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pagepage66Historic Gas Times%u2022 Issue 111 %u2022 June 2022 %u2022so much so, that Miss Roberts, the proprietress, sent to Mr. Walcott a highly flattering letter stating that the Gasworks have quite answered her expectations and she had no hesitation in saying that the light is both brilliant and economical, and made with very little trouble (The North Wales Chronicle, 4th August 1855). The Portmadoc and Tremadoc Gasworks, were built under the superintendence of George Walcott, his works were completed under the %u00a33,500 estimate provided. They were completed by December 1857 (The North Wales Chronicle 19th December 1857). The following year Walcott was busy in Llandudno having been the engineer in charge of erecting the gasworks there, the town had been partially lit by June 1858 (Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser Register 5th June 1858). Walcott had undertaken an innovative project in 1859, lighting Samuel Hollands slate quarry in Ffestiniog, this included the levels worked 1000 feet into the mountain (Dublin Local Advertiser 26th March 1859). Later that year Walcott was lighting another Welsh town, Llanidloes. The excitement around the opening of the gasworks was recorded in the 12th November edition of The North Wales Chronicle from 1859. It reads %u201cIllumination at Llanidloes on the Opening the Gasworks. For some time past the approaching introduction of the gas light into this town, has caused great expectation amongst the juvenile and poorer part of the population, many of whom had only hithertho heard of its brilliancy. Their anticipations were raised greatly on seeing during Friday and Saturday, the preparations proceeding in the town for a general light-up) by eight on Saturday evening, the streets were full of people, and a shout of delight arose from the crowd when the old Town Hall looking towards Long Bridge-street appeared one galaxy of stars.in the centre of which was seen this inscription, Llanidloes Gas Company, 1859,\below, a gas burner lighted. This transparency was surrounded with a wreath of evergreens. The whole tableau had a beautiful effect. The new Town Hall also blazed forth to the people that the gas light had now become an actual reality in their town for developed with a distinctness as bright as that given by the sun at noonday, appeared the words, Success to the town and trade of Llanidloes.\merry rhyme, and the local band paraded the streets playing some lively airs. From twenty to thirty of the mechanics and workmen who had been engaged in the construction of the works, were regaled with a substantial supper at the Angel Inn. The gasworks have been erected from plans prepared and under the superintendence of Mr. George Walcott, of Abchurch Lane, London. Competent judges have pronounced them equal if not superior to any of their size in Great Britain. The contract for the buildings, apparatus, and castings were carried out in satisfactory manner by Thomas Spittle, of Newport, during the last four months.%u201d When he was not supervising the construction of gasworks, George Walcott was a regular contributor to publications such as the Mechanics Magazine and to the Welsh newspapers. In the latter he prepared a long article called Gas Residuum, A good Manure. Giving many tips on how gasworks wastes could be used. Such as %u201cGas Tar-This is an excellent manure, for it not only is composed entirely of vegetable matter, but Llandeilo gas works in 1949, rather dishevelled, and still showing some features installed by Walcott. Two small holders with below-ground tanks have been replaced by an above-ground spiral. The retort house, with a clerestory roof, probably includes the original building. The white gable is the Manager's house.