Close to the riverbank stands Dyfnant Street. When we were children in Cwm, we had to be on our best behaviour here because this is where the manager of the Quarry lived. Miss Morfydd Jones, the schoolmistress, also lived here.

Dyfnant

Rhyd-y-Meirch Bridge

We catch up with the river near Rhyd-y-Meirch bridge. The water is much calmer here, perhaps because the land is much more flat. The water flows relatively quietly underneath the bridge.

In 1898, a Chapel was built at this location, built at a cost of £2,658, and the third Chapel to be built here. By 1917 every penny had been paid for.

Rhyd-y-Meirch Chapel

The Chapel became famous during the 1920's and 1930's for its ambitious annual performances of Oratorios by its members and members of Shiloh Chapel. In addition to the local singers, well known singers came from all parts of Wales to take part in the Oratorios, which were well spoken of in all places. There were thirteen performances of Oratorios between 1901 and 1913.

A Party from Rhyd-y-Meirch presenting the drama "Gobaith y Byd" (Hope of the World)

Foel Bridge, from afar

As you can guess from its name, Foel Bridge crosses the River Foel. The river then goes on to unite with the River Machno as you can see in the picture on the left.

Foel Bridge, close up

The bridge, a stone bridge, was a popular meeting pace on Sunday nights. In the present era, the majority of bridges are now built from concrete and metal. It was probably a craft in itself being able to design and build a bridge like this one.

The River Foel begins its journey down a gorge and rushes to join the River Machno. There were plenty of bilberry trees at the side of the river, and a cake made from these berries was delicious. The gamekeeper's house is located near to where the picture on the right was taken.

Foel River

Cae Drain Bridge

Another bridge on the River Foel, "Hen Bont y Foel" (Old Foel Bridge) or "Cae Drain" Bridge as it was known. In 1825, Foel Quarry was opened, and this bridge was used as a route to bring the rock down an incline from the mountain. The bridge was probably built during this period.

This is a bridge built from concrete, not from stone as the majority of the bridges in the area. The bridge looks slightly out of place as compared to its surroundings.

The Forestry Commission Bridge

The Old Bridge of Foel

The Old Bridge of Foel, View 1

The Old Bridge of Foel, View 2

Pictures of the Old Bridge of Foel taken from the riverside.

Carrog

From this location, one can take the road to Ffestiniog and to the South. I have often thought how many people have come here out of curiosity after seeing it on the map, and feeling disappointed at it only being a single street!

Dolydd Carrog

Dolydd Carrog, View 1

Dolydd Carrog, View 2

Above, you can see pictures of Dolydd Carrog. Tradition has it that a battle was fought here by Ifan, and that the enemy rushed up the hill, only for their horses to become winded. Ifan then quickly charged up from below before they could penetrate the defences.

Cwm Penmachno's tap water comes today from Conwy Lake. At one time, the tap water came from a small well on Foel mountain. Let us now take a quick look around Conwy Lake.