Quarterly Journal of the Shropshire Caving & Mining Club Spring Issue No: 2016.1

Golden Nutters 2015! Forget the BAFTA’s, Oscars, Tony Awards and Golden Globes the only one that matters is the Golden Nut !

Unfortunately the recipients of the award for 2015 were not at the Club dinner so Marian (last years winner) was unable to present the award.

This was rectified at the January Club meeting when both David Poyner and Mike Shaw were present and Marian was able to hand over the award to them in recognition of their work in producing the latest Club account “Aerial Ropeways of Shropshire”.

The account has had some very good reviews. Congratulations to both of David Poyner and Mike Shaw with the Golden Nut Award at the January Club them! meeting. Cave Link Most Club members are probably A new text based system known Some of us have had a chance to familiar with Mole-phones’, ‘Ogof as ‘Cave Link’ has recently been play with them at a couple of recent phones’ and ‘Heyphones’ which developed in Switzerland which rescue practices too and they do make communications possible from removes the interference problem. seem to work quite effectively. surface to underground and vice- versa, via “through rock” signals , Although expensive, a number of It’s even possible to interface a although the actually way it works is cave rescue teams have purchased surface unit to a mobile phone! not fully understood! sets. Club members who attended the MCRO A more modern version of the training event in January ‘Heyphone’, the ‘Nicola Phone’ had a chance to experiment has been under development for a (as a desk top exercise!) number of years, partly funded by with the 4 sets from the British Cave Rescue Council, GCRG. It didn’t take long but it is yet to go into production, to get to grips with texting although it keeps getting close! messages from one unit to another. All the systems tend to suffer from John Morgan and Cara problems associated with the low Allison with a Cave Link frequencies at which they work. unit during the January training session.

“Below” 2016.1 1 News Round-Up 1 Ivor Brown

The International Mining History Association Aerial Ropeways The I.M.H.A. arranges a conference them. The writer (as NAMHO Chair) The Club’s latest publication has on mining history about every 3 and other British supporters could been cited by the National Mining years and it appears that the Club not match them and so lost the vote Museum as an excellent publication will be represented at the next (see Below 99.1). - which it is. The authors are to be conference in Spain this year (see congratulated. note in ‘Diary’, last page). The fifth conference was held in Milos, Greece in 2000, and the One small disappointment, it does The first conference was held in writer gave a talk on ‘Mine Access not mention the very memorable Melbourne, Australia in August 1985 and Preservation’ and the whole “Opening Day” in 1960 of the and the writer was invited to give a conference was a great success. (see Alveley Colliery Ropeway. On that paper. However, due to shortness of Below 2000.3). day the writer arrived at Alveley time this could not be arranged. with a small group of officials from The sixth conference was held in Madeley Wood Colliery, in that Two years later the writer told the Japan, the writer was to have given a pits van, to find a large marquee in principal organiser Dr. P. Richardson paper, but was taken ill some weeks the Alveley Pit yard. A peep inside about a visit to Australia which he beforehand and never got there. showed a great array of solid and was undertaking as part of a Thomas Member Rob Vernon did attend and liquid goodies! Cooke Travel Fellowship. Dr. gave a paper. Richardson offered to meet him show This was a surprise as we had only Since this time the conferences have him the area and arranged for him been invited to see a safety display! been held in India (2007), Cornwall to give a talk at the University. The (I cannot be sure but I think there (2009), South Africa (2012) and writer met some of the conference was an NCB Safety Display caravan Australia (2014), but unfortunately delegates at this time. with a few chairs and a glass fronted the writer has been unable to attend box. Inside was a swinging ‘leg’ The second International Conference although Rob Vernon has attended with a nailed pit boot on - when the was held at the Bochum Mining most if not all. He is also one of the leg swung the boot caught a piece Museum, Germany in 1989 and organisers of the 2016 conference. of aluminium chewing tobacco the writer gave a talk on the All conferences have in many wrapper against an iron tub rail, ‘Development of Mining Legislation ways been similar to the NAMHO which produced a spark and caused in the UK’. conference, but do tend to attract a firedamp explosion. Due to recent more professionals, “students” and explosions the NCB had decided to The third conference was held in four-star hotel users! 1994 in the Colorado School of ban aluminium from its pits and this Mines, Denver, USA. Again the was a demonstration of its necessity.) writer gave a talk on ‘The Lloyds The Madeley party had obviously (Shropshire) a Community, its gone to the wrong place! Later, miners and their engines’ (Below however, it was explained to the 1994.3). group that the national and local The fourth conference was held in press had been invited to the opening 1998 in Mexico, several speakers of the ropeway but none had turned from the UK gave talks but 3 of up! (A political problem had arisen them had an hidden motive, it was in Parliament). the intention to try and ‘win’ the The NCB big wigs had waited all 2000 (fifth) conference to coincide day, the event had been abandoned with the 2000 NAMHO Conference and all were welcome to a grand in Cornwall. feast. Unfortunately the Madeley There was much debate amongst van driver wanted to get back home, members because an American so the Madeley party couldn’t stop Company ‘Royal Gold’ wanted - however after the feast the Alveley the next conference to be held at Pit was known as the “Merry Pit” for a purpose-built exhibition centre some time! in Milos, Greece which they had One of a a pair of preserved Cornish beam engines built by Harveys of What was the “political problem” offered to build in return for mining Hayle, 1852. Used to drive grinding about August 1960 that spoiled the rights. mills for Silver ore. Seen on a tour event? The Company were making various from the Mexican Mining History Conference 1998. Fresnillo Mine, What was the actual date of the generous offers to speakers and Zacetacas, Mexico. opening of the ropeway? delegates if they would support (I.J.Brown Collection)

2 “Below” 2016.1 Pitchcroft Report - December 2015 and January 2016 David Adams

13th December 2015 a higher level. This was completely uncovered during The party consisted of Steve Holding, Peter Eggleston, the day with a rough brick surface measuring 4’4” wide David Adams, John Hendy with his digger, Kelvin Lake, by 7’9”, (1.32 x 2.36m) the western end being ragged David Poyner and Edwin Thorpe. as though it might once have gone further. This pillar being broadly similar in siting to the two found earlier Despite a damp winter day the object this time was to the north but not in alignment with them. to further examine the area around the now revealed pumping engine house basement. Peter Eggleston busied himself excavating inside the horseshoe chamber by the shaft to reveal eventually Towards the end of the previous months dig Steve part of what appeared to be an iron box against the Holding had unearthed the side of another brick pillar ‘bob’ wall. This could be part of the engine condenser 5’10” (1.79 metres) to the south of the near S.E. corner one would expect to find in such a position. of the building, built with no apparent foundation, and at David Adams cleared and swept clean the brick floor of the engine house in order to take more photographs and rechecked the internal dimensions of the building by distance measurer for greater accuracy.

Unfortunately John Hendy’s digger will not be available for the first part of the New Year hence it will be necessary for members to decide how to proceed further with this dig. In the meantime D.R.A. will update the plan.

17th January 2016 A cold miserable day, John Hendy’s digger not being available for possibly three months, so work was The pillar excavated by Steve Holding and John Hendy, between the pumping engine house and Twin-dog shaft. limited to hand digging.

Below: Peter Eggleston excavating an iron box structure Peter Eggleston continued excavating the iron box between the bob wall, (left) and the shaft (right). found last time within the confined space of the (Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings) horseshoe shaped chamber, which was quite difficult. Despite trowelling down some distance and testing with a post hole auger the box (which may be part of the engine condenser) appeared so far to be bottomless.

Three bolts were noted holding the sides together with a flange in the S.E. corner. The box fill consisted of dark soil, dry dark ashy material, some lumps of red or grey clay, a few half bricks and small bits of broken brick, the lowest part being damp.

Meanwhile Steve Holding further examined the curved half culvert on top of the northern wall proving that the outer side previously buried was consistent with the Below: The excavated box feature at the end of the outer edge of the 5ft thickness of the wall. December dig. (Peter Eggleston - I.A.Recordings) David Adams took further measurements in order to update the plan.

Limekiln Wood Collapse After completing the measurements David Adams visited Limekiln Wood at Lilleshall to note that there was no alteration to the collapse hole on the edge of the tramway, also to take new photographs of the kilns etc to replace some of the older photographs in later batches of Club Account No 25.

“Below” 2016.1 3 Mina San Camilo, Spain Andy Wood

Mina san Camilo is a mine above Bob Barnes Vista Alegre, to the west of La Union climbing out of and almost on the outskirts of the the underground ever expanding Cartagena. workings to the adit entrance. Although I knew of its existence and (Andy Wood) had seen photographs of it on the internet, it took me much detective work and driving of a hire car up many mountain tracks to actually find the mine site as there are only ruins left. What is more, I wandered around the hillside for some time on my first visit without being able to find the adit. It took another more determined effort to locate this prior to making an underground trip with Bob Barnes.

