NEWSLETTER 155 SPRING 2012

Puddlers’ Bridge on the Trevithick Trail, near .

Reg. Charity 1 No. 246586 CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS

Creating links

The recent opening of the Sustrans bridge, covered elsewhere in this issue, to connect two lengths of the Trevithick Trail near Merthyr Tydfil came about a year after the University of Swansea published an investigation into the Welsh Industry.* Both these significant events in industrial history depended upon ’s links with Wales. In the first instance, Richard Trevithick’s ingenuity and development of the high- in Cornwall took form as the world’s first steam powered railway in Wales. It is well known for having pulled a train loaded with 10 tons of iron and some 70 passengers nearly ten miles. This was 25 years before the emergence of ’s Rocket. The second event depended mainly on the little sailing ships that carried thousands of tons of copper ore from Cornwall and returned with the Welsh coal and iron that powered Cornwall’s mines and fed its industries. Investigations have shown that much of the copper smelting in Wales and shipping was controlled by Cornish families. Cornwall had similar industrial links to , and other places throughout the country; all depended to a great extent upon Cornish ingenuity. This Society appears to be the only link today between Cornwall’s industrial archaeology and that of other parts of the country. If we are to encourage the study of Cornwall’s industrial archaeology we need to develop these links for the benefit of all concerned, wherever they may be. This will enhance the status of this Society whenever it is seeking recognition or funding. It is encouraging that, following the networking in Wales, Merthyr Tydfil is now planning annual Trevithick Days to encourage the appreciation of the inventor’s .

* www.swan.ac.uk/archives.copper

Philip M Hosken

EDITORIAL

Producing a quarterly newsletter that is published on a set date has proved impossible for quite a few years. There are many factors that have constributed to this reality including late submission of text, delays in printing, delays in sending out the printed newsletter and the occasional illness or holiday intervening. With that in mind future newsletters will be referred to according to the season of publication - this one being Spring 2012.

Colin French Established 1935 Copy date for next newsletter: May 30th 2 of the Department of Mines) explained LETTERS TO THE EDITOR further in the Cornish Association of South Australia newsletter: Dear Editor, Phoenix Copper Ltd applied on 26/5/2010 for entry to the Burra Mine Keith Johns writes from Adelaide Reserve for the purpose of exploration “The article below serves to show that for identification of mineable copper. The we have been forced to repel borders in Government called for submissions on defence of Cornish Heritage Downunder”. the proposal in July 2010, but dithered on Reading the article in Cornwall whether to allow (or not) such activity. one cannot resist a feeling of deja vu. It is Thus, 15 months later - with a new not many years since Geevor was in the Premier, a new Minister of Mines, a new hands of the scrapman when the Local Cousin Jack as an advisory bureaucrat Authorities alerted interested bodies to the in the offing - it was timely to marshall potential loss of an historic site by calling the support of the Australian a meeting. That meeting resulted in the History Association (AMHA) it its AGM on establishment of the Trevithick Trust and 16/09/2011. However, we were overtaken the appointment of Stuart Smith as its Chief by events; the Government rejected the Executive. The County Council bought Company’s application. So AMHA sent Geevor, Cable & Wireless dropped its plan congratulations to the Premier and to to remove historic telegraph equipment the Minister and urged for appropriate from Porthcurno to its Midlands HQ and, legislation to safeguard the future of the perhaps most importantly, there was a Burra Burra Mine Site. change in perception of the significance of Cornwall’s industrial heritage. We wish our friends every OBLIVION ... success in their efforts to save the Cornish Mining Landscape in South Australia. Those who have read The Bill Newby, MBE Oblivion of Trevithick may have been mystified that this book on Trevithick is not Exploration rejected (from the Adelaide overburdened with details and drawings Advertiser, 12/10/2011. of engines. Those details are available in quantity elsewhere. An eminent body The State Government has asked for details of the content before moved to keep new mining out of the choosing a reviewer; here are some heritage-listed Burra Monster Mine. thoughts on that content. Mineral Resources Development Minister Its purpose is made clear in the Tom Koutsantonis said he had refused an title and the frequently unread opening exploration licence for Phoenix Copper. pages. Most, maybe all, previous books National Trust of SA president about Trevithick and the other contributors David Beaumont said the historic mine to the evolution of the steam engine have site and its buildings were of national been written by engineers or by writers importance. In 1845 Burra’s copper with an appreciation of engine design. mines were the nation’s first major copper Those writers have, as an essential part discovery. Mr Beaumont said it would of their work, ensured that dimensions, have been ridiculous to allow renewed and other factors have been exploration at the site. “The Monster Mine fully and accurately documented. has been nominated for World Heritage In the Oblivion … the author is listing as a transnational component of not an engineer but has appreciation of Cornish mining sites”. their dreams, problems and achievements. Keith Johns (a former director He has written a book that should not 3 be judged by its number of nuts, bolts or thread sizes. It is a book about human ALTERNATIVE ENGINEERING beings, lots of them, and it explores their natures, temperaments and failings. Many reviewers are mystified by the appearance in the book of a number of women who have no connection whatsoever with steam engines but a book that seeks the reasons for Trevithick’s obscurity deals not with bores, strokes, pressures and vacuums but with humour, deceit, greed and unrequited love. The author has sought the facts that illustrate the personalities of the characters depicted in the book. He has ridiculed the crass absurdities of Samuel Smiles, Francis Trevithick and other authors whose contributions to steam engine history have been accepted almost without question and have been the foundation of much misappropriated credit to this day. He has elaborated on the Do you wonder if it may be time to devious schemes of Davy and Gilbert by give up metal engineering? Are you getting reference to their relationships elsewhere. cold out in the shed? Are you wondering Many inventors have had their how you can best use your design and work stolen and exploited by others. Few manufacturing skills? Are you looking of them trusted and respected the thieves for something that’s clean and quiet, as fully as Trevithick did throughout his something that you can do indoors when working life. In a way, this is not a book for the kitchen’s not required? Something engineers but for anthropologists who do that is unlikely to annoy anyone who must not access the human qualities and failings be obeyed? Then think of Lego. of engineers by the numbers of steam Don’t laugh, go to the website engines they manufacture. Nevertheless, www.lego.com to find an official Lego the book has a proud place in the home shop or www.preloved.co.uk/lego for of every engineer and library as it stands secondhand Lego. We’re not talking toys alongside those on Watt and others as the here, you’re unlikely to let your kids play explanation how the high pressure steam with them! There is the Brickish Association engine of today came into existence and at www.brickish.org or meet the Americans drove the world’s Industrial and Transport who are deep into Brickishness, check out Revolutions. www.brickjournal.com. There are steam and aircraft models and a new minecraft See www.trevithick-society.co.uk/oblivion kit is about to be announced. First person to drop me a line can P.M.H. receive a free copy of the US Brick Journal (Issue 16) for a mind blowing experience.

