Mapping Mountains – Significant Name Changes – Y Trichant – The 300m Hills of Wales

Bryn Du (SJ 031 044) 

There has been a Significant Name Change to a hill that is listed in the Y Trichant – The 300m Hills of Wales, with the summit height, bwlch height and their locations, the drop and status of the hill derived from LIDAR analysis conducted by Myrddyn Phillips. 

LIDAR image of Bryn Du (SJ 031 044)

The criteria for the list that this name change applies to are:

Y Trichant – The 300m Hills of Wales – Welsh hills at or above 300m and below 400m in height that have 30m minimum drop, with an accompanying sub list entitled the Sub-Trichant, with the criteria for this sub category being all Welsh hills at or above 300m and below 400m in height with 20m or more and below 30m of drop.  The list is authored by Myrddyn Phillips with the Introduction to the list and the renaming of it appearing on Mapping Mountains on the 13^th May 2017, and the Introduction to the Mapping Mountains publication of the list appearing on the 1^st January 2022. 

Y Trichant - The 300m Hills of Wales by Myrddyn Phillips

The hill is adjoined to the Carnedd Wen group of hills, which are situated in the southern part of North Wales (Region A, Sub-Region A3), and it is positioned with a minor road to its south, the A458 road to its north and the A470 road to its south-west, and has the small town of Llanfair Caereinion towards the east north-east. 

Extract from the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map

The hill appeared in the original 300m height band of Welsh P30 hills published on Geoff Crowder’s v-g.me website, under the transposed name of Cors y Carreg, which is a prominent name that appears to the north-east of this hill on the contemporary Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map and which does not necessarily apply to land taking in the summit of this hill.

Cors y Carreg

392m

SJ031044

136

215

 

Since the original publication of the Welsh P30 lists on Geoff Crowder’s v-g.me website there have been a number of maps made available online.  Some of these are historic such as the series of Six-Inch maps on the National Library of Scotland website.  Whilst others were digitally updated such as the Ordnance Survey Vector Map Local that was hosted on the Geograph website and which was entitled the Interactive Coverage Map, whilst others are current and digitally updated such as the interactive mapping on the Magic Maps and WalkLakes websites.  One of the historic maps now available online is the Ordnance Survey One-Inch ‘Old Series’ map, and it is this map that forms the basis for the change in the listed name of this hill. 

Extract from the Ordnance Survey One-Inch 'Old Series' map

The One-Inch ‘Old Series’ map was the first map that Ordnance Survey produced, and their publication culminated from the whole of Britain being surveyed between 1791 and 1874 and the detail gathered therein produced at a scale of one inch to the mile and published in sheet format between 1805 and 1874.  The One-Inch ‘Old Series’ maps for the whole of Wales are now available online; they are also available in map format as enlarged and re-projected versions to match the scale and dimensions of the Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 Landranger series and are published by Cassini.  This series of maps form another important part in the study of Welsh upland place-names and bridge the timeframe leading up to the production of the Ordnance Survey base map of the Six-Inch series, and importantly for this hill and its listed name, it is this map that places the name of Bryn Du close to the summit of this hill.

Therefore, the name this hill is now listed by in the Y Trichant – The 300m Hills of Wales is Bryn Du, and this was derived from the Ordnance Survey One-Inch ‘Old Series’ map. 

 

The full details for the hill are: 

Group:  Carnedd Wen 

Name:  Bryn Du 

Previously Listed Name:  Cors y Carreg 

OS 1:50,000 map:  136

Summit Height:  391.0m (LIDAR)                                                           

Summit Grid Reference:  SJ 03105 04497 (LIDAR) 

Bwlch Height:  356.4m (LIDAR) 

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SJ 03401 05063 (LIDAR) 

Drop:  34.6m (LIDAR) 

 

Myrddyn Phillips (October 2022)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Mapping Mountains – Significant Name Changes – The Welsh P15s

Bryn Du (SH 398 896) 

There has been a Significant Name Change to a hill that is listed in The Welsh P15s, with the summit height, bwlch height and their locations, the drop and status of the hill derived from detail on contemporary maps produced from Ordnance Survey data. 

