Crymlyn Bog (Cors Crymlyn) is a beautiful example of fenland in South Wales, situated to the eastern side of Kilvey Hill within the Swansea Valley. On an international level Crymlyn Bog is an area of scientific interest due to the number of plant life that is rare within the UK as well as this it is also an important refuge for a variety of wetland birdlife.
Crymlyn Bog developed at the estuary of the River Clydach and the River Neath. The area, which is a nature reserve, has been put under tremendous stress. The former Glyncastle colliery has been mined since 1875, abandoned in 1965, and in 1994 the water levels in the mine raised, accumulating dissolved iron (up to 60 mg/l). This then escaped through an airshaft in the Clydach Valley and in Resloven, contaminating the Clydach Brook and River Neath with orange ochre.
In 1921 a BP oil refinery was commissioned in Llandarcy, which was close in June 1998. Adjacent to Crymlyn Bog there were multiple reports and investigations into the northern area of the site being used as a disposal area. The refineries waste included Pyrophoric waste, fuller’s earth clay, refractory waste, tank-bottom sludges, demolition rubble, domestic waste and asbestos graves. The effects of this have been oil, potential vanadium, and hydrocarbon contamination. Free oil seepage has been occurring around the edge of Crymlyn Bog that is currently contained by a plywood interceptor and slowly removed by vacuum trucks.
To the south of Crymlyn Bog lies the Crymlyn Burrows’ industrial area, including the Linamar Elba Works site, the Gower Chemicals site, and Network Rail’s Swansea Burrows yard. Alongside all of this Crymlyn Bog has also been affected by residents in the surrounding area have been illegally dumping unwanted waste, such as fridges, kitchen units, toilets etc.
Hannah Brown and myself want to respond to Crymlyn Bog and the effects of industrial presence. Creating an awareness of the importance and beauty of Crymlyn Bog as well as the repercussions of the placement of industrial sites. The industrial side of the Swansea Valley and surrounding Valleys are not to be responded to negativity, as South Wales has a strong tie to industry within its history and development. However, the sacrifice of rare and beautiful natural sites is something the public should be aware of. Our actions and the actions of industries are to be held responsible; through the art we are creating we hope a wider public awareness will arise and a contribution to the schemes already in place will follow.