P.M.H.

4 POSSIBLE VISIT TO PUDDLERS’ BRIDGE ON THE IRISH MINES TREVITHICK TRAIL Due to a technical problem members who registered their interest Julien Macdonald cuts the tape in the above are asked to re-state their interest to Kingsley Rickard at the following address:- [email protected]

LEVANT REPORT

The winter shut-down and maintenance programme is well under way. The volunteers have installed a compressed airline that can be taken into the engine house, and has proved to be very useful for removing old and flaking paint from the and pipework using an air driven chisel. New paint is being applied to smarten the engine up, and it is intended to purchase more compressed air tools in the near future. Other work carried out during the winter period has been the refurbishment of the condenser foot pedal linkage, and an inspection and adjustment of the flywheel brake mechanism. A tightness has been noticed in the air-pump and is being investigated. The new CFB installed last August has proved to be very economic and reliable, and the flow rate problem to Two hundred and eight years the engine has been resolved by totally to the day a newly built pedestrian and stripping every part of the Spirax-Sarco cycle bridge re-linked two sections of the Pressure Reduction , by freeing up tramway that Richard Trevithick had used and cleaning. This valve is capable of to demonstrate the performance of his reducing the boiler pressure (up to 150 high-pressure steam driven locomotive in psi) down to a maximum of 30 psi for the South Wales. 1840s , with no loss of flow Since the bicentennial rate. celebrations in 2004 of Trevithick’s Due to local planning regulations ingenuity and determination, the former it has not been possible to replace the main tramway became known as the Trevithick oil tank with a new bunded buried tank so Trail. During its concept, design and plans are now going ahead to install a construction stages the new £1m structure new smaller tank into the old upcast fan was fondly known as the Trevithick Bridge. building. As it neared completion there was a This year we have opened the competition to name it and the winning site earlier than normal commencing with entry was ‘Puddlers’ Bridge’. The name the half term break before Easter. reflected the tremendous iron works that spread throughout the district and the Ron Flaxman. hazardous work of making wrought iron. The intention of the bridge is to 5 provide safe, traffic-free passage over the been a seat for travellers backed by metal A4060 dual-carriageway for walkers and outline sculptures of three local Merthyr cyclists as they make their way through heroes. The chosen ones were locally the former heavy industrial area from born Julien Macdonald, OBE and Laura to Abercynon and eventually Ashley together with Richard Trevithick. All join up with the Taff Trail. The work was three have, in their separate ways, made undertaken by Sustrans in co-operation international impact that has been enjoyed with local authorities. Sustrans stands by Merthyr Tydfil. The competition was for Sustainable Transport and is the stiff. Merthyr could have recalled a number organisation behind the National Cycle of other well-known sons and daughters Network and a number of bridges built to such as the actor Philip Madoc and, link important cycle and walkways. through his father’s birth in the town, Rolf A part of the development has Harris. Tom Jones (Woodward) was born just beyond Abercynon at Pontypridd. Julien Macdonald, an award winning dress designer, is not immediately recognised in industrial archaeological circles. Nevertheless, he stood under an umbrella and engendered considerable enthusiasm for the bridge from the assembled dignitaries and school children with their bicycles as he cut the tape and declared the bridge open. In addition to giving an informal lecture to Trevithick as an outline sculpture selected members of 6 Phil Hosken chats with Julia Trevithick the local community concerned with its with Rob Thomson, Public Relations Officer heritage and redevelopment, Phil Hosken of Merthyr Tydfil Heritage Regeneration of this Society had the opportunity to say Trust, were invited into the parlour of Cllr a few words at the ceremony. He spoke Paul Brown, Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil County of Cornwall’s Celtic link to Wales, the way Borough Council. The importance of the we had shared our resources and the Trevithick Trail tram track to the story of manner in which Trevithick (not ‘Tre-veth- early railway history was discussed. They ic as all the other speakers had insisted also talked about the possibilities for study on calling him!) had demonstrated his and tourism in the district and the mayor locomotive in the valley for the entire world planned future Trevithick Days in Merthyr to appreciate. He stressed how this had to follow this inaugural one. Following the been much more than a local triumph for meeting, Rob Thomson said that a number Merthyr and it was something that should of representatives from Merthyr intend to now be developed to draw attention to its visit Trevithick Day in this year. international significance. He offered such help as could be contributed by friends in P.M.H. Cornwall. Following the opening, the crowd departed to enjoy local hospitality and an afternoon of Trevithick-themed activities at the nearby Hill’s Plymouth Cricket Club building. Here were a number of stalls, including one for this Society manned by Ken Trevithick and his wife Julia, competitions for the children and refreshments including over 200 pancakes as it was Shrove Tuesday. Then Phil Hosken, in company 7 PUBLICATIONS SENTINEL HEARSE