The mine is known for mineral samples of barite and fluorite, one of the few sites in the orefield where this occurs. However, despite having an alleged ‘infinity’ of workings, the accessible galleries do not appear to be extensive and we failed to find much of interest other than evidence of mineral collecting activity. Below: Ruins of the mine site above Vista, Alegre. (Andy Wood)

Below: The adit entrance. (Andy Wood)

Hydro Scheme for Glenmuckloch Opencast Developers are planning to build Estates and are part of a project If the project goes ahead, the lower a 100MW pumped storage hydro to redevelop the opencast mine as reservoir will be created from the scheme at Glenmuckloch, near Glenmuckloch Energy Park. existing opencast void, while a Kirckconnel, Scotland which they second, upper pond will be excavated claim could generate power for more Buccleuch Estates has joined with at the head of Halfmerk Hill. than a century. mining company Hargreaves and 2020 Renewables to create two The higher reservoir will have It is the latest in a series of renewable reservoirs - one higher than the other a water depth of 22m (72 feet), energy schemes planned for the - which will be connected by a tunnel creating 3.3 million cubic metres of site, which is owned by Buccleuch with a pump-turbine. water storage.

4 “Below” 2016.1 Kellingley - The Last Large Deep Coal Mine Ivor Brown

It is hard to believe that the last deep mine for coal in Britain has closed. The last shift at Kellingley “Big K” was on 18th December 2015 and was marked with a march from Knottingley Town Hall to Kellingley Miners’ Scheme Social Club and rally of over 1,000 people (accompanied by Knottingley Silver Band) on Saturday 19th December.

One hundred years ago even Shropshire supported 44 coal mines and whole communities depended on coal mining. Lives of families have been built on it going back centuries. Even today many still live thinking of it, dream about it, and are still dependant on it for some of their West Yorkshire Councillors on a visit to Kellingley Colliery July 1982. IJB pension. Some of us even feel guilty fourth from right. (I.J.Brown Collection) that we encouraged others to think of it as a “career for life”.

Of Big K itself the writer has known it for all its life! Coal was 1982 Visitors presentation first produced there in 1965 and pendant from Kellingley the writer took a group of students Colliery. (I.J.Brown Collection) there on 6th September 1965 (Shaft sinking had commenced in 1960, the shafts were about 2,600 feet deep, 24 ft. diameter).

The group were met by the acting manager John Charlton, who the Last Lump of Coal writer had worked with in Shropshire The final tonne of coal to be mined (where John had spent some time at Kellingley Colliery has been as a student to gain experience of purchased by the National Coal difficult mining). Mining Museum for England at Caphouse. It will be put on public By 1969 Big K was producing over display alongside portrait images of Kellingley miners, by photographer 1 million tonnes per year from 1,426 cry! West Yorkshire Councillors were Anton Want, to mark the pit’s legacy. men and by 1980 was producing invited to a meeting, given a trip over 2 million from 2,350 men, at round, to see the problem (see photo) closure only 450 men remained. and informed that if things did not stay as they were the pit would close. Website Memorial The writer returned to Big K on Over 2,300 men would lose their Ian Castledine (some Club members various occasions, including July job, 80% of whom lived in West will know him as ICLOK on various 1982 when trying to settle a dispute. Yorkshire. The case was closed. websites such as AditNow) has put together a website showcasing his The NCB had given an assurance Over the last 20 years the writer photographic survey of Kellingley before sinking that the pit would tip has been there almost monthly in Colliery including photographs taken no rubbish in North Yorkshire and by the former “training centre” at the on the last day and during the march. 1982 the West Yorkshire Council had colliery. It is now the Yorkshire Mine discovered that the NCB were over Rescue Station (following the closure It is well worth visiting and browsing the river boundary and dumping it in of the Selby Rescue Station). Shortly through the pictures, you can find it West Yorkshire. this station too will be closing as it at: “North Yorkshire get the rates, West is not needed under the new Mining www.kellingleycolliery.co.uk Yorkshire gets the rubbish” was the Regulations.

“Below” 2016.1 5 SCMC Trip Reports Steve Holding

October 2015 Wednesday 17th – Steve Holding On the Sunday, the main group Tuesday 6th – A number of club with Josh Bratchley and Ellen C had were joined by Barry Ellis, Alan & members turned out in Ironbridge, a trip to Huglith Main Tramming Vicky Robinson, Ian Cooper and to check out the possible culverts Level via Badger Level. Welsh Mines Soc. Members Dave from the Bedlam Furnace site into Linton and Pam Cope to visit the the river. Andy Kennelly and Kelvin Sunday 22nd – Ian Cooper, Peter Managanese Mines of Rhiw and Lake had the pleasure of abseiling Eggleston, Steve Holding, Andy Nant Gadwen on the Lleyn Peninsula into the river only to find that both Kennelly and Kelvin Lake visited (see pictures on the next page). There culverts are blocked a short distance Yewtree Level, Snailbeach. This trip was a dinner for 15 at the Queen in. was external digging to lower the Victoria, Llanbrer on the Saturday internal water level – a lot of earth Night. Wednesday 7th – Andy Wood was removed and additional drainage and Steve Holding carried out SRT pipes installed – it will need a return December 2015 training with Dave Roberts. trip to determine how successful it Thursday 3rd – Mike Davies, was in the objective of lowering the Steve Holding, Neal Rushton and Friday 16th to Sunday 25th water level. Andy Wood gave Dave Roberts his – Alan & Vicky Robinson, Roy first trip down to the 40 Yard Level. – Mike Worsfold Fellows and Steve Holding were Wednesday 25th and Julian Bromhead rigged part of at Nenthead for the full week with Wednesday 9th - Julian the Snailbeach ‘Scenic Route’. Steve Andy Wood and Alan Richardson Bromhead, Steve Holding, Andy Holding had rigged the first pitch in being there for part of the week. Wood and Mike Worsfold carried advance – Andy Wood was along but out a Snailbeach Scenic Route/ not fit enough to descend. Classic Route exchange trip – Thursday 29th – Andy Wood and Mike Worsfold carried out SRT Julian and Mike descending via the Welsh Weekend 27th – 29th – training with Chris Archibald. Scenic Route while Steve and Andy Club members, Julian Bromhead, descended via the Classic Route. Peter Eggleston, Steve Holding, November 2015 Kelvin Lake, Nick Southwick and Wednesday 16th - Various club Thursday 5th – Andy Wood, Mike Edwin Thorpe (with Trust members members had a short abseiling/ Worsfold and Steve Holding with John & Pam Davies) stopped at prussicking ‘play-around’ in visitors, Jos and Ellen on trip to Barry Ellis’s bunkhouse for the Snailbeach Roberts Level before Snailbeach 40 Yard Level. weekend. On the Saturday, we were joining others for the usual Chistmas joined by Ian Cooper (and briefly drink in the Stiperstones Inn. Wednesday 11th – Andy Wood, by Chris Andrews who had a car Julian Bromhead and Steve Holding problem which meant not joining Thursday 17th – Mike Davies, had a trip to the Snailbeach 40 Yard us on the exceedingly wet walk) Steve Holding and Andy Wood Level, including a climb up the in Anglesey to the Porth Wen took Chris Archibald down to the ‘White Slope’. brickworks and a nearby porcelain Snailbeach Forty Yard Level for his works. first visit.

Brick kilns and harbour area of Porth Wen brickworks, built ~1900 making yellow bricks.

Ian Cooper, Steve Holding, Peter Eggleston, and Andy In 1906 it was taken over by Herr Steibel, then in 1908 by Kennelly excavating the entrance area of Yew Tree Level Mr. Charles Tidy who introduced pressed bricks. Closed in an attempt to sort out the drainage from the level. at start of WW I. (Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings) (Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings)

6 “Below” 2016.1 SCMC Trip Reports Continued ...

Right: Andy Wood at the top of the ‘Back Stope Bypass’ on the way out from the 40 yard level, Snailbeach on 17th December. (Steve Holding)

Above: Remains of the winding drum in the drum house at the top of the gravity incline taking silica rock down to the Porth Wen brickworks. The first of several drum houses seen during the Welsh weekend

Right: Llanlleiana porcelain works on the most northerly point in Wales.

Visited by Club members on the 27th November Welsh Weekend. Old boiler possibly for the haulage (Kelvin Lake - engine on the incline into the I.A.Recordings) opencast or the aerial ropeway, Rhiw Manganese Mine, Lleyn Peninsula. Flooded stope and incline in the underground workings of No.1 Adit, Nant Gadwen Manganese Mine, Lleyn Peninsula.

