rhe AssocrAroN ror TNDU'TRTAL ARcHAEoLocy BU I let n n Volumel3 Number 1 Winter 1985

Arthur Raistrick,our AIA lronbridge Conference in 1979 will know But after all these vears and with all the Vice that he has been deeolv involved with Coalbrook- many aspects of Industrial History./Archaeology honoured dale for many years and with the lronbridge he has been involved in ArthLir Raistrick has Prcsident Gorge Museum project since its inception. never lost his basic enthusiasm. His meticulous research conclusions, his insatiable curiosity for Arthur Raistrick at Culbrookdale. A photograph facts and his simple philosophy for life, all taken at the opening of the Old Furnace building combine to make him the most aoproachable of in July 1982. men.

In addition to the 'working Council' of the Association: officials, editors and those people who look after conservation matters and the like, the AIA has sought to honour, with non- elective Vice-Presidencies those who have supported for many years the cause of industrial and technological history. In 1984 George Watkins..,'Mr Stationary Steam' became the Association's first Honorary Vice-President and this autumn Dr Arthur Raistrick accepted the Council's invitation to join him. Like George Watkins, Arthur Raistrick has campaigned for the recognition of industrial archaeology' for many, many years. Only of course it wasn't called that until comparatively recently. After his early years at Bradford Grammar School he gained an Honours degree in Civil Engineering at Leeds University, taking MSc and PhD degrees in geology, also at Leeds. He undertook research into mining geology from 1924and in 1929 was appointed lecturer, later reader. in Geology applied to mining and civil engineering, at King's College, the University of Durham" A position he held until 1956. From 1945 until 1970 he was an Extra-Mural Tutor at the Universities of Leeds, Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne and has honorary degrees from Leeds and Bradford Universities. He has been a WEA lecturer since 1922. His books include: Two centuriq of industrial wel{arc (The London Lead Companyl, Dynasty of lronfounden, The Darbys of Coalbrookdale, Qtaken in Science and lndustry, History of Lead Mining in the Pennin*, lndustrial Archaeolory: an historical survey, Lead Mining in the Mid-Pennines, the Lead lndustry of Wensleydale and Swaledale and many books on Yorkshire life and work in the county he loves so dearly. He has been awarded the Clough Medal of the Scottish Geological Society, the Sorby Medal of the Yorkshire Geological Society and the Lyell Award of the Geological Society. Those who were privileged to hear Arthur Raistrick give the Rolt Memorial Lecture at the In 1986 he will be g0 years of age. We look fonrvard confidently to his being our honoured Honorary Vice-President for many years.

ln AIA Bulletin 12/4 lthe last one) we featured an article by Derek Brumhead on the remarkable series of Fire Insurance Plans produced by Charles E Goad Limited between 1886 and 1970. Unfortunately we quoted incorrect prices and would like to thank those people who pointed this out. For the record the full cataloguo is f25, a catalogue of the UK section only is €15, indiviclual sheets cost from fr2 (poor condition) to f5 (good condition) and the 44 bookfet British Fire lnsurance plans cost f2.00 including postage.

