Rhydymwyn Valley History Society

14/06/2026

VISIT BY BANGOR UNIVERSITY
We had lovely day with marvellous weather.
If anyone took pictures, please forward them to us and we will do a full report.
Best Regards
Colin

10/06/2026

Rhydymwyn Buffer Depot and Tunnels Access in 2026-Part 4
From the end of last year when the site closed for refurbishment many changes were made and completed before the re-opening at the beginning of May.
The major parts effected were:
1. The Danger Area (DA) is fully re-opened and the only obvious, visual differences are that the doors of the buildings are now blocked with notices attached.
2. The Wet Feature is currently closed off, and extensive engineering work is taking place.
3. The Woodland Path now terminates at the boundary to the DA, and it has been made safer with extra signage.
4. We thought that a secure library for important and key documents had been provided in the VC, but it appears this has been withdrawn.
5. Tube Alloys (TA). Building 45/P6 is the most famous building on the site and is of international importance. It is where the original Simons Separation Engines were tested to prove the efficiency of the gaseous diffusion process which led to fissile material being produced on an industrial scale. During the close-down Defra made repairs and clearances to the Grade II listed building and we now have all year access through it. We understand the roof is about to be repaired and need to have documentary evidence of all the changes to the building to complete our records. We may have an agreement that we will set it up as a Tube Alloys Building. We must thank Defra for their major works, which were unexpected.
6. The Tunnels. We are informed that major engineering activity is being carried out and this may continue into 2027. So, works are still in progress, and as an accommodation, Defra offered us limited access to the North Tunnel inside a Heras fencing cage. Whilst we are grateful that they have gone to such efforts on our behalf, we do not think we can do this without giving undue risks to our tourists. Since Ken Skates originally opened the tunnels for us, we have had a rocky road with gaining access, with several cancellations for various reasons. It is the general preference that we wait until the works are completed and then re-open them with a secure and reliable agenda, which will also allow us to re-organise RVHS as a reliable and stable unit.
7. We will, however, now start to arrange a meeting, where one of the top items will be if you wish to take advantage of the accommodation offered by Defra.
One final thing we must consider is the new site induction protocol which has been changed in many ways. We believe we may be reduced to taking tour parties on the site, but it must be read in conjunction with what wish to do on site.
Best Regards
Colin

07/06/2026

Rhydymwyn Buffer Depot and Tunnels Access in 2026-Part 3

In 2008 about a dozen of us formed RVHS to research the Valley Site and report on our findings.
In the intervening years we have been on a marvellous journey but then was then and now is now.
There have been major changes recently which totally change what is available and what our access is to it.
As we are now better informed, we can report on what is being offered by Defra and how we can best integrate with that.
This is not a short-term casual issue, major changes have been made, and we wish to be able to contribute in the fullest way to the long-term future of the site and its importance. There are so many people who wish to be involved.
To achieve this, we need to tell all of you, in a broad way what is the situation today, we will then call a full meeting and answer any questions, and you will be able to chose how you wish to progress.
We believe that we are acting in a mature and responsible way.
Best Regards
Colin

28/05/2026

Rhydymwyn Buffer Depot and Tunnels Access in 2026-Two.
This message is mainly for the many people who are not members of RVHS who will be invited to a meeting when we will all decide what parts of the site, we can take forward for the maximum public benefit.
With the tunnels one option is to give minimal access for the rest of this year returning to fuller access when the tunnels are next more fully available, another option is of course not to pursue the short-term limited option but wait until they are more available.
To help you with this, we have attached a picture to view before our meeting..
We will post overviews of all topics ASAP
Nothing has been decided yet
We are trying to find solutions.
Best Regards
Colin

27/05/2026

Rhydymwyn Buffer Depot and Tunnels Access in 2026.
There have been many recent changes and as we promised
we are ready to report those changes.
Up to 2024 we had our most successful series of years, but this changed when Defra amended the tunnel access protocols, effectively closing them to us.
We informed them of the situation, and they indicated that several changes were going to be made at the end of 2025, and matters would be resolved for the 2026 tunnel tours
It was understood that we would mutually move forward and consult where possible.
This continued until two days before Xmas 2025 when, without warning, Defra totally closed the site for major refurbishment and access, the site re-opened at the beginning of May with many physical and access changes.
We publicly promised that when we reached a point where we were confident that what information we had was accurate we would call a public meeting and give a full explanation to you all and we could then decide what parts of the site it is possible to use in the future
We will start providing the overall background in the short term, starting with
THE TUNNELS
In the period between the closure and re-opening in May, it is asserted that major works have and continue to take place, we have been excluded from all information. It has been offered that as a special accommodation for a portion of the North Tunnel to be totally isolated by Heras fencing with reduced visitor numbers. Defra had issued a RAMS which seemed to be a copy of one issued in August 2025 which caused us to cease tours. We were additionally told by Defra that it would in future be necessary to carry one gas detector for every four visitors and not be able to check the air flow through the whole tunnel system for toxicity and to satisfy our insurance requirements.
We do not believe the reduced access and conditions would be attractive to potential tunnel tourists.
There are now further considerations concerning entry to the site which we need to address.
We will update you on other parts of the site shortly
We are trying to find solutions.
Best Regards
Colin