Diane Hodnett’s book, The Metal The following eulogy to a Sentinel Mines of West Cork, which was much first appeared in the Tolskiddy Bugle, a praised and won two awards, has been periodical for the Chester & Wrexham out of print since Christmas. We have now Cornish Society some twenty years ago. undertaken a limited reprint of which only As you may be reading this early in April 50 copies are for sale in the UK. These are we thought this a suitable time to repeat it available from Tormark in the usual way, here. It began, price £17.99. Whilst we were researching H G Ordish: The Early Mining Trevithick Day we came across a report Photographs has been a very strong seller and subsequent correspondence in Past and the limited hardback edition (£25.00) Glories which would interest Cornish is very close to selling out. As for West steam enthusiasts about a Sentinel steam Cork, any members who wish to guarantee hearse. Society members may know a copy should not delay. that Sentinel lorries were built in nearby Other Society titles where stocks Shrewsbury and road tested over the in hand are now limited include the hardback Horse Shoe Pass at Llangollen. editions of (£25.99) and ‘Sir, The only remaining The Harveys of (£19.99) and our completely original Sentinel steam hearse reprint of the Holman Brothers, Catalogue has come to light in Shrewsbury, close to of Crushing and Dressing Plant (£7.99). where it was built. The 25 foot , in Peter Joseph’s revision of Clive Carter’s derelict condition, was found in the back Holman history, with a large amount of garden of a funeral director’s business. It new material, will be going to press shortly was found when the walled premises were and should be published in early summer. surveyed prior to demolition to make way Finally congratulations are due to for Shrewsbury’s Tesco/Marks & Spencer Pete on his Botallack history, Hard Graft, complex. being named runner-up in the Association Local undertakers Byrne & Berry for Industrial Archaeology’s 2011 award for served Shrewsbury for over a century and Best Occasional Publication. were amongst the few steam undertakers in the country. The fact that bearers and Graham Thorne other staff wore black meant that the coal- fired Sentinel was an acceptable substitute

8 for the more expensive petrol-engine Welsh relatives, particularly when, soon Lanchester or Rolls Royce . after acquiring the Sentinel, Dai was Based on a 1917 Stand Sentinel chassis, persuaded by his somewhat senile uncle the hearse body was always considered to adopt the slogan, ‘Have Hearse, Will unwieldy and ‘steam raising time’ charged Berry’ – in those days a particularly on funeral bills was an irritation to all but inept and inappropriate move in such a those families whose deceased loved ones puritanical area of Wales. However, as were formerly employed at the nearby Dai was the only undertaker in the district Sentinel works. the locals had little choice but to support The steam hearse last saw him. use at a funeral in April 1931 when an The Sentinel’s career in Wales inexperienced crew unused to the need to was to be a short one for, in April 1919, deploy damper and discreetly when it was sold to the Shrewsbury firm with near a graveside, allowed the connections to Will Berry. This followed a to lift. The minister’s final words to the particularly unfortunate and embarrassing mourners had to be shouted over the roar mix-up with regard to ashes. (This, of escaping steam which condensed into incidentally, also explains the presence sooty droplets in the brisk Spring weather of a memorial stone laid in the middle of and descended on the funeral party. Llansaloft rugby pitch, itself constructed on Sadly, this had happened before and the a land/refuse site, Ed.) Sentinel was driven home in disgrace. Her Sir, I read with interest … the gilded plumes, large expanses of bevelled hearse, it caused problems from new. glass panelling and gold filigree work were Apart from having to keep the boiler quiet removed and she was left to rot at the back at graveside, the pall-bearers also had of Byrne & Berry’s premises. difficulties. Due to the height of the bed, Now alerted to the value of the they had trouble reaching and moving the wreck on their premises, Cremquik, the coffin. For a while mobile platforms were national funeral directing combine, who carried but were unsuccessful due to the absorbed the old family concern in 1988, uneven ground in churchyards. I know intended to restore the vehicle for future of at least one unhappy incident when a specialist funeral service if suitable drivers coffin was dropped, fortunately out of sight could be found. of the mourners who were only aware of This item evoked the following a delay whilst the deceased was replaced correspondence, and the lid secured. Sir, I was most interested to read Other problems were mentioned of the recent discovery of the remains of by correspondents including the the unique Sentinel hearse in Shrewsbury. considerable weight of the steam lorry However, readers may be interested to chassis which caused it to push in the know that it was not actually supplied new sides of a grave whilst parked alongside to Messrs Byrne & Berry. and hot ashes dropping from the tray No. 1417 (built 1st April 1917) under the boiler which set alight the long was actually sold to a small (very small!) dry grass one Summer’s day. undertaker in mid-Wales named David Evans – known locally as ‘Evans Above’ P.M.H. or ‘Dai Peacefully’. He used the vehicle in connection with his business in the small town of Llansaloft deep in the Cambrian mountains. Dai was a junior partner with his maternal uncle, William Berry, who had family connections with the Shrewsbury firm. Berry had little respect for his 9 WHY DO THEY CALL HIM DEVELOPMENTS TRE-VETH-IC? AT NUMBER 3

