North Wales Miners Association Trust Ltd

Preserving Mining Heritage

Why Have a Trust?

Coal has been mined in North Wales for many centuries and left its mark on the surface and within communities. The last colliery at Point of Ayr closed in 1996, but today there are very few reminders of an industry that provided work for thousands of men.

Even the old coal tips are disappearing, either landscaped or removed for their content. The only major remains left now are at Bersham where the headgear and winding engine house still stand next to the tip. The winding engine itself is still there inside, all thanks to ex-miner Ted McKay, who negotiated with British Coal when the mine closed in 1986.

The Trust intends to preserve what remains are still left and to interpret them to the public.

North Wales Collieries

The following collieries were once the lifeblood of communities across North Wales:

Llay Main Colliery 1914 - 1966
Gone
Black Park Colliery 1653 - 1968
Gone
Hafod Colliery 1863 - 1968
Gone
Ifton Colliery 1913 - 1968
Gone
Gresford Colliery 1907 - 1974
Gone
Point of Ayr Colliery 1890 - 1996
Gone
Bersham Colliery 1870 - 1986
Headgear & Winding Engine Still There

About the Trust

Our Mission

To preserve the remaining physical evidence of North Wales' mining heritage and to educate future generations about the industry that shaped our communities.

What We Do

  • Preserve mining artifacts and sites
  • Provide school education programmes
  • Document mining history
  • Support former miners and their families