B E L O W !

Quarterly Journal of the Caving & Mining Club Autumn Issue No: 2009.3

Dog Rescue at Old Grit Monday, 20th July 2009 at 14:00, a two-year old black Patterdale terrier called Tess (owned by a Mr. Shaun Panter) chased a rabbit through the fence surrounding the Old Grit Pumping shaft and fell approximately 40m down the shaft into water.

It appears the dog managed to climb out of the water into a small ledge/ inset and could be heard barking when her name was called. The alarm was raised and the RSPCA and Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service (from ) attended.

Steve Holding, who was actually at Nenthead received the first call from Shropshire Fire & Rescue Control Above: Old Grit Pumping Engine house, in January 2009, with the Room informing him of the incident at open (but fenced) shaft on the left. 17:30 and then contacted Andy See page 21 for some background Harris and Andy Wood. on the shaft.

In all 7 Club members attended the Right: View of the shaft top. incident; Andy Harris, Alan Pictures: Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings. Robinson, Vicky Robinson, Andy hear over the radio was the dog Wood, Peter Eggleston, Kelvin Lake, barking! and Nick Southwick. soon as she saw her owner Tess, Tess was very agitated and it took calmed down compeletly and after a Nick and Andy Wood’s Land Rovers Alan some time to get her into the few dog biscuits was back to normal, were used to ferry the kit across the bag - he suffered a few ‘nips’ for his looking around for rabbits!! fields to near the shaft. The pitch was trouble! then rigged with an SRT rope, a A successful, smooth, rescue, and it hauling rope (for a 1 ton builders bag Once safely in the bag, Alan only took us an hour from the time - to hold the dog) and a safety line sheltered in a shallow inset at water we arrived on site, to the dog manned by the Fire Brigade. level while the bag and Tess were reaching the surface. Although, due hauled to surface. Looking down the to the location of the incident, it did Alan Robinson drew the short straw shaft, Andy Harris said all he could take about 2 hours for all the team and made the descent into the shaft see was the dog’s eyes reflecting in members to arrive - a useful time with Andy Harris at the top of the the light of his cap lamp as it ran scale that’s worth remembering, since shaft liasing with him. The Fire round in circles inside the bag! we are unlikely to be able to reduce Brigade lent us a radio, but when this too much. Alan got near the bottom all we could Once back on the surface and as continued on page 3 ...

“Below” 2009.3 1 News Round-Up 1 Ivor Brown

Ifton Colliery Band Miner’s Sculptures It is understood that the Ifton The opportunity was taken during maintained, but holes are appearing Colliery Brass Band was reformed as the above weekend to inspect some in the metalwork. part of the recent celebrations to of the local mining sculptures. mark the 40th anniversary of the The “headstock” on the island at closure of Ifton Colliery. Events are The life-size “miner with pony and Woodside roundabout also needs a also planned to mark a similar tramway waggon” display on Asda little attention and some of the tiles anniversary at Highley Colliery roundabout, Donnington Wood was are coming off the walls in the Village later in the year. found to be in remarkable condition - massive “strata section structure” at except for a four foot high tree the Nabb. Coal Closure Events growing through the ‘penny’ wheels In the Coalbrookdale Coalfield three (it is a flanged track). Telford now has an interesting range events were held to mark the 30th of mining structures perhaps a leaflet Anniversary of the Granville Colliery The mine tub “coal on rails” exhibit at could be produced showing them to closure and the ‘final’ laying up of Horeshay is reasonably well mark the Club’s own anniversary the banner of the Miners Lodge: shortly? Talk: The talk by I.J.Brown was Tunnel attended by over 60 people. It is Re-opened hoped to publish parts of this as Heath Hill railway separate papers. tunnel has now been Walk: The walk, on Saturday 4th re-opened and trains July, was held in sunny weather can once again pass and about 15 attended. It included through it. several very knowledgable local miners. The sites of the pits called It is oval shaped, Barnyard, Barn, Lodgebank, constructed mainly of Waxhill, Muxton Bridge and brick and about 60 Lodge (Slaughter) and the metres long. Having Furnaces at the Lodge were been disused since visited. the 1950s it is now Church Service: On Sunday 5th July part of the Telford a Miners’ Reunion Service was Steam Railway line. held at the Madeley Fletcher Methodist Church, some 80 people attended. Four former mine workers and the daughter of the Left: The newly re- Madeley Lodge Secretary and opened tunnel at Heath Hill, Horsehay check weighman (1938-1964) took part. The original shaft-section scrolls for both Granville and Stafford Pits dating from the 1860s were on show. The promised return from the Ironbridge Gorge Museum of the Shropshire Miners’ Banner did not take place Bill Bennetts Cottage - an explanation for this is given The site of Bill Bennetts cottage has on page 21 ! After the service tea recently been visited - only a heap of and cakes were available. An rubble and the base of the walls can exhibition of photos provided by be seen. IJB sketched it about 1960. the Club proved a great attraction. The events were made possible The cottage is up the hill at the top of through the kindness of the Perkins Beach. When sketched the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, cottage was about to be abandoned Birse Construction (the Museum’s by Bill, an old barytes miner with Contractors ), the Church Stewards, ‘dust disease’, as he moved downhill the Madeley Local History Project to live in a caravan behind the The cottage, sketched (quickly) by and the Club. Stiperstones Inn. IJB, 1960.

