St Winefride's Well, Holywell source?

[Lankyman]

We visited the well yesterday and I noticed that there's a very healthy flow of water despite North Wales being drought-stricken. I spoke to someone at the church above who reckoned the source is the Milwr Tunnel. Wikipedia suggests that it stopped flowing in 1917 due to mining activity and that 'water had to be diverted from a new underground source.' Does anyone know if Milwr is the source and how did they fix this?

 

[Brains]

Excerpt from the book. Top half of p12 and bottom of p23 give some details. Beyond what is here I am lacking in knowledge

 

[Cantclimbtom]

If I'm reading the OS map correctly the well is at 75m above sea level. Won't that mean it's a fair few metres higher that the tunnel? So the tunnel can't supply the well.

(Maybe they meant the whole Milwr/Halkyn system and I've taken that comment too literally, in which case they'd probably be correct)

 

[Brains]

The Holywell Boat Level is different to the Milwr

 

[Lankyman]

The Holywell Boat Level is different to the Milwr

I hope the water doesn't contain too much lead - it's available 'filtered' from a tap in the wall next to the bathing pool and I've been drinking it. My toenails still look horrible so it isn't helping there. Perhaps I should have gone in for a dip?

 

[spelfish]

Not just a dip, you need to make appropriate incantations. Alfie's Speleodes are probably a suitably profane start (and deserve wider appreciation)....

 

[cavemanmike]

It is definitely pumped in from Holywell boat level.

 

[Lankyman]

Not just a dip, you need to make appropriate incantations. Alfie's Speleodes are probably a suitably profane start (and deserve wider appreciation)....

I did put my hand in and it's definitely on the chilly side. A couple of nuns conducted a short service while we were at the spring. All very Catholic but the rain arrived the following day so good result!

 

[Stones]

The "spring" is now fed directly from the Holywell boat level, which has no connection to the Milwr or Halkyn drainage levels

 

[Lankyman]

It seems like the boat level was used to supply the Well in 1917 when mining cut off the natural sources. Does anyone know how this was actually achieved physically?

 

[Dave Tyson]

IIRC there was a discussion long ago on the old aditnow site about the boat level.

There used to be a manhole cover which dropped you into the boat level so you could explore - but at the risk of churning up mud and ochre. This seriously discoloured the waters at the well which annoyed the natives. I believe the powers that be eventually sealed the access so the tourists could drink (relatively) clear water - not thst I would recommend it


Dave

 

[cavemanmike]

You can still get in the boat level.

 

[Lankyman]

You can still get in the boat level.

Holy Winifrede's severed head!

 

[Mrs Trellis]

Holy Winifrede's severed head!

..........has been known to sing "I ain't got nobody".

Coat!

 

[robnorthwales]

It seems like the boat level was used to supply the Well in 1917 when mining cut off the natural sources. Does anyone know how this was actually achieved physically?

I assume it was piped. It's probably less than 100 metres in a straight line