Aberthaw lime works

Aberthaw Lime Works is a derelict structure, located on the South Wales coast, between Fontygary Bay and Aberthaw Power Station. The structure is a Grade II Listed Building. [ [http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/files/Living/Planning/Policy/Listed_Buildings/Listed_Buildings_10_06.pdf Vale of Glamorgan Listed Buildings 10/06] ] The Aberthaw Lime Works was opened on 22 December 1888, by the Aberthaw Pebble Limestone Company. [ [http://www.cbyc.co.uk/club/documents/be0205.pdf Cardiff Yacht Club Newsletter] ] It was built to utilise the huge number of Limestone Pebbles that had previously been taken inland or been moved by boat. The Lime Works operated until 1926. [ [http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/files/Living/Planning/Policy/County_Treasures/Rhoose.pdf Vale of Glamorgan Council - County Treasures - Rhoose] ]

The local limestone and brick structure is still largely in tact, although it is missing most of its wooden components. It contains 2 vertical pot draw kilns each holding up to 300 tons each, which could produce up to 40 tons of burnt lime a day. [ [http://www.glamorganwalks.com/lime_kilns.htm Glamorgan Walks Website] ] Next to the main structure, there are 2 pot kilns which are also largely intact. These Kilns were built later than the main structure, but also ceased operation in 1926. [ [http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/files/Living/Planning/Policy/County_Treasures/Rhoose.pdf Vale of Glamorgan Council - County Treasures - Rhoose] ]

The lime works were originally served by a tramway, which ran from the direction of Rhoose (east of the lime works). It passed either side of the now demolished winch house. A tramway ramp (again demolished) allowed carts containing pebbles between 3 & 4 inches in diameter to be conveyed to the top of the works and then into the kilns.

Aberthaw Lime

Aberthaw Lime is well known for being Hydraulic lime. a 1 to 1 mixture of Aberthaw Lime and Pozzolana was reported to be considered for the construction of the Eddystone Lighthouse. [ [http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/files/Living/Planning/Policy/County_Treasures/Rhoose.pdf Vale of Glamorgan Council - County Treasures - Rhoose] ] However, it would seem that although he tested using Aberthaw Lime, John Smeaton actually used lime from Watchet.

See also

*Aberthaw
*Aberthaw Cement Works

References

External links

* [http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=51.385997,-3.383703&spn=0.000845,0.002511&t=h&z=19 The Lime Works on Google Maps]