The Web Site of Don and Faith Gaunt

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Introduction

I guess that most personal web sites are a way for that individual or individuals to show off their achievements. I rather think that this one is no exception! However, as well as showing off, most sites also try to contain things that are informative or interesting. Again, I hope that this will prove to be the case here. The site is called "Faydon" because although most of the stuff here is written by me I would have got nowhere without the help and support of my wife.

Don

So what is here that might interest or inform? The following topics are those I intend to include. As they are written, links giving further information will be included.

If you see any errors or additions or you would just like to chat, you can contact me on don at faydon dot com (written out to avoid auto spammers).

May 2020.

I have now reached the age when scrambling over rocks to search deserted buildings and rusted railway lines no longer has much appeal.

Some of the site still has relevance, so I will keep it going. Here are my final "updates" on the various parts of the site.

THE GSSR
The stuff that I have written will still serve as an Archive. However I am delighted to say that the story of the line has been taken up by my good friend, Max Kite. His excellent web site can be found at www.gssr.es.
The Malta Railway.
It was good that I was able to do the research when I did (1995 et al) because much has been lost since. Valletta station has been gutted to make way for the new constructions at the entry to Valletta. The carriage at Birkirkara has been vandalized. Notabile Station is inaccessible due to undergrowth. San Savatore has little left as has the open area to Notabile Station. At least the Station restaurant has re-opened. I fear that within 10 years there will be little to see.
The Jersey railway.
I never did get to do this. I have the photos but did not tell the story although I did make a slide presentation. There are books on both the Western and Eastern Railways.
Adra.
I haven't been to Adra for ages, but last time I was there there was little left of the lead factory. A colleague (Robert Vernon) told me that it was possible to climb up the chimney.
Salt.
At the time I wrote this, much was in ruins and this has continued. Only the Cabo de Gata works still show signs of life and that is about it, the others have been built over.
Almeria.
I am afraid that the “sites under construction” will not now get done. The Cable Ingles has had a makeover with all the loading chutes tucked neatly away. The rest is still valid, particularly the “A Toddo Tren” section.
Alhamilla.
Most of the buildings were in ruins and remain so. Pechina station appears to have been sold and made into a home. The story is of course useful history and still stands.
Millares.
I have not been again but as a museum and archeological site it is unlikely to have changed.
Rodalquilar.
I went fairly recently and the site, exhibition and gardens are still there. The area where there were miner's houses and stores is disintegrating and those buildings left are occupied by squatters. I have a CD of “Solar Babies”.
Bedar.
This huge area was never going to be completely covered by me but fortunately several others have done much. The links that are shown on the page are still valid. A friend, Andrew Devey, is soon to have published, a comprehensive book of the mines. This is being co-written by Antonio Jodar, the man with whom I visited Catalina Mines.
Agua Amarga.
I visited the loading bay area with Max and Andrew last year. Not much seems to have changed. At the Lucainena mines end the Council have done some work in signage. The line route at this end has been turned into a Via Verde (Green route) and a small mock-up of a station has been built. I have been told that there is a bank of shells along the route near Agua but I never got to see it.
Almagrera.
I was going to take a walk from Los Lobos with some friends towards Jarosa mines but heavy rain had made the paths a quagmire. I was told that some preservation work had been carried out. The scenic road from Villaricos to Aguilas has had quite a few information boards put up. Nobody seems interested in the old lead workings and they are gradually rotting away, particularly near Garrucha. Margaret Davies has constructed a comprehensive web site on Almagrera at www.themininggeeksguide.com Antonio Jodar (see above) also includes a section on Almagrera on my web site link on the Bedar page. There is a link at http://almagrera.es/barrancos.html You may need to activate Flash Player in your browser to view it. There is a further link at https://agjodar.blogspot.com/p/postales.html
Croquet.
The Bear of Rodborough club is no more and I have moved over to bowls, but I have left the site up as a memorial and archive. The Bears Croquet club is now at Cirencester and the new web site is at www.bearscroquet.btck.co.uk

To go to the different sections, click on one of the small pictures on the left. If more information is included, another link will appear.

Steam Railways

We have researched the remains of a number of old railways. Two of these appear below, click on the pictures to find out more.