Industrial archaeology is all things to all people and one of the most rewarding aspects of our study takes place when several people, each with a different talent and united bv enthusiasm get together. Such an enterprise is the splendid little book (/.t entitfed Cordell Country, written by Chris Barber (a journalist and outdoor enthusiast) t- illustrated by Michael Blackmore (an aftist and admirer of industrial landscapes) and supported =s',- arlt by industrial archaeologists Adrian Babbidge and John van Laun, who have spent many hours exploring the area around Garnddyrys near Blaenavon in South Wales" Garnddyrys was, but no longer is, a thriving industrial community at the head of the eastern rclley above Blaenavon in Gwent (then Monmouth. Looking down the Llanfoist incline shire) where in 1789, an iron puddling furnace began operations. lt was quickly followed by Hill's tramroad in Cwm lfor showing the four others and within a relatively short time dd Blacksmith's shop which at one time these hillside forges were turning out 300 tons/ tu.* also known as the Tumble Beerhouse week of finished product. lron. bars and rails which were sent to many parts of Britain and overseas. In the 1850s it produced the iron for the famous Crumlin viaduct. The success of the iron producing district around Blaenavon brought about the downfall of Garnddyrys which was thought to be in a most inconvenient place in relation to Blaenavon and more importantly with regard to Newport and potential customers. In 1853 a shareholders rneeting decided to recommend the dismantling of the ironworks and its re€rection at the Forge works at Blaenavon and this was carried out.in 1 860. From then on Garnddyrys quickly fell into disrepair, perhaps ruins would be a better word, '1959 and was all but forgotten until when a one-time civil servant from Llanellen launched what was to become a best selling novel:. Rape --t of the Fair Country. Alexander Cordell's story of the 1 9th century iron iridustry in the Blaenavon area in general and Garnddyrys in t@s a town of dead, stnngled by the ribbon of Blackmore such as those illustrated here, \ruhich particular (he spells it Garndyrus) has sold the lhk that gleamed and flashed in to scudding show the few present day remnants on the moun- several million copies and has been translated moonlight.' tain road from Abergavenny to Clydach in a new into seventeen languages, and the story is based The result, after many vears of meticulous and revealing way. on preparation, careful research into the happenings before, is Cordell Country. lt is basically . Would that all industrial archaeological in- during and after the Chartist Rebellion in and an 80 page guide to the area bounded by vestigations ended in such a commendable way around this one time busy industrial community Brynmawr, Abergavenny and Blaenavon with but few can be inspired by such rhetoric and which is no more. detailed route instructions for six separate walks blessed with such dedicated persistance and This book certainly inspired Chris Barber to which take in all the major industrial sites sympathetic professi onal ism. find out more about Garnddyrys and the events mentioned in Rape of the Fair Country. There Cordell Country can be obtained from which producing resulted in Alexander Cordell are twenty-three photographs, all of historic Blorenge Books,3 Holywell Road, Abergavenny, such evocative passages as'The mountain tres places and people and including such gems as Gwent NP7 5LP at f4.20 plus postage and shuddering to the foryB hammes of Garndyrus, Blaenavon Bessemer Contnrten in 1896 and pack ing. and faindy on the wind came the plaintive sing: Pwll4u limestone quarry workerc in 1890. ing of the lrish haulen. Llanfoist farms were And there are twenty+even drawings and maps, Smethwick New Pumping Station. The Pumping sleeping pit-blakness in the below, their blind some very old such as Natyglo ironworks in l82O Station is a Grade ll Listed Building which windovrts winking at the sta6, and AbergBvenny but many modern reconstructions by Michael occupies a prominent position between the Old 2 and New Main Line Canals, constructed by available for exhibitions and small relics display. vation. The SPAB were represented, and Smeaton and Telford respectively, at Brasshouse The horse trams themselves have also become participants were provided with a good deal of Lane, Smethwick. Completed in 1892, it was the the subjects of a Science Museum grant in background information about the Society's last of its kind on the Birmingham Canal Naviga- respect of their purchase and restoration costs. very important Domesday Barns Survey. Two tion and remained working until the early 1920s. The first to be tackled will be No8, built by the speakers gave details of suryey work being under- Unfortunately the machinery was scrapped and Midland Railway Carriage and Wagon Co in 1899, taken - Jane Wade talking about the survey which the building was part filled with dredgings. In this being in the more complete condition of the she and her students from Canterbury College of addition, the f reestanding chimney was demolished. two, No 8 was the last horse tram to enter service art are doing in Kent, and Edwin Course describ- From about 1930 to 1982 the Pumping Station in Leamington and Warwick and only ran for six ing the Farm Survey, which the Southampton stood unused and became derelict. The building years until the electrification of the tramway in University Industrial Archaeology Group are is now being restored for use as a canal interpreta- 1905, tt was then sold off for f5 for use as undertaking in Hampshire. tion centre under the Manpower Services livi ng accommodati on and mi raculousl y survived The final dav of the conference was devoted Commission Agency and will form the focus of a in this guise for 79 years before being rescued by to Field Visits. Richard Harris of the Weald and large Conservation Area. the Museum last vear. Downland Open Air Museum had already intro- As part of the project an appropriate Tangye duced the farms to be visited in a lecture the pumping engine has been obtained and will be The Gunpowder Mills Study Group held its previous day, and participants were issued with restored. Two Lancashire boilers have also been second meeting on 1 2th October at the North a quantity of very useful written material to located and will be installed. One of the boilers Woolwich Station Museum in east London, a assist their study. In the morning, we visited is an 8 ft diameter Thomson and has a cast front, recently opened museum of the Great Eastern three linked farms at