Geograph - photograph every grid square

Looking north towards Ty Powdwr

This magazine was used for storing 'powdwr du' or 'pylor' (black powder), detonators, fuses and gelignite. Black powder was always used on 'good' rock. It had sufficient energy to dislodge blocks of slate rock from the rock face but not to blow the rock into smithereens. Each team of rockmen, armed with a permit, would make monthly visits to the magazine to collect a supply (usually 12.5 or 25lbs) of black powder. This would be transported back to the quarry in a rubber satchel. The powder would be shovelled into the bag with a brass shovel and men entering the magazine had to wear copper heeled over-boots. During war time the magazine had a permanent armed guard.

SH5860 : A blaster's kit