Elsewhere in this issue you will Following public demonstrations, find numerous mentions of Trevithick. protracted negotiations and the fears of They are all connected to his short but structural engineers that it would tumble incredibly important visit to South Wales. down as they inspected it, the former Put ‘Trevithick Close’ into Google and Holman Bros Museum and Apprentice you will find his name known by people School is being developed by Coastline who have little idea of his achievements Housing Ltd into eighteen flats. all over the country and as far away Coastline sought suitable names as Western Australia. When they say for the building. Numerous ideas were made Tre-veth-ic in Wales and elsewhere, do that reflected its occupation by Holmans they really appreciate who he was? In following its use as the Assembly Rooms. Cardiff the School of Engineering is the These ranged from Novice House or Court Trevithick Building where the Institution to echo its use as an apprentice school, of Engineering and Technology organises Court in memory of the famous lectures on the Large Hadron Collider. or even Rotair House to commemorate the Nearby at Techniquest, Dr Mark Lewney mainstay of Holman manufacture in later gives an otherwise unnamed Trevithick years. As we go to press we understand Lecture that is described as, that Cornwall Council is looking favourably ‘What causes the revolutionary, on ‘The Public Rooms’ as that is what was history-changing sound of rock guitar, originally inscribed into the granite when and how does it help us to understand the the building was erected. We look forward nature of the stuff we’re made of? Famelab to telling you there has been a change of winner Mark Lewney explains the physics mind. of rock using riffs from Vivaldi to AC/DC, explains the secret of the Stradivarius, P.M.H. and shows how string vibrations might lie at the heart of the Big Questions about the universe. TORDOWN QUARRY ENGINE It is clear that Trevithick means different things to different folk and, as they say, all advertising is good advertising, but Preparations to remove the engine we’d like the true story of his achievements from the quarry building are now complete to be better known. and we await the landowner’s builders to remove the roof. All the smaller parts of the P.M.H. engine are now back at King Edward along with the compressor the engine drove. At the quarry the kit still awaiting transport comprises the two cylinder blocks, the , the flywheel, three overhead R.S.J.s and checker plate pit covers, or to express it another way – two truck loads.

K.J.T.R.

10 Holman Bros Museum and Apprentice School in the ’50s.

As it appears today, awaiting to emerge from its chrysalis.

11 were housed it was quite impracticable to THE TREWHELLA MODELS consider them as anything other than a EPISODE 4 static display. Even using compressed air or an electric motor to run the mill there are VISITS TO GEEVOR far reaching implications.

It is important for the reader • First of all, just to consider running to realise that my uncle’s models form a them, they would have to be moved, very small part of the work undertaken by so that those operating them could Geevor, and if this instalment seems like move around them, as they were an indictment of Geevor’s lack of progress, installed hard against the outer wall. it must be understood that visitors are • Running the mill, since water is needed their lifeblood, so projects like The Hard to carry out the ore processing, Rock Museum, the overhaul and major there would be a considerable rise maintenance of the buildings, and the in humidity in the area. Since at that underground visit in Mexico mine all help time this was part of the museum at to bring the people in. They are the real Geevor, the rise in humidity, it was felt, achievements of Geevor, and are no mean would result in a deterioration of some feat. of the many artifacts on display.