2 “Below” 2009.3 Dog Rescue at Old Grit 20th July 2009

Both the RSPCA and Fire Brigade seemed pleased with our preformance. One side effect has been the establishment of better relations with the Fire Brigade - this will take a more concrete form with them observing at the rescue practice on the 3rd October at Huglith.

Right: Rigging the pitch - the farmer’s 4x4 was used as a belay for the haulage bag.

Picture: Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings. Left: Alan Robinson, Andy Harris and Vicky Robinson rigging the pitch.

Right: Andy Harris directing the hauling and life- lining from the pitch head.

Picture: Andy Wood.

Left: View from the pitch head, showing the hauling ropes, safety line and Below: Tess safe and sound back SRT rope on the surface. (belayed to the Picture: Andy Wood. farmers truck), with Club members and Firefighters ready to haul.

Picture: Andy Wood.

Left: Alan Robinson makes it back to the surface, slightly bitten!

Picture: Andy Wood.

See page 21 for some background on the shaft. >>

“Below” 2009.3 3 Blists Hill Mining Displays - how are they coming on? Ivor Brown

In 1969 the writer was asked by the The Cinderhills area near the railway too rotten for immediate re-erection Group developing the Blists Hill tunnel by the old entrance to Blists and the cast iron winch was badly Open Air Museum to write a short Hill. Alternatively it could be damaged when it fell from the lorry. note on the then, “Mining History of constructed on a site adjoining Blists Hill, Madeley” and to put Shawfield Pit with it’s historic Heslop Plans were also afoot to transfer the down some ideas as to what should engine house just outside the timber headframe previously used or could be displayed on site to proposed limits of the site. This with a gin from Shrubbery Mine near represent it’s past mining history. At would represent an ironstone and Ketley and the electric winder from the time reports were also being coal mine. the Rock Mine which had been prepared on other aspects of the site donated by it’s owner Isiah Jones, such as the iron industry, (and Deputy Chairman of the New brickmaking, canals and railways and Town Corporation). By 1973 all the it’s natural history. above had been completed and the As far as the writer is aware only the winder was provided with a more reports on the mining history and, substantial brick engine-house (see later the Tar Tunnel were ever Map). published. ‘The Tar Tunnel’ by the During 1973-5 the SMC, the Borstal Museum in “Forge”, 1971, and the Boys and the NCB (using a tractor “site history” by the Club in the designed for underground use, with a Shropshire Mining Club Journal, tub on rails) cleared out the first 110 1976. Above: Mock Adit, Blists Hill nearing completion, 1970. yards of the Tar Tunnel and Messrs. Thyssens removed the top 45ft. of fill The short report on possible mining Below: Shortly after completion, 1970 from the Blists Hill Clay Mine shaft. displays pointed out how the Tar Pictures: Ivor Brown Tunnel and Shawfield Colliery sites The Club, with other (both of which where just outside the volunteers and proposed Museum site) should be museum staff treated separately as they were transferred the unique sites of considerable Milburgh Pit steam historical interest. The museum site winding engine to could be extended to encompass Blists Hill where it was them. rebuilt. Site staff provided a brick On the proposed site itself, it was engine house on the suggested that four different types of original engine house mining operations could be base and built a constructed: wooden headframe to Even before the Group’s technical the design of the original. 1. Small family type, an adit (footrid report was published in 1971 work or day-eye), “bell pits” and “surface had already begun on preparing a In the succeeding years however, scratchings”. ‘miners’ walk on the derelict Blists until this year, little more has been Hill site using volunteers and the done other than maintenance and an 2. Partnership or small company type, Shropshire Mining Club. For example archaeological dig around the shafts with hand winches, horse gin in August 1970 the writer and a team original Blists Hill Upper Shafts. and furnace ventilation (chimney) as of “Borstal Boys” (with Officers) had used at local fireclay mines. constructed an adit ‘seven yards long using cut and cover methods’. 3. Medium size company pit, shafts with engines etc. perhaps Others brought in and re-erected the reconstructing the Blists Hill Red steel headframe from Farm Mine near Clay mine itself. Dawley. The SMC transferred the heavy artifacts salvaged from the 4. Large company mine, shafts with Rock Mine, Ketley, which had been typical Shropshire-type tandem H- on loan for exhibition at section headframes, such as at Museum. These included two Kemberton and Grange pits. This handwinches and a Siskol Coal could be built or rebuilt adjoining the Cutter. Unfortunately the wooden Club members David Adams and Colin Lears salvaging equipment site of New Hill Pit on the site itself. handwinch was found to be already from the Rock Mine, 1964.

4 “Below” 2009.3 Blists Hill Mining Displays - how are they coming on? continued ...

Left & Right: Clearing out the Tar Tunnel, 1974.

