Green power: Hydroelectric generators

Melin y Coed has a record of using water power to generate electricity. Here are some relics of that stage of its history. A water supply was also piped direct from its mountain source.

The present house called Y Glyn was built around 1938. A previous house, Sychbant, named on old census returns, was further back in the direction of some steps which are also the subject of enquiry at present. If one walks up the hill to the right of the house, with the stream on the right, one comes to a small stone building. This once housed the electrical generator (but no longer).

Power house!

Continuing up the hill with the stream on the right one comes to a dam. From this dam there used to be a pipe, which ran across to the left to give maximum height, thus producing maximum flow rate down to the generator.

The electricity produced was shared between Y Glyn and the Chapel. Many in the chapel complained that they could not see their prayer books, as the power started to fade. This was caused by leaves blocking the pipe. Two men stood ready as volunteers so that when this happened they could rush up the hill to clear the leaves and restore the flow. It is said that there were many volunteers for this task to get out of attending the service.

Part of the Water Pipe involved in the Hydroelectric system.

Water for the hydroelectric scheme.

Where the streams meet - Nant y Goron on the left meets the Cyffdy stream on the right.

A diagram of the streams in relation to the homes nearby.

This shed once housed an electricity generator installed for the use of the Cyffdy household.

The pulley wheel from the old (water powered) electricity generator at Cyffdy.