke to the Broughton District History Group. And that's where my adventure started. Many, many years ago I was seeing a girl from the Moss, so I knew the area well and when we discussed that coal was transported to Brymbo by rail, it wasn't a suprise to me, however when discussing the train it was mentioned that there was a disused tunnel from the Moss to Gwersllt. I was curious. I needed more.
I parked my car by the Moss Golf club and walked back to where I thought it would be safest to get up the bank. I questioned my sanity as I scrambled up a bank into an overgrown forest. I stepped over branches and fallen trees, my feet singing into the fallen leaves that covered the floor. It did cross my mind that I might be over the tunnel and, with not seeing what I was stepping on, could end up down a shaft. In fact we'd spoken about sink holes only a couple of hours previously. I walked for about 40 meters until thinking “This is stupid, I need a map”. I turned back and headed back to where I came from. Wearing shorts, as I always do, wasn't the best attire for this occasion. And a bank of brambles I'd managed to get through by standing on them, were now blocking my exit after springing back. I had to go around the bush………and in doing so found a wall. My interest detective took over. Why would anyone build a wall in the middle of the Forest. And 10 yards further on, another wall. I stood and thought…….
There were remains of 2 broken walls with no trees within this 10 meter gap and looking up hill you could see modern bricks……..and something that looked like a hole, but it was so overgrown I couldn't see for certain if this was the tunnel entrance. I had my camera, but only wished I'd had my flash, as the pictures are just a massive of green, but I was convinced I'd found it.
I posted the pictures on my Facebook and it looks like I was definitely in the right place, and people shared maps and diagrams with me. I must admit, I still haven’t tried to find the other end of the tunnel yet. I'll get back to you when I have, but if you have any more information on this let me know…….and let me know of other places to investigate.
As you can see, the different walls alongside the road in the Moss. And to finish off my day, as I scrambled down the bank, a police car drove past. Both officers looked at me suspiciously, but then noticed my camera and must have thought, “Oh, he's one of them photography nutters”
Good story Colin - and as a Gwersyllt resident will be interested to see whether you find out more.