The criteria for the list that this name change applies to are:

The Welsh P15s – Welsh hills with 15m minimum drop, irrespective of their height, with an accompanying sub list entitled the Welsh Sub-P15s, with the criteria for this sub category being all Welsh hills with 14m or more and below 15m of drop.  The list is authored by Myrddyn Phillips, with the Introduction to the list appearing on Mapping Mountains on the 10^th May 2019. 

The Welsh P15s by Myrddyn Phillips

The hill is adjoined to the Ynys Môn group of hills, which are situated in the north-western part of North Wales (Region A, Sub-Region A1), and it is positioned with the coast to its north and is encircled by minor roads, with the A5025 road farther to its north and the B5111 road farther to its east, and has the village of Carreg-lefn towards the west south-west. 

When the listing that became known as The Welsh P15s was being compiled, this hill was listed under the point (Pt. 86m) notation with an estimated c 14m of drop, based on the 86m summit spot height that appeared on the Ordnance Survey Vector Map Local hosted on the Geograph website and which was entitled the Interactive Coverage Map and an estimated c 72m bwlch height, based on interpolation of 5m contouring between 70m – 75m that appears on the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map. 

Extract from the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map

As the summit of this hill comprises bounded land the details for it were examined on the Tithe map.  The term Tithe map is generally given to a map of a Welsh or English parish or township and which was prepared after the 1836 Tithe Commutation Act.  This act allowed tithes to be paid in cash rather than goods.  The Tithe maps gave names of owners and occupiers of land in each parish and importantly for place-name research they also included the name of enclosed land.  This enclosed land is usually based on a field system, however not every field is given a name, but many are and especially so in Wales. 

Extract from the Tithe map

The enclosed land where the summit of this hill is situated is given the number 111a on the Tithe map, this can be cross referenced against the apportionments; it is these apportionments that give the name of the owner or occupier of the land as well as the name of the land.  The land where the summit of this hill is situated is named as Bryn Du in the apportionments, with the details on the Tithe map appearing in the parish of Llanbadrig and in the county named as Anglesey. 

Extract from the apportionments

Therefore, the name this hill is now listed by in The Welsh P15s is Bryn Du and this derived from the Tithe map. 

 

The full details for the hill are: 

Group:  Ynys Môn 

Name:  Bryn Du

Previously Listed Name:  Pt. 86m 

OS 1:50,000 map:  114

Summit Height:  86m (spot height) 

Summit Grid Reference:  SH 39843 89644 (spot height) 

Bwlch Height:  c 72m (interpolation) 

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SH 39722 88861 (interpolation) 

Drop:  c 14m (spot height summit and interpolated bwlch) 

 

Myrddyn Phillips (September 2021)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Mapping Mountains – Significant Name Changes – Y Trichant – The 300m Hills of Wales

Bryn Du (SH 866 014)

There has been a Significant Name Change to a hill that was surveyed for inclusion in the Y Trichant – The 300m Hills of Wales, with the summit height, bwlch height and their locations, the drop and status of the hill ascertained from a Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey conducted by Myrddyn Phillips.

Bryn Du (SH 866 014)

The criteria for the list that this name change applies to are:

Y Trichant – The 300m Hills of Wales.  Welsh hills at or above 300m and below 400m in height that have 30m minimum drop, with an accompanying sub list entitled the Sub-Trichant with the criteria for this sub category being all Welsh hills at or above 300m and below 400m in height with 20m or more and below 30m of drop.  The list is authored by Myrddyn Phillips, with the Introduction to the list and the renaming of it appearing on Mapping Mountains on the 13th May 2017.

The hill is adjoined to the Pumlumon group of hills, which are situated in the north ern part of Mid and West Wales (Region B, Sub-Region B2), and it is positioned with the Afon Twymyn and the A470 road to its north and the B4518 road to its east, and has the village of Llanbrynmair towards the north-east. 

The hill was not included in the Hills to be surveyed sub list that accompanied the original Welsh 300m P30 list published on Geoff Crowder’s v-g.me website, as it was considered not to meet the criteria then used in this sub category.  It was later listed by the point (Pt. 370m) notation when The Welsh P15s were compiled.  Prompted by the Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey and as this hill comprises bounded land the Tithe map was consulted. 

