Troserch Woods

When the Forestry Commission put Troserch Woods up for sale in 1991, they described it as

“Scarcely disturbed by human intrusion”.

This may be the case, as being slightly off the beaten track it lies quietly and peacefully in its rural landscape, side-stepped and almost forgotten in a busy world. Yet along its pathways, amongst the stands of conifers, lies evidence that over the previous centuries the Wood may have played a larger role within the community than it does today.

Ruins of buildings, some only a pile of rubble covered with ivy, are visible on both sides of the valley. Everywhere the hillsides are scarred with man’s frantic search for an elusive fortune in coal. In autumn, as the undergrowth subsides, wagon trails appear that cross and re-cross the river numerous times on their journey to who knows where? And a mill-race that to all intents and purposes appears to start its journey a metre above river-level.

Within the society, a history group has been set up, and all members are warmly welcomed to join. We aim to have monthly meetings to investigate the various aspects of the Wood’s history; its ruins, owners, characters, maps, industries, etc. etc. with the intention of producing a viable written record that we can hopefully publish.

If you have any information, however small, however obvious it may seem, please let us know. Please contact either Arno or Brian.

You can keep up to date with the progress we are making by checking with our Yahoo Groups site. If you have not yet joined the Group or would like more information, please contact Arno.