Pictures: Ivor Brown

winding for men and materials the however that a set has been other provided support for a fire- preserved at Grange Pit, in the bucket to give ventilation). North of the Coalfield. The Tar Tunnel remains and is a 3. At the Blists Hill Red Clay mine highly important feature of the Three of the four “types” of mine had the medium sized company pit, been substantially represented but Museum, it is open to the public and the steam engine and wooden generally well maintained. none was really complete. headframe is in use daily but the second shaft and adjoining What is the present Since the 1970s ‘local mining’ has buildings, although exposed taken a ‘back seat’ at the Museum, situation? during an archaeological dig and it seems more to aspire to being a 1. Of the family type pit the adit about 1984, are not ‘interpreted’ regional social history museum. remains although it is now gated and are easily overlooked. and a collapse has occurred half- 4. No work has been done on the However the recent development of a way along it. (Against the writers representation of a large company mining-type inclined plane, a mine advice nails were used to hold the pit display either at the New Hills narrow gauge railway and a clay mine timbers together during the area or at Shawfield. The unique feature may do something to correct construction!). No “scratchings” Heslop Engine house at this. The display includes a narrow or “bell pits” were ever Shawfield was, with other gauge railway (with battery constructed. buildings destroyed ‘for safety locomotives) and a 50 metre covered 2. On the small company or reasons’ in the late 1970s. The journey into a simulated clay mine partnership site the timber gin- reconstruction of a set of tandem- with commentary. It is now headframe remains, but no gin frames at either site was always a accessible - try it. What do you was ever constructed. It was ‘long-shot’. It is fortunate think? hoped that a cog-and-rung gin would have been built here as distinct from the overhead type more commonly erected elsewhere. The cog-and-rung type was a feature of Shrubbery and some other local pits. The “second shaft” with steel headframe and small electric winder remain, although the winder can no longer be seen. The “shaft and adit” built of large diameter concrete pipes designed for “adventurer trips” seems to be lost in vegetation. For the reasons given above the handwinches were never rebuilt (on their original site both worked Shawfield Engine House (right) and mine building (left), Madeley, 1968 on a single shaft, one provided Picture: Ivor Brown

“Below” 2009.3 5 Blists Hill Mining Displays - how are they coming on? continued ...

Above: The new Blists Hill Clay Mine Electric Battery Train, 26th June 2009

Right: Inside the new “Clay Mine” before construction of the exhibits. Blists Hill Red Clay Mine, 1981 Picture: Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings Pictures: Ivor Brown The incline feature was much used in local mines on the surface and underground. The writer was, as a young mine entrant in 1952, trained in the use of such an operation at Kemberton Pit about 3 miles from Blists Hill. This inclined plane or ‘jig’ Bibliography (All by I.J.Brown) as it was called, connected at the 1. The Club, the Tar Tunnel and the 2. The Tar Tunnel and Blists Hill Little Flint Coal Seam workings with Ironbridge Gorge Museum, Pits, Shropshire Magazine, 1967 the Viger Coal Seam workings. SCMC Quarterly Journal ‘Below’, 3. The Sinking of a shaft to the Tar Summer 1992. Tunnel - a proposal, 1980, IGMT.

6 “Below” 2009.3 Medieval Mining on the Clee Hills David Poyner

One of the most published the exact location of these mines is a workings on the outcrop; there is photographs of a mining landscape matter of conjecture. Collectively, every chance that these include the in Shropshire is that of shallow mine Caynham and Snitton (a township in mines at work in the early 14th workings on Catherton Common, the parish of Bitterley) cover the Century. usually claimed to be medieval1 . entire Knowbury coalfield (a There is no doubt that there was detached part of the Clee Hill Given that iron working and mining medieval mining on the Clee Hill, but coalfield) and a small part of the main was taking place at Stottesdon in the until recently its extent and location coalfield on the western side of the 13th Century5 , it would be very has been very difficult to determine. hill itself (Figure 1). surprising if the Clee industry was This article presents recent research not of a similar date. There is one about the medieval mining. Wherever these mines were, they more piece of evidence for mining at were certainly not at Catherton on this time on the hill. In a list of The earliest documentary reference the east of the hill, in one of the taxpayers for Hints and Coreley in to mining on the hills is in fact to coal manors associated with Cleobury 1332, John le Foderer is mentioned6 . mining on the Brown Clee, the more Mortimer. There seems to be a Latinised northerly of the two hills. In a mid- version of “John the digger” (fodere 13th Century charter, Walter de There is however evidence for mining is the Latin verb “to dig”); a Clifford, the owner of the Clee Forest, on Catherton within a few years of description that is often applied to granted to Robert de Halston a the Cainham/Snitton reference. A medieval miners. licence to dig coal to sell or give number of accounts survive for the away within his land in the Clee manor of Cleobury Mortimer from the For the mines on the Brown Clee and Forest, adjoining land of Philip de early 14th Century. Those for 1328/9 Caynham/Snitton, there are no Baggesore2 . record payment for three loads of records after the original mention. iron taken from Doddington to This may simply reflect the poor The charter is not dated, but is Ludlow4 . Doddington is on the survival of records, although it is probably from about 1260. The south-east flank of the Clee; the likely that mining was only carried location of Robert’s land is not manor included land on the top of the out sporadically and would have specified, but both he and Philip de hill and, most significantly, the whole been particularly vulnerable to crises Baggesore are particularly associated of Catherton Common (Figure 1). such as the Black Death, which killed with Cleobury North. The primary around 1/3rd of the population in the purpose of the licence was not in fact The only reason why iron would be middle of the 14th Century. coal production but to allow Robert moved from Doddington was if it had to grow crops on an enclosure of 6 been made locally; in turn, the However, for Catherton there is “royal” acres (about 12 modern ironworks would undoubtedly have documentary proof of sustained acres) and there is no proof that there used locally mined iron ore. At mining, thanks to research carried out was any coal under this land. Catherton Common there is a dense by James Lawson of the Shropshire network of very shallow ironstone Archaeological Society. By 1412 However, there can be little doubt that coal was being produced on top of the Brown Clee at this date or else Figure 1 the clause in the licence would never have been inserted. There are shallow workings in Cleobury North parish, around SO 602865 and there is every chance that some are from the 13th Century.

