Boundary Level

Overview

A short-lived 19th-century drift near the Llwyndu Brick Works above Glais, rail-connected by Midland Railway sidings in 1882 and abandoned in July 1891.

History

Boundary Level was a 19th-century drift mine opened near the Llwyndu Brick Works, working the Graigola Five-Feet seam at a thickness of 70 inches until it was abandoned in July 1891. NMRS's own roundup entry names no operator. A local historian with detailed knowledge of the district's old Ordnance Survey mapping has independently identified it as "another Bevan and Bowen enterprise" — the same partnership that owned the neighbouring Upper Graigola Colliery from at least 1908 to 1918 — though that ownership is documented roughly two decades after Boundary Level's own 1891 abandonment, so the connection is recorded here without being treated as settled. The colliery was working by 1882: on 10 July that year the Midland Railway Company agreed with Thomas Richardson White of Fountain Hall, Ystalyfera, to lay sidings at Boundary Level Colliery near Glais, and the agreement and its plan survive in the West Glamorgan Archive Service. The catalogue does not record White's interest in the level.

Geology

Worked the Graigola Five-Feet seam at a thickness of 70 inches.

Workings

A 19th-century drift mine.

Closure

Abandoned in July 1891.

What's uncertain

Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.

• A local historian familiar with the district's old Ordnance Survey mapping has identified Boundary Level as "another Bevan and Bowen enterprise" — the same partnership documented as owning the neighbouring Upper Graigola Colliery between 1908 and 1918 — though no source gives a specific date for Bevan and Bowen's ownership of Boundary Level itself, roughly two decades before its 1891 abandonment. (uncertain) ²
• Thomas Richardson White, who also agreed sidings with the Midland Railway at Cwm Click in 1878, was the colliery's side of the 1882 agreement; the catalogue does not say whether he owned or leased the level. (uncertain) ³

Recorded claims

Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.

• A 19th-century drift mine opened near the Llwyndu Brick Works, working the Graigola Five-Feet seam at a thickness of 70 inches until abandoned in July 1891. ¹
• A local historian familiar with the district's old Ordnance Survey mapping has identified Boundary Level as "another Bevan and Bowen enterprise" — the same partnership documented as owning the neighbouring Upper Graigola Colliery between 1908 and 1918 — though no source gives a specific date for Bevan and Bowen's ownership of Boundary Level itself, roughly two decades before its 1891 abandonment. (uncertain) ²
• The Graigola Five-Feet seam it worked, at 70 inches thick, was one of the more substantial coal seams recorded among the small Pontardawe-area levels in the same NMRS survey. ¹
• On 10 July 1882 the Midland Railway Company made an agreement, with plan, with Thomas Richardson White of Fountain Hall, Ystalyfera, for sidings at Boundary Level Colliery near Glais; the document is held by West Glamorgan Archive Service (D/D PRO/BRB 363). ³
• Thomas Richardson White, who also agreed sidings with the Midland Railway at Cwm Click in 1878, was the colliery's side of the 1882 agreement; the catalogue does not say whether he owned or leased the level. (uncertain) ³

Photographs & further reading

Sources

1. (primary) Small collieries in the Pontardawe area — Northern Mine Research Society
2. (secondary) Graigola Colliery - Glais (forum thread) — Welsh Coal Mines forum
3. (primary) Agreement between Midland Railway Company and Thomas Richardson White of Fountain Hall, Ystalyfera for sidings at Boundary Level Colliery near Glais; with plan. 10 Jul 1882 (D/D PRO/BRB 363) — West Glamorgan Archive Service, via Archives Hub

Record created: 15 September 2026 · Last researched: 16 September 2026