1. Fochriw is a typical South Wales Valleys coal mining village that developed from its rural existence by the need for iron and coal during the 19th century.
Fochriw's growth was due partly to the Rhymney Iron Company's requirement for ironstone but mostly by the Dowlais Ironworks? need for coal, the quality of which was so good that it was used directly in the iron making process without the need for its conversion to coke. Over a period of about 130 years, the local landscape changed from rural to industrial, and back to rural, as it is today.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fochriw

RCAHMW, 26 April 2017

2. 'Fochriw's growth was germinated to a lesser extent by the Rhymney Iron Company's requirement for ironstone, and to a greater extent by the Dowlais Ironworks? requirement for coal, the quality of which was so good that it was used directly in the iron making process without the need for its conversion to coke. Over a period of about 130 years, the landscape changed from rural to industrial, and back to rural, as it is today. However, the latter changes did not take place until relatively recently when nearly all the remnants of the coal mining industry were removed from around the village.'
Village photographed during RCAHMW aerial reconnaissance.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fochriw

RCAHMW, 9 June 2017