Extract from the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map

The term Tithe map is generally given to a map of a Welsh or English parish or township and which was prepared after the 1836 Tithe Commutation Act.  This act allowed tithes to be paid in cash rather than goods.  The Tithe maps gave names of owners and occupiers of land in each parish and importantly for place-name research they also included the name of enclosed land.  This enclosed land is usually based on a field system, however not every field is given a name, but many are and especially so in Wales.

Extract from the Tithe map

The enclosed land where the summit of this hill is situated is given the number 1410 on the Tithe map, this can be cross referenced against the apportionments; it is these apportionments that give the name of the owner or occupier of the land as well as the name of the land.  The land where the summit of this hill is situated is named as Bryn Du in the apportionments, with the details on the Tithe map appearing in the parish of Darowen and in the county named as Montgomery.

Extract from the apportionments

Although the hill does not meet the criteria for a Sub-Trichant, it was surveyed for this status and as its listed name does not appear on an Ordnance Survey map it is worth documenting with a Significant Name Changes post under the list that it was surveyed for.  Therefore, the name this hill is now listed by is Bryn Du, and this was derived from the Tithe map.

The full details for the hill are:

Group:  Pumlumon

Name:  Bryn Du

Previously Listed Name:  Pt. 370m

OS 1:50,000 map:  135, 136

Summit Height:  368.4m (converted to OSGM15)

Summit Grid Reference:  SH 86623 01433

Bwlch Height:  352.1m (converted to OSGM15)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SH 86831 01543

Drop:  16.3m 

Myrddyn Phillips (January 2020)

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Pumlumon

29.10.19  Corun y Ffridd (SH 873 018), Bryn Du (SH 866 014), Nyrs Fawr (SH 867 008) and Pen Rhiw Mwyn (SH 868 002)  

Corun y Ffridd (SH 873 018)

Having recently visited hills in the lower northerly part of the Pumlumon range, this area drew me back and with Suzanne as patient companion for the day, we set off having parked beside the B4518 as it approaches the small community of Llanbrynmair.

I had a number of surveying objectives planned for the day, with confirming the higher summit between Corun y Ffridd (371m on the map) and Bryn Du (370m on the map) being the main objective.  However, all results would be of interest as LIDAR does not cover these hills.

We followed a track leading to Cringoed farm, which now houses itself behind a high security gate.  I had hoped to make place-name enquiries at this farm, but the gate was securely locked and so we followed a public footpath through an adjoining field and joined a track that wound its way through autumnal woodland up toward the higher part of the easterly ridge of Corun y Ffridd; our first summit of the day.

The way to the hill

The skyline away to our east and north was covered in a mass of cloud with signs of blue sky above.  However, it was the cold northerly strong breeze that made an impact the higher we got.  This chilled any exposed fingers and although I found it refreshing after summer’s warmth my surveying companion ended up clad in six layers of clothes to combat its effect.

The summit of Corun y Ffridd is positioned on a grassed embankment.  As the Trimble gathered data I scribbled all necessary detail in my notepad, whist Suzanne hunkered down trying forlornly to get out of the chill wind.

Gathering data at the summit of Corun y Ffridd

Toward the west another top vies for the higher summit on this ridge; this is being listed as Bryn Du after detail on the Tithe map.  Before visiting its summit I took data from the bwlch between it and Corun y Ffridd.  During data collection Suzanne headed upward and by the time I’d reached the summit she was exploring the continuing route down to the bwlch leading to our next hill; Nyrs Fawr.

Gathering data at the bwlch of Bryn Du

Gathering data at the summit of Bryn Du

I surveyed two points for the summit position of Bryn Du, both on grassed embankments which resembled those associated with ancient hill forts, although none are shown on Ordnance Survey maps.

By the time we had reached the next bwlch, which is the critical bwlch adjoined to Coryn y Ffridd, sunlight was piercing the land giving flashes of colour to what had been a dulled landscape predominated by massed autumnal cloud.  The bwlch consisted of a watery bog with large clumps of tussock grass thrown in for good measure.  After spending an inordinate amount of time assessing the lay of land I chose a position for the Trimble and proceeded to gather the customary five minutes of data.