Above: Remains of the sheave wheel on the aerial ropeway at Rhiw Manganese Mine. Left: Workings in No.1 Adit, Nant Gadwen Manganese Mine.Peter Eggleston just visible in the upper level, Steve Holding and Alan Robinson in foreground. Below: Vicky and Alan Robinson by the flooded stope in No.1 Adit, Nant Gadwen.

“Below” 2016.1 7 SCMC Trip Reports Continued ...

Wednesday 23rd – Mike Davies, A wheelbarrow in a high Steve Holding and Andy Wood stope in Cwmystwyth seen had a Snailbeach Forty Yard Level on the 30th December trip. The opportunity was taken to 2015 trip. (Steve Holding) check out areas for future digging or exploration.

Monday 28th – Nick Southwick, Ian Cooper, Pete Eggleston, Steve Dewhirst , Mark Cox, Mike Shaw and Andy Wood (accompanied by Sarah and their dog) examined the remains of the Gravels engine houses portal is due to tree roots and looks January 2016 and mine buildings. reasonably easy to repair. Sunday 3rd – Ian Cooper, Mike Davies, Steve Holding and Joe North Half the group then had a walk north Wednesday 30th – Julian visited Snailbeach Forty Yard Level. along the west side of the Hope Bromhead, Mark Cox, Steve valley and then back to Gravels Holding, Evan Kinsley and Neal Ian and Joe descended via the via Nick Knolls and South Roman Rushton had a trip into Level Scenic Route while Mike and Steve Gravels, the other half walked the Fawr, Cwmystwyth (Alan & Vicky descended via the Classic Route. All route in the opposite direction but Robinson had to turn back due to the met up part way on the Scenic Route, visited the Wood level outfalls when roads being flooded). after checking a couple of points, all returning. descended to the Forty Yard Level. Despite significant flooding in Tuesday 29th – Ian Cooper, various parts of the country, the After a good look around, all Steve Holding, Mike Shaw, Nick Cwmystwyth area was rather dry! exited via the Classic Route. Mike Southwick and Andy Wood turned Julian, Steve and Neal went up the examined the ‘hole’ on the second out to have a look at Leigh Level, skipway to higher workings – there intermediate level – concluding that where there had been reports of some was an incident in that the ladder it was a back filled chamber but he collapses around the portal (Andy at the top of this route broke in two was well above the floor. had a couple of previous visits – one and there was a delay while this was with the land owner and one to dig made safe. Evan and Mark started Wednesday 6th - Steve Holding, out the entrance a bit and lower the to follow but Mark found a wrist Andy Kennelly and Andy Wood water level). problem troubling him and these visited Snailbeach Forty Yard Level. two aborted the climb, settling for a All descended via the Classic Route Steve and Andy went into the level gentler look around. – the two Andy’s exited via the (carrying an oxygen meter) and Scenic Route while Steve exited via travelled in until the oxygen level Thursday 31st – Ian Cooper, the Classic Route. dropped to ~16.4%. The point Stuart Cowper, Alun Cureton, Steve reached was just beyond the end of Holding, Dave Roberts and potential Sunday 10th – Many attended the the previously laid ventilation tubing member, Chris Frisby, visited Clive MCRO training event at Eccleshall. and just beyond a minor collapse. Mine. Wednesday 13th – SRT Training Points of note – a lighter could be There had been fallen trees in the for Andrew Fusek-Peters with Mike lit with an oxygen meter reading area and whoever cleared the debris Davies, Steve Holding and Andy of 16.5% but would not light at had covered the mine entrance to Kennelly. a reading of 16.4%; six lesser a significant extent – it took about horseshoe bats were observed; at 45 minutes to clear enough to get Wednesday 20th – SRT Training a point 13m into the level, there access. Travel from the Lady’s Walk for Andrew F-P and Colin Gunnell appears to be a deliberate ~ 30cm is currently very difficult. with Steve Holding, Andy Wood and diameter hole vertically up through Mike Worsfold. the arching – there was a small Stuart and Steve checked beyond the chamber above (with a bat in it) with ‘South Winze’ and then descended Thursday 21st – Forty Yard a flat roof – this is believed to be the winze – climbing again without trip for Stuart Cowper, Steve under the road. further exploration. The others Holding and Andy Wood – all three visited upper parts of the mine with a descended the Classic Route – Stuart The arching is generally in good number of photos being taken. and Andy exited via the Scenic condition – recent damage near the Route.

8 “Below” 2016.1 SCMC Trip Reports Continued and News Update 2

Wednesday 28th – SRT Training found recent rock falls have left it in Fire at Grove Rake for Andrew Fusek Peters with Mike a dangerous condition – future visits Part of the buildings at Grove Rake Davies, Steve Holding and Andy discouraged until work has been mine, Rookhope were destroyed Wood. carried out. by fire in early December last year. Recently a painting discovered Thursday 29th – Forty Yard Level on the wall inside the damaged trip for Mike Davies, Andy Harris, Below: Andrew Fusek-Peters during building was thought to be by the Steve Holding, Andy Kennelly, Andy SRT training on 13th January 2016. (Steve Holding) international graffiti artist Banksey. Wood and Mike Worsfold – started rigging an alternative Although the mine closed in 1999 it lower route for the Scenic has been hoped that the headframe Route. and buildings might be preserved as it was the last flourspar mine in the Sunday 31st - Steve North Pennines. Holding and Andy Wood joined Eileen Bowen and Mike The mine has a long and rich history Worsfold (plus two other bat spanning over 100 years. Although group members) for Huglith earmarked for demolition many Bat Count. locals and others want the buildings (which are much older than the Andy and Steve checked the headframe) to be listed. area above Badger Level and However, Sherburn Minerals, the Chinese Miners Rescued after 36 days last company who worked the mine Four Chinese miners who had been The company chairman Ma Congbo, say they have been working to save trapped underground by a cave-in on drowned himself by jumping into a the pithead and buildings, but the 25 December in a gypsum mine in well several days after the incident. landowner is insisting that the site is eastern Shandong province, China returned to green fields. have been rescued after 36 days. The nation’s mines have long been the world’s deadliest, but safety It appears inevitable that the last improvements and clamp-downs on Initially 29 people were trapped remnants of Weardale’s last mine owners and officials have reduced 15 have now been rescued, one will be disappearing soon. confirmed dead, and 13 are still deaths in recent years. missing. China has a long history of industrial from a report in Weardale Gazette, The four miners were rescued via a accidents. This incident came No.491, 2nd December 2015. 200 metre deep bore-hole and were days after a landslide caused by winched to the surface in a capsule. construction waste in southern China Haig Museum Closes left dozens of people missing and On the 7th January the Haig Pit The men had been sustained during presumed dead. Mining Museum, Whitehaven their confinement by water and suddenly announced that it was liquids being passed down a narrow Longest known survivors in closing due to financial problems. bore-hole. mine accidents 69 days - 32 Chileans and one The Colliery was purchased from the More than 400 rescue and emergency Bolivian trapped after the NCB in 1993 for 1p. Club members workers were involved in the collapse of the San Jose mine in visited the site, with its impressive, operation. Chile in 2010. huge, preserved winding engines 41 days - five Tanzanians remain shortly afterwards. In 2014 a new The mine collapse near the town underground after a mine caved- visitor centre opened and a renovated of Pingyi in December was so in in the Shinyanga region, museum in February 2015 (with a violent that it registered at China’s Tanzania, in 2015. strange building added in front of the earthquake monitoring centre. 36 days - four men in gypsum mine engine houses!). in China’s eastern Shandong Local media reported that police had province. The £2.4m project received a lot of enacted “enforcement measures” 14 days - two Australians entombed support from the Heritage Lottery against several bosses at Yurong in Beaconsfield, Tasmania, in Fund and employed 8 staff. It is company which owns the mine, 2006. hoped that the closure will only be while local party officials had been temporary. sacked. News Reports, 29th January 2016 News Reports, 7th January 2016

