Quarterly Journal of the Shropshire Caving & Mining Club Winter Issue No: 2017.4 Club Awards It’s Offi cial - Steve Holding has Finally Retired Congratulations to Mike Shaw who At the Club Dinner in October, Steve was awarded the 2017 Archaeology announced that he had fi nally retired Award for his work at Cothercott and brought along a retirement cake Baryte mill - just when he thought that they had given him at work but his mantle-piece would be clear this not had chance to cut. year! Topped with a helmet and miners lamps - it was very tasty!

Steve has already got several digging projects in mind, plus numerous trips to go on!

Get Well Soon Best wishes for speedy recoveries go out to Andy Kennelly, Alan Moseley, Congratulations to Evan Kinsey and Alan Taylor who have all had various health problems This years “Busted Hernia” award David and Margaret recently. was given to Steve Holding for a Adams couple of “Senior Moments” on a They will be celebrating their 10th Wishing all Club Membe rs , trip down to the 40 yard level Wedding Anniversary in December, we wish them all the best for the fr iends and family future and to David for his 80th birthday, also in December.

Cheers !

“Below” 2017.4 1 Shropshire Mining Club Veteran’s Reunion, 18th Oct. 2017 David Adams

The fi rst Shropshire Mining Club Ivor it was decided to invite his wife At fi rst it was odd in the car park to Veteran’s Reunion was held at Iris, also Alan Taylor, not a veteran greet all these strange bewhiskered, the Bradford Arms, Ivetsey Bank, but now at 93, Past President and often slightly balding now elderly Staffordshire on Wednesday 18th the oldest member of the Club. cavers not seen for many years, but October 2017. To represent the present Club, the their accents soon established who Chairman, Vice Chairman and they were. The idea of a reunion of the founders Secretary were invited. Veterans and early members of our Club, then were told they could invite present known simply as the ‘Shropshire members of the Club, but it was Mining Club’ (the title ‘Caving’ was ‘their do’. not added until 1972) originated after the early passing and funeral of our APOLOGIES: - Alan Taylor Club’s second Chairman Mike James was not fi t enough after a bout of in March 2016 which was attended ill health to attend and both our by seven of us. Chairman and Secretary had other engagements. Iris Brown was David Adams giving his introductory Having given the matter considerable moving in with her daughter near speech. (Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings) thought and a search for addresses. Lincoln. Bob Meeson a founder I listed forty-seven members who member and wife Jean, also couldn’t I opened the formal part of the had joined our Club between its attend. Bob had recently collapsed meeting by reading out in Memoriam foundation on 6th September 1961 after a bout of fl u, and been admitted the names of the thirty six founder and the same date in 1967, (ie 50 to hospital. and early members who had been in years ago). Of these, ten were known our Club to 1967, and who due to to have passed on, one believed PRESENTATIONS: - Visual death, infi rmity, or being just ‘lost to deceased, and twenty-four whose Presentations were made by Kelvin history’ could not be with us today. situations remained unknown. On Lake and Peter Eggleston, entitled 15th March 2017 I then despatched ‘The last 50 Years of the S.C.M.C.’. This was followed by an ample lunch a circular letter to the thirteen known Also Vice Chairman Gareth Rushton of cold meats and salads provided addresses, of which two proved was able to present his father’s by the pub. Because he had to leave negative. Presentation which was made early for an important meeting after the Club meeting on the 1st Gareth gave his father’s most The fi rst to reply was Ivor Brown September, covering the Club’s impressive Presentation fi rst, telling who thought it was an excellent recent achievements, and the respect us of the remarkable achievements idea, but unfortunately this was with which it is now held by other in communications underground, followed by his own passing on organisations. camera work, recording, engineering, the 4th of April. The fact that this study of bats, and the many and had happened already to one of the THOSE ATTENDING: - varied technical activities of our remaining eleven only served to * David Adams, Founder Member present Club. spur the idea on. Ten positive replies with wife Margaret. were received. The next problem * Mike Gaut a founder member After this I reminded those present was the time of year and the time of and 1st Treasurer with his wife that it was initially the interest of day, many were busy in the summer Marlene. John Mason in exploring mines and months and at weekends, while a * Colin Lears our fi rst member and then the rest of us as gathered round number did not relish the idea of his ‘daughter’ Victoria. the table who had set the course of driving longish distances at night. * Terry and Jen Davies this very successful Club fi fty plus Thus the optimum month seemed to * David Stevenson and his wife years ago. be October, the day midweek, time * Peter Summerfi eld, midday, and Chris Lane fi nally fi xed * John Norton and his wife Josie Following this I listed the early the date of his availability as the 18th * Chris Lane and his wife Elizabeth, achievements of the Club, the of October. * Jock King and his wife Josie. fi rst private survey of the South * John Mason, who fi rst instigated Shropshire Mines, the survey of VENUE: - The Bradford Arms was the idea of exploring mines in Llanymynech Roman Mine, which chosen due to its good reputation for South Shropshire in 1958 with his had not been bettered, caving in food, and its position on the A5 east- wife Liz Derbyshire and South Wales, our fi rst west and proximity to the motorways Rescue Call Outs, commencement of north and south. Also the Presenters Gareth Rushton, the Church Aston-Lilleshall survey Kelvin Lake and Peter Eggleston - and so on. GUESTS: - In view of the loss of 22 in all.

2 “Below” 2017.4 Shropshire Mining Club Veteran’s Reunion, 18th Oct. 2017 Continued ...

Kelvin and Peter then made their I then asked whether they wished proved that people joining and taking superb visual Presentation of many this to be only the fi rst Reunion, a real interest in our Club could fi nd photographs taken of our activities that could be continued in the next, ‘Friends for Life’. over the last fi fty years. All of which and future years, to which there was brought back many memories and enthusiastic agreement. Next year’s The fi nal act was for Kelvin to gather went down extremely well. Reunion will include those who the party in one corner of the room joined our Club in 1967-8, provided and take a group photograph. Chris Lane’s old 8mm, unfortunately their names and present addresses somewhat hazy fi lm showing can be found in the Club records. Around 4pm the reunion broke up members activities 30 to 40 years I ended by saying that for all of us and all departed happily on their ago completed the Presentations. to meet again after fi fty plus years separate ways.

Attendees at the Veterans Reunion,18th October 2017. Standing (left to right): John Mason, Josie Norton, Peter Summerfi eld, Terry (Blogg) Davies, Mrs. Stevenson, Dave Stevenson, Mike Gaut, Marlene Gaut, Elizabeth Mason, Liz Lane, Colin Lears, John Norton, David Adams. Seated (left to right): Jen Davies, Chris Lane, Robert ‘Jock’ King, Josie King. Pictures from the Archives Following the Reunion (and in the days leading up to it) a number of photographs taken in the 1960s were sent in:

Above: Terry & Jen Davies (Jen Davies)

Above right: David Adams ascending Croesor Slate Mine near Ffestiniog, North Wales watched by Mike Gaut, Mike James lifelining, & Colin Lears. During the fi rst Easter camp, 20th-23rd April 1962. (Bob Meeson)

“Below” 2017.4 3 Pictures from the Archives Dave Stevenson

Among the photographs sent in for 705ft. in the rift below to the Veterans Reunion was a picture a boulder slope (estimated of the 1967 Provatina Expedition to be about 1600ft. down). (Greece) and one of the ‘team’ Every member of the party training for the expedition. descended to the Snow Ledge (570ft. down) some Amongst older cavers this was a two or three times! legendary expedition and two Club members (Nigel Beattie and Dave The depth of the Provatina Stevenson) were on the trip. Abyss is currently recorded as 405m (1,328ft.). Provatina is in the North Western part of the Pindhus Mountains, Greece. The landscape is dominated Right: Practising ladder by a broad tabular mass of pure climbing in Gaping Gill Main Chamber - the little spec in limestone, nearly 8,000ft high, the light is Nigel Beattie! named Gamila which is drained by two rivers, the Aoos and Vikos, that have cut deep canyons over Pictures: Dave Stevenson 4,000ft deep. The Vikos is a resurgence, emerging in a deep gorge Below: View across the by a minor peak called Astraka. It is mountain to the Provatina Shaft as the team lays out this area that interested the British the ladders. cavers due to a huge, unexplored shaft on a plateau at an altitude of 5,850ft. with the Vikos resurgence some 4,000ft lower down, two miles away. In 1966 Jim Eyre of the Red Rose Pothole Club had determined that the ‘hole’ was at least 570ft. deep and resolved to return in 1967. A team was put together and training meets were held down most of the big Yorkshire pots to get the feel of “airy pitches” - one of these involved climbing 100m on free hanging electron ladders in Gaping Gill Main Chamber (see picture top right). A lifelining winch with 1,000ft of wire rope was made especially for Right: Detail of the Provatina pitch - it was thought the view across this would be adequate for any the mountain to pitch which might be below the the Provatina initial drop. They planned to use Shaft (from the wire ladders (made by themselves), picture above). with an additional 600ft. of rope for emergency use.

The Provatina shaft was about Various reports 50ft. wide by 80ft, going back into of the Provatina the cliff face. From a distance it Expedition were looked like a large cave entrance. produced by Jim However, the shaft was found to Eyres. be far deeper than expected. It was 570ft. to a snow ledge and then using A detailed report by Carl Pickstone can be found online in the Wessex a shovel on the end of telephone Caving Club Journal No. 118, Vol. 10. page 109-121 (with photos) at: wire it was plumbed for a further http://bit.ly/2jLBPZy

4 “Below” 2017.4 SCMC Trip Reports, September & October 2017 Steve Holding

September Peter Eggleston testing the It is questionable whether there new μHeyphone - built by have been any specifi c SCMC Ian Cooper as a modern underground trips during September. replacement of the Heyphone. The only items that I am aware of (Ian Cooper) are: Details of the μHeyphone will appear in the December 2017 Saturday 16th - Peter Eggleston CREG Journal, issue 100. and Ian Cooper carried out communications tests between underground (Roberts Level, Baryte Below: The new μHeyphone Stope) and surface. is much smaller than the old Heyphone. Saturday 23rd - Kelvin Lake and (Ian Cooper) Steve Holding were involved in a South & Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team mines rescue practice at Dinas Silica mine. This was followed by a Call-out to Penwyllt for an overdue party in OFD - the overdue cavers were spotted by Steve and Kelvin walking up the road to Penwyllt.

October 2017 Thursday 5th - Andy Wood, Nick Southwick and Steve Holding in Roberts Level, Snailbeach. Andy and Nick mainly collecting baryte material to be used for display at Cothercott while Steve undertook some work in the show mine.

Thursday 12th to Sunday 22nd - Club members, Steve Holding, Alan & Vicky Robinson, Julian Bromhead, Allan Richardson, Above: Roy Fellows providing a historical briefi ng to those on Eileen Bowen, Mike Worsfold and Andy Wood the Rescue Practice at Dinas Silica Mine. Access to the mine is were at Nenthead for various days – trips for ‘controlled’ by Natural Amenities Ltd. (Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings) these days will be reported separately. Below: Steve Holding getting to gripes or should that be grips with an underground Cave Link unit (a text based Below: Groverake Fluorspar mine, Main Level system) in Dinas Silica mine. entrance - October 2017. (Vicky Robinson)

“Below” 2017.4 5 SCMC Trip Reports, September & October 2017 Continued ...

October to look something like a ventilation Sunday 29th - Eileen Bowen, Mike Wednesday 11th - Andy Kennelly, door). Worsfold, Stuart Cowper, Kelvin Richard Silk and Andy Wood had Lake, Andy Wood and Steve Holding a trip to the Snailbeach Forty Yard * Andy K was found to have a visited the 112 Yard Level. Level. punctured and collapsed lung the next day, but reason is unknown. At Steve simply turned around after Sunday 15th - First Pitchcroft ‘dig’ the time of writing, Andy had been in reaching the bottom, but the others event of the season (see separate hospital for about 10 days, and had did venture part way along the level report). been sent home to recuperate. heading towards the big stope and Chapel Shaft. Wednesday 18th - Andy Thursday 26th - Eileen Bowen, Mike, Eileen and Stuart turned round Kennelly* and Andy Wood visited Mike Worsfold, Andy Wood and at a roof fall in the main tunnel the Snailbeach 40 Yard Level again Steve Holding visited Snailbeach 40 (below a stope) where the roof and checked the top of the route Yard Level. A rope was installed at was very fractured and the section down to the 90 Yard Level. the top of the route to the 90 Yard Level and another rope taken to the beyond supported by stacked deads. Andy Harris and Nick Southwick 40 Yard Level in preparation for a Andy and Kelvin continued on, completed work on a wooden storage trip to the 112 yard level. getting as far as Chapel Shaft. cupboard in Roberts Level (made Picture: 1 2

Views on the 112 Yard Level 1: Point where the level enters the side of the main Snailbeach stope (see section left) - the dark patch of water indicates no fl oor! 2. Junction in the main level with several passages - the one to the right leads to Chapel Shaft. 3. Run-in fi ll of Chapel Shaft (very deep gloopy mud!). The passage in picture 2 enters on the left-hand side, beyond the mud. 4. View down the 450 yard long straight passage, South from Chapel (it goes to a blind end.) The white material in the foreground is bootlace fungus with beads of water on top. Section: 3 Longitudinal Section 4 of Snailbeach Mine, Section No.17 Surveyed by Captain Oldfi eld, November 1909. Reduced and traced by P.Blight March 1921.

6 “Below” 2017.4 Pitchcroft Report, 15th October 2017 David Adams

Members Peter Eggleston, Peter house basement to use a larger digger also these plans would need the Scales, David Adams, Mike Moore to fi ll it in, but a motion prevailed agreement of the tenant Mr David and Edwin Thorpe inspected the site that it might be better to only partly Williams and possibly also the to commence the 2017-18 digging fi ll it in to leave a shallower pit landowners. It was hoped that Mr season 2017-18. Nettle vegetation without dangerous precipitous sides. Williams might be able to supply the within the working area was Also to leave the ‘D’ shaped chamber posts and wire from his farm stock. relatively sparse, and there had been adjacent to the shaft, together with D.A. was asked to approach him and no interference with the warning its iron tank open to allow for future discuss these matters. tapes and notices. investigations. The main job now, if possible, Peter Scales removed wood from As this would constitute a hazard and would be to attempt to discover the the trees he had cut down the the warning tapes would have to be base of the boiler housing, either previous February. Unfortunately removed when the Club completed haystack, or later type, which must John Hendy’s mini digger was not it work on site, it was suggested be somewhere adjacent to the engine available, thus no work could be that Club engineer Andy Harris house, but as the basement of the done on this occasion. John Hendy might be approached to provide latter is over 3 metres below present had graciously offered to collect a suitable cover comprised of say ground level with up to nearly 3 his machine from its hire place in chain link type fencing on a metal metres of our own spoil piled on top Ludlow, bring it to the site for one frame, with some sort of lockable this could be diffi cult. It may also lie day, and return it at a cost of £50 access arrangement, this to also in the area between the engine house to the Club to cover his travelling cover the top of the shaft itself, basement and Twin Dog Shaft. Mr expenses, but it was thought that this Peter Eggleston, offered to draw up Williams’ deep drainage pipe was would be asking a bit much of him. a possible design and to approach excavated through this area to drain D.A. was asked to see if it would be Andy Harris. into the shaft in 1996, so evidence possible to fi nd a more locally based for the boiler base may have been small digger for John to drive. If a grille was produced to cover lost. the large drop, then that particular The time was spent in discussion area could be enclosed by a post It was agreed that consideration be as to the way forward with this dig. and barbed wire fence to replace given to all these matters if possible It had been thought that suffi cient that which had originally protected prior to the November dig. The party knowledge had been gained from the the shaft, the cost of these works then broke up early. examination of the pumping engine would have to be borne by the Club, Interim Pitchcroft Report, 19th November 2017 Peter Eggleston Members: David Adams, Peter He also managed to dislodge the Andy Harris had a good ponder Eggleston, Edwin Thorpe, Andy sawn tree stump and it is now safely about the horseshoe wall cage Harris, Mike Moore, Steve Holding, out of the way at the bottom of the proposal, took many measurements Kelvin Lake, plus John Hendy. pit. and designed an ACME solution on the spot. It will have a sloping top to David Adams will make a full report “Capability” Holding built a wall to discourage anyone from walking on when he gets his email back, but stop spoil going down into the tank it and it will have an opening at the in the meantime I thought Club and beautifully manicured the slopes front to let us or future archaeologists members would like to be kept up- with a rake so they would be suitable get at the tank which we haven’t to-date with developments. for planting onions and begonias. bottomed yet. John Hendy brought his mini-digger especially to make safe the sides Left: Steve of the excavation and completely “Capability” succeeded in sloping them to remove Holding all the vertical and near-vertical grading the plummet hazards (apart from the side of the horseshoe wall by the shaft of excavation course). with John Hendy moving He worked rapidly and very skilfully the large tree as we have come to expect, and stump in the managed all the work with time to background. spare!

“Below” 2017.4 7 What the Papers Said - “Wellington Journal & Shrewsbury News”

FATAL ACCIDENT AT alongside the road. Witness was working on the opposite side to the deceased. After the accident witness saw a slip, MINSTERLEY, A MINER KILLED. and the fall came off very suddenly; there were two props On Wednesday, at noon, a miner named Richard Crowther there, and the fall was between the props, which would left his comrades in the Snailbeach Lead Mines for the be about 3ft. 6in, apart. So far as witness could see there purpose of coming up to attend the funeral of a former was no danger. Witness would have worked just as the workman at the mines. In doing so the poor fellow met deceased did. Witness saw the deceased examine the roof with a dreadful accident, for shortly afterwards his body the same day. No shots had been fi red that morning. Th ere was found dreadfully crushed not far from the cage. No was plenty of timber there if the deceased had wanted it. one was with him when the accident happened, but it is Witness said he thought the stone fell quite accidentally supposed by some means the man must have been dragged and without any warning. under the cage while it was in motion, and thus got crushed to death. Deceased was chief pitman of the miners, and Henry Fox, a collier, living at Wrockwardine Wood, said had worked at Snailbeach many years. Great sympathy is he was working near to the deceased, but did not see any felt with Mrs. Crowther and the family, who are much danger or signs that a fall was likely to occur. Witness did respected in the neighbourhood. not think anyone was to blame for what occurred. By the 30th September 1899 Inspector: When the got deceased out witness saw two slips, which could not have been seen before. Witness did FATAL COLLIERY ACCIDENT not think there was any neglect or carelessness on anyone’s part; what occurred was a pure accident. Isaac Jervis gave AT -WROCKWARDINE WOOD. corroborative evidence, and the jury returned a verdict of Yesterday a sad fatality occurred at the Lilleshall Company’s “ Accidental death.” Granville Pits (Donnington Wood Colliery) near St. George’s. It appears that a man named John Fenn had Th e funeral took place on Tuesday at Wrockwardine Wood been engaged in “ ripping the brow” in the top coal seam, Church. Deceased’s fellow work men showed their great and had nearly built up the “cog,” when a large lump of respect and regard by attending in large numbers. Th ey roof from between two unperceived slips fell on him and were accompanied by 20 brethren of the “Lily of the Valley” killed him. No blame is attached to anyone, as the place Lodge of Oddfellows, of which deceased had been a member was closely timbered. Work in the seam at once ceased, and for many years, and besides these a numerous company of the body was conveyed home. Deceased was an effi cient friends and neighbours joined the cortege. All along the workman, and was well respected by his employers and route of the procession the road was lined by people, while fellow-workmen. the blinds of the houses were drawn. 24th June 1899 Th e service was conducted by the rector, the Rev. T. THE FATAL COLLIERY ACCIDENT Rogerson, and his curate, the Rev. A. New. Th e Rector delivered a short address, in which he referred to the AT WROCKWARDINE WOOD. sudden manner in which deceased had been cut off from On Saturday an inquest was held at the White horse Inn, his wife, children, and friends, and impressed upon those Wrockwardine Wood, before Mr. J. W. Littlewood (deputy present the duty of being ready. Th e customary service coroner) on the body of John Fenn (49), a collier, who, as of the Oddfellows was then eff ectively read by P.P.G.M. stated in the Journal last week, was killed while performing Richard Brothwood, at the close of which the brethren his duties at the Lilleshall Company’s Granville Pits, near cast their sprig of thyme on the coffi n and shook hands St. George’s. Mr. W. N. Atkinson (Her Majesty’s inspector over it, closing the solemn ceremony by singing a hymn. of mines) was in attendance. Th ere was a number of beautiful wreaths contributed by relatives and friends. Stephen Cooper, a collier, living at Trench Lane, said he 1st July 1899 was working with the deceased on the previous day at No. 1 pit, in the top coal seam. THE MINSTERLEY MINES Th ey were engaged that day breaking stone, when a lump Mr. Justice Cozens Hardy, in the Chancery Division of of shale fell from the roof on Fenn, and forced him to the the High Court of Justice, yesterday (Friday), made an ground on his face. Th e deceased cried for help. Henry order for the appointment of a receiver and manager of Fox, Isaac Jervis, and witness went to his assistance, but the Minsterley Mines on the application of the plaintiff , before they could get the stone and rubbish off the deceased a debenture holder in the Company. he was dead. Th ey got him up at once and removed him 4th May 1901 home. By the Inspector: Th ey were building a pack wall

8 “Below” 2017.4 Nenthead, October 2017 Steve Holding

Club members, Steve Holding, Alan & Vicky Robinson, Julian Bromhead, Pictures from Allan Richardson, Eileen Bowen, the fi nal sub- Mike Worsfold and Andy Wood were level below at Nenthead for various days. Smallcleugh. Memorable Trips Left: 1917 Graffi ti There were two particularly (Vicky Robinson) memorable trips plus several other days spent underground. Wednesday 18th The fi rst notable trip was on Wednesday 18th October when the SCMC ‘younger blood’ of Alan, Vicky and Julian explored Smallcleugh beyond the Bog Shaft Left: Smallcleugh collapse. This required quite a bit sub-level ore of SRT, including the high-level hopper. ‘rebar traverse’ (see comments from (Vicky Robinson) Saturday 14th October, on page 10), eventually descending to a sub-level below Smallcleugh with lots of remaining artefacts. Friday 20th The second memorable trip was on Below: Mine tub Friday 20th October when the SCMC and air pipes in geriatrics of Mike, Andy and Steve the sub-level. joined three (distinctly younger) (Vicky Robinson) others in a long Capelcleugh trip. After the usual hour-long entrance section to ‘U-bend corner’ through falls and deep water, the party followed the various SRT climbs up the ‘Archers Rise’ route to Capelcleugh High Level – this includes passing through various levels worthy of exploration. After following the High Level Capelcleugh North Vein, through lots more deep water, for about 600m, a rather hairy multi-pitch descent was achieved to a branch off the Capelcleugh to Smallcleugh through trip – the descent started with a very long, bouncy abseil on 9mm rope with lots of water cascading down the pitch, followed by a two section registering about 340 minutes of there have been oil drums protecting (rebelay) continuation to a more ‘intense activity’). access further in - the oil drums are distinct level and eventually descent nearly rusted away, and access is of four ~20-foot ladders back to the currently not advised! original Capelcleugh Level. Other trips: Thursday 12th October Lots more deep water back to Steve joined local underground Saturday 14th October ‘U-bend Corner’ and another hour enthusiasts on a digging project that Steve, Alan and Vicky went in of exit. The total trip was about night. They are currently digging Smallcleugh to the route travelling 6.5 hours (Steve’s fi tness watch on Rampgill Scaleburn Vein where past the Bogg Shaft collapse – this

“Below” 2017.4 9 Nenthead, October 2017 Continued ... now involves a high-level traverse on ‘rebar’ spikes hammered into the face. Steve had been rather dreading the prospect of the traverse but there were no issues beyond raised heart- rate. (Which probably kept his fi t-bit watch happy. Ed.) Beyond the Bogg shaft and water pipe crossing, the pitch down from the Boundary shaft route was located, but there was no rope in place. A quick look down the next pitch towards the Capelcleugh connection was made to remind Steve of the changes that had taken place in the last couple of years. More interestingly, Alan spotted some serious rope rub on the way up, which none of the group had seen in our descent as the rope was quite Above: Steve Holding on the high-level ‘rebar traverse’. (Vicky Robinson) muddy. Below: Remains in Southern end of Boundary Gross Vein Flats (Robert Hall) Sunday 15th October Steve took Julian on a grand tour of Smallcleugh while Alan and Vicky joined others visiting Rampgill. The visit to Rampgill included climbing up in to the fl ats above Hardshin’s vein and climbing up to the Southern end of Boundary Cross Vein fl ats. At Hardshin’s it was found that the mine is now dry and there was very little water coming out of the bore hole in the fl ats above (more details and photo’s available in Robert Hall’s ‘Postcard from Nenthead’)

Monday 16th October Julian joined others staying at Nenthead in exploring Rampgill, his fi rst visit and they wanted to Julian could see the remains of an including a visit to Proud Sump maximise his confusion! At the ‘active’ working stope. The group Flats. Engine shaft it was found that the returned via the back level and water had been diverted again so incline to fi nish off with a wander Steve and Alan were involved that water levels in the stopes on the through the drained stopes. with NMCS in shepherding southern side had fallen once more. 50 Engineering/Earth Science Wednesday 18th October undergraduates around the Nenthead As well as the main fl ats, they also Steve with a couple of others visited Mines valley, as they undertook spent some time looking around Carrs Mine beyond the show mine. water sampling fi eldwork and short the higher workings that connect to trips into Carrs Mine. the high-level link to Tatters string. This is an area that seems to have a Friday 20th October Tuesday 17th October labyrinth of passages and well worth Alan and Vicky had a day above Steve digging in Middlecleugh level a return visit. ground and visited Groverake with others while Julian went with fl uorspar mine for the fi rst time since Alan and Vicky to Brownley Hill. After briefl y laddering down the headgear has been protected With only 3 on the Brownley Hill to Haggs mine, they were then and most of the site buildings trip, they could do an extended committed to getting wet on their demolished. Every entrance is now ‘tourist’ trip for Julian as it was way to the Italian stopes, where grilled or sealed off.

10 “Below” 2017.4 Nenthead, October 2017 Continued ...

Above and right: Views of the fenced headframe, capped shaft, and the gated entrance to the decline at Groverake Fluorspar mine. (Vicky Robinson) Saturday 21st October Andy and Steve visited Scraiteholes mine, where the main level was working for witherite in the 1970s (very few samples still remaining). Both then entered a higher level (not previously visited) which went much further than expected and with lots of interesting formations and artefacts. Towards the assumed end, the oxygen level dropped from ~20% to <14.5% within a few feet. Later, Andy and Steve had a surface visit to Allenheads to view the mine yard and hydraulic engine. Sunday 22nd October Andy and Steve returned to explore Carrs Mine beyond the show mine - this included an SRT route to access a separate section of fl ats not normally visited. Above: Andy Wood on the ladder access to Carrs mine Middle Flat. (Steve Holding)

Thanks Below, left: Andy Wood in the entrance to the higher level To Alan and Vicky Robinson, Andy Wood and Robert at Scraiteholes. (Steve Holding) Hall for their contributions to this article. Below, right: Allenheads, surface area. (Andy Wood)

“Below” 2017.4 11 News Round-Up 1

Mossdale Tragedy Remembered Big Pit Takes on This year marks the fi ftieth several days to try and stem the fl ood Apprentices anniversary of the Mossdale tragedy waters, but eventually found that As the former miners at the Big Pit when 6 cavers died in Mossdale they had all perished. Mining Museum are now retiring the Caverns. Following the gathering, many of museum has taken 2 new apprentices Over the weekend of the 24th and those present carried on over the to train as guides. 25th June friends and family of those moor to the cairn, built mainly by who died gathered at the entrance Alan Brook, that stands directly They will undergo vocational to the cave, by the newly cleaned above the Far Marathon Passages training, with hands-on experience plaque, to remember them. where they were trapped. working with the museum maintenance team. It is hoped after The six died in the labyrinth of Further tributes and services were six months of training that they will passages when it was engulfed by held on Sunday at the cairn and become underground guides. fl ood water on June 24th 1967. Conistone church. Hundreds of rescuers fought for Assorted News Reports BBC News Reports Forgotten Student Astley Green Colliery Trapped for Three Days The Red Rose Steam Society who engine on the Lancashire coalfi eld. rescued the winding engine house, A US student spent almost three days the large steam engine and ancillary The 1912 Yates & Thom horizontal trapped inside a cave after he was buildings at Astley Green in the twin tandem compound winder was left behind on a university fi eld trip! 1970s have put forward a plan to one of the largest in Britain with a Lukas Cavar, 19, was visiting the convert the site into a major cultural 35” diameter high pressure cylinder, Sullivan Cave in southern Indiana Heritage site. 60” low pressure and a 72” stroke with the Indiana University Caving it developed 3,300hp. It has Corliss The buildings and structures on Club on Sunday 17th September valves, governor controlled trip gear, the site are Grade II listed, but the when he became separated from the Allan’s straight link valve-gear and lattice headframe is currently on the rest of the group, who left without drove a bi-cylindro-conical drum “At Risk” register and needs some him, locking the gated entrance. (16ft. 8” to 27ft. diameter). serious work to save it. He told the student newspaper that As part of the planned work and When working it’s maximum rope he licked moisture off cave walls to improvements the Colliery has speed was 80ft. per second and it stay hydrated and wrote goodbye changed it’s name to the “Lancashire could raise 205 tons per hour from messages to his family on his mobile Mining Museum” - it is actually the 873 yards using superheated steam at phone. sole surviving winding house and 160psi. Despite shouting for help, he was not Man Falls Down Wheal Hermon, Cornwall rescued until late on Tuesday night A man was rescued in September The man, described as an when the president of the Caving after falling about 50ft (15m) down experienced walker, had been with Club realised he was missing and a stope at Wheal Hermon, near St. a walking group when he went to returned to the cave. Just, Cornwall and landing on a investigate an adit beside the cliff In a post on Facebook, Mr Cavar ledge. path and fell down the stope. said: “Just wanted to let everyone BBC News Reports,24th September The walker, in his mid 50s, was know that I’m safe and sound! Just brought to safety on a stretcher ISC Left Foot Ascender got rescued about 30 minutes ago. following a six-hour long, multi- Club members who are familiar with Boy, it’s good to be back on the agency rescue operation. He was the Petzl Pantin may not realise that surface!”. airlifted to Derriford Hospital in it is available in both laft and right The Caving Club said there had been Plymouth with a suspected broken foot versions. a “failure of leadership”. hip and hypothermia. Bangor based ISC have also They said: “We have a series of A search and rescue helicopter, two launched a new LEFT Foot Version rigorous protocols in place that are coastguard rescue teams, fi re crews, of their STRYDER Foot Ascender. supposed to prevent situations like ambulance and police were all The Cam levers are colour coded this, but they are only effective if involved. Rescuers said a paramedic along nautical line - a Red Cam followed. We had a failure in our and technical rescue supervisor were Lever for LEFT and a Green Cam leadership to closely follow all these lowered into the shaft to assess the Lever for the RIGHT Foot version. safety procedures.” situation. Visit their website for details: BBC News, 23 September 2017 www.iscwales.com

12 “Below” 2017.4 Some Sicilian Sulphur Mines, Part 2 Andy Wood

Miniera Trabonella This mine is probably one of the most Lamp room important and typical sulphur mines in and workshops buildings Caltanissetta province. at Miniera Trabonella. After closure, ownership of the entire mine site and surroundings, comprising 467 hectares (about All Pictures: 1150 acres), was transferred from Andy Wood Ente Minerario Siciliano to the municipality of Caltanissetta with a view to it becoming a tourist attraction. On the main road into the town of Caltanissetta, there is indeed a green One of several tourism sign directing an intrepid side emptying traveller up a side road towards the truck chassis mine. However, this narrow lane is probably the worst road I have ever driven on, so much so that at one stage I was actually uncertain if I could get back along it.

It runs along a steep hillside beneath a large bluff (of historic interest, actually, as a 13th century BC bronze age settlement has been recently discovered on the mountain top) but there are stretches where the surface has been completely washed away, The Electricity station there are patches where the whole road is sliding down the hill and the surface is rippled and breaking open. Several hairpin bends may also intimidate the unwary – and this is to gain access to a tourist site!!

In a not unusual Italian manner, funds were allocated to preserving the site and making it tourist friendly but most of the money has failed to materialise! Around 2000, walkways and pleasingly rustic wooden guard rails were put Remains of the steel in place and a brand new toilet block headframe and pithead constructed – but never completed. building. In fact this nicely painted building does have some sanitary ware in place although it has been substantially trashed. The ‘Friends of the Caltanissetta Mines’ have been trying to get the missing funds found and released since then and this seems to be the reason why no further progress has been made and the site and access road allowed to deteriorate so much. In the very limited time available to me, I was only able to tour the relatively modern section of the mine. Below this, there are extensive remains

“Below” 2017.4 13 Some Sicilian Sulphur Mines, Part 2 Continued ... of earlier mining periods on the In 1872 a steam engine was in use headframe and two cages but hillside and much to see. I would and by 1887 two inclined planes had unfortunately this has all been allow at least a whole day there for been built, with another mechanised scrapped. A new shaft 280m deep a future visit – assuming the road one down to 165m in 1897. When and the surface transport system remains passable! a station was built in the valley in using a Decauville rail system also 1898 to link the site to the Palermo- dates from this time. Later, in 1931, Mining dates from 1839 and Catania main line, another incline a ropeway was constructed to take underground work ceased in 1979 plane lowered ore down to a horse 5 tons per hour of ore down to the although the fl otation plant was kept drawn tramway to reach the station. railway. in use for processing ore from other mines until the end of the era in The fi rst shaft, 270m deep, was Much of the visible site remains 1986. dug in 1899 and fi tted with a steel date from the 1950s when a new

Above: Views of the electric winder. Below, left: The driver’s cabin - note the piles of pigeon dropping on the roof! Below, right: Weighbridge with trucks and cages in the background.

Below: Truck and rails from the cages (in background) Below: A Tippler - which seems to be in an odd position!

14 “Below” 2017.4 Some Sicilian Sulphur Mines, Part 2 Continued ... shaft was dug to 480m servicing 9 There is a large courtyard at the mine the next level down, where there are levels, the current access road was entrance with a building containing many abandoned trucks, wrecked put in and a fl otation plant was built, the lamp room, workshops and labs vehicles and plant, workshops and permitting recovery rates of 88% and a big covered hopper, lined machinery, the electricity supply and producing ‘pure’ grade sulphur with basalt blocks, to take loads room etc. There is a well preserved so there was no longer any need for of incoming ore from other nearby winder, with a nice little driver’s further refi nement elsewhere. This mines. A conveyor feed from the cabin covered with piles of pigeon investment was placed higher up base of this leads directly to the excrement. than the old workings and processing crushing and grinding plant. areas, which were then abandoned. Although the shaft is capped, both The massive headframe rises up from cages are in place and tubs still rest

Left: Tracked dozer

Right: Underground locomotives in the workshop

Below: Remains of a compressor Below: Headframe over an old shaft. Below: Jaw crusher and conveyor.

Below: Electric powered sheet bending machine Below: Remains of a mobile compressor.

“Below” 2017.4 15 Some Sicilian Sulphur Mines, Part 2 Continued ...

on the unloading rails and weighbridge – as well as quite a number of different truck types scattered around and rusting quietly.

Another step down, and the fan house and compressor house still contain equipment, there is a range of workshops and machinery together with lots of wrecked vehicles such as dozers, loaders and locos. The crushing and screening plant has a conveyor feed into the fl otation plant on the lowest level. Again, most of the equipment remains, if vandalised and rusting.

There are ball mills and fl otation cells and quite a recent looking rotary drying plant. Piles of sulphur yellow material abound, marked with ‘No Smoking’ signs. Above: Ventilation fan house. Below: One of the many piles of sulphur!

Above: The electric powered Ventilation fan. Below: A Ball mill in the processing plant. Below: The modern looking drying plant.

Below: One of the many “No Smoking” signs.

16 “Below” 2017.4 Miniera Trabonella - Some Historic Views Andy Wood

While investigating Miniera Trabonella I came across a few historic photographs of the mine, a selection of which are reproduced here.

You can see more on the City of Caltanissetta website Miniera Trabonella photo gallery (unfortunately none of the pictures have captions).

Visit the website: bit.ly/2A847ER

Right: General view of the mine site with the steel headframe.

Below: Presumably, miners taking a break in an underground canteen.

Above: Inside the Surveyors offi ce with assorted instruments.

Left: An interesting wagon.

It appears to be on a haulage incline which is being used to transport a smaller, narrow gauge mine tub.

The appears to be another one of the smaller tubs in the background.

The difference in wheel sizes on the larger wagon, presumably compensates for the angle of the incline.

“Below” 2017.4 17 Cothercott Re-thought Mike Shaw

I am probably responsible for the assumption that the base, now masquerading as a bench, a few metres uphill above the mill drying fl oor was for a jaw crusher and for the suggestion that this area may have been used for limited processing before the mill was built c1916. Both these are now ‘facts’ having appeared, if not graven in stone, at least laminated in plastic for the information of visitors to the site. Having begun to research gas plants Above: The base and bench in question. (Kelvin Lake-I.A.Recordings) I have looked at several bases and information I have amassed it is clear to date from no earlier than c1916 cannot now see why the above base that my suggested dating is defi nitely when the mill was built. is more likely to have been from wrong, the product was sold crude a crusher than from a horizontal from the mine until the mill was It may take some time for this (steam, gas or oil) twin fl ywheel built. This leaves the purpose of the apology to change the belief in the engine. Looking back over the upper level unknown but it appears above factoids. News Round-Up 2 BCA Training George Hall’s Index The BCA has introduced some The Welsh Mines Preservation While the document can be zoomed changes to it’s training awards. The Trust have digitised George Hall’s or viewed full-screen by using the Professional Training (LCMLA and “Index to the Mining Journal (Wales buttons at the bottom of the window, CIC) and Recreational Training have and Shropshire, 1835–1921)” and it is not possible to download or copy been separated to ensure that both placed it on their website, with kind any part of the document. areas are run effectively. permission of George’s family. It is also quite diffi cult to fi nd The Professional Training is now View the index at: particular mines, you have to guess a run by the BCA Qualifi cations page number to get close to a mine, Management Committee (QMC). welshminestrust.org/george-hall-index/ then scroll and search from there.

New training modules are being To get you started, developed for the LCMLA scheme here are a few page covering: Conservation and Access, numbers: Levels 1 and 2 Ropework, Weather and Flooding. Ridge Hill & Ritton Castle: 291 It is planned to make these modules Roman Gravels: 293 available as free downloads to to 298 benefi t all cavers. Shropshire Mines Co: The head of QMC is Graham 304 Mollard who is the contact for all Professional Training matters - Snailbeach: 307 - 308. which were previously covered by the ‘Training Offi cer’.

The Recreational Training Offi cer is Nigel Atkins.

For more details visit the BCA website and the Training News page: british-caving.org.uk

18 “Below” 2017.4 Eardington Forge - Background History & Archaeology David Poyner

The fi rst of the forges at Eardington The site has had a complicated into small pieces. These were packed was opened at Upper Forge in history. A forge takes pig iron, from into clay pots to keep them separate 1778 by the brothers John and a blast furnace and converts it to from the fuel and remelted. William Wheeler, both established wrought iron; cast iron is brittle due ironmasters. The canal (see last to its high carbon content. In a forge By the early 19th century this issue of Below for details of Club the carbon is essentially burnt out process had been replaced by explorations there) linking this to and other impurities are removed to puddling using a reverberatory the Severn was working by 1782 and give the wrought iron which can be furnace, where the coal fi re was in they established Lower Forge at the worked by black smiths and forged a separate compartment from the canal’s mouth above the Severn by into rods and bars. The traditional iron, and the hot gasses from the 1789. fuel for a forge was charcoal, but fi re were used to melt the metal. there was great pressure in the 18th The puddling furnace was combined The sites operated together and century to replace this with coal. with a “balling furnace” where the passed through a series of owners; refi ned iron was worked into bars. after the Wheelers it passed to the Potting & Stamping However, early in the 19th century Stokes family, prominent Black Initially the Wheelers used charcoal this was also abandoned and the Country ironmasters who also had in a traditional two step process forge reverted to using charcoal to a blast furnace at Billingsley. For a (fi nery/chafery) but they soon produce the wrought iron. This gave short period in the early 19th century introduced coal with a technique a better quality product than could it was leased by Samuel Twanley. In called potting and stamping. The be obtained from coal-produced iron 1814 the works were leased by James pig iron was melted to remove the and Eardington became one of the Foster and John Bradley from the carbon, run out into water cooled largest charcoal iron producers in the Black Country, although they may trays to solidify and then smashed country. have been operating at Eardington from 1809, with the help of John Raistrick, an innovative engineer then working at Bridgnorth Foundry. For the remainder of its life, it was worked by Foster and company.

At some point around 1810-20, Upper Forge was abandoned and all iron working was concentrated on Lower Forge. Lower Forge closed in 1889. Foster and company also took over Hampton Loade Ironworks, a few miles downstream from Eardington and worked this until closure in 1866. Good records survive for Hampton, unlike at Eardington and these give some clues as to the likely history of Lower Forge.

Extract from the 1881/2 25” OS map

“Below” 2017.4 19 Eardington Forge - Background History & Archaeology Continued ...

The iron was particularly used for nails for horseshoes, wire, Extract from the 1881/2 tinplate, gun barrels and for edge 25” OS map tools such as scythes. It is probable that Eardington used sophisticated “Lancashire” hearths to melt the pig iron. These had ducts for directing air onto the molten metal and had water cooled casting areas onto which the iron was run out to set. This was then broken up, reheated and worked under a hammer to form bars which were further processed in a rolling mill to give rods for the nail makers. The remains at Eardington are likely to refl ect this technology, requiring fl ues to move hot gasses and air and also culverts for water. Fortunately the Ordnance Survey (OS) 1:2500 map of 1881/2 shows Lower Forge in its fi nal form, when still working. The D-shaped pit which gives access to the culverts is very clear. It is at the south of a long building, probably of iron sheeting or wood which included various furnaces, a rolling mill and perhaps a steam hammer, with the water wheel at its south end. At the north end of this building is a masonary structure as walled compounds; they were building next to the rock-cut room that fronts a rock-cut room. probably used for storage. and various houses also present. Possibly the surveyor of this map To the north are various compounds, Two earlier maps exist. One is the only marked what he took to be houses, what is now called “the tithe map of c1850. This shows permanent buildings, so even a large blacksmith’s shop” and charcoal surprisingly few buildings, but shed over furnaces and a rolling mill barns. These can all still be located, a circle probably represents the might have been ignored. although the charcoal barns are now D-shaped pit, with the masonry in ruins and the blacksmith’s shop is building next to the “north cave”, Between the forge and the river are a house. The chimney, cut into the the “blacksmith’s”, the masonry a series of paddocks, suggesting that rock face, is also marked. To the south of the water wheel were masonry buildings that backed onto the “north cave” that gives access to the leat that fl ows from the canal to the water wheel. There is now very little evidence for these buildings. Further south the ground was laid out in a series of roughly rectangular enclosures, some of which can still be traced on the ground. There was also another timber or sheet iron building; brick foundations corresponding to this can be found in what is now the track leading to houses at the north end of the site. 1816 OS map Between the forge and the Severn are a series of enclosures which survive

20 “Below” 2017.4 Eardington Forge - Background History & Archaeology Continued ... the walled compounds did not then Upper Forge had four puddling this is blocked by a roof fall. This is exist, at least in their current form. furnaces and two balling furnaces, probably a furnace; the channel in The other map is the OS preliminary suggesting that iron refi ning was the fl oor of the chamber starts next drawing of 1816 at 2”:1 mile. It is done at that site, with reheating and to its mouth. At the far end of this diffi cult to interpret the buildings rolling down at Lower Forge. chamber is a narrow passage that on this map; they may show more extends eastwards, terminating close activity at the south end of the site by The exact form of the D-shaped to the blacksmith’s. To the north are the canal mouth than the later maps. hollow is unclear as, today, it has steps leading down from the surface However, the map clearly shows two been partially fi lled by tipping. to a passage running alongside the large pools between the forge and However, to the south there is hollow; this turns through a right the Severn, roughly in the area later probably a platform, with a channel angle at its eastern end to give access occupied by the walled compounds. running east-west against the to another chamber which is directly There is no apparent connection northern edge. At the north are opposite to the presumed furnace. between these and the Severn so sunken chambers on three sides they are unlikely to be basins for of the hollow. To the west, is a The channel that runs through the boats. Thus they presumably stored structure with iron lintels, which open part of the hollow passes below water at a convenient level for use seems to communicate with a fl ue the fl oor of this chamber and at in the forge but had been abandoned leading to the chimney, although its eastern end is a slot in the fl oor and drained by the time of the tithe survey. An 1807 sale notice (coinciding with the bankruptcy of Samuel Twanley) confi rms the existence of the pools and shows the nature of the site: “Th e lower Forge and Rolling Mill, situate upon the Banks of the River Severn, with the Wheels, Machinery, Furnaces, and Working Fixtures complete; a large House and Offi ces, with Gardens and Shrubberies; eight Houses for Workmen, Shops, Outbuildings, Yards, and Wharf, thereto belonging; also the Pools and Watercourses, and about Twenty-six Acres of Land adjoining, or lying Above: North-western corner of the D-shaped pit with the iron lintel entrance contiguous to the Works” to the Upper chamber. The steps down lead into a passageway, through a (London Gazetter, 4/7/1807). room to the Ram Pump chamber. Upper Chamber at Eardington Lower Forge Chamber has a curved brick ceiling, with walls made from a mixture of natural sandstone, brick and slag blocks 012 3 4 5

Scale (in metres) 85o N B Low silt filled culvert 100 o

Cast iron pipe Possible flue A Steps Passage (blocked)

Archway C Brick Large pit area Spot Heights (now full of rubbish, that Brick Ram Pump Pillar drops into a lower culvert) Iron plates at A = 1.79m Archway Chamber top of cavity B = 0.72m Entrance C = 2.26m (1” thick iron plates on sides, Cast iron lintel) Hole to surface

Ram pump pipes (disappear into rubbish)

Ground level

“Below” 2017.4 21 Eardington Forge - Background History & Archaeology Continued ... giving access. A hydraulic ram once immediately behind stood in this chamber and was used it is a single room. to pump water to a farm from the This currently has river. two entrances and on its southern wall Whilst the details of this structure there is a bricked-up are unclear, it may represent a water door. There is then a cooled “Lancashire” hearth. It is not rock buttress which clear how it would have been stoked sticks out, forming or fed, but the chamber behind the south boundary seems to be a fl ue to take smoke of the yard. This has away and the channel below it would Sketch of Southern Cave been excavated to hold water to cool a casting area and Canal Mouth Area create two rooms. immediately in front of it. It is not (not to scale) The most easterly is clear where the water came from; still accessible but there may be a culvert buried under the other is bricked the dumped material or it may have up; there seems to come via a pipe; there are pipes in have been a door masonry building to the south of the rock face behind it, presumably between these two chambers and it is the wheel. To the south of this, accessing a buried cistern fed possible that there was once another immediately in front of the southern ultimately from the canal. chamber connecting this range and cave and canal mouth is a rectangular the room immediately behind the The shaft at the end of the upper cutting in the sandstone, about 10’ house. culvert seems to be located in the wide. This may have enclosed a upper paddock, under what is now building or a platform for unloading To the south of this buttress are a pair a mound of earth. This probably from the canal. Along its southern would have been within the upper of rock-cut houses in the cliff. Each edge is an arched brick culvert, about consist of a front room, originally pond shown on the 1816 OS map. 1’ wide and 2’ high. This is cut off Thus it seems likely that the original with a door and window cut into the at its western end by a modern brick cliff, with a pantry/store behind and purpose of this culvert was to move wall, but it once must have extended water from this pond to the main accessed by a door and another room to the cliff face, just to the south of to the side, accessed by an internal area of the works perhaps via the the canal mouth. A second culvert side branch, with the continuation of door and provided with a window cut once joined it; this ran in a north- into the cliff. These side rooms had the main branch to the junction with south direction and now vanished the tail-race from the wheel and the fi replaces, with the chimney fl ues beneath the modern house to the directed to the outside, to run up shaft down to the main drain level south of the canal. This occupies the functioning as an overfl ow. site of an older house marked on the The side passage is currently blind, 1881/2 OS map and perhaps also the but if it did communicate with the tithe map. tunnel from the D-shaped hollow to the blacksmiths, this would have These culverts show that there was taken the water to the heart of the some kind of industrial activity works. There is of course an obvious at this end of works, although not problem, in that the culvert from shown on any map. The culverts the hollow to the blacksmiths is might have been for water but were currently connected to the main fl ue more probably fl ues running between and a presumed furnace; not a place hearths and a long vanished chimney. for water! My only suggestion is To the south of the canal cave at that the current confi guration did not the same level, a platform has been exist when the culverts carried water created in the cliff for a building and and the connection with the fl ue was there are traces of brickwork. This a later development. further demonstrates there were lost buildings originally surrounding the Between the waterwheel and the canal mouth. canal mouth (the southern or canal Sketch of Rock cave), there are no substantial At the north end of the site, just Cut Chambers at remains of standing structures, below a pair of houses, are a number the Northern end although there is a retaining wall of chambers cut into the cliff face. of the site which may have been part of the In the back yard of the house, (not to scale)

22 “Below” 2017.4 Eardington Forge - Background History & Archaeology Continued ... the cliff. Post holes indicate timber extensions to the front. At the end of this pair of houses another chimney has been cut into the sandstone. At this point, the cliff has been cut back a further ten or so feet and on both the tithe map and the 1881/2 OS map, a masonry building is shown against the cliff at this point. However, there is no indication of the pair of rock houses on either of these maps and the end of the charcoal barn has been built against the northern house. Local tradition has it that the houses were occupied by workers at the forge, but my guess is that the houses themselves belong to an early phase of the history of the site; it is diffi cult to see how the Above: The blocked ‘fl ue’ in the Above: The iron lintels in the Upper one house could be occupied when Upper chamber. chamber entrance. the charcoal barn was in use. They were apparently used by the Home References Richard Hayman, The Shropshire wrought-iron industry c1600-1900, a study of Guard in the Second World War and technological change, 2003, PhD thesis, Birmingham University the front walls with the door and Norman Mutton, The forges at Eardington and Hampton Loade, 1965-7, Trans Shrop. windows were knocked out, allowing Arch. Soc., 58, 225-43. them to be used for garages. David Poyner, A Tunnel System at Hampton Loade Forge, Below, 1999, 99.3, 3-4.

Above: View South in the Upper Chamber - towards the Above: View North in the Upper Chamber - to the low entrance behind the brick pillar. (Kelvin Lake-I.A.Recordings) culvert heading towards the ‘Blacksmiths’. Below: View West, back to the Upper Chamber from the end of Below: View up the slot at the end of the low culvert the low culvert near the ‘Blacksmiths’.(Kelvin Lake-I.A.Recordings) with an iron pipe and plate at the top. (David Poyner)

“Below” 2017.4 23 Christmas Puzzles

How quickly can you fi nd your way through the maze to reach the candy canes?

Clear Skies Star Search Take a look at the word square (right) and keep an eye out for all these observatories and telescopes:

ARCETRI PALOMAR ARMAGH PIERA BEHLEN SEVEN HILLS BRERA SMITH BROOKS SPROUL DOMINION STARDOME JODRELL BANK TACUBAYA KAMIOKA URANIBORG KECK WINER LAWS WISE LUND MAUNA KEA MELTON MENKE MOUNDS MOUNTAIN SKIES

24 “Below” 2017.4 Christmas Puzzles

Spot the Difference?

See if you can spot the differences between the upper and lower pictures - there are at least 10 (but one might be very subtle ..... !

“Below” 2017.4 25 New Books

Review by Mike Shaw: great deal of work in archives and historic records Andy got to know The Snailbeach District many of the older residents of the area who told him much about how Railways the railway worked and ran in its by Andy Cuckson. later years. ISBN 978 0 906294 932 Many photographs have never been published before and many of This is a very fi ne book both in the maps and drawings have been content and form. The author has specially commissioned. This is untangled several complex stories the fullest account possible of the about the railway and the mine it was Snailbeach District Railways and built to serve. will become the standard work on the line. He has provided excellent context including material on the pre- The Mines of the SDR railways at Snailbeach Mine, Shrewsbury Coalfi elds appropriate contemporary railway Snailbeach District Railways By Mike Shaw, Sb, 175 x 235 , technology, the other concerns who by Andy Cuckson 204pp, £15.00 + £2.70 P&P used or considered using the railway Due to demand, now in Softback, and other relevant railways and The book covers the history of 218 pages, 273 illustrations. £20.00 railway schemes which affected or three small coalfi elds just east could have affected the SDR, many Publishers Review: of Shrewsbury west into Powys of which were never built. The Snailbeach District Railways and south to just outside Church was one of Britain’s lesser known Stretton, The coal was thin, faulted His family history skills are evident public narrow gauge railways. Never and low grade but was available from the chapter on the people at all carrying passengers, its history and and affordable, they closed with the levels who were involved with the workings have never before been coming of the railways although line. The collection of photographs fully explored but after many years Hanwood didn’t close until the is superb, much hard work has gone research Andy Cuckson is able to 1940s. into sourcing them and no doubt in reveal a fascinating story, not just preparing them for publication, for about the railway but also about The coal was used to power such a short railway a surprising the mines and minerals the line the steam engines around south number have been located. supported and the people who built Shropshire including Snailbeach, and worked it, including Henry Tankerville and the Bog. Taking The author has not only been on Dennis, the entrepreneurial civil research along with numerous site site and worked in various archives engineer and mine manager. visits where shafts and building but has talked to many residents remains have been identifi ed, each who had memories of the line and The book tells of the early railways area is supported by excellent maps often had relations working thereon. in the area and the many plans drawn by David Adams and will help Very few tricks have been missed to bring rail access to this part of others exploring these areas fi nd the though I would have liked to have Shropshire, and of the development mines and their remains. seen a contents list of maps and and impact of the mines. Of the illustrations, and fi gure numbers railway all aspects are described; a In Pontesford at least two of the on these would have assisted cross variety of steam locomotives, rolling engine houses have been preserved referencing. stock, engineering, operation and as dwellings, colour photographs people. The rundown of the mines taken by Ken Lock in the late 1960s This will remain the defi nitive brought problems but despite all, give a better idea of what they history of this short, quite the line survived fi nding a new role looked like. A third engine house has unimportant but fascinating railway. hauling roadstone, and became part been preserved recently with lottery of the Colonel Stephens light railway monies although access is restricted. It is a very worthy addition to the empire. libraries of railway enthusiasts, The areas included are Pontesbury, mining historians and local After all the steam locomotives were Hanwood, Leebotwood, Dryton and historians. condemned an agricultural tractor trials in North East Shropshire. kept traffi c moving. After 82 years, Available from Mike Moore at Club from 1877, the line fi nally closed in See Mike Shaw at a Club meeting if meetings, or online at 1959 but, surprisingly, the company you would like to purchase a copy. www.moorebooks.co.uk still exists, on paper. As well as a

26 “Below” 2017.4 Books and Videos

The Tavistock Canal itself, but the history and industrial is a major and defi nitive study of this Its History and Archaeology archaeology of its whole catchment part of the Tamar Valley and readers area. This includes the mines, quays, will be surprised at the variety of By Robert Waterhouse, A4, Softback, tramways and plateways connected technology used there in the early 538 pages. Price: £30 with the canal and its operation. This nineteenth century. ISBN-13: 978-0993502149 The Tavistock Canal opened in 1817, ON MIGHTY ARMS having been 14 years in the building. “On mighty arms, alternately I bear Barely 4½ miles long, it had an Prodigious weights of water and of active life of little more than half a air; And yet you’ll stop my motion century. It survives today as a leisure with a hair.” resource and a feeder to one of Lines from a poem of 1725 England’s few hydroelectric power celebrating the atmospheric engine stations. The story of the canal is built by Thomas Newcomen in 1712 interlinked with that of the mines in at Coneygree near Dudley, which and tricks needed to work with it the Tamar Valley. The canal’s course was the fi rst practical steam engine safely and effi ciently. was deliberately laid out with a view in the world. The hot and cold water circuits to intersecting as many mineral lodes are examined in detail and Mike as possible. Mining entrepreneur, In 1986 the Black Country Living also explains how to shut down the John Taylor, was involved in its Museum built the world’s only full- engine quickly in the event of low construction and management as sized working replica of that most water in the boiler. well as the development of mines signifi cant engine, on a site very which were a direct consequence of close to the original, overlooked then Made with the help of the the canal. as now by Dudley Castle. Black Country Living Museum. This DVD shows museum volunteer Recorded and mastered in High Mike Dunn preparing the engine, Defi nition. Standard defi nition DVD copies clearly benefi t from the High Defi nition master quality, but this Compilation is also available in 1080i HD on Blu-ray™ disc ! Written & Narrated by Mike Dunn, Running time: 46 mins. 16:9 widescreen (anamorphic). Fully illustrated with contemporary setting and lighting the fi re in a cold DVD (Standard defi nition) £13.45 photographs, maps and most notably boiler and checking the equipment. with Robert’s superb measured Blu-ray™ (1080i High Defi nition) drawings of the canal and its When steam has been raised, Mike £17.00 ancillary structures. Many of the operates the engine manually as must Discounted price for Club members: most detailed structures will be have been done with the earliest £10, £14 for Blu-ray on a DVD to do them full justice. prototypes, although the engines (if you collect e.g. at Club Meetings) This book covers not only the canal were usually run self-acting. Hand operation does show the very fi ne control that is possible, as mentioned in the poem! Mike has been working and maintaining the engine since 2004 and he uses his extensive knowledge to describe the technical details of the mechanisms and the techniques

Available from Mike Moore at Club meetings, or online at more details at: www.moorebooks.co.uk www.iarecordings.org

“Below” 2017.4 27 Club Offi cers Diary Dates 2018

President: David Adams Membership, BCA Rep & 1st January: Columns Open Day, Insurance: Mike Davies Ogof Ffynnon Ddu.

13th-14th January: Underground Video workshop, South Wales CC, Chair: Neal Rushton Tackle: Andy Harris Penwyllt, Wales.

3rd-4th February: GIS and cave surveying workshop, South Wales Vice Chair: Gareth Rushton CC, Penwyllt, Wales. Training Offi cer: Andrew Wood 1st April: Columns Open Day, Ogof Ffynnon Ddu. Secretary: Andrew Wood 4th-6th May: Mendip Cavefest [email protected] 2018, Priddy. First Aid Offi cer: Alan Moseley 1st-4th June: NAMHO 2018 Conference. Based at Dean Field Treasurer: Marian Boston Studies Centre, Parkend, Forest of Dean, The event is run by the GSS, RFDCC, Hades and SGMRG. Bat Offi cer: Mike Worsfold September 2018: Hidden Earth, National Caving Conference, venue Conservation: David Poyner and date to be announced. More details will be released on their web: hidden-earth.org.uk/ ‘Below’ Editor, Publications: Kelvin Lake 2019 NAMHO Rep: Alan Robinson e-mail: [email protected] 4th-8th July, 2019: NAMHO 2019 Conference, to be hosted by Roy Fellows at Llanafan (between Tregaron and Aberystwyth), Ceredigion, in Wales.

The Joys of Old Canal Tunnels ...

We’re through ...its crusty mud .. run quickly and you won’t sink in ...... EErErrr ...... could you collect our wellies on your way through? ...

Catch us on the World Wide Web. Club activities & the labyrinth: www.shropshirecmc.org.uk

28 “Below” 2017.4