Upwaltham, and this pro- the other is a 7ft 6in diameter Danks with a Railway. vided the opportunity to see a working Down- rivetted plate front. Talks were given by Wesley Harry on the land farmstead. After lunch, we went to Stag Mr M W Harris would be pleased if AIA history of Woolwich Arcenal, by Malcolm McLaren Park Farm, a fascinating'Model' farm on the members knew of this project. The two boilers on the Royal Gunpowder Mills at Waltham Abbey Petworth Estate - an unexpected bonus was the are to be returned to their original coal fired and by Bryan Earl on the technology of the tran- inclusion of a drive through Petworth Park with state and he would be grateful for any help in sition from black powder to modern explosives. its magnif icent herds of deer, and glimpses of providing or locating suitable coal doors, grates Short contributions from members included a the mansion across the lake. and other associated equipment, A Mr Mcllroy talk on early powder making in the fortifications About fifty people attended the Historic is responsible for the project and can be contacted of Southampton, slides of the remains of gun- Farm Buildings Group's Conference, which also at P O Box 42, Wigmore, Pennyhill Lane, powder mills in Scotland and an account cf the included the Group's first Annual General West Bromwich, Sandwell, West Midlands archaeological and conservation work being Meeting. lt is hoped to hold a similar event next 871 3RZ or by telephoning 021-569-4619. undertaken by Cork County Council at the site Autumn, in East Anglia, and this should be of of the former government factory at Ballin- interest to mahy AIA members, Anyone who collig in the Republic of lreland. would like to join the group, should write to Progress is being made in preparing a its Secretary, Roy Brigden, at the lvluseum of BIRMINGHAM gazetteer of gunpowder sites in Britain, The English Rural Life, University of Reading, Group plans to hold its next London meeting in PO Box 229,Reading BG62AG. Tel: aufumn 1986 and to arrange a provincial visit in lo734l 875123. RAI$VTY the spring. Several articles and books by members have been published recently: Officerc and Commitee of the Group. Chairman: ilusEuM Glenyn Crocker'A guide to the Chilworth gun- Mr Nigel Harvey, Vice-Chairman: Mr Andrew powder mills' Surrey Industrial History Group, Patterson (Science Museum), Secretarv: Mr 1985. 16pp, f0.60. Roy Brigden (Museum of English Rural Life), Two of a Kind. Grant aid f rom the West Midland Ke i th Fa i rcl ou gh' Ea rl y gu n powder p roducti on at Treasurer: Mr Nicholas Molyneux. County Council will enable Birmingham Railway Irlhltham', Essex Journal, Vol 20, No 1, Spring Committee: Miss Frances Campbell (Ministry Museum return a second GWB 'Castle' class to 1985,1 1-16. of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food), Mr Stephen locomotive to working order. Subject to a f inal P Philo and J Mills 'Ihe Bedfont gunpowder Croad (Royal Commission on Historical Monu- inspection once the component parts are dis- mills' London Archaeologist, Vol 5, No 4, rrrents), Mrs Susan Denyer (National Trust), mantled, it is expected that the chosen loco- Autumn 1985, 94-102 (copies available from Miss Carole Byan (Shropshire County Council), motive will be No 5080'Defiant'. This P Philo at the address below @ f 1.00 inc p&p). Mr John Severn, Miss Jane Wade (Canterbury will enable a true GWR 'Castle' to be seen in Tom Pritchard, Jack Evans and Sydney Johnson College of Art), Dr Susanna Wade-Martins action at Tyseley and further afield. (7029 'The old gunpowder factory at Glynneath'. (University of East Anglia), Dr Eurwyn William 'Clun Castle' was BR- built in 1950). Merthyr Tydfil & District Naturalists' Society, (Welsh Folk Museum), Mr Christopher Zeuner It is likely, however, that the boiler f rom 1985. 46pp. f2.50. (Weald and Downland Open Air Museum). No 7027 'Thornbury Castle' will be used in the The Group now has an informal membership rebuild as this has a 3-row superheater and the of about 50 people who are all actively engaged Obiests of the Group, The objects of the Group firebox contains some monel stays. in research projects. Further information from are the advancement of the study of the history Warley College of Technology willbe Phil Philo, Gunnersbury Park Museum, London of farm buildings in the British lsles, including assisting with the machining work required, w3 8LO. their related equipment and the agrarian and especially on the motion and the provision of economic systems of which they f ormed part, and skilled labour will be funded by the Manpower the promotion, where appropriate, of their con- Services Commission. Work is expected to take Historic Farm Buildings Group Conference. In servati on. some eighteen months. 'Defiant' will be the first rural counties such as Hampshire, and Norfolk, ex-Barry locomotive to be returned to working farming is a very important industry, and Membership. Membership is open to all interested order by the Museum. historic farm buildings and machinery are thus in the past, present and future of old farm of considerable interest to local industrial bui ldi ngs. First Phase of Reconstruction of the GWR archaeologists. Relatively recently a national Stores Building to Begn. Birmingham Railway group has been formed, concerned with historic Subscription is f5 per annum, payable on January Museum has received confirmation of a f 10,000 farm buildings, and this body held a weekend 1 st. grant to be made by the Museums and Galleries Conferencefrom 1 1 - 13 October, at West Dean Pam Moore Commission to enable the first phase of re- Col lege, near Chichester. construction of the old GWR stores building at Friday evening and Saturday were der/oted to National Stone Centre. A somewhat overlooked Tyseley. The grant will enable part of the lectures, the subjects of which were wide ranging. industry, the quarrying of stone has not generally ground floor to be rebuilt (allowing for further Peter White, of HBMC spoke about the been a topic to stir the imagination. Yet, Peter expansion at a later date). Currently the building Commission's role in the protection of outstanding Stanier has shown in his interesting article in is used to accommodate the two Leamington examples of farm buildings, and Frances Campbell the lndustrial Archaeology r?evrerar (Spring 1985) and Warwick horse trams, but when these are talked on the part which the Ministry of Agri- on'The granite quarrying industry in Devon removed for restoration the buildino will be culture, Fisheries and Food could play in conser- and Cornvmll: Part 1 l8N-19t0', a study of 3 --1