“Below” 2016.1 9 The Club 40 Years Ago (1976) Ivor Brown

The year began with 23 full members It was decided to concentrate on The “16th AGM” of the Club was and 21 associates. Subscriptions clearing and equipping the well, held on Saturday 25th September. A were £3 per year for members and opening up the Tar Tunnel, and formal motion that the Club’s name £2 for associates (the latter were further exploration at Llanymynech. be changed to “Shropshire Mining allowed to attend only 3 expeditions It was also agreed that the rule and Caving Club” was put by Phil per year). requiring members to wear white Rust, seconded by I.J.Brown, it was helmets be rescinded. agreed so long as ‘Caving’ came Twenty five members attended the before ‘Mining’ (i.e. S.C.M.C). January meeting. Nine members Phil Rust was busy preparing the had recently been down the 53ft. 1967/68 Yearbook while I.J.Brown This was followed by a Dinner at Brewery Shaft to see the pump, was preparing the 1976 Journal, all the Barley Mow (cost £3) and a talk but could not agree whether it was copies of 1975 Journal (55) had now by George Hall on gold mining. It reciprocating or rotational but it been sold at 75p each. was rounded off with a social at the had certainly been activated by a Club house. 22 members and friends rod from the surface (later it was IJB reported that he had been asked attended. determined to be reciprocating). to examine a shaft that had appeared Several evenings were spent making in the well guarded grounds of ladders (average attendance 5 C.O.D. Donnington. He was taken members) and by November 250ft. to see it by armed guards and an had been completed. The ladders

pipe Alsatian dog. It was obviously a were in use at the regular cave rescue collapse into the covered ditch practices. One was held at Burgam pump rod metal cylinders from the Donnington Sough. The top entrance and a real call-out astonished guard was alarmed when occurred in November to search for a primer it was pointed out to him that the “body” down Snailbeach. During this entrance was behind the public toilet ladders were passed through a car just outside their security fence! stuck in the shaft about 180ft. down. Parties of 6 or more were visiting They got fast and had to be left there. various Welsh and Yorkshire mines No ‘body’ was found. and caves with smaller numbers even going abroad. A special evening was spent in the pipe input Fox and Duck to celebrate Mike Plans were made for some ladder- Moore’s 21st birthday in November Sketch of the all-metal and in December the Clubs own part-buried pump arrangement making sessions in the Club house at the Brewery Well so that more trips could be made to social evening was held in the Club (see Below 2015.1) South Shropshire mines. house. Fourteen members attended, Did any members take a music being provided by Mike photograph? Clough.

Tar Tunnel Banquet 30.12.76 As is customary on all great mining occasions a banquet was held in the Tunnel to mark its completion and the impending departure of Dr. I.J.Brown, who was guest of Honour for the evening. Twenty-one male dignitaries (including 7 Club members) attended. The feast was held on trestle tables in the bypass area of the Tunnel, some 315 metres in from the entrance. The menu included an Aperitif, followed by Bettons’ British Soup, followed by Tarred Chicken with Pit Potatoes, Deep Mined Carrots and Shotfirers Peas. This was followed by Tunnellers Trifle, Brattice Biscuits & Cheese and Underground Coffee. All with lashings of beer, cider & wine. As all cooking facilities had to be outside the Tunnel it was calculated that the organisers had to make four return journeys with the mine truck during the evening, a distance approaching two miles. During the meal music was provided by a museum hand-operated gramophone complete with ancient records. After the Feast twenty toasts and speeches were given, of varying length and content. The banquet was concluded some 6 hours later with the rendering of bawdy mining ballads by Blogg and others. The Guest of Honour responded in a suitable manner and was deeply moved by the whole occasion, especially as during the course of the evening his chair, and that of the Chairman.(ex-Mayor Adams), sank further into the railway ballast so that they eventually finished below the table level. At least that is their excuse! (extract from the Club Newsletter)

10 “Below” 2016.1 The Club 40 Years Ago (1976) Continued ...

Ivor J. Brown giving a speech on the use of candles underground during the 1976 Tar Tunnel Banquet.

(I.J.Brown Collection) Club banquet in the Tar Tunnel, December 1976. David Adams (2nd from right), Stuart Smith and Neil Cossons (IGMT), 4th & 5th from right. (I.J.Brown Collection) On 30/12/1976, 22 volunteers 12 newsletters (Nos. 131-142) and a Descending a Shaft in including 7 Club members held a Journal. banquet in the Tar Tunnel to mark the 1830s the writers departure to Yorkshire The 1967/8 Yearbook was never Joseph Prestwick visited the (again) finished, no new accounts were Coalbrookdale Coalfield in the 1830s produced, but the writers “Mines of to collect minerals and fossils. He During the year the Club published Shropshire” was produced and 2,000 wrote in his letters that he returned to copies sold. his accommodation:

Vale - The Oldest Freeminer, Robin Morgan “night after night with my bag full. The oldest freeminer in the Forest of Deputy Gaveller. The pits were not large, nor were Dean, Robin Morgan has died aged they very deep, from 150 to 500ft. 80. All agree that Robin was held in the highest regard and was always was the general run. Descending Club members may know Robin as prepared to help other colliers. He them, however was often a rough task. the owner of Hopewell Colliery, near was a hard working, fair, honest and Sometimes we descended on trays, at Broadwell, which some visited on a generous man. He was immensely other times we stood on the platform trip to the Forest last June. The mine physically capable and got into the at the top, a chain loop attached to still produces coal, but it is also a Guinness Book of Records for laying the main rope was handed to each museum and gives visitors guided the most kerbstones in one day! man, through which he placed his leg. underground tours. He always operated his mines to At a given signal the rope was drawn Robin bought Hopewell Colliery 23 the highest of standards and his up a few feet, when we all (generally years ago, although he sold it last timberwork and ability to drive there were seven or eight men) swung year he continued to work there until headings through very difficult the day before he died. ground were second-to-none. It’s together like so many herrings at the claimed that he knew the geology of end of a bunch, then holding on to Robin started mining at the age of 13 Dean like the back of his hand and one another we were let down to the when he would take time off from when he spoke you would be wise bottom. Sometimes the descent was school to work underground with to listen as he was almost certainly in an upcast shaft which would be his brother. He became registered as right. Freeminer No.4215 in 1st July 1975. full of smoke and like descending a chimney ... in the manner in which Tributes have been paid to him He death is a big loss to the mining kippers are produced”. by many of those who knew world as it the loss of his vast him, including Jonathan Wright knowledge and mining experience. From ‘Life and Letters of Sir Joseph of Clearwell Caves (who is also Prestwich’, published 1899. secretary of the Freeminers Based on report in The Forester, 27th Association) and Daniel Howell, January 2016. Submited by Ivor Brown

“Below” 2016.1 11 Mina San Jerónimo, Spain Andy Wood

Below the road down from Monte Laborinto to Portman lies a small mine site rejoicing in the name of San Jerónimo. The headframe is of reinforced masonry about 4m tall and it still carries the sheave wheels. Although the buildings are in the usual state of abandonment and disrepair, much of the winding gear is still in place, as is some of the round section rope used.

The shaft is nicely lined with well mortared stones as far down as one can see and some sort of cage is still lodged on its edge. As is usually the case, all the electrical apparatus has been stripped out of the engine house but the winding machinery is still quite well preserved. Above: View across the San Jerónimo mine site. All pictures: Andy Wood The ruins of the other main mine building provided some interesting sights; what appears to be a large axle of some sort and what I took to be a wood lined kibble, however, the Fundacion Sierra Minera’s bible describes it as a ‘water cuba’. Presumably, water was extracted using this bucket rather than by means of a pump. Had I injured Above: View through the cage and Above: The electric winding gear. myself, I was pleased to see that a down the shaft. first aid box was still in place! A Right: A wooden kibble with concrete reservoir stands a little way iron support straps. above the complex nearer to the Below, left: The masonry road. headframe and shaft surround.

Below, right: Remains of a cone crusher.

12 “Below” 2016.1 The Great Telford Opencast Site in the 1970s Ivor J Brown

From the earliest times surface mines In the period 1971-78 about acre. These schemes would also of ‘opencast sites’ have been used 1,300,000 tons of coal was produced produce valuable fuel and clays, to obtain coal in the Telford area, from joint NCB/T.D.C. opencast/ but unfortunately at some cost for example “Croppers Holes” are land reclamation sites which also to the existing residents and its shown on a mining plan of 16211 and produced a considerable tonnage of archaeological remains. six “outcrop workings” are listed in fireclay and other clays. It is these the official list of mines published in activities that are the subject of this It was decided that the area around 1854. article. Old Park, west of the proposed New Town Centre, could be ideal for In proportion to the output from When the enlarged new town such joint operations. It was on the underground mines the annual Corporation of Telford (TDC) was shallow side of the large Lightmoor production remained small until set up in 1969 it was believed that of Fault and the lower seams present the 1940s when it increased the 7,760ha of land in the designated had not been worked by opencast considerably. area 2,120ha was in need of some methods. Modern machines were form of treatment before it could be quite capable of getting down to the By 1971, following the closure of developed. This included 1,128ha required depths (150ft. or more), but nearly all the underground mines covered by spoil heaps, 333ha of old they needed large surface areas to be in the area, the opencast sites were opencast sites and quarries and about available. producing 78,000 tons per year 2,500 shafts and adits. Further work against about 200,000 for the last showed that some areas could have The area was one of scattered Shropshire deep mine, Granville. up to 12 different coal seams which housing and poorly served by roads. could have been worked plus some Unfortunately several hundred In 1976 however, production from 7 ironstone seams and 5 clay seams people might have to be relocated, opencasts was about 300,000 tons, all at depths less than 400ft. from but they could be provided with about double that from Granville surface. modern housing in new small estates. Colliery (which incidentally was It was decided to work two of the employing 5 times as many men as Land reclamation schemes less inhabited parts around Ketley the opencasts). Granville closed in undertaken by TDC by 1971 Grange and Lawley Station first. 1979, deep mine production of coal showed that it could cost up to fell to zero, but opencasting was still £10,000 per acre (at 1970 prices) The total area to be taken would taking place or about to take place at to prepare sites for development. be over a square mile and the sites such as Dog Lane, New dale, However other sites worked with overburden would need to be Ketley Brook, Symon, Huntington the NCB, using opencasting, could removed then replaced and and some Clee Hill sites. reduce this to about £1,000 per compacted in a manner suitable for

Aerial view of the Old Park area in 1959. Site of the great opencast in the 1970s, looking south. Smoke from Priorslee Furnaces at bottom right. (I.J.Brown Collection)

“Below” 2016.1 13 The Great Telford Opencast Site in the 1970s Continued ...