02/05/2026

THIS IMPORTANT MESSAGE WAS RECEIVED FROM DEFRA TODAY.
Access Update: Extended Access at Rhydymwyn Buffer Depot
Your support has been invaluable while we worked through the necessary steps to ensure the Rhydymwyn site could reopen safely and with the appropriate controls in place.
We are now pleased to confirm that the site will reopen with full access from Bank Holiday Monday, 4th May.
We had hoped to reopen for the full Bank Holiday weekend; however, the printed copies of the updated induction and site guide will not arrive until tomorrow. To ensure a consistent and safe process for all users, the reopening will therefore take effect from Monday.
As part of the revised arrangements, there is a change in process for all site users:
• All existing members must complete and sign the new site induction before access can be granted, even if they have completed a previous version.
• Any new members or visitors must also complete the induction prior to entering the site.
• Anyone accessing the site MUST sign in and out using the register located at the Visitor Centre.
• Processes for group activities can be adapted to suit all parties, but all activity must be formally recorded.
Hard‑copy forms will be available on site, and electronic copies of both the induction and the site guide are attached to this email should you wish to circulate them to your members in advance.
Below is the notice that will be displayed on site and may also be used in your own communications or media channels:
RHYDYMYWN SITE – IMPORTANT UPDATE
We are pleased to confirm that full access to the Rhydymwyn site will resume from Monday 4th May.
To support a safe and well‑managed return, all site users will be required to complete a site induction, including those who have completed one in the past. This ensures everyone is up to date with current guidance and site arrangements.
Copies of the induction and the site guide are available in hard copy on site, and can also be provided electronically on request.
Thank you for your cooperation as we move into this next phase of reopening. Your support helps us maintain a safe, positive and well‑informed environment for everyone using the site.
Thank you again for your continued engagement and understanding. If you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to get in touch with the site on 01352-741591
Best regards
Colin

01/05/2026

HELLO AGAIN ON THIS MAYDAY
We have not been in general contact with you for a number of months,
The main reason for this is that the site was for a time totally closed while a full 86.8 acre survey was performed, followed by major refurbishment, which is not yet completed.
We have decided over the next two weeks to report to you the changes completed and those still taking place.
The changes will modify our complete interface with the site and we need to adjust to this.
After we have published as much of the detail as we can we intend to call a general meeting when we will disclose all of the details we are aware of and you will be able to judge what parts of the package from Defra we can take forward.
We can disclose to you now othat many of the changes are positive and exciting but others are less so.
At this general meeting we will decide what our future is..
Best Regards
Colin

08/02/2026

THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT THE SITE OPENING
If you follow this link to our website https://www.rhydymwynvalleyhistory.co.uk/ you will see the latest news and the confirmed bookings.
There is a lot of activity in flight with a number of exciting developments subsequent to the current major works.
Many thanks to Phil Pritchard for his work on the website

The Rhydymwyn Valley History Society is an organisation which researches and promotes the operation of the former Ministry of Supply's Valley Works in the Alyn Valley at Rhydymwyn in North-East Wales.

31/01/2026

All I Can Reliably Tell You.
The site was closed just before Xmas for the foreseeable future because it needed an urgent survey concerning public safety.
Yesterday Defra informed everyone that only the area South of the DA gate and the Bird Hide area were closed and the rest of the site was accessible to the escorted public in the normal hours.
When the remaining works were completed we would be told and a revised Induction Procedure would be issued.
We understand that tunnel remediation will improve our frequency and area of visit and should be available from May onwards but we cannot plan or train for any tunnel tours until the new rules and configuration are defined to us.
As soon as all of this is in place we will be able to proceed
Regards
Colin

30/01/2026

Dear Jane Welsh Styles
Please could you email me with your telephone number to [email protected].
I have been trying to contact you for weeks
Best Regards
Colin