COAL HILLS OUARRY tonilEatv tlRt|rcAoAM PLANT srDt'|cs Lolorxc BAY ^No . E rHrErTrox oF InlilsPonl rusEUr . oulRBYtNo Tn^l|sPoallttor,| vEHtctEs lt*,I...., TECHtrtOUCS NORTH EAST OUARRY ^NO . MOOEn{ EXtnlCltON

..,..., --_:. "i I I iEcLErN +tra I CorcMl Qwf | .r".. sHAW'S I UPPEn WESI OUAnRY, \ tit, ( "'..i1,\o- towER wESt ou^nRY I ,i . IYPICAL TWO 8EI{CH OUARRY SOUTH EAST OUARRY . €tHtB|ltoll oF sPEctALtst . woit(|ltc stElm cnANE ilAC}IIXEFV AND EOUIPI,lENT . BLOCXSTONE CUtltrc t AcxrrEnY THE COLEHILL SITE FOOTPAII{ TO WIRKSWOFTH

stone quarrying can provide splendid material for 4 Within a mile of the site, it is possible to study Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3AG. He would also inter-related studies in geology, industrial pro- outcrops of sandstone, dolomite, igneous rock, be particularly interested to hear of views on how

cesses, architecture, and transport historv. I n and vein mineralisation particularly galena and the site might be developed or of records, arte- addition, many old, abandoned quarries, are associated minerals, facts and photographs which relate to both the havens of biological interest, 5 The many active quarries around provide a wide subjects being covered and to the site itself. With the exploitation of such heritage in variety of quarry types and a variety of products. Derek Brumhead mind, a National Stone Centre was formally 6 The line of the former Cromford and High Peak launched two years ago and a site purchased in Railway passes through the middle of the site; Sygun Copper Mine near Beddgelert is planning May 1984. This is the Colehill site near immediatelv to the west is the former Middleton to open to the general public next Easter. Wirksworth, Derbyshire, in the south€ast Incline, at the top of which is the Middleton Top Visitors will enter the mine along the Deep corner of the Peak District. lt is a 50 acre' Engine House with its steam beam winding engine, Adit which eventuallv connects with the complex of six abandoned limestone quarries a remarkable survival. worki ngs, where timberi ng, mineralisation, ore in the middle of one of the most important 7 The immediate area is of considerable Interest to shutes etc can be seen. The tour will continue quarrying districts in the country. Purchased the industrial historian. As well as the CHPR - up through the workings and levels, access by by the Derbyshire County Council, it will be now used as the high Peak Trail with cycle hire staircases. The Victoria Level is then reached 'leased to a company limited by guarantee which facilities at Middleton Top - there is the former where visitors exit onto the hillside some has been formed to implement the scheme. industrial village of Cromford nearby with the 200 ft above the starting point. Fund raising has commenced. Plans are that the Arkwright Mill Museum; the Cromford Canal The guided tour will take approx 40 minutes enterprise should eventually include a museum, and terminal Basin: the Leewood pumping in the mine, An interpretive centre will explain ihterpretative displays, facilities for semi nars, engine; the railway from Derby to Matlock Bath the past importance of metalliferous mining to conferences, field courses, and for professional (former Midland Railway); the Crich Tramway the area, social history, mineralogy and geology. and technical training. Surveys, inventories, Museum; the lead mining museum at Matlock Surface features which include Elmore's Flota- fuasibility and marketing studies are under way Bath; Magpie Mine, a lead mine with supe;'b tion Plant and dressing f loors C1838 will help to or planned. Meanwhile. on an adjacent site, surface remains; and the village of Wirksworth, explain how ore processing has developed. work has begun on two associated developments: whose Civic Trust Project for the restoration and Information from: Phil Amies, Ty Hen, a National Stone Trade Centr€, a shop window regeneration of the village won the 1982 Europa Eleddgef ert, Zaetnarton, Gwynedd. for the industry and its servicing organisations, Nostra Award. All more than enough for a study and a small industrial estate. holiday or field course! lt follows that the The Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society has The main advantages of the complex are: National Stone Centre will add a further dimen- successfully operated the Railway for the benefit The worked-out quarries provide a cross section sion to the industrial studies of the area. of tourists for the last 35 years. The Railway of modern and older techniques of quarrying. Although the project is in an early stage and was originally built to carry slate from the Bryn z There are several old lime kilns. facilities cannot yet be offered on the site, never. Eglwys quarry, and was opened in 1865. The Geologically, the site possesses one of the best theless there is much to see of interest. Visits Railway runs from Tywyn, on the mid Wales and readily accessible examples in Great Britain are possible and request for further information, coast, to Nant Gwernol, about a mile and a of a limestone fringe reef complex including access permits, and indemnity forms should be half short of the former quarries. the core of the reef in threedimensional cross- addressed to Mr I A Thomas, National Stone The last 'l % miles contained two rope section. This has been given site of Special Centre, c/o Countv Planning Department, worked inclines and a horse tramway. lt is Scientific I nterest (SSSI ) status. Derbyshire County Council, County Offices, hoped to restore a former winding house on l. Alltwyllt incline, above Nant Gwernol station, encounged the Board to obtain permission to they had had a splendid time north of the border. and former stables. The latter will house an present the Eill to Parliament for the necesnry And after having been warned that the previous interpretive display highlighting the heritage of powers. Finance for the restorction is expected month had been the wettest August in Glasgow the Talyllyn Railway and the slate industry it to cqne in large measure from thor,e who will for over a hundred years, the AIA was lucky served. lt will be a diff icult project because there benefit from this exciting prciect'. with its weather over the Conference weekend. is no road access to the site, and the winding In 1983, a Consortium consisting of the The wet weather threatened to break at any perched house is on a rock face. Welsh Development Agency, the British Water- time - but never quite did. lt was obviously problem The biggest is, however, that ways Board, Mid-Wales Development, the Wales saving itself - because a newspaper headline members of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Tourist Board, Shropshire County Council and shortly after delegates had left the area read Society preoccupied are with operating and main- the Inland Waterways Association, commissioned City clearc chao after three inch deluge - and taining the Railway. Progress on restoration W S Atkins and Partners, Consultants, to under- the article gave details of the closing of roads work has regrettably had to take second place. take an assessment of the cost and resultant and the entire underground system. But they feel that this project may appeal to regional economic benefits of restoration of the The organisers had provided a pre-Conference people interested in industrial archaeology in general, and mines and quarries in particular. Any members of the AIA who may be interested in helping in this restoration project with the Talyllyn Railway Society purchasing all necessary materials and delivering them to site, should contact lan Evans, AlJWllt lncline Project Co-ordinator, 23 Orchard Drive, Theydon Bois, Essex CMl6 7DH,