Figure 1

14 “Below” 2016.1 The Great Telford Opencast Site in the 1970s Continued ...

Part of the writers work with the It was agreed to leave Hill Top Figure 1 - Key TDC was to assist the NCB in Village with its houses, chapel and planning the sites and ensuring that facilities unaffected throughout Pits of known name inside the separate areas were stripped, working although at times it would the site. exploited, backfilled and compacted be completely surrounded. (km square prefix) to agreed standards and that records were maintained of shafts and old It was also agreed that a road 6809/ 3 - Rock workings located were kept. During southwards along the line of the old 6909/ 1 - Davis inspections he would also note Clares Lane would be maintained, 6909/ 3 - Quarry archaeological features that were as well as a road to Mossey Green to 6909/ 5 - Coppice found. the north. 6909/ 6 - Quarry 6909/ 7 - Park Forge The areas to be worked are shown A further road in the eastern direction 6808/ 2 - Tiptons in the attached plans, working being would be maintained until the last 6808/ 3 - Cadmans generally in an anticlockwise manner year of working on the sites. All 6808/ 4 - Jones from Mossey Green southwards other properties and mineral rights 6908/ 1 - Pickins (Ketley Grange and Lawley sites in the area were obtained by the 6908/ 2 - Pitchford were worked separately but to the Development Corporation by normal same arrangements between 1971 purchase if possible, but finally, if Pits of known name outside and 1975). necessary by compulsory purchase. the site. (km square prefix) The NCB already had a private 1.5 Site works for the Clares Lane/Old 6808/ 1 Park mile long concrete haul road from Park Reclamation scheme continued 6808/ 5 Park Road the area to Doseley, their local in 1974. Site control was as follows: 6909/ 1 Pudley Hill central dispersal point and this only 6909/ 2 Hall needed extending within the new site 6908/ 3 Waggoners boundary. 6908/ 4 Spout 6908/ 5 Squires Figure 2 6908/ 6 Little Eyton Ketley Grange Site (completed 1979) residential and industrial use, as well M54 Wellington Bypass as motorways etc. It would be one of 6 first major schemes of its type in the Mossey NOT in Green country (see figures 1 and 2). Scheme 1 Hill Top 10 The sites were worked before the Village time that “watching briefs and 8 7 Forge environmental statements” became 2 5 Clares Lane West standard, but it was known that much Old Park North

Clares Lane East Donning ton Distrib utor of interest to archaeologists could be 9 Town Centre found on the sites which had been Western Box Road Dawley - Hall 11 heavily worked for minerals for 3 Old Park South N Old West hundreds of years. Town Centre Park Link Road 4

Part of the proposed works was on Spout Scale (approx) the site of the lost furnaces of the 1 : 10,560 Botfields, which in the early 1800s N.C.B. Old Park Opencast / Reclamation Scheme was the second largest furnace site in Land Release Dates Area 1 : 5th May 1976. Britain. Area 2 : 12th June 1976 Lawley Site Area 3 : 31st October 1976 (completed 1975) Area 4 : 1st December 1976 Area 5 : 1st January 1977 The writer and the Ironbridge Gorge Area 6 : 1st May 1977 Area 7 : 1st August 1977 Museum curator were able to run a Area 8 : 1st December 1977 Area 9 : 1st February 1978 short course for workers on the site Area 10: 1st May 1978 which lead to a number of features Area 11: 1st May 1978 being discovered. Telford Site Working Proposals 1974 - 1979

“Below” 2016.1 15 The Great Telford Opencast Site in the 1970s Continued ...

TDC owned the land, got all the necessary licences and permissions and the writer became the designated officer ensuring, as part of his duties that the sites were worked according to plan and restored as requested.

The NCB Opencast Executive employed an engineer and surveyor, a number of assistants and coal and compaction inspectors to ensure standards.

The Contractor controlled all operations, production and back- filling through an Agent, quarry manager, surveyors and machine Aerial view taken in 1975, looking south towards Old Park roundabout of Old Park/Clares Lane Opencast Coal Site, Telford, Shropshire. operators, as well as transport (I.J.Brown Collection) movements and specialist and Land Reclamation in the contractors (e.g. ditching, References fencing, planting, etc.) 1. Brown I.J., Early mining maps of Coalbrookdale Coalfield. Ph.D the Ironbridge Gorge, SCMC Annual Thesis, Leicester University 1975. Journal No.3 1995. Some notable features relating to 4. Anon, Telford - building on the each site are given later, including Industrial Revolution, Contracts 2. John Madin Design Group 1969, mining methods, archaeology and Journal Oct. 23, 1975. Telford Development Corporation. restoration. 3. Brown I.J., Mineral Working 5. Press Reports 1975-6, NCBOE, TDC to be continued .. Leck Fell Cave Rescue Caving Archives - Caving Collection Registry Three cavers who were attempting The British Caving Library (BCL) Collections” page on their website: a Boxhead Pot to It’s a Cracker! is a national research and reference exchange trip on Leck Fell in library based in the Peak District, caving-library.org.uk/collections/ Lancashire, on Saturday 20th and funded by the British Caving collections.shtml February, were left underground Association (BCA) and the British in the caves when they missed Cave Research Association (BCRA). It is embryonic in that there are a lot their way and were inadvertently of collections out there which have overtaken by the de-rigging party! Over time, the BCL has been given not been identified, and the accuracy a number of collections of caving of some of the information currently Those returning to the surface were material belonging to once active provided is suspect. Thus, there is an adamant that everyone was out, cavers. It will be catalogued over assumption that the original material so Clapham-based Cave Rescue time, and online access to some of it made available on the Mendip Cave Organisation (CRO) was called out will be provided. Registry and Archive (MCRA) and started a surface search with website is held by the MCRA - the assistance of a search dog and However, as it’s difficult for which is known not to be the case. handler. researchers and cavers to know what A CRO team also went underground material exists and is available. A lot The BCL would, therefore, welcome and found the missing trio, cold but of similar collections have also found additions and corrections to the otherwise unharmed and were able to good homes in caving club libraries, register so that it can become a escort them out. county record offices, museums, and genuinely useful resource. An email various archives, the BCL doesn’t address is provided on the web page. A Maritime and Coastguard Agency want the caving world to forget about helicopter set out from Caernarfon, them. Finally - a plea. If you know of a to assist in the surface search, but collection that has not found a good was stood down en route. The BCL has therefore, started off home where it can become available, an embryonic online registry of UK News Reports 22nd February 2016 please find a good home for it and let caving collections, which may be and the CRO website: us know where it may be found. The found on the “Registry of UK Caving www.cro.org.uk BCL is a willing recipient.

