The purchase of the Blorenge
Under the Coal Industry Act 1994 British Coal Corporation‘s interest in unworked coal and coal mines throughout the UK were vested in the Coal Authority, as were certain of the Corporation‘s properties, including the Pwll Du site.Early in 1997 the Authority decided to invite sealed offers for the purchase of its property at Pwll Du. For the purposes of the sale the property, which extended to some 7,541 acres, was divided into 10 lots.
Lot 4 (973 acres) contained the Blorenge (grid ref SO 275 122).
The Blorenge is an "Open Site", and takes a NW - SE. It‘s one of the best light wind sites in South Wales, and has tremendous XC and triangle potential. It‘s also frequently used for major UK competitions.
Lot 1 (3,756 acres) contained Blaenavon (grid ref SO 218 098) & Varteg (grid ref SO 258 058).
Blaenavon is a "Members Only" NE site, with an easy take-off and an extensive bottom landing area. This friendly site is frequently used for ab-initio training, and is also popular amongst local paraglider pilots. Varteg is a rocky Southerly site, rarely flown by Club pilots, but occasionally used by local schools.
The original closing date for offers was the 29 August 1997, but following pressure from interested parties (including the SEWHG&PGC), this was postponed to the 31 January 1998.
A consortium including Torfaen County Borough Council, the National Trust, and a number of other local authorities and Agencies immediately expressed an interest in acquiring the whole of Pwll Du as a springboard for local regeneration, and as a means to protect the area‘s heritage assets. The funding for such a massive project appeared to hinge on an application for Heritage Lottery Support, and the possible designation of the area as a world heritage site.
Because the Coal Authority had invited offers by sealed bid, the Club found it very difficult to establish exactly who else was interested in the property. It was however known that large deposits of workable coal still existed below some of the lots, and there was little doubt that several mining companies were interested in acquisition. The Club also learnt that the Pwll Du Cave Management Group was interested in purchasing the lot containing the cave entrance, but unfortunately this was not located in either of the lots the Club was interested in. With such an uncertain future the Club decided that it had no option but to investigate the possibility of safeguarding access through purchase.
It soon became obvious that the purchase of both Lots was well beyond the Club‘s means, and so difficult choices had to be made. Lot 1 was vast, with substantial coal deposits still underlying the Blaenavon area. Lot 4 was much smaller, and had limited potential for development. Weighing the importance of one site against another wasn‘t easy, but it had to be done if the Club was to stand any chance of success. The decision was eventually taken to concentrate efforts on the purchase of Blorenge, judging this to be the site of greatest local and national significance.
That‘s not to say that the Club decided to abandon Blaenavon and Varteg, just that it recognized that the only practical way to try to maintain access was through negotiations with the new land owner, whoever that turned out to be.
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The Club then asked the BHPA if it was interested in using the Blorenge as a base for the proposed new National Centre.
The BHPA Executive considered the idea, but decided that an airfield site would probably be more suitable for their project. They did however remind the Club that an interest free BHPA loan could be made available if required. Over the years the SEWHG&PGC had built up financial reserves to assist with site protection, but nothing like enough to purchase nearly 1,000 acres of land! The Club therefore had to look elsewhere for additional funding. Fortunately a generous offer of assistance from the Reggie Spooner Trust got things off to a good start, and enabled the Club to apply for a SportLot lottery grant from the Sports Council for Wales. The Club also embarked upon a "Buy Blorenge" fund raising campaign, with a full page article in Skywings, leaflets at the Telford Airsports Trade Show, and a verbal appeal to pilots attending the BHPA AGM. |
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The Club also continued to discuss the situation with the Local Authority Consortium, and sought assurances that the Club activities would be allowed to continue if the Consortium‘s bid was successful.
Towards the end of 1997 the Consortium asked the Coal Authority for a further postponement of the sale. They ideally wanted it put off until July 1998, when the Government was due to decide which UK locations to put forward for consideration as possible UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Unfortunately the Coal Authority decided that it could not agree to a further postponement, and so the sale proceeded on schedule.
On the 30th January 1998 the Club made the Coal Authority an offer for the Blorenge. Three months later the Club was told that it was the preferred bidder. Some 8 months of hard and difficult bargaining then ensued over the terms of the sale.
On the 18 December 1998 the SE Wales Hang Gliding & Paragliding Club finally became the new owner of the Blorenge. But land registration documents took a further three months to process, and weren‘t actually returned until the 29 March 1999. The project had taken nearly 2 years to complete, but at last the Club was the registered owner of nearly 1,000 acres of Welsh hillside, and the Blorenge was safe.
In August 1999 the Club organised a Blorenge Party and Fly-in to celebrate the news, and to thank all those who had contributed.
But the Blorenge is much more than just a brilliant flying site. So next time you visit SE Wales, do try to find the time to explore the Blorenge, and learn about the major role it played in the Industrial Revolution in Wales.
Visiting pilots are reminded that Blaenavon is a members only site,
and may only be flown by members of the SEWHG&PGC
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