The River Parrett is a tidal, winding river, with a bore, and is also a drain for f lood waters from the somerset moors. There has always been a problem with silting up, mud from the moors, sand from the tides etc. In 1893 the Somersetshire Drainage Commi- ssion held a competition for a dredger. Seven- teen schemes were sent in, the competition being won by Mr Frank Wills with his design for an 'eroding' vessel. lt comprised a centrifugal pump, mounted on a steamboat, which pumped jets of water at a pressure of 35 Ibs sq inch, eroding the silt. The contract was signed in December of the same year, and the appropri- atelv named 'Pioneer'stafted work in the following June. Before long complaints were being made that her crew were in the habit of Canal for use as a recreation and leisure facility. programme of events. Many delegates were able blowing the engine whistle to frighten cattle! She The Consultants' Beport published in 1983 to reach Glasgow in time for some or all of them. continued in service for twenty-three years, her concluded 'that restoration of the Montgomery For instance, the visit to the Wanloc*head and success leading to other contracts, including the Canal to Cruising Waterway standard is justified Leadhills mining area - going as we were to the 'Whangpoo Eroder'Ior the lrrawaddy Flotilla by the anticipated regional economic benefits highest village in Scotland - could have been a Company, and that this would make a major contribution to very depressing experience in wet weather. f he'Persevere'was built by W & F Wills realisation of the existing policies to increase Instead, the morning was brilliantly sunny, and in 1932, with the same general layout, but with tourism activities in the region'. delegates were able to wander around the 7" pumps and a Petter engine. Tests showed The Report has been the subject of detailed various mine sites (going underground on an that on a'spring' tide the amount of silt deposited consideration by Members of the Consortium and adit level ) at what turned out to be a most over a seven mile reach was about 1 000 tons per other bodies concerned with restoration of water- fascinating complex of sites. The village of mile. The 'Penevere', working on the ebb tide ways and regional development. Throughout Wanlockhead is clearly beginning to benefit for six days, on one tide per day removed be- these discussions it has been recognised that the from the interest in the industrial archaeological tween 40000 and 5000O tons of mud, the Board's role is limited by Statute to maintain remains being showed by the general public, channel being rdeepened by 4 ft over a mile the waterway consistent with the requirements and indeed it is probably only this interest which stretch of water' of public health and the preservation of amenity can now provide a long term future for the Mary Mites and safetv. Once restoration has been success- village. There are proposals to construct and fully completed and the necessary maintenance operate a narrow gauge railway between Lead- Restoration of Montgomery Canal - Board agreements have been negotiated with the relevant hills and Wanlockhead on the former to Promote Privats Bill. The British water- local authorities, the Board will consider Caledonian/LMS trackbed, for a distance of ways Board announce that they have received recommending the promotion of the waterway aboul 1% miles. This is being planned by the the Consent of the Secretary of State the for to the Cruising network. Lowthers Railway Society, and further details Environment to promote a Private Bill which As part of the procedures for preparing the can be obtained by writing to Mr Tom Gormal will provide the vehicle for the restoration of Bill, the Board will be publishing in due course a at 73 Main Street, Leadhills, Lanarkshire the Montgomery junction Canal from its with Consultation Document to give all concerned, in ML12 6XP. the Llangollen Canal at Welsh Frankton to particular those whose interests may be affected The original line was commenced in 1900, Newtown to a standard equivalent a Cruising to by the proposals, and opportunity to comment. and it reached Wanlockhead (altitude 1413 fr) Waterway. The Board propose to promote the In the meantime, Members of the Consortium in October 1902 a distance of 7% miles. The Bill in the 1986/87 Session of Parliament. The - will be encouraging private investors to recognise line was closed on the 31st December1938, the Canal, which was closed to navigation by Act of the splendid opportunity which restoration of lead mines which it served having gone into Parliament in 1944, is a Bemainder Waterway the Canal will present for tourism and amenity liquidation. One of the engines which operated under the provisions of the Transport Act 1968. development in the Region. on the branch line was acquired by the Scottish In welcoming the Secretary of State's Railway Pteservation Society and has been decision, the Chairman of the Board. Sir Leslie restored to its originalCaledonian livery, and I Young, said 'The Berd is keen to develop their 1985 Conference Glasgow's - Miles Betterl can be seen operating at Bo'ness. The Wanlock- vaterways for leisure and tourism. The con- This is the promotional slogan used by Glasgow head Museum Trust publishes a series of small sidenble interest shown by influential bodies and Strathclyde, and delegates year's to this booklets (one of which is entitled 'Elvanfoot in Shropshirc and in the Principality of Wales has AIA Conference no - would doubt agree that Mnlockhead light nilway'l which are obtainable 5 achievements of the original from the museum at Wanlockhead itself. These the streets of Glasgow before breakfast and then scale of the and Richard Arkwright include 'Lochnell, visit a mine', 'Wantockhead the still, quiet streets could be readily appreciated. founders - David Dale - so much more apparent when the size Beam Engine', also'Men of the Lowther Hitts', lt is obvious that in recent years great efforts became buildings could properly be 'wanlockhead Minerc Library', and a reprint of have been made in the centre of Glasgow to and range of New Lanark was built around 'God's Treasurehouse in Scotland' , being a improve the environment and buildings. Some aooreciated. famous falls of Clyde to provide historv of the times, mines and lands in the of the architecture gave one a silent but clear 1785 to use the '1 power Delegates were able southern highlands, originally published in 876' idea of the former confidence and prosperity for a cotton mill. to view the entire range of buildings, inciuding the counting house, Caithness Row, and the mill and institute'for the formation of character'. It was amazing to conte.nplate that by 1799 New L-anark was the biggest cotton mill in Scotland and that over 2000 people lived or worked in the

r ,! rl 'lt

(formerly Stuart Hotel), Ctyde Hatl the Boyal A are opportunity for confercnce delegtes to visit the rooftops of building, at New Lana* tnnue for the 1985 AIA Glasgow Conference