16 “Below” 2016.1 What the Papers Said - “Wellington Journal & Shrewsbury News” Submitted by Steve Dewhirst

FATAL COLLIERY ACCIDENT over-balanced himself and fell a distance of about 60 NEAR ST. GEORGE’S. feet. His neck and leg were broken, and he expired immediately. The dreadful accident cast quite a gloom MAN KILLED AND ANOTHER over the place, and the quarries were closed for the rest SERIOUSLY INJURED - Inquest. of the day. Deceased leaves a wife and four children, An inquest on the body of Cartwright was opened for whom much sympathy is felt. at Priorslee on Monday evening, before Mr. J. V. T. Lander (coroner). The representatives of the Lilleshall On Tuesday an inquest was held at the Elephant and Company present were Mr. J. Greene (underground Castle Hotel, Grinshill, before Mr. R. E. Clarke, manager), Mr. N. T. Beech (chief colliery manager), coroner. Deceased was 42, and was in the employ and Mr. J. Frith (colliery engineer). - In opening the of Messrs. Hancock and Son, quarry proprietors, proceedings the Coroner said he understood another Grinshill. man also was injured in the accident, but it was hoped he would recover. He was given to understand by Mr. Ernest Hinchliff, foreman at the quarry, deposed to Beech that there was every chance of that now, and ordering deceased off the premises, as he was under it might be the jury’s wish to hear the evidence of the influence of drink. that man. In any circumstances he did not propose to continue the inquiry that evening, as it was one Thomas Adams, quarryman, said he saw deceased of those cases in which they should hear the Mines’ about 10:50 a.m., on Monday morning going from Inspector. the office at the quarry. Deceased went in the direction of where he fell, and witness noticed that he was the Mr. Beech said the Inspector had been to the place of worse for drink. A few minutes afterwards he heard the accident, but had had to leave to catch a train. - Mr. the alarm that he had fallen down the quarry. Edkins, printer, of Priors-lee, having given evidence of identification, and the jury having viewed the body, Frederick Downes, stone-mason’s apprentice, said he the inquiry was adjourned. was working near the bridge. He saw deceased going over the bridge to where there were some more men. The remains of the deceased man were interred on When he got to the end of the bridge witness saw him Tuesday amidst many tokens of respect. A large stagger and fall down the quarry. He went to the place number of fellow-workmen and friends, among and saw him lying at the bottom, apparently dead. whom were the Snedshill United Methodist Free Witness at once gave an alarm. Church choir, of which the deceased was a member, attended to pay their last tribute to one who was Sergeant Edwards of Hadnall said on his arrival at greatly esteemed. The mournful cortege proceeded to Grinshill he found the body quite lifeless. There was St. Peter’s Church, Priors-lee, where the funeral service a large fracture on the skull over the left ear and a gash was impressively read by the Rev. J. P. Stephenson, about four inches long on the shin bone. The skull vicar; there was a vast concourse of people present, was broken at the back of the head, and the brain was who deeply sympathised with the widow and her protruding. The right arm was broken in two places, children in their sad bereavement. A large number and five or six ribs were also broken. Witness examined of magnificent wreaths and floral tributes were sent the place, and found a piece of his skull and some of by relatives and friends. 12th July 1902 the brains scattered on a large stone at the bottom of the quarry. He had measured the quarry, and found [Note: The accident occurred on Saturday 5th July (see last it was 53ft. 3in, deep. issue of Below), initial inquest date Monday 7th July 1902] The inquest was adjourned till Monday next. FATAL ACCIDENT AT GRINSHILL. 20th August 1898 A fatal accident occurred at Grinshill Quarry on [Note: This accident occurred on Monday 15th August, with Monday morning. A quarryman named Thomas the inquest opening on Tuesday 16th, then being adjourned Lloyd, residing at Grinshill, was walking over a until Monday 22nd August 1898] plank or temporary bridge at the quarry, when he

“Below” 2016.1 17 Snailbeach Mine History - A Theory, Response A Letter to the Editor from Andy Cuckson

Dear Editor, is known from various Shropshire kibbles of ore & rock from the 192 directories found in Shropshire yard level. Until the Dennis era, I was very interested to read Roger Archives. Before he became the this shaft was never deeper than Bird’s article in the last issue of senior partner, it was known as 192 yards. After completion of the ‘Below!’ Some SCMC members Lovett & Co. It is this Jones & Co. New Engine Shaft complex, it was will know that I have been a which will appear on date stones converted to a ladder shaft. Dennis member of SCMC since the mid- from this period, and not Jones the later deepened it and installed twin 1990s, and have been researching agent, who was indeed only a paid miners’ cage winding. Snailbeach mine along with the employee. Snailbeach District Railway, which New Engine Shaft and its served it, from the same time. This Yes, Jones the agent would be functions includes trawling through the entire involved with the day to day finances If the New Engine Shaft enabled record collections of Longueville of the mine, but not in deciding to winding from the 342 yard level in solicitors (the Snailbeach mining invest in a new engine, although he 1837, while pumping was still done companies’ records) and the Henlle might make recommendations. from either the 192 yard level or Hall collection (Lovett family deeper, it does not explain why the documents concerning mining) in The Snailbeach partnership divided haulage level at datum (zero yards) Shropshire Archives. As well as profits in proportion to shares held, was dated ‘Snailbeach Co. 1848’ writing the paper Snailbeach Mine and injected capital from the private with a cast iron plate at its entrance, Pumping and Winding Machinery funds of the partners by the same or when and how the shaft was in British Mining (BM 78, Memoirs proportion when an investment was widened to include pitwork for the 2005) mentioned by Roger, I have agreed by the partners. It was not other facility. published several articles about funded in the more modern way Snailbeach in Below! and the club’s by fresh public issue of shares and There is map evidence, discussed and Journal over the years, and another calls on them. But there can be no illustrated in my BM paper, which paper Snailbeach Mine in the 1760s question that any agent or captain tells us the dates after which the New in BM 71 (Memoirs 2002). would have made capital investment Engine Shaft was sunk, and it must decisions and have his name put have been after 1837. The Black I would like to deal with Roger’s on a builder’s stone or plaque. He Hillock is an almost worthless waste various points in order. would not have been telling the heap at Snailbeach mine, where all shareholders what to do with their the hard rock spoil from sinking the John Jones & Date Stones money. New Engine Shaft down to the 342 John Jones and the early engine yard level was dumped. house and waterwheel date stones - There are significant developments I can’t help with the dates supposed in many mines known by the names The Tithe Apportionment (a to be engraved on the early engine of people associated with them (other property listing) and Tithe Map were house stone, but with the help of an than directors or shareholders). completed together between 1844 expert genealogist who is a friend of There are examples at Snailbeach, and 1847, and the Black Hillock does mine, I can throw some light on the notably Roberts’ Level (formerly not appear on either of them. This problem of John Jones. Perkin’s Level) and George’s Shaft shows that the New Engine Shaft can (otherwise known as Old or Ladder only have been sunk after completion There was a John Jones who was Shaft). Such examples, certainly of the Tithe survey, i.e. after 1844- the agent at Snailbeach mine around not at Snailbeach, have never been 1847. Maps later than 1848 show 1841 (confirmed by Roger’s dates recorded in date stones or plaques set the Black Hillock and how the local 1837-1839), but he was not the same in the fabric of the building or work, roads were diverted around it. My man as John Jones of Oswestry (the as is the case with Jones & Co. at the maps in BM 78 show the before and tanner) who was born about 1761. Waterwheel and the old rotary engine after of the roads, as well as the still Jones the lead mine agent was born house. extant Black Hillock, post-Tithe about 1801, aged about 40 at the survey. time of the 1841 Census. Usefully, The old engine house and Roger has found records of him as the functions of Old Shaft Therefore Roger’s proposal of agent in 1837-39 in the National Roger’s discussion of the functions any pumping or winding facility Library of Wales. of this engine house correctly repeats operating from Resting Hill from and paraphrases my BM paper, i.e. 1837 can be discounted. For In this part of the 19th century, the that it had either an atmospheric or a the same reasons I stand by my company was known as Jones & Boulton & Watt-type rotary engine, deduction of the 1848 date for Co. because John Jones of Oswestry which raised water using an angle completion of the entire Resting Hill was then the senior shareholder. This bob at the surface and also wound engine complex.

18 “Below” 2016.1 Snailbeach Mine History - A Theory, Response Continued ...

