Flintshire Memories: Forest clearing programme reveals hidden history of Nercwys

By Flintshire Chronicle on Oct 31, 09 03:06 PM in 2000 onwards

MAJOR felling operations across Flintshire are slowly revealing the hidden history of the area as local landmarks re-emerge from the forest canopy writes Lois York.

Back in the 1960s a big planting programme near Mold included the Nercwys mountain - and a 300-year-old shepherd's cottage which was demolished to make way for the trees.

Now, a partnership project between volunteers, Forestry Commission Wales and the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has painstakingly begun uncovering the past.

And as the team started dismantling the remains of the cottage they were joined by Ross Cameron, the last person to live there, and Tony Price, a retired forestry craftsman who helped demolish it.

Local man Ray Roberts also brought along researched census information for the old building, which was still used by shepherds tending their summer flocks into the 1920s together with maps and old photographs of the site.

"This project is giving local people a unique insight into the past," said Sharon Woods, Forest Partnership Warden for FC Wales and the AONB.

"The cottage was a prominent feature in the landscape for generations and the local community has been keen to see it recognised for future generations."

Harvesting work in the forest made this project possible as FC Wales used machinery on site to clear trees and remove stumps from around the cottage.

Pupils of Ysgol Brynhyfryd and The Alun School Mold will look for key stones and artefacts, which they plan to put into a time capsule to be buried on the site.

The Heather and Hillforts Archaeology Group is also keen to get involved and it is hoped Nercwys Primary school will prepare a time capsule set in the wall of the building.

The cottage is part of a larger project to diversify the forest including the repair of drystone enclosure walls and the creation of a flower-rich hay meadow.

It is also a way of interpreting landscape change from open moorland to plantation and now to a diverse multi-purpose forest habitat.

"We are very pleased to be playing a role in uncovering the history of this site," said FC Wales Coed y Gororau Forest District manager Steve Cresswell.

"It's great opportunity for people to get involved in their local forest and meet other people. There is a lot of work still to do and if anyone would like to volunteer their time please get in touch with Sharon on 01352 810 614."

The first picture shows hillfort conservation officer Samantha Williams searching through the cottage remains for key stones and artefacts and, the second, one of the few remaining pictures of Nercwys Cottage, taken in the 1920s, before it was demolished.