Nor is this a site for purely archive virtually reconstructed on the same site in 1 9 1 4. thanked for their kindness in opening the museum village. manufacture of cotton continued The manufacture of gas ceased on the 4th January to a party in the evening, quite outside normal research - as the years, until'1968. The preserva- 1973, Delegates also visited the Glastone Court opening hours. Delegates happily wandered for nearly 200 complex can truly be called a Museum in Biggr, which aims to reconstruct around the collection of trams, locomotives, tion of this New Lanark Con- different shop premises of yesteryear as a way of cars and ship models. lt was a positive delight national achievement. The various local exhibitino domestic and commercial preserved to be able to have greater freedom than the servation Trust - together with and the Renfrew District Council iterrs. general public, and to see the enormous tourist boards is to be con- On Friday, before the Conference began, there collection of ship models in the Clyde Room. Museums and Art Gallery Service 'l provide gratulated on the production Scotland's Cotton was a visit to Lorimar and Clarke's Brewery in The 6 showcases have been designed to quite pocket guide to the surviving industrial Edinburgh and pleasure was only clear and unobstructed viewing of models of Trail - a - of the cotton industry at slightly spoiled b ity to visit the tasting considerable complexity and detail. The models archaeological sites Lanark, Catrine, and Stewarton, room because of of time! In the of the aueens and HMS Hood and HMS Howe Blantyre, New meanshile, another small group of delegates visited will remain in this writer's memory as one of and Paisley. accommodated the Con' the Auchentoshan Distillery which had been built the highlights of the Conference. Saturday evening Presidential Address, and in 1823 to utilise the waters f lowing off the And then the Conference proper began' ference dinner, Award. This Kiloatrick Hills, near Dalmuir. The distillery Delegates were glad to have contributions from Dresentation of the Dorothea year given Shhley's Bone Mills at produces a single malt whisky which has recently John Hume and John Butt on the Friday evening' this was to on The Chairman of been awarded a gold medal and which was greatly and then on Saturday the bi-annual forum sesslon Etruria in Stoke Trent. work on this site, Mr appreciated by the delegates on the visit. enabled delegates to air various points which will those responsible for the present to receive the award One of the Conference Lecturers was Charles subsequently be discussed by Council. The Mike Walton, was Dorothea Restoration McMaster, who spoke on the brewing industry. % Aff iliated Societies meeting was the best attended from Geoff Wallis of Engi neers. He is the secretary and Archivist to the Scoftish ever, and the morning's lecture by Mr M Moss on Association held its AGM. A Brewing Archive which is based at Herriot-Watt shipbuilding on the clyde was a tour de force' On Sunday, the Miss Carol Whittaker University, Edinburgh. The Brewing Archive He was able to guide us through 200 years of new member of Council - - is in the Scottish In' oublishes a newsletter in connection with its aim shipbuilding on the clyde, with the technical was elected and involved Project, which aims to catalogue to secure the preservation and consolidation of innovations, mergers and manufacturing aspects dustrial Heritage Scotland. brewing archive and other matertal. Another brought before us with commendable clarity. industrial collections in The Rolt Memorial Lecture which followed speaker at the Conference - this time as a It was a great achievement. given a prominent position in the member's contribution was a National Trust In the afternoon, the traditional excursions the AGM is - as benefits an address reoresentative from the Aberdulais Falls Site left Glasgow for their different destinations - conference timetable, great pioneer, Tom Rolt. The in the Vale of Neath, whose contribution was New Lanark, the Scottish Mining Museum' and named after that was pleased that Sonia Rolt could based on the wavs in which artists and engravers the Scottish Railway Preservation Society's site Association present to hear this year's lecture as it in the past had illustrated the Aberdulais Falls Site' at Bo'ness. The visit to New Lanark was some- again be given by Council Member, and friend, Douglas Delegates - if they wanted to see anything of thing which this writer was determined not to was thecitycentre,-hadtogetupearlyandwalk miss. Inascenicallydelightful position,the Hague, Douglas's chosen topic was The Artist as 6 Wtness and through his illustrations, he sought Report on the Dorothea Awatds, 1985. At the in the restoration of farm machinerv on behalf to show delegates - in his own inimitable style - presentation of the commemorative plaque to the of the Staffordshire Farming Museum at Shug- the ways in which artists had depicted industrial 1984 winners of the Dorothea Award, the judges borough, and demonstrated a range of work archaeological sites ( main ly li ghthouses) f rom spoke of the difficulties of beginning a new from the stabilisation of corrosion to the restora- which clues could be gleaned as to the manner award scheme, and of the pleasures of discover- tion of a threshing machine and other implements of construction and operation even where ing the work of such groups as the Ruddington to working order. The work and methods are physical remains were now sadly no |onger with us. Framework Knitters Preservation Trust, 1984 directed by museum staff, and the results are an And then, before delegates dispersed, there winners, and the quality of the work being done. important contribution to the Museum's ooen were two items which proved to be fascinating. In 1985 the response to publicity has been working days. The first, 'Local Authorities and Industrial rather more restrained, perhaps rightly in some The Shirley's Bone and Flint Mill Volunteer Archaeology' with a panel of chief planning senses as the various volunteer groups recognise Group also operates in Staffordshire, and also has officers from the area surrounding the Conference the purpose of the Award scheme: and perhaps the strong suoport of the local museum, in this venue. The speakers had been persuaded to too because groups have seen the scale of last case from the Department of Social History at