On the Titterstone Clee, the earliest mention of coal mines is in 1291, in a document known as Pope Nicholas’s taxation. The Pope raised a tax on church property and as a result a detailed list of the assets of churches and monasteries was drawn up. It was noted that the Abbot of Medieval manors associated with mining on the Clee Hill. The map shows Wigmore received 5/- profit that year parish boundaries; Catherton and Doddington formed a single manor, both from coal mines in Snitton and originally in the parish of Cleobury Mortimer. The boundaries of Hints and 3 Caynham . As with the Brown Clee, Snitton are approximate; their exact extent is unknown.

“Below” 2009.3 7 Medieval Mining on the Clee Hills continued ...

Doddington and Catherton had become the property of the Earls of Arundel; the account of the steward for 1412/13 records receipts of 2/4 for coals dug upon the Clee and sold, but nothing for ironstone7 .

Subsequent years show a pattern of small-scale, intermittent coal mining; 20d received in 1414-15, 9/9 in 1416- 17, 4/10 in 1418-19, 3/- in 1419-20 and 5/9 in 1422-238 .

The record for 1418 is particularly interesting as it reveals the names of the two men paying for getting the Above: Aerial view of old coal; William Pracy and William enclosures and Bell-pits on Oldest Pottery Found? Gilbert9 . These may well have been Catherton Common, 1985. Examples of pottery found in a cave Picture: Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings the master colliers who actually at Yuchanyan in China’s Hunan mined the coal. The most likely place References province may be the oldest known to science. Carbon dating more than 40 where this mining was taking place 1 See I.J. Brown, The East samples of bone fragments and would be at Catherton, although the Shropshire Coalfields, Tempus, charcoal, the specimens were found coal outcrop can be traced from Stroud, 1999, 124. Wisely, Ivor to be 17,500 to 18,300 years old. Farlow through to Doddington, all has made no claim as to the age places in the ownership of the Earls of the workings shown on the The Yuchanyan cave was the site of Arundel (Figure 1). photograph! where the oldest kernels of rice were 2 A photograph of the charter is found in 2005, and it is viewed as an What might be considered the final found in D. Bryan, Ditton Priors; important link between cave-dwelling backwards glance at medieval a settlement of the Brown Clee, hunter-gatherer peoples and the industry on the Clee comes from the Logaston, Woonton Almeley, farmers that arose later in the basin of Itinary of John Leland. Leland 2006, 90. It was first described in the nearby Yangtze River. travelled throughout on detail by the 19th Century behalf of Henry VIII, reporting on historian R.W. Eyton. The previous oldest-known example antiquities and anything else that he Unfortunately Eyton made a rare of pottery was found in Japan, dated considered of interest. He was in error in naming the beneficiary of to an age between 16,000 and 17,000 Shropshire around 1540 and reported the licence as John de Halston; years ago, but debate has raged in on the Clee Hills: everyone since, (including the archaeological community as to myself!) have simply quoted whether pottery was first made in “Plenty of cole yerth stone, Eyton. However, the photograph China or Japan. nether exceding good for lyme clearly shows that the name is whereof there they make muche Robert. There is no other record China - Coal Blast and supply the country about… of any John de Halston at this At least 11 people died in a gas There be some blo shopps to time but Robert de Halston held explosion at a mine in the northern make yren [iron] apon the ripes or the manor of Cleobury North. Chinese province of Shanxi, on 26th banks of Mylbrooke, comynge 3 R.W. Eyton, Antiquities of August. It is reported that the blast out of Caderton Cle or Casset Shropshire, Vol 4, 1857, 356 ripped through a shaft at the 10 Wood” . 4 National Archives, SC 6/965/10 Xingguang company coal mine in the 5 D.R. Poyner, Medieval mining in city of Jinzhong. This confirms that coal mining and the Wyre Forest, Below, 2009.1, Two miners were rescued and three iron making were both flourishing in 21-3. th people are still missing a week later. the first part of the 16 Century. The 6 National Archives, E179/166/2 coal was used to support the 7 Shropshire Archives 6000/7507 At least 3,200 people died in China's commercial production of quicklime 8 Shropshire Archives 6000/7510, coal mines last year, making them the and the iron making (and hence 12, 13, 14, 16 deadliest in the world. China has mining) was centred on Catherton 9 Shropshire Archives 6000//9750 been attempting to crack down on Common, the continuation of 10 L.T. Smith (ed), The Itinerary of violations of safety regulations at industries established several John Leland in or about the years coal mines, and many smaller mines hundred years earlier. 1535-43, Bell, 1910, 189-90. have closed in recent months.

8 “Below” 2009.3 Trip Report - Corris Slate Mines 8th March 2009, Ian Davies

Persons present: Steve Holding, Ian At the far end of the final stope we mine. This is again a manway down Davies and Ian Cooper (briefly) descended to a second level. This an incline of 45°, there appears to be descent was down a rubble slope steps carved in the floor, however it We initially parked at the North end without the need of any tackle. In would be advisable to use a hand line of the King Arthur’s Labyrinth car general the stopes appear to slope at and abseil down as the manway exits park, Ian Cooper said he knew the an angle of 30° to 45°. onto a ledge at the top of another position of the Briach Coch upper From the second level a manway stope. Steve says that from here adit entrance (Level 3) and led the goes down to an intermediate level. there was a traverse line to go along way up to the entrance. When we This manway is on an angle of the stope ledge. We did not go down arrived we found the entrance to be approx 45° and requires a hand line. the manway but made our way out firmly gated and locked. Ian was on a and returned to the car. photographic trip so left us, we From here there is a short length of decided to try to enter Gerwern slate tunnel to a short easy climb back Our main observation was that mine by the upper quarry entrance down to the main level. We followed Gerwern mine appears to be generally and drove further up the Corris this until it led us to an exit; this is devoid of any artefacts but the valley, parking in the Corris Uchaf car probably Adit No 4 of Gerwern mine. stopes are extensive and a winch park. could be seen on the far side of one We retraced our steps and found the chamber. We got changed in to caving gear, route down into Briach Coch slate tried to make ourselves look like walkers, then made our way to the Cavers’ Spanish New dinosaur track going up to the mine and adit Australian palaeontologists say they entrance. The track was gated, locked Call-out have discovered a new species of and covered in barbed wire so we Four members of Oxford University dinosaur on a sheep farm in the decided to walk further up the valley Cave Club initiated a call-out after northern state of Queensland. and try to come in to the quarry from becoming trapped in caves in above. northern Spain. The fossil remains of the large plant- eating sauropod, nicknamed ‘Zac’, We left the main road by an outdoor The Spanish cave rescue service was are about 97 million years old. They centre facility and headed up the alerted after the four OUCC members were found near the town of valley into the forest. This path led were cut off due to floods in the Eromanga, in a fossil-rich area that us to the Ty’nyceunant slate mine Picos de Europa mountain range. was once covered by a vast inland workings, there are some extensive sea. and impressive inclines and buildings On 26 July, two club members on the to be seen here. Plus a number of same trip called rescuers after ‘losing Palaeontologists say the find large open stopes probably with hold’ of their rope in the same caves. confirms Australia's importance as a individual adit entrances, we located centre for dinosaur discovery. The one such entrance which was The latest trapped members had got country's largest dinosaur, Cooper, drafting strongly and would be easily out before rescuers reached them the was found on the same sheep farm in dug out. This site is well worth a following morning. 2004. return visit in the future. The OUCC, who were on their annual Cooper was almost 30 metres long We continued to walk up the hill and expedition to Matienzo, had called and was a new species of titanosaur - over to the Gerwern quarry where we the rescue service during the latest enormous, armour-plated creatures. finally located it’s adit entrance, with incident as a precaution when a ledge high up on the quarry side members failed to regroup at the time Zac’s skeleton was smaller than face leading to it. The path to the adit they had set. Cooper’s, but more complete. Zac, in has been rigged with stainless steel common with other sauropods, had a traverse lines as this mine is used by No-one had been hurt and the cavers very long neck, a small head and a local outdoor centre. had taken extra food and supplies blunt teeth, and a long tail to with them for warmth. counter-balance the neck. We entered the level which went in for some distance and came to a This incident comes after British Three new dinosaur species were point where we went up a short insitu student Andrew Lucas, from found in the same area earlier this metal ladder complete with hand line Lincolnshire, fell to his death while year, “Matilda”, “Clancy” and to reach a higher level. We followed walking in the Picos de Europa “Banjo”, all dating to the same this past a number of stopes each mountains on 30 July period as Zac - about 100 million fitted with a stainless steel traverse years ago in the Early Cretaceous line. New Reports, August 2009 period.

“Below” 2009.3 9 “The Rats Pits” Oakengates Ivor Brown

The Photograph of the Rats Pit The Transactions only showed the match of this engine - said to be an Engine in the last issue of ‘Below’ is picture used in my book, so the one old form in 1843. the butty to the one shown in East shown opposite makes up the pair. Shropshire Coalfields (figure 1 below) The note in the transaction says that and it is mentioned in an article in the It is also interesting to note that if the the engine in the photographs does Transactions of Shropshire diagram from the Midland Mining not resemble a Boulton & Watt but is Archaeology Society, 1949. Commission report of 1843 is very early 19th C. reversed it seems to be an exact

Above: “Old Beam Engine, formerly standing between Wellington and Oakengates” (Trans. Shrop. Arch. Soc., 1949)

Below: “Old Form of Engine still in use in South Staffordshire” - image reversed to match picture above. (Midland Mining Commission Report, 1843)

10 “Below” 2009.3 “The Rats Pits” Oakengates continued ....

AN INDUSTRIAL RELIC The photograph reproduced herewith is one of two which were brought to my notice on March 17th, 1949, by Mr. L. Jones, of Ketley Bank, Oakengates, by whose permission it is reproduced. It illustrates an old beam engine which stood formerly at “ Rats’ Pits,” beside the Great Western Railway line between Wellington and Oakengates, and which long ago disappeared. The original photographs have the name “ G. F. Hill, The Nabb “—perhaps that of the photographer—written on the back, and are said to have been taken about 1899, when the engine was obviously already derelict.

The engine was of a type which I did not recognise, so I submitted copies of the photographs to the Science Museum, and Mr. A. Stowers, the Deputy Keeper, was good enough to write as follows on April 4th, 1949 :-

“ I have been unable to trace any record of the old steam winding-engine of which you have sent two photographs. I have also shown the photographs to Dr. H. W. Dickinson, past president of the Newcomen Society and an authority on the history of the steam engine. He does not recognise the engine and all we can say about it is as follows : it was a beam engine, double-acting, rotative, geared for colliery winding. It was probably non-condensing, as we cannot see any trace of a condenser. The piston rod was cross-head guided, and possibly the cylinder had a long D slide-valve ; the crankshaft was probably of cast-iron. The arm like a spoon handle, shown in one photo [that reproduced], was probably one of those of a spider for the winding rope. The engine does not resemble those made by Messrs. Boulton and Watt. As regards date, we cannot say nearer than very early nineteenth century. The gearing shown may mean that it was used for other purposes in addition to winding, but what they were we cannot say now. The two photographs were obviously taken at different times, as the one without the man [not reproduced] shows a broken inclined wooden support for the main bearing of the beam, and a broken arm.”

Shropshire played such an important part in the early development of the coal and iron industries that it seems desirable to put on permanent record this interesting relic of an early phase of the county’s industrial history. L. C. LLOYD.

Above: Reprinted from Transactions of the Shropshire Arch. Soc. Vol. LIII (1949) Below: “Rat Pit, Oakengates, 1899, G.F.Hill, The Nabb” - from Below 2009.2 (Photograph from Keith Lewis)

“Below” 2009.3 11 Shrewsbury Coalfield Walks May and June 2009, Part 1 Mike Shaw and Andy Wood

On Tuesday evenings from the The earlier shafts were south of the Brace via a reservoir at Welbatch, Spring Bank Holiday to the end of present remains and have now been which is still used by the farmer there July a series of walks visited some of completely erased. The sites of for his cattle. the best remains of the shafts 6 and 7 are in woodland with Shrewsbury (aka Hanwood) low remains of a brick building, I would like to thank Howard for Coalfield1 . Generally the dozen or so presumed to be an engine house at making the arrangements and leading of us were blessed with good No.7. These shafts date from the the walk, and for allowing the club to weather and even the one wet 1870s and were about 450 feet (135 copy his fine archive of colliery evening dried up later. metres) deep to the Half Yard coal documents and photographs. It is which was described as quick also worth noting that he is the Not the least pleasant aspect of the lighting and free burning and found a Grandson of a blacksmith at evenings was the research into the ready market in mid and south Wales. Hanwood colliery and has had (at pubs used by the miners, including least) four earlier generations of his the New Inn, Hook-a-gate, The Lea There was a proposal for a standard family in the local coal industry. Cross Tavern, The Cock at Hanwood gauge line from Redhill on the and the Nag’s Head. Potteries Shropshire and North Thanks must also go to Mr and Mrs Wales Railway to serve the mine but Martin Davies of Moat Hall Farm May 26th Moat Hall this came to nothing. A narrow who permitted the visit and gauge tramway was built about 1886 welcomed us into the farm to show Howard Davies led the walk to see us their various mining finds. the remains of the last stage of the from the mine to a road-side wharf at Colliery, pits 6 and 7 and of the which appears to have June 2nd Common. tramway from them to Annscroft. survived the end of coal winding, remaining in use in 1934, and said to By kind permission of the property owners, about a dozen club members Though it is probable that earlier have still functioned in the Second World War. met at New House Farm in mining took place, the first reference Pulverbatch for a stroll around the so far found is to two shafts for remains of some collieries in Messrs Crapper and Proctor in 1851, The route of the tramway is traceable from the pits to where it crossed the Pulverbatch and Longden Common, it was held by the Shorthouse family led by Andy Wood. Although New from c1856 to around 1919 when it drive to Moat Hall, from that point to the wharf it has been ploughed out. House Farm is located on New House was sold to Mr Fielden who Lane, this is a comparatively recent incorporated it into his Hanwood Lengths of rail and wire rope survive in fences and hedges and Mr Martin name for the lane. On older maps it is Colliery as Hanwood and Moat Hall noted as Coalpit Lane and the 1839 Collieries (Salop) Limited in 1921. Davies of Moat Hall has other remains including a blue enamel sign tithe map shows Coal winding carried on until 1931 several field names implying when the mine was connected of the colliery’s from the side of a cart and a length of rising main. Moat industrial activity, eg Coalpit Leasow, underground to Hanwood, which Gin Leasow, Marlpit and Marlpit closed in 1941. Hall’s last beneficial use is as water supply, for a time it supplied Meole Leasow and Rough. The fields north of New House Lane show evidence of many shafts and it is known that many more existed but have been filled and ploughed out by local farmers.

There is very little documented about New House Colliery but the abandonment plans, dated 1882, indicate that there was still coal remaining to be extracted and a number of older workings were noted. The sites of the two main shafts are still clearly visible and an embankment for a cart track is still obvious running from the southerly shaft across the fields past other pit mounds to reach the road just inside the woodland containing the marl Moat Hall Colliery, c1920 (Howard Davies Collection) pits

12 “Below” 2009.3 Shrewsbury Coalfield Walks May and June 2009, Part 1 continued ...

The northern pit mound is substantial and shows evidence of the footings for a building as well as what appear to be the walls of a reservoir - possibly to hold water for a steam engine. All the coal extracted was taken from south of this shaft and it seems that this lower lying shaft was used for pumping, as water was a serious problem. The brick lined shaft is at least 125ft deep and still contains the pump rods and the rising main.

Despite the mine having closed in 1882, this shaft has a concrete cap with some initials and the date 1934 scratched into it. It seems probable Above: The surface area around the that the shaft had been left open northern shaft at New House Colliery, with the shaft cap near the since closure but was full of water, camera and the reservoir area which issued from it. It transpires behind. that, in 1934, a ram pump was Picture: Andy Wood installed lower down the field to supply water from the shaft to New House Farm. A take off pipe for this can be seen in the shaft and it is clear Right: The top of the pump rods and that newer bricks were used to raise rising main inside the shaft cap. the shaft lining to take the concrete Picture: Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings cap. The letters WP form one set of initials and it is known that William Powell, a relative of Charles Powell in Pulverbatch, was one of the workmen involved in this installation but the Below: The initials and ‘1934’ date other initials have not yet been inscribed on the concrete cap of the traced. pumping shaft. Picture: Andy Wood Coal mined on New House Farm was used for brick manufacture after 1832. 1931 copies of plans exist showing the status of the mine in 1882.

There is also little documented about Castle Place Colliery but it is known to have closed originally in the latter part of the 19th century. The 1917 sale particulars for the Lythwood Estate show large spoil heaps at the two ‘old shafts’ together with a building by the west shaft, which is where the engine is known to have been. Power was taken from the steam engine here across to the east shaft for pumping purposes.

After the second world war, R and J Fowles re-opened the mine with Right: Detail from an early Harry Wood as the sole employee OS Map showing the but achieved very little before locations of the shafts and closing finally in 1947. As a young water courses.

“Below” 2009.3 13 Shrewsbury Coalfield Walks May and June 2009, Part 1 continued ... lad of about 14, Brian Hobson of The cellar of Mr. Castle Place farm, recalls descending Culliss’ house - the shaft in a bucket, travelling possibly the underground to the other shaft 1930s Power before returning to be winched back House. up again. Since then, much of the spoil has been removed and although there is a cap on the west shaft all other evidence has been obliterated by the building of a sewage works there. Nonetheless, small pieces of Pictures: low quality coal can still be found Kelvin Lake - around the edges of the pit mound. I.A.Recordings The spoil heap from the east shaft has been levelled to provide the base of a manege but a steady flow of clear water issues from the capped shaft’s overflow and the water supply for Castle Place farm is taken from here, being pumped electrically. This source replaces a ram pump installed at the edge of a field nearby and powered by the little stream it is next to. Above, left: The Colliery weigh-house near the road. Above, right: Buildings along the mine road, possibly engineering Close to the east shaft is a very old workshops, stores etc. property known as Starr’s Coppice. Atherton, who sold it to Mr Fielden. House but no one seems to know This dates from before 1580 and was In 1920, it became part of the what engine it housed, it is possible originally two cottages inhabited by Hanwood and Moat Hall Collieries that it was the 1930s Power House. a series of farmworkers or miners. (Salop) Limited in 1921 and closed Some timber mounting survives in An interesting and sunny evening with Hanwood in 1941. the cellar along with glass insulators. was completed by a visit to the Tankerville Arms in Longden, which After 1900 only pumping was carried The rest of the site as well as Mr displays a number of Howard Davies’ on here and at some stage, possibly Myddle’s portion has undergone a old photographs of coal mining at earlier, the coal from Hanwood was great deal of alteration. One flooded Moat Hall and Hanwood. screened here, this carried on until shaft with an inspection cover exists June 9th - closure. When Mr Fielden took over near the house and one range of he had a power station built to buildings from the brickyard survive Shorthill supply the group of mines. as workshops. The weigh-house at A chance meeting with Mr Culliss led the main road entrance survives, as to the club being invited to see his A brickyard was developed here in does part of the line of the tramway cellar and yard on the former coal 1911 which presumably closed with from Hanwood Colliery including mine and brickyard site initially the colliery though some sources marks where the haulage ropes have known as Shorthill (despite there quote 1945. cut into the parapet of the A488 being pits actually at the place of that bridge, across which the tramway name and an Old Shorthill Colliery, Mr Culliss’s house is called Engine passed. see 7th July walk) and later renamed Cruckmeole (one word or two). Right: Remains Instructions were somewhat vague of the brickworks and half the party went to Mr pug-mill building Myddle’s part of the site, rather to on Mr. Myddle’s that gentleman’s surprise! But Nick’s land. SCMC sweatshirt and the clubs reputation got us an invitation to visit that area later in the evening.