The Malta Railway

This went from the capital, Valletta to the old city of Rabat. It was about 7 miles (12 km) long and ran from 1883 to 1931. Surprisingly, after all this time, there are still many things to see. On the left is Birkirkara station which has had the facade restored to its original state. I have two pages, one on discovering the trackway of this railway by means of three short walks and the other on the Malta National Trust who have a number of restored and preserved artifacts of historical interest.

The Great Southern of Spain Railway (The GSSR).

I have written a book about this railway, situated mostly in the Spanish Province of Almería. It was built by a British Company in the 1880s but although the line survived for 100 years, British interest ceased with the seizing of the line in 1936 (The start of the Spanish Civil War). I have several pages describing the book and matters relating to it. There are many pictures and newly discovered archives and biographies.The picture on the left shows one of the Mercer engines used in the line's construction (Photo by Lawrence Marshall).

Almerian Industrial Archaeology

Here is a Map which shows the location of the sites described below. Click on the map to enlarge it.

From pre-Roman times to the present day, Almería has been a rich source of minerals. However it was the hundred years between 1850 and 1950 that saw the largest exploitation of this natural wealth. Lead mining saw a brief expansion but it was iron ore that was to produce the real boom. Mining companies mushroomed everywhere. Unfortunately Spain was politically unstable and this, coupled with wars both internally and abroad combined to kill off most companies. Finally, by the 1960s, with seams running out, everything closed. Today, the only successful mining being carried out is for marble.

Adra

Adra is a small coastal town right on the border with Granada Province. It has a very long history, going back to prehistoric times and there are a quite a lot of artifacts remaining. I started to write a page on Adra but unfortunately the web site that was my main source of information closed down. I have now bought two comprehensive books on Adra history and hope to complete the page soon. The pictures show; (Far left) Adra lead factory. Only the chimney now survives, near to the tourist office; (Centre) Adra Port Railway Although this short line was built in 1916 purely to construct the port,surprisingly, some artifacts still remain; (Near left) Adra Sugar Factory.

Salt Manufacture

Although most of the salt factories in Almería have ceased or been built over, one still functions on the outskirts of the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. The picture shows the remains of a factory near Roquetas de Mar. I have a page with a map showing where the major salt works in Almeria were situated.

Almerian Railways and Mines

This link takes you to The Almeria to Linares Railway and its associated mines. You can choose between the history of the line, The mines themselves, the loading pier (El Cable Ingles) and a description of the three phase engines that worked on the line.

The Alhamilla Mines

A small and largely unsuccessful attempt to mine iron ore in the Sierra Alhamilla a few miles north of Almería. Illustrated are the remains of the engine shed. There is nothing left of the line except at the mine end where there are some ruins and in the village of Pechina where the station building still remains intact. I tell the sad story of this line.

Los Millares

Although a bronze age settlement a few miles north ofAlmería Los Millares can still claim to be industrial archaeology since, as the picture shows, they smelted copper here. The site, to the north of Almeria, is large and well signed. Opening times are Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 2pm.

Rodalquilar

Situated in the heart of the Cabo de Gata Natural Park was a gold mine. Several attempts were made to make this a profitable one but with no great success. The site is clearly visible from Rodalquilar village and is free with open access. Nearby is the almost deserted settlement which housed the workers.

Bedar

This was a huge area for mining, initially for lead, then iron ore. The remains of many tunnels, hoppers and railway track beds still exist even though mining ceased 50 years ago.The picture shows a monument to the miners in Bedar Town. I have written a page on the main sights that can be visited.

Lucainena to Agua Amarga Mining Line

There are many artifacts left to see both at the Agua Amarga loading bay (pictured) and the mine works at Lucainena. Much of the old trackway is left and some of it has been turned into a footpath. I have written explanatory notes and diagrams to show how this mine operated.

The mines of the Sierra Almagrera

Mining has taken place in these mountains since prehistoric times, due to its proximity to the sea. The remains of lead and iron workings abound, although unfortunately, little is being done to preserve them. The Herrerias mines (pictured) had a connection with Louis Siret, who excavated the Los Millares site mentioned above.

Croquet

My Chosen sport has for many years been croquet. I have played internationally and represented England on a number of occasions. This link More on croquet will take you to the Bears web site.

Unusual Plants

Faith and I collect Air Plants, Cacti and Insectivorous Plants. I intend to include more on these later.

Some air plant pictures