lf' :',! te

ir - 'r Conference Organiser Professor John Butt 8o'ness sation, June 30, | 985 with *andinavian vintage headed by sJB class locomotiw shepherding delegates b*k to the c@ch in and Haymarket Tnin Shed in b*kground. Picture by T H Noble New Lanark

contribute by Professor John Butt and what a year's entrants, and feel that they cannot com- Stoke-on-Trent Museum, A steam-powered mill wise choice. They were able to throw light on pete. This should not deter small groups engaged which ground bones and flints for the pottery how Council decisions were made - and why - in limited conservation work from submitting industry has been dug out and restored to and should give delegates much food for their entries. The Dorotirea Award was conceived working order from tons of hardened waste, thought when dealing with their own local as a means of encouraging all kinds of restora- the gargantuan task amply recorded in colour

authorities. They were willing to answer tion and conservation work, from individuals as sl i des. questions, and a Iively session ensued, Second- tvell as groups; resources are t.lken into account In considering the entries, the judges were ly, what industrial archaeology should be about. as well as quantity and quality of workmanship. again disposed to reward the'hands on' approach Mr Geoffrey Hay f rom the Royal Commission on This year there were four entries, exhibiting to the dirty end of conservation work which Ancient Monuments in Scotland addressed the a variety of approaches, though all representing uas well displayed by three of the entries. delegates on the work of the Royal Commission group efforts. Two entries were from Stafford- Once again, however, they were disappointed in recording industrial sites in Scotland. The shire, one from Hampshire, and one from Corn- by the poor quality of record keeping, This quality and beauty of the plans and diagrams he wail. point was stressed in 1 984; the judges do not showed us were quite breathtaking. lt is said The Carn Brea Mining Society entered their consider that it is sufficient to take one or two that the Scottish Royal Commission has been Botallack Engine Houses Preservation Project, a photographs at the beginning of work and whilst more active in recording industrial sites than the scheme in which the members had planned the work is in progress. Careful conservation requires other Royal Commissions up to now. This may stabilisation and oart-reconstruction of the that detailed records are kept of progress and or may not be so, but certainly the work of the famous Crowns Section pair of Cornish engine methods; particularlv where more than one Royal Commission in Scotland cannot fail to houses, and had through excellent publicity person is involved, and where continuous in- have impressed all delegates present. The intended raised the necessary capital to finance an MSC volvement of every individual cannot be publication in 1986 of a book by the Royal scheme to perform the actual work. The entry guaranteed. To quote examples, it is quite easy Commission on the tooic of industrial archaeo- was accompanied by examples of publicity to lose track of small parts if they remain dis- logical sites recorded by it is to be heartily material and by large-scale plans and elevations assembled for any length of time; and painting welcomed, and it will undoubtedly find its way of the houses. work can be ruined by the use of top-coats onto industrial archaeologists' bookshelves. The Southampton University lA Group which are incompatible with the primer previ- And with that, the 1985 Conference was again entered their Southwick Brewhouse ously applied by someone else. over. For some there was a trip around Glasgow - project now at the point at which a trial brew In making the awards this year, the judges bv coach - but for most it was time to head for had been produced and bottled. A log of work recognised the work done by the Southampton home. Most had a long journey in f ront of them, has been kept, an interpretation leaflet has been Group, and the improvement of record-keeping but took with them fond memories of Glasgow produced, together with photographs and a at Southwick - an indication of the power of and left behind them their thanks to John Butt video film of the brewing sequence. The work the Award scheme to encourage good house- and his team for all their work in organising has the support of the southwick estate, who keeping in conservation. They accordingly such a splendid Conference. will open the brewhouse from time to time, presented the 'runner-up'Award to the and the Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust. Southampton University Industrial Archaeology hul Stephens The Staffordshire lA Society were involved Group, 7 The Bone and Flint Mill Group had made Various competitions are either undervvay or with the active assistance of some members and excellent records of the site itself in both being planned; the 1986 Dorothea Award forms the encouragement and support of all, is a sur- published and photographic forms, though they are already available, as are details {or the AIA's vey of the old turnpike roads in the County, and did not, in the opinion of the judges, keep an own new competition to encourage the recording the recording of all remaining roadside furniture adequate record of methodology in their work. of sites. Don't undervalue your efforts, but enter and features. Begun in 1980, the first part However, the quality and scale of the work it- early. The June Bulletin had an insert on the Somercet Ruds: The Legacy of the Turnpikes. just pub- self , and particularly the variety of sk ills which AIA competition; send your entry to Stephen Phase I - Western Somercet, has been had been demanded of the group members Hughes, RCAHM Wales, Edleston House, lished under the SIAS imprint, thanks to themselves, was very impressive. Therefore the Oueens Road, Aberystwyth, Dyfed SY23 2HP financial helo f rom the Maltwood Fund of the Award itself, together with the 1985 plaque Royal Society of Arts and the co-operation of goes to the Shirley's Bone a.rd Flint Mill This time there is only one prof ile; others will Somerset County Council. The authors are now Volunteer Group. appear in the Local Societies Bulletin early in working on the remainder of the County, and a