Now we must go back to 2003 Therefore, to make the models when, filled with enthusiasm, I went to a working ensemble, they would have Geevor in March. I was a bit disappointed to be moved to a site where a rise in that nothing had changed since my wife, humidity would be of no consequence. Beatriz, and I went there in September Quite obviously, this affected what I did 2001 and first saw some of my uncle’s during my short stay and the objectives I models. I was welcomed by Bill Lakin who set myself. On the mill it would be stupid was, and I believe still is, Chairman of to spend a lot of time, when it would all the Trustees of the Pendeen Community have to be dismantled to be moved to a Heritage that run Geevor. He introduced new location. me to Mike Simpson, the mine manager, and various other members of the staff. INSPECTION AND WORK ON MODELS

INITIAL DISCUSSIONS Although the intention was to do nothing to the mill, it was felt that it was For me this was really exciting, as well worth putting the Holman pneumatic we discussed whether the models should stamps back in the mill alongside the Nissan be considered as a purely static exhibit (labelled Californian) stamps, where they (God forbid!), or should the objective be to used to be in my uncle’s workshop before make the models active and process ore they were loaned to the Holman Museum. driven possibly by steam but at least by Conveniently, the main layshaft still had all compressed air. This was a policy decision the keyways in it for the driving pulleys, so to be made by Geevor management, not it was no problem to refit them. The only by me as an outsider, and it was great to new thing required for this static display, find them so positive that they should be was a box for the stamps to stand on, since assembled as a working ensemble. I am of the original concrete mounting had been course very pro this and would love to see removed. A suitable box was made by them driven by steam, but of course I am Carl Weaver of Geevor. All the parts fitted well aware of the problems involved and together perfectly, as is shown in picture can see that a more practical approach is 2. There are quite a number of small bits to run them on compressed air. missing from the mill, but I felt that it was Where the few models on display not worth worrying about them until the mill

12 was in its final home. However, we would bits were labelled and taped together and obviously look out for these missing parts put in store ready to be fitted sometime when examining the bits and pieces in in the future. Amongst the collection of store. pipes there were some large ones The next few days of my stay at approximately one inch in diameter which, Geevor was spent with the Curator, Ben when examined in detail, were found to be Beckwith, looking at all the many bits and the rising main and the pump of the beam pieces that he had collected together and, engine; unfortunately, the plunger for the of course, all the engines in store. As you pump and the pump rod were missing. can imagine, despite all the assurances Having been through all the parts I had been given, It was a great relief for in store and examined the models with me to actually see the engines. They were Ben, I had completed all the work that I all in a pretty rough state, though none could do at Geevor until the models were were seized except for the boiler water moved to their new site. At the time, I had feed pumps. As reported by Pete Joseph, limited workshop facilities in Spain so the only one model appeared to be missing, rebuilding of the beam engine pump, pump and that was the horizontal mill engine rod and and pipe work seemed ideal. that drove a water pump through a set of This would need a general arrangement reduction and an angle bob. That drawing of beam engine, pump rod, pump this model went to Geevor was confirmed and balance bob. The machining required when the plunger pump that it drove was would be a new plunger for the pump and found in the store. should not cost too much. I therefore spent It is due to Ben’s diligence in the rest of my time checking and taking collecting together every odd bit of copper measurements of the beam engine for the pipe that I was able to identify all the water drawing. feed pipes to the stamps and shaking tables and the half inch water main that BEAM ENGINE carried the water to them from the water- tank adjacent to the beam engine. All these I had to laugh at myself as I went

13 over the beam engine taking great care not lot. The Holman Stamps were back as part to disturb the valve timing, only to discover of the mill, I had enough dimensions to do that it had been readjusted by someone an installation drawing of the beam engine with a view to running it off compressed and pump, we had identified all the pipe air, which explains why the exhaust pipe work belonging to the mill and put it in store connecting the exhaust valve outlet to the labelled, I had dimensions and pictures for condenser had been removed. Picture establishing the scale of the models and I 1 of the lower part of the beam engine had the beam engine pump and the boiler clearly shows this. In fact, as I looked feed pumps to restore. more deeply into the valve mechanism, I found that the equilibrium valve operating Visit Autumn 2003 mechanism was so maladjusted that the valve pushrod was bent. This I readjusted, By the end of the summer, I had and I also straightened the rod. The completed the home tasks I had set myself. linkage to the condenser water injection The beam engine and pump installation valve was also disconnected. This was not drawing had been completed, and I had only as part of converting to run on air, but made a pump assembly mounted in a also because the valve was seized solid. wooden “U” channel simulating an open There were also a number of nuts and pins sided shaft that could be reunited with the missing. The pins I made and replaced, beam engine at Geevor, and the water but nuts and bolts were a problem as feed pumps were refurbished. I needed to what thread they were. At the time, I some more restoration to do, but I also thought they would be BA, a now obsolete hoped that a visit might create some drive thread used a lot by model makers. Later, to find a new home for the models, as this from working on other engines, I found seemed fairly low in Geevor’s priority list. that nearly all the small fixings used by I made a stay of three days to my uncle on his engines were Whitworth give me time to talk with all concerned with 1/16 to 5/32. Sizes above that depend a bit the models. I had a long talk with Bill Lakin on the material, for instance, most and set some possible realistic objectives fixings are in British Standard Brass and for the future of the models. We came up for the larger steel fixings he used M.E. with two approaches: Threads (Model Engineer). In UK there is a large supportive industry for the model 1. For the models to be turned into a maker and restorer, so there are numerous pretty static exhibit even though what suppliers of nearly, if not all, obsolete nuts we have are working models. Really and bolts and their associated taps and an objective of last resort. dies. They even produce special small nuts 2. For the principal objective to be that to make them more in scale for models. the models form part of a working No need to setup a personal factory to ensemble, creating an “exciting make obsolete fixings! educational” experience of late 19th and early 20th century mining. OTHER MEASUREMENTS The whole ensemble to cover the surface process from winding to I also thought it would be a good the refined mineral at the end of the idea to confirm my belief that the models processing plant. that were to scale, like the Nissan and It was quite clear from what Bill Holman stamps, were one inch equals said, that education was a very important one foot, so I took both photographs and part of Geevor’s mandate and, in his view, measurements of them to use in research any support from outside for the models when I got home. would be linked to the learning experience. I felt that in the few days I had been This means that there should be one main at Geevor, the staff and I had achieved a objective, namely the second one. It was