Gathering data at the bwlch of Corun y Ffridd

Conifer plantation now predominated to our east, thankfully the planting has left open hillside following the ridge toward the remaining summits on our planned walk.  One outcome of this massed and regimented forest is the shielding from any easterly wind, and this proved welcome after its chilled affects over the last two hours or so.

Between us and the summit of our next hill; Nyrs Fawr, was a contented herd of grazing cows.  They all stood in the brightening conditions with the higher westerly hills as backdrop.  As Suzanne is freaked by these creatures we made our way up beside the intervening forest boundary fence, and keeping the fence between us and them.  However, they were docile and only moved when we gently and quietly approached.  Once beyond the cows we continued following the ridge until the knolled summit of Nyrs Fawr came in to view.  This was soon Trimbled.

Gathering data at the summit of Nyrs Fawr

At each point to survey Suzanne would either head off to discover the next, or hunker down out of the strong breeze.  The mass of cloud had now broken and blue sky met us as we headed down toward the two positions vying for the bwlch of Nyrs Fawr which connects with the highest summit of the day; Pen Rhiw Mwyn.

Both of these points were surveyed and both were positioned beside a fence and collapsed wall.  Only one survey remained and that was the summit of Pen Rhiw Mwyn which had looked out at us during the walk, almost forgotten except for its massed easterly flank showing a dulled and darkened green where conifers had now taken over.

Gathering data at the bwlch of Nyrs Fawr

By the time I reached the summit the sun glinted over the conifer tops leaving its high point in shade.  This consists of a small knoll positioned on the forested side of the boundary fence in an enclosed position.  Because of this it took the Trimble over 10 minutes to attain its 0.1m accuracy level before data should be logged.  Once this appeared on the screen I pressed ‘Log’ and scampered down beside the boundary fence to stand in welcomed sunlight and look out across to distant hills.

Gathering data at the summit of Pen Rhiw Mwyn

During my long wait at the summit Suzanne had made her way back down to the previous bwlch where a public footpath entered the forest, this would be our way off the hill.  By the time I packed the equipment away and followed the fence line to the bwlch I found her hunkered down with her back to the chilled wind, comatose like she sat almost in a ball, seemingly content in her six layered protection.

Suzanne hunkered down out of the wind

Our route down was blissful with first the gentle and quiet surrounds of a good path through the woodland and then low sunlight casting beautiful colour accentuating the pastured greens and autumnal browns and yellows.  The wooded path led out on to the north-easterly ridge of Pen Rhiw Mwyn where it continued amongst bracken and eventually on to open steep grazing fields.

The way down

Long shadows

Trees

Autumn colours

By now the surrounding hills were a-light in colour, with the wind turbines atop Bryn Amlwg a foreign occupier on what must have been a marvellously wild hill.  Autumn is in utter contrast to the preceding summer months and brings a radiancy to the hills, with the dulled late greens and warmth replaced by a changing, with the last flashes of colour and chilled air heralding the impending onset of winter.  It is a special time of the year amongst the hills and is one to be savoured.

               

Survey Result:

C0run y Ffridd 

 

Summit Height:  371.0m (converted to OSGM15) (confirmed as higher than Bryn Du [SH 86623 01433])

Summit Grid Reference:  SH 87306 01812

Bwlch Height:  330.8m (converted to OSGM15)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SH 86588 01208

Drop:  40.1m

Dominance:  10.81%

Bryn Du (significant name change)

 

Summit Height:  368.4m (converted to OSGM15) (confirmed as lower than Corun y Ffridd [SH 87306 01812])

Summit Grid Reference:  SH 86623 01433

Bwlch Height:  352.1m (converted to OSGM15)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SH 86831 01543

Drop:  16.3m

Dominance:  4.43%

Nyrs Fawr  

Summit Height:  363.8m (converted to OSGM15)

Summit Grid Reference:  SH 86771 00895

Bwlch Height:  340.9m (converted to OSGM15)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SH 86860 00561

Drop:  22.9m (Sub-Trichant addition)

Dominance:  6.29%

Pen Rhiw Mwyn 

  

Summit Height:  388.0m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Summit Grid Reference:  SH 86884 00247 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Bwlch Height:  303m (spot height)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SN 86606 99241 (spot height)

Drop:  85m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and spot height bwlch)

Dominance:  21.92% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and spot height bwlch)

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet