Llanymynech has been an important settlement since a hill fort was established in the 10th Century BC. Offa’s Dyke passes through the village and mining in the area dates back to Roman times. Most of the industrial remains today are from 19th and 20th Century Limeworks. Much of the local rock outcrop on the hill above the village is the result of quarrying over the centuries. Canal and later rail transport allowed limestone quarrying and burning – to produce quicklime - to expand rapidly. Lime products were used by farmers to ‘sweeten’ the land, by builders for mortar and by ironmasters to extract iron from iron ore.
The largest structure is the ‘Hoffman’ kiln
with its massive chimney - a distinctive local landmark. Today much of the area
is a nature reserve, rich in natural habitats with numerous paths and panoramic
views. £900,000 has been made available by the Heritage Lottery Fund, English
Heritage, the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, Shropshire County Council,
Oswestry Borough Council, British Waterways and Llanymynech and Pant Parish
Council to:
• Restore/stabilise the kilns, winding
houses, inclined planes, stables, tally house, canal and wharves and general
pathways
• Explain and ‘interpret’ the area for local
people and visitors
• Set up volunteering and educational
opportunities
• Establish effective long term local
management and coordination of leisure, heritage and environmental activities
and interests
The Heritage Project will:
• Preserve and celebrate Llanymynech’s
unique and rich past
• Improve access to the whole area for local
people and visitors
• Stimulate the local economy to meet the
needs of a growing number of regular and new visitors.
Besides the funding bodies key partners
include the Llanymynech Heritage Focus Group, the Shropshire Wildlife Trust and
the Montgomery Wildlife Trust and the project will be working closely with the
Packet Boat Duchess Countess Trust, Shropshire Union Canal Society, the Friends
of Montgomery Canal and Carreghofa Community Council, and many local groups.
For further information please contact
Peter Dunhill - 01691 624448
peter.dunhill@shropshire-cc.gov.uk