14 other would have been huge and quite dwarfed the other models. An electric winder is much more practical from a control point of view in a model and can be made fully a u t o m a t i c . Therefore I spent a happy a f t e r n o o n taking lots of photographs of the Weathered electric winder to use as the basis for 1/12 scale design. I did no work on the display as it was thought that, possibly while the new site really a waste was being found, the mill might be titivated of time until they were moved. I did to look more complete and tidy. however spend quite a while on the beam At least I could consider a layout engine, establishing thread type and size. that would leave room for additional The condenser water injection valve I models, like winder and headgear, and freed by putting a long rod through the possibly a large rock crusher and electric engine placing the end on the operating railway to transport ore from headgear mechanism and giving this a sharp but or crusher to stamp bins. Still, this is gentle tap with a hammer. Since I did not speculation, as at this time there was no intend to take it home I also spent some idea of where they might end up. In fact, I time rechecking and ensuring that I fully think to keep me quiet, I was sent to look at understood the operating cycle. various possible sites and to assess their Part of my reason for the visit suitability. I will not discuss them here, as I was to take home some of the engines do not think any were seriously considered that appeared fine but needed cosmetic and, as you will read later, the problem was restoration. I took the twin cylinder solved. Meanwhile I set myself a new task compound mill engine and the small twin of building a winder and headgear for when cylinder generating set. These I had in my I had completed all the other restoration hand luggage, and when I went through work. There was the possibility to copy security at Bristol airport, it took hours as or base my design on old Victory shaft or they all wanted to see the models! Weathered shaft headgear. As it turned I was not going to be able to go to out, at 1/12 scale only Weathered shaft Geevor for a while, as in 2004 we moved head gear was anything like practical, the from a large flat in Palma to a house in the 15 middle of the island. The move was really 2009 August great but very hard work. We had been finishing this part-built house over the last “There is a possibility that we two years, and one real advantage was might secure some grant funding for the that there was space for my UK-stored work via the World Heritage Site Office. furniture, tools and workshop machinery. We will know the results next month There was in the basement an ideal room [around the 16th I think] and the situation for the latter, away from the living space, will be clearer. The intention will still be to alongside the garage. house the models in the end room of the All this time I was in regular old museum as part of a display giving an contact with Bill Lakin, and it was perfectly overview of local mining. The fit-out to be clear that until they knew the results of done professionally is for about £30k.” their funding bid to the lottery, it was They got the grant In November wishful thinking on my part to consider 2009. So it was a great relief to find that that a new home would be found for the at last Geevor had got the finance, and I models. The whole process seemed to could relax in the knowledge that action take forever. But then in April 2006 I heard was being taken, as that month I had a from Bill that Geevor’s bid to the Lottery for major cancer operation, so I really would £3.8m for a new Museum and restoration not have any energy to apply to my uncle’s of the site, had been successful. He said models for quite some months. However, that the euphoria did not last long, as they sadly, in 2010 September, I had a further soon realised that getting the money was e-mail: the easy part and that now they had to get the work done. Now, I thought, there “As regards the models: one of the projects was a chance of possibly developing the was funded by the World Heritage Site old museum area for the models. This did Office [- EU funding at bottom]. This was indeed happen eventually, but what I should to create two ‘orientation rooms’ in the old have realised was that the pressure on the museum to showcase the World Heritage Geevor staff would be such, that other site (Geevor). than looking after visitors, all their time, We worked up a proposal efforts and thoughts would be focused on including the display of the models in the new museum project. I must admit, this setwork, making them part of an overview was fully justified. In fact, I did visit Geevor about processing. that autumn taking back the twin cylinder The Cornwall Council awarded compound mill engine, but really except the contract to an outfit in Yorkshire, who for the warm welcome, unsurprisingly they decided - halfway through the project had little time available for me. - that they could not do the work around The situation for the models is the models for the money available. The well covered by extracts from Bill Lakin’s council, spineless as ever, let them get e-mails: away with it. So we have two half-empty rooms with some interpretation panels 2008 March which cost £30k. We could have produced them for about £4k.” “We have decided that we will have the large double room in the old What to do now? Well there is museum that is currently used as the nothing I can do except give encouragement mineral gallery as a dedicated ‘model room’ to Geevor. which visitors will see as they pass from Fortunately, although I still had Reception to the doors out onto the site to some corrective surgery to be done, I view the wonders that await them there.” was really fit and well again, and we had (Much along the lines that I anticipated.) planned a birthday celebration, 80th for me, in the U.K., which was followed by a

16 trip to the West Country and, of course, to replace and repaint shiplap boarding included a visit to Geevor and the return of on the carpenters shop and shortly Alan the remaining models, the generating sets and Tony Bunt will start to remove gorse as an ensemble. and undergrowth to enable access to the I found a very depressing fields on the eastern side to allow our atmosphere at Geevor, although, as usual, horse owning tenants access from the I was made welcome. They had cost cutting road through their own gateway. This will pressure from The Cornwall Council which lessen traffic on the main drive which, on created a status quo feeling in the staff, some days, begins to resemble the M25! and this influenced me towards agreeing In the survey office a start has been made that the models on display should be left on converting the office into a kitchen. This where they where and tidied up as a static is the room on the immediate right as you display, although at the time I think David enter the building. This will prove move more Wright (Geevor Technician) did suggest that convenient than the current arrangement this would result in them never becoming a of having most of the catering sundries left working ensemble. At home later, I realised out in the open on the bench. There will that this was a poor decision, and I have also be storage for the cleaning materials written this autumn reversing my support and other necessary paraphernalia. And of this proposal and suggesting that, come thinking of paraphernalia, up until now I what may, the mill should be moved to its thought that referred to a collection of oil new place. At the same time I have done lamps! some layout drawings suggesting how the Under the supervision of David models should be arranged. Many of you Blight the weighbridge stores has now had are probably wondering why it seems so a new roof so is now watertight and will difficult to move the mill. Well, the stamps provide storage. David has now turned are mounted on a huge piece of concrete! his attention to the boilerhouse roof As and when anything new arises which is slipping. Recently, while he and and progress is made, I will provide this Frank Kneebone were on the roof they Newsletter with an update. In the meantime, were spotted by the police who arrived to I will be writing about the restoration work verify what was going on. Given the poor I have been carrying out on the models at publicity the boys in blue currently suffer it home in the next few issues. was good to see their reaction. Preparations for the 34th. Richard Fishwick International Mining Games continues apace with the delivery in early February of five dense concrete blocks each weighing fifteen tonnes to be used for the drilling competition. Thirty seven teams of students are now expected to take part in The plans are now well in hand the drilling, mucking, sawing, track laying for the annual Open Day on April 29th. and surveying events. The games will be with the theme being very much “the open to the public on Saturday, March mixture as before” so we intend to have all 31st. and Sunday April 1st. machinery working, displays in the Survey Recent visitors to the site will Office, music and dancing, stationary have noticed the park has been full engines, vintage vehicles and stalls – in of structural steel. This was the Vospers fact something for everyone. Huw Rowe car showroom previously at Pool and is is working on the Holman winder installing destined to be erected in the Home Field. new air supply pipework and the rag frame Unfortunately when the steel was delivered gang, Nigel MacDonald, Tony Clarke the field was too wet to take the lorries so and Eric Rabjohns have completed their they had to off-load in the car park. Never refurbishment. Alan Bingley continues wishing to miss a chance, when the 17 arrived to lift the concrete blocks for the insight into their extent and history. John Mining Games we asked him to lift the Tonkin, who probably knows more about steel over the hedge into the field. We now the mines of the St Austell area than any have a car park we can use again. man alive, showed Tony the district and explained to him what was there and had K.J.T.R. been there. Tony’s mixture of old plans and modern photographs is skilfully done and he and his publisher, Charles Thurlow, BOOK REVIEW should be congratulated. The only irritating aspect of the book was the constant use of A History of Iron Mining in Cornwall, by the apostrophe with dates - it’s the 1840s, Tony Brooks. Published by Cornish Hillside not the 1840’s! Despite this small thing, Publications. Price £15.99 hardback & this book is highly recommended and at £11.99 softback. Pages 249, 56 maps, £15.99 for the hardback and £11.99 for the plans & illustrations. 48 coloured and black softback it is a bargain. & white photos. JAB This book is destined to become the basic text book on iron mining in Cornwall. Tony Brooks is a mining engineer, OUTDOOR EVENTS trained at the Camborne School of Mines, PROGRAMME as was his principal source of local mining knowledge, John Tonkin. This is Tony’s At this early stage this programme fifth book, and like the others it is filled with may well vary or have additions. detail and analysis, invaluable for those with an interest in Cornish mining history. • International Student Games- March Restormel Royal Iron Mine and 29th – April 1st. the mines along the Great Perran Iron • Camborne Trevithick Day – April 28th Lode are dealt with in great detail and will • King Edward Open Day – April 29th. serve to remind readers of the impressive • Launceston Steam Rally – May extent of these old workings. Restormel 26/27/28th. Royal extracted 650,000 tons of 42% • Tavistock Steam Fair – June 10th. iron ore between 1829 and 1911. This • Bude Heritage Day – August 5th. produced some 275,000 tons of iron metal • W.E.S.E.S. Rally, Stithians – August and generated an income of £570,000 at 17th., 18th., 19th. 19th century values. Although Cornish production was tiny in comparison with Volunteers to assist the “canary the rest of the country, being less than crew” always welcome. one percent of the total, the industry here employed many thousands of workers from To channel your enthusiasm ring the late 18th to the early 20th centuries the chatline 01209 716811 and made a significant contribution to the local economy. The description of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s visit to Restormel Royal in 1846 was worth a read in itself. A mining map of Cornwall shows scores of small iron mines stretching from the south coast near St Austell to the north coast between Perranzabuloe and Newquay. Tony takes a discerning look at these many tiny mines and gives a useful