The application for a new evidence nor historical record to which can only have been to give lease in 1837 lend credence to statements that any them unhindered access for driving The Lovetts and John Jones applied significant works were completed at the adit. But in fact there is recently for the surrender of their 1834 lease Snailbeach mine in 1797. uncovered evidence of the actual and renewal of it in April 1837. This driving operation, a copy of which (a was nothing new. The company Absalom Francis’ report of newspaper serial in Border Counties * surrendered their lease of 1788 for a 1827 Advertizer) SCMC now owns . In new one in 1791. The term of a lease I have located this report in Salop this, extracts of the journal of partner at Snailbeach was 21 years, and with Archives, and in fact there are William Lovett’s superintendence of development plans often taking some two copies. The date of the report the mine in 1784 mention it several years (e.g. driving of levels to meet a coincides with a slump in prices and times. large reserve of ore) it paid to have a reduced sales in about 1825. complete term of lease ahead of the To repeat my earlier assertions, the company. This kind of activity is in Francis did mention “the bottom Wagbeach adit was driven in the the nature of forward planning for a Day Level”, which can be taken to early 1780s, and the waterwheel mining business. In the case of 1837, be the Wagbeach adit, as there were itself was installed in 1837. But the it marked the start of expensive legal never any levels or adits at the mine extension of the adit from the 112 proceedings and ultimately to the reaching daylight at a lower level. yard level to the New Engine Shaft Chancery Court. He did point out that Callow Hill was driven only for the latter shaft’s adit would take far too long to drive, first use in 1848. The actual problem in 1837 was would be far too expensive, and that Thomas Marquess of Bath had would not provide extra drainage at a The Naylor family died only days before (on 27 March cost saving above the cost of running Yes, the various Naylors or Nealors 1837), and his heirs were minors. a steam engine raising the water to associated with Snailbeach mine Administration of Bath’s will the Wagbeach adit. Roger correctly were all related, including the one was granted in July 1837, but the estimates the poor depth advantage living at Santley. My genealogist subsequent handling of it turned into that the Callow Hill level would have friend I mentioned earlier is a direct a long-running shambles as far as the provided. descendant of Samuel. Together we Snailbeach partners were concerned. have put together a good account of However Francis does not their involvement with Snailbeach Eventually the case was heard in recommend the installation of a mine, but I’m afraid I won’t be Chancery and ruled on by Richard steam pumping engine, although it publishing it before my Snailbeach T. Kindersley. On 16 June 1851, would have been reasonable to do so; mine book appears. the replacement lease ordered to neither does he say whether or not be provided by Kindersley was there was already one in place. Even Many thanks to the Editor for his produced and was made active from as far as ore crushing is concerned, continuing good work. 20 April 1849 for 21 years, there he does no more than state that at being no changes to royalties or Snailbeach the ore could be crushed References covenants and the company having using a machine driven by horses, paid all the due rents up to date. It rather than being bucked with 1. A. Cookson, “Snailbeach Mine in was signed by John Frederick Earl hammers. The ore was known to be the1760s”, (British Mining No.71, Cawdor and Charles Drummond (for soft. Memoirs 2002, Northern Mines Bath’s estate) and J. V. and Thos. Research Society). Lovett (for the Snailbeach company) The Wagbeach Adit 2. A. Cookson, “Snailbeach Mine: (SA 5982/34). As David Poyner kindly pointed pumping and winding machinery c. out in his letter in the last issue, I 1782-1856”, (British Mining No.78, What Arthur Aikin said in have already published in Below! a Memoirs 2005, Northern Mines 1797 transcript of a document mentioning Research Society). As I established in my BM 78 paper, “The long level from the brook” * The copies of the Border Counties the only statement which Aikin made being driven before 1820. Advertizer which featured was that Snailbeach mine was being extracts from William Lovett’s worked to a depth of 180 yards. This already discounts any theory of journal were amongst the items Other writers have made assertions it being driven in 1837. But I also that the Club acquired in the attributed to Aikin on the basis that published evidence of it being driven “Fort William Photocopies” - see the Victoria History of Shropshire in the early 1780s in my BM 78 ‘Below!’ 2015.4 page 13. made editorial errors in the footnotes, paper. This was the lease of Brook which I explained in my BM paper. Farm taken by the partners at the There is neither archaeological time of their Articles of Partnership,

“Below” 2016.1 19 What the Papers Said - “Wellington Journal & Shrewsbury News” Submitted by Steve Dewhirst

Question: In the article below there are 2 curious terms: “pounce” - which is a name for the floor (thanks to Ray Rushton), but what does “pash” mean? As in “We knew it was ‘pash’ before”.

Mannerley Lane trees, and then drew two roofs. After we had drawn INQUEST the second, the roof broke. The “pounce” gave way, On Monday last an inquest was held before J.Bidlake, and the roof came down in consequence. The stinking Esq., at the house of James Evans, known by the coal had been got about five yards below where we sign of the Peacock, at Mannerley lane on view of were working. We were in the pennystone. Since I the body of Thomas Morris, who was killed on the had been there the “pounce” had not been broken. I Friday previous as detailed in the following evidence:- can give no other explanation than there was a break in the bottom. The bottom seemed quite good to us. William Tonks deposed: I am a miner and work at the New Dale Pit, belonging to the Coalbrookdale Several tons of stuff came down, and the deceased Company. The Chartermaster is Henry Howells. I was completely buried. I had a narrow escape. It took have worked at the pit nearly 12 months. us two hours to get him out. He was quite dead. - The deceased worked at the same pit. He had not Thomas Beech deposed: I am ground-bailiff for the been working there for more than six weeks. On Coalbrookdale Company. I went down the pit in Friday last I was working with the deceased in the about two hours after the accident. I examined the pit. We were building up. It was an old work, and place, and went into the hole. The stinking coal had we were re-opening it a bit at a time. We were taking not been got in my time. It must have been gotten the old trees out and putting new trees in. We had very many years ago. He did not know the course been working there all morning. The deceased and I of the workings. The “pounce” had given way about examined the roof about twelve o’clock. It was a flint half-a-yard. This is the first instance that I have known roof, and was six feet high. The roof was all right, and of. We knew it was “pash” before, but it had always we had plenty of timber. stood. The deceased was one of the best men that could be set about the work. He understood it very Set three trees in a yard both sides, and laid across well. - Verdict, “Accidently killed.” about a foot from each other. I was working close to the deceased. We were both building up. We set four 25th January 1868 Christmas Puzzles - Solutions 1. You were asked to find these 21 ores and minerals: BARITE CUPRITE SCHORL STILBITE THULITE WULFENITE BAUXITE HUMITE SILICA THORITE WADD ZIRCON BERYL ILMENITE SMALTITE BORNITE POLLUCITE SPHENE CHROMITE RUTILE STIBNITE

FALL 2. Down the Ladder Changing FALL to SNOW by FAIL altering one letter at a time. FOIL FOOL FOOT SOOT SNOT SNOW

20 “Below” 2016.1 Welsh Mines Society Autumn Conference ‘Hall-Fest’ Saturday 24th September 2016

The conference, provisionally entitled ‘The fascination Cost that is in all mining’, will celebrate the late George The all-inclusive cost of £35 per attendee for the Hall’s life and mining interests and will be held in the conference includes unlimited coffee, tea and biscuits William Morris Conference Room at Mellington Hall during the day, a two course hot and cold buffet lunch Hotel, Church Stoke, Powys, SY15 6HX, on the border plus afternoon tea with homemade cakes. of South Shropshire and Montgomeryshire (Powys). Evening Dinner Organisers In the evening there will be a dinner at Mellington Hall David Roe & Rob Vernon. Hotel at 7:00 for 7:30 pm. This will be an à la carte menu with main courses around £15. Agenda The agenda for the day will start at around 9:30 am for Bookings coffee, with the conference starting at 10:30 am and Note that places are limited to a maximum of 50. finishing at 5:30 pm. So book your place on the conference well in advance by contacting: Speakers David Roe, Rob Vernon is arranging the speakers and already has 20 Lutterburn Street, around 10 presentations on various aspects of George’s Ugborough, life and mining interests. If you would like to contribute IVYBRIDGE, Devon PL21 0NG. to the conference as a speaker by presenting a paper, E-mail : [email protected] please contact Rob Vernon by email on : [email protected]. Further details will be available in the Welsh Mines It is intended that printed proceedings will be published. Society Spring 2016 Newsletter, and on their website. New Book - Don Regino by Robert & Margaret Vernon Don Regino: Reginald Bonham Sadly, at 11:40 am on 27th May 1906 Carter An English mechanical the 34 year old Reginald Bonham engineer in Linares, Spain. The Carter slipped and fell 18m down a story of his short life 1872 to 1906. winze at the Abundancia Mine, near Linares. ISBN: 9781849148962 Price: £11 +£4.50 Paperback, 290 pages, Crown size. He was greatly respected by all who This is the latest book written knew him and his funeral procession by Club members Rob and Boo at Linares was a quarter of a mile Vernon and is a result of their long long. He was laid to rest in the involvement with this fascinating protestant “English” cemetery in part of Spain with its incredible Linares - which was visited by Club range of Cornish engine houses and members during the 2011 trip to mining remains. Spain (see tombstone, right). Reginald Bonham Carter arrived in Known to his family as “Reggie”, but Linares in June 1897 to install pumps to the Spanish he was affectionately at La Tortilla Mine and wrote a letter known as “Don Regino”, hence the home to his mother in Hampshire title of the book. almost every week. The book is available as a “print He was one of the many mining on demand” book available from engineers that came to Spain to work completelynovel.com - you have to for the British mining companies, sign up for a free account to purchase but few left such a detailed record of a copy which they aim to get to you their time there. within 10 days. (I ordered my copy on a Wednesday afternoon and received the It is this collection of over 400 letters book Saturday morning! Kelvin) to the family which Rob and Boo To review or order a copy of the have studied to provide an insight book, the short link is: into life and mining in Linares 1897 to 1906. bit.ly/1UlWEnM

