Wynnstay Colliery Walker Fan House

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument consists of the remains of an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Walker Fan House, built in 1902. The fan ventilated the workings of Wynnstay Colliery, which operated from 1856 to 1927. The winding engine house for the colliery is located to the S.E of the fan house complex and is scheduled as DE190. Walker fans were patented in 1887 and made by Walker Brothers of Wigan. This example formerly had a 6.7m diameter fan in the surviving brick housing. The housing itself is monumental in scale and proportion, with high side walls and a dentilled evase. The top of the evase has a pulley for opening and closing the shutters. A tunnel leads from the fan chamber into the former fan drift (now blocked). The lean-to side chambers have been removed, presumably at the same time as the fan itself, but the circular vents to the fan axis are clear. Massive brick and stone bases for the fan engine stand to the S.E and S.W of the main tower.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of late 19th and early 20th century industrial practices. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information concerning chronology and building techniques. The remains form part of a group of monuments related to the Wynnstay Colliery and their importance can be further enhanced by their group value.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It measures 60m long by 15m wide and is rectangular in plan, located between the railway and the B5603 road south of Ruabon.