1 986. comoanion volume is expected in 1986. Somerset lndustrial Archaeological Society SIAS has a membership of approximately 50, programme was f ounded in 1972 with the object of and has an organised of excursions, promoting interest in all aspects of Industrial casual 'fossicks', formal talks by visiting lecturers, Archaeology within the newly-drawn boundaries and informal members' evenings. Three Journals of the Countv which the Local Government Act were published, in 1975, 1911 and 1981. Due to established in 1914, ln 1977 a'daughter' branch rising costs and limited resources, it has been the Westonzoyland Engine Trust, was formed to decided for the present that publications will restore the Easton and Amos steam drainage take the form of small monographs, called engine at Westonzoyland on the Somerset SIAS Surveys, on topics of local interest, and' Levels: WET now has regular open days with that these will be available through local retail the engine in steam, and operates as an indepen- and tourist outlets as well as directlv from the dent organisation whilst maintaining close and Society. The first of these was published in amicable links with SIAS. December 1984, and is C A'Sandy' Buchanan's Etruria Bone Mills Museum It has always been one of the Society's main The Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, a towpath ambitions to see the establishment of an lA guide to this wholly Somerset canal, with parti- museum in Somerset, an ambition which re- cular emphasis on items of lA interest along mains alive in spite of various dashed hopes and the canal or in the immediate vicinity. These disappointed expectations, and to this end monographs are supplemented by three issues members have arranged for the safekeeping of each year of the SIAS Bulletin which contain a number of items which it is hoped willbe in- the Society's news and programme, and short corporated in any such venture. In 1976 the articles and progress reports on members' Society rescued, sorted, listed and rough work, together with occasional book reviews. cleaned the entire contents of a 19th century SIAS publications are available from Mrs Ann millwright's workshop and foundry. This Ronan, Wheel Cottage, Brshops Hull, Taunton, The Societies' meeting in Glasgow was the best consisted of over 400 items including heavy Somerset TA1 5EP. yet, with 21 delegates f rom 16 societies. My machine tools besides hundreds of wood oatterns. thanks go to you all for the information you All these are now with the Somerset Museum It is anticipated that the new membership contributed,for the comments and intei'est Service where they were cleaned and restored forms with amended voting rights will be ready shown, and for vour ideas. Much useful in' with the help of a grant from the Science for distribution shortly. formation was collected on the special issue Museum. Among other equipment rescued and numbers, on calendar dates and on trail leaflets. conserved is twine-making machinery from West The ties sold well at the Conference; if you I am now building a f ile of advice on leaf lets Coker, near Yeovil, which, with other comple- have an AIA member in the family and would and members are welcome to consult this for mentary items soon to become available, will be like to give one for a Christmas present, they their own projects. With the Special lssue, a representative of the once nationally important can be obtained from me. questionnaire will be distributed fronn which rope and sailcloth industries in Somerset. Details of a new group, the Sankey Canal we hope to gain feedback for various aspects of As is the case with other lA societies sadlv, Restoration Society, have been notified; their the AIA's work, including the affiliated but inevitably, SIAS's work has involved the address is c/o The Grandwork Trust, 32-34 societies scheme. Please do reply to it; for recording of sites and plant before their obli- Claughton Street, St Helens, Merseyside WA10 some of you it may be the only contact we teration by new roads and urban development, 1SN' Janet Spavold have from you, re-use of premises, or by general decay. The It was suggested that details be published Glass Cone excavations at Bridgwater in 1975, of societies willing to offer visits to others - the excavations of Southfield Brickyard at day or weekend - along the lines of those from Taunton in 1977/8, and the survey of lim+ AIAtsuuIetnn MRIAS in Bulletin 12.4 fthe last one). South- kilns at Evercreech in 1982, are just three rssN 0309-005r. ampton University lA Group has offered, and examples of a sometimes dispiriting, but never- can usually arrange accommodation too. The theless vital part of the Society's activities. On lE aditcd by Roy Day from 3 Oakfield Road' theme of a visit to Hampshire can be adapted to a more positive note, in May members visited Kqnsham, Bristol 8Sl8 IJO end is published by The suit visitors' interests - transport, museums or the Parrett lron Works at Martock to present a the Association for lndustilel Atchaeolow- sites not normally open. Contact Mrs Pam cheque to Mr Nick Sloane towards the cost of AIA ws esablishod in $ptember 1973 to Moore,6 Prestwood Road, Hedge End, the restoration of the handsome factory chimney prcmote tha study of lndustrial Arch*ology Southampton. She can also offer advice on he has recently completed. and ercourcgp improved s',ndard6 of rocordingt end puilication lt ainrs visits to France and Belgium. I n June this vear, under the direction of Dr nsearch. co$efletion Leicestershire IHS can offer similar lan Burrow the Somerset County Field to a$ist and fltpport ngional end spacielist facilities for that county, including accommo- Archaeologist, members carried out a keyhole anrvey and research groups and bodies dation and arrangi ng visits to suit your excavation of a small mid-l9th century limekiln inyolved in tho preilation of industtial interests. Contact Dr Marilyn Palmer, 54 Chapel on property managed by the Forestry Commi- monumenE, to repr8ent the intcvest of Street, Measham. Burton-on-Trent, Staffs. sion, with the purpose of assessing the feasibility lndustrial Archaadogy at national lewl, to hold GLIAS has similar experience to offer for of a full-scale excavation and oreservation. The confarences and seminars and to publish the London, and advice for visits abroad; their site and its future both seem promising, but, as losults of re*arch. Furlher deteits meY be Secretary is Mr Tom Smith, 30 Gaveston Drive, always, the f inal decision will depend on the bained from dre Membeahip *cnary, Berkhamstead, Herts. lf your society would be funds available to translate hope into reality. Asseiation for lndtstrial Archaology, fhe willing to offer hospitality, send the details in A long-term project undertaken by two Wharhp, lronbridgc, Telford, Sh rqchi E, for publication. SIAS members, John Bentley and Brian Murless, TFA 7AW England. Teleghone OgU21&3822 I