18 SOCIETY MEETINGS

Society Programme Friday 14th September. KEM. Friday 13th April. KEM. Bingham Canyon Mine. By Phil Hosken. Fitty scoven, or a brave flink. By Noel Michell. Cornish Dialect. Friday 12th October. KEM. [To be arranged] Tuesday 17th April. ECB. The Oblivion of Trevithick - Why are Saturday 13th October. ECB. Trevithick’s achievements not fully Visit to the Robey Trust at Tavistock.-Meet recognised by history? An illustrated talk 1100 at the Robey Trust, Parade Business by Phil Hosken, author of “The Oblivion of Park, Pixon Lane Tavistock, PL19 9RQ. Trevithick”. This will be a live steam day for Trevithick Society members, donations will be 11th - 13th May. welcome by the trust towards fuel costs. All details of the A.G.M. Weekend are enclosed separately. Friday 9th November. KEM. Twentieth Century Mining in Devon, Friday 8th June. KEM. England. By Owen Baker. Cornish Copperwork.By Jonathan Holmes The West Cornwall Branch meets at King Tuesday 12th June. ECB. Edward Mine (KEM) at 7.30pm on the 2nd Field Survey training by Andy Robinson of Friday of the month. CHAHP. A follow on survey exercise may be arranged at the meeting. The East Cornwall Branch (ECB) meets at the Public Rooms at Liskeard and Friday 13th July. KEM. commence at 7.30pm, unless stated The work of Falmouth’s quay punts during otherwise. the Great Age of sail. By Roger Stephens. Contacts Tuesday 17th July. ECB. Geology of the South West.-How Cornwall’s Colin Short, mineral wealth was formed. An illustrated Programme Secretary, talk by the geologist. Calum Beeson. 22, Lower Woodside, St.Austell. Tuesday 28th August. ECB. 01726 61697. Devon Great Consols: A talk about this [email protected] massively rich copper mine by Rick Stewart. A perfect introduction to the walk on the 2nd. John and Cheryl Manley East Cornwall Branch, Sunday 2nd September. ECB. 28 Fairfield, Exploring the western mines of Devon St. Germans, Great Consols, a walk by Rick Stewart. Cornwall Meet 1100 at the Wheal Anna Maria PL12 5LR . The walk will be about 3- 4 01503 230768 hours long and include Wheal Maria and [email protected] Wheal Fanny with an optional extension to look at pre 19th Century tin workings at For up-to-date news follow us at: Blanchdown and Frementor. http://teammanley-ts.blogspot.com

19 TREVITHICK SOCIETY OFFICERS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVES

East Cornwall Branch John and Cheryl Manley 28 Fairfield President: Bryan Earl St. Germans Cornwall PL12 5LR 01503 230768 Chairman: Philip Hosken [email protected] 3 Park Road Communications Officer: TR15 2JD Kenn Shearer [email protected] [email protected] Tel: 01209 832039

Vice-chairman/Promotions Officer: Curator: Kingsley Rickard Pete Joseph [email protected] [email protected] Tel: 01209 716811 Treasurer: Chris Coombes Hon. Secretary: Roger Mason PO BOX 62, Camborne. TR14 7ZN Tel: 01872 553488 The Trevithick Society, a registered [email protected] charity, is a recognised body of the study of industrial archaeology in Cornwall. Membership is open to all who are interested in the region’s great industrial Journal Editor: Owen Baker past, whether or not they live in Cornwall. Tamarisk, Lowertown, Helston, The Society takes its name from one of TR13 0BU. Britain’s foremost inventors and pioneers Tel 01326 560970 of the , Richard [email protected] Trevithick, a Cornishman whose name is inseparable from the development of steam power. This newsletter is Newsletter Editor: Dr. Colin French published quarterly and, together with 12 Seton Gardens, Weeth Road, the annual journal, is distributed free to Camborne, Kernow. TR14 7JS. members. Letters and contributions are Tel: 01209 613942 always welcome and should be sent [email protected] direct to the editor.

Publications Secretary: The views expressed in this newsletter are Graham Thorne those of the authors and not necessarily 11, Heriot Way, Great Totham, those of the Trevithick Society. Maldon, Essex CM9 8BW ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS: Tel: 01621 892896 [email protected] Student members (under 21) ...... £5.00 Individual members ...... £20.00 Membership & Subscriptions: Family/joint members ...... £25.00 Sheila Saunders Overseas members...... £25.00 PO BOX 62, Camborne. TR14 7ZN Corporate members ...... £25.00 [email protected] PO BOX 62, Camborne. TR14 7ZN The Chatline: 01209 716811 © The Trevithick Society, Spring 2012. http://www.trevithick-society.org.uk Integral Print Services (i-Print), Redruth (01209) 204231 Registered Charity No. 246586 20