“Below” 2016.1 21 New Books and Events

New Club Publication - Now Available Aerial Ropeways of Shropshire - Cosford Waterworks and some minor Account 28 by Mike Shaw, David ropeways around the county. Poyner and Robert Evans, has just been published and is now available. Part 2 - West Shropshire, covers the ropeways from the Bog and It has taken quite some time to Huglith mines to Malehurst Mill near produce - mainly because new Pontesbury. It brings together a lot of material was constantly being the fieldwork and research that Club found. For example it wasn’t until members have done over the past 10 a Christmas walk earlier this year to 12 years while ‘tracing’ the routes stumbled upon a concrete ropeway of these ropeways. pylon base high on the hill above Perkins Beach, that the route of the It also briefly looks at some Perkins Beach ropeway could be ‘imaginary’ Shropshire ropeways. pinned down! A4 with soft covers, 68 pages The book is divided into 2 sections: and numerous photographs, both historical and modern, it has proved Part 1 - East Shropshire, covers a big hit with those that have seen it. the coal mine ropeways of Catherton Retail price £12+p&p. Club Common, Bayton, Billingsley members are entitled to a special and Alverley plus the ropeway at discounted price. Mines and Minerals of the Mendip Hills (limited print run) Celebrating the Tinworking Landscape of Dartmoor in its European Context, I caught sight of this two volume set at Hidden Earth and have to say its Prehistory to 20th Century excellent. Tavistock, Devon, 6th-11th May 2016 Author Peter Burr, The book comes The first international conference make this a truly memorable and as 2 volumes, totalling 1,000 pages, exploring the tinworking landscape important occasion for anyone nicely printed and hard covers. Only of Dartmoor in a European context, interested in Dartmoor’s history and 130 copies have been produced is to be held in Tavistock from 6-11 archaeology. Delegates will receive May 2016. It marks 25 years of the a Conference Booklet and a special They are available from Alan Gray Dartmoor Tinworking Research medallion crafted in tin. at Mendip Cave Registry ( I will Group, and 10 years of the UNESCO provide his email address if you World Heritage designation of the All bookings must be received by contact me) Cornwall & West Devon Mining 30 April 2016. The full Conference Mike Moore Landscape. Programme and details about International Early booking are now available on the Twelve lectures (including speakers DTRG website: Engines Conference from Czech Republic, France, www.dtrg.org.uk 11th-13th May 2017 Germany and Iberia, as well as At the Ironworks Centre, Elsecar, Britain), four evening events and The discounted cost is £175 per South Yorkshire. The purpose of the three full days of field trips, will person for the full six days. conference is to provide a forum for The 11th International Mining History Congress presentation and discussion of new 6th to 11th September 2016 research into heat engines prior to 1810. At Linares, Jaen (Andalucia), Spain Full details on the Congress website Organised by the Colectivo Proyecto A total of 18 papers, each of thirty www.mining2016linares.com Arrayanes in conjunction with the minutes duration are scheduled Linares town council, and others, for the conference, together with In the latter half of the 19th Century, there will be a full programme of excursions to local engine houses the Linares - La Carolina metal presentations and daily field trips to and related locations. mining fields in Spain were one some of the most significant mine It is intended to issue a call for of the world’s major producers of sites in the area. papers in January 2016, with lead the area contains the largest The Club visited the area a few years booking arrangements going live in. collection of Cornish type engine and if you can attend it should be September 2016. houses outside the United Kingdom. well worth it. Steve Grudgings

22 “Below” 2016.1 Books and Videos

Don Regino ‘Mongst More Mines , Compilation 52 Reginald Bonham Carter. An English During the 2007 NAMHO shaft, the Red River near Roscroggan mechanical engineer in Linares, Conference at Morwellham Quay the and the Cornish Gold Centre Spain. A story of his short life 1872 organisers arranged special visits to (containing the unique Tolgus tin to 1906. many mines in Devon and Cornwall streaming works). Afterwards, we and this Compilation features some stop briefly at St.Euny’s churchyard By Robert & Margaret Vernon. of them. A group of Club members to contemplate the many miner’s Available as a print on demand spent the following week exploring gravestones. publication - see page 21 for more more Cornish mines and many visits details. are featured here. An invitation from Mark Kaczmarek gave a welcome opportunity to re- The Last Years of Coal Locations visited include: visit the Camborne School of Mines Morwellham Quay including a brief (CSM) test mine. Mining in Yorkshire - A look at George & Charlotte copper Pictorial Record mine. Excelsior tunnel, followed by Author: Steve Grudgings, HB with a guided surface tour of the superbly dust jacket, 314pp, 250mm x 250mm preserved Kelly mine including the Anything written and produced by dressing mill, and explore various Steve is going to be good, I was levels of Great Rock shiny ore mine at first sceptical of the title, too underground. much has been produced on the The engine houses at Botallack. Coalfield, however, Steve provides superb colour and Black and White A walk round the buildings at Photos, featuring mining scenes Botallack on a fine sunny day is surface and underground with followed by a visit to Geevor tin suitable descriptions it is a superb mine, where we were very privileged book Some 56 pits and 5 pumping to be allowed to climb down 79 stations are included, the publisher Part of 12-head Cornish stamps, Blue metres of ladders in Victory shaft to has produced a great job, printed on Hills Tin Streams. Deep Adit level and explore it inland gloss paper all the photos are high to a dammed connection with the quality. In Cornwall we visit the excellent flooded neighbour Levant mine, then Blue Hills Tin Streams, take a stroll out along the long winding level to I’m offering this for £25.00 post free round the St. Agnes area, attend a the exit in the Trewellard cliffs. on my website. specially arranged visit to Wheal Mike Moore Peevor before it was opened to the public, re-visit the always interesting South West Stone Quarries Taylor’s shaft and Michell’s shaft - Building Stone Quaries in National Trust preserved Cornish the West of England. engines in Pool and examine mines of the Basset sett after conservation Author: Peter Stanier, 216 pages, for the UNESCO world heritage softback with 245 illustrations. The Western engine house on Old site (West Basset and Wheal Basset Engine shaft, Trewavas. This book looks at working quarries stamps and Marriott’s shaft). in the counties of Cornwall, Dorset, Finally we see that the engine houses A look round the splendid King Somerset, Wiltshire and in the of Wheal Trewavas near Rinsey cove Edward dressing mill is followed by Forest of Dean. As well as looking are just as impressive as Botallack, a visit to nearby Wheal Grenville at current operations and working after which we move to Bodmin and stamps, then we have a quick look at methods Peter compares these with mines around Caradon Hill: South a variety of sites: Brea tin streaming those found and described by the Phoenix, Phoenix United and Wheal works, South Crofty’s New Roskear Victorian geologist George Harris. Jenkin near Minions, then end at the extensive remains of South Caradon Available post free for £18 from copper mine. Twelveheads Press: www.twelveheads.com Running Time: 2 hours 6 minutes Price £ 14.40 - DVD (Full-feature) Most of the books mentioned here are available from Mike Moore at Available at Club meetings or online Club meetings, or online at Convex buddle, King Edward more details at: www.moorebooks.co.uk dressing mill. (taken from the video) www.iarecordings.org

“Below” 2016.1 23 Club Officers Diary Dates 2016

President: David Adams Membership, BCA Rep & 27th March: Columns Open Day, Insurance: Mike Davies Ogof Ffynon Ddu. 6th-11th May: Conference celebrating the Tinworking Landscape of Dartmoor in its Chair: Neal Rushton Tackle: Andy Harris European Context Prehistory to the 20th Century, Tavistock, Devon. 17th-19th June: NAMHO Vice Chair: Gareth Rushton Conference, Dublin, Ireland. More Training Officer: details will be available (soon) on: Andrew Wood www.NAMHOconference.org.uk 13th-20th August: 5th European Secretary: Andrew Wood Speleological Congress, Yorkshire [email protected] Dales. Due to this event there will First Aid Officer: NOT be a ‘Hidden Earth’ in 2016. Alan Moseley Pre-Congress trips include Nenthead (organised by Steve Holding), caving in Mendip, South Wales, & Peaks. Treasurer: Marian Boston www.eurospeleo.uk 6th-11th September: International Bat Officer: Mike Worsfold Mining History Congress (IMHC) Linares, Spain. Opening reception Conservation: David Poyner Monday 5th September. www.mining2016linares.com 9th-14th September: Association ‘Below’ Editor, Publications: for Industrial Archaeology Annual Kelvin Lake Conference, Telford. NAMHO Rep: Steve Holding e-mail: [email protected] 24th September: Welsh Mines Society Autumn Conference - “Hall Fest”, celebrating George Hall’s life and mining interests, Mellington Hall, Powys. (see page 21)

The perils of long term kit storage ...

Brought a new rope I’ve had in the shed for a while ... What !! Oh! Great !!

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

24 “Below” 2016.1