Shorthill Colliery first appears in records (so far) with a lease of 1838, by 1873 it was owned by Samuel

14 “Below” 2009.3 Shrewsbury Coalfield Walks May and June 2009, Part 1 continued ...

Also surviving though on the other Right: Neal side of the railway line is the broken Rushton and remains of what must be a reinforced Mike Moore concrete pylon which presumably studying the overgrown carried power to Hanwood. remains of a small engine Thanks are due to Mr Culliss for his house at Engine ‘formal’ invitation and to Mr Middle shaft, on Mr. for his rather ad-hoc one. Kent’s land, Welbatch. 16th June Welbatch Mr Kent, the farmer showed us round what remains on his land.

Mining may well have taken place now to relate the records to the site. in part supplied from a Moat Hall before 1700 though the earliest Dingle pit (now lost) was the deepest shaft. It no longer supplies water for known reference is that of the death at 226 feet (68 metres) to the Half drinking but does supply Mr Kent’s of the then owner, Robert Smith in Yard coal. At a sale in 1848 a cattle. 1773. The mine passed through significant length of rail was sold various hands with the last owner Mr which suggests that there may have A very interesting and quite Slater taking over from 1848 to been a surface tramway. strenuous evening with thanks to Mr closure about 1870. Kent. Mr Kent took us to a possible The principal remnant is a pit mound location of such but the amount of Notes north of the farm, in summer undergrowth and alterations made 1 The Geological Survey of Great surrounded by head height Giant whilst putting in a sewer left matters Britain ‘Shrewsbury District’ Hogweed. This was ‘Engine Shaft’, it in doubt, another winter job. (HMSO 1938) is very precise was difficult to decide where the about this. There is Drayton shaft had been but the low remnants Very interesting and much clearer coalfield, Leebotwood Coalfield of the walls of a small engine house was the reservoir in a dingle to the and Shrewsbury or Hanwood survive, a return visit in the winter is south of the road which used to Coalfield which together form the called for. supply Meole Brace with water (see Shrewsbury Coalfields. Thanks to Moat Hall above). The (now empty) Nick Southwick for the loan of his Several shafts are known from brick reservoir is the size of a small copy of this book. records and several pit mounds either domestic swimming pool and could exist or have existed but it is difficult contain about 80,000 gallons, it was

Left: Gareth Rushton, Ian Davies and Mr. Kent inspecting the well in the Welbatch reservoir - fed with water from Moat Hall shafts.

Right: Mr. Kent and Nick Southwick examine a pit mound, with lots of small coal still visible.

“Below” 2009.3 15 What the Papers Said - From the Colliery Guardian submitted by Steve Dewhirst

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT AT MADELEY STATE OF TRADE—PRICE OF COAL—HARD TOPS AND CANNEL—REDUCED WAGES THE IRON TRADE THE price of coals in this district has experienced 21 cwt., as it does when sent by canal to Coalport, no variation. At the Hales Field pits, where a good where the extra hundred weight is allowed for loss. trade is done in what is called land sale, “hard tops,” The men are this fortnight at work at the reduced are selling at 11s. 8d. per ton ; lumps at 8s- 4d. ; and prices, and, as I anticipated in a former letter, have refuse slack, 5s. per ton ; “big flints “ are 10s., and resumed labour without hesitation, although an “flint lumps “ 7s. 6d.; hard tops, as they are called, impression generally prevails among the men that represent the best top coals, a highly bituminous the improved tone of the trade will very likely seam of no very great thickness, and by no means induce the masters to withdraw the reduction. The general throughout the Shropshire field. A singular books of some of the largest firms, it is true, have layer of cannel coal is usually found associated with not been so barren of orders for iron for eighteen it, and this is appropriated to the use of the years as they were a month ago, but they now workmen- The ton consists of 20 cwt- and not of present an improved aspect. rd 23 January 1858 FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT AT COALPORT THE COAL TRADE—PRICES OF COAL—HORTON’S PATENT EQUILIBRIUM VALVE THE reduction in wages has had no effect upon the upper side, opens and allows any excessive pressure price of coal, which may be quoted at the Coalport to escape. To effect this, there is affixed to the Severn Wharf at former prices. The fact is, coal large cylinder of the piston a pipe with a valve at companies here could sell, at present rates, twice as the top, opening upwards, and on the same stalk, much as they now do if they had it to dispose of; but at the bottom, another opening downwards. with the prospect of an exhausted field before them, it is scarcely likely that coal owners will strip The upper valve is loaded to the pressure required, themselves of the means of working up other the space between the lower one and its seat being minerals, yet abundant, for mere temporary 1/50th of an inch. When the latter valve is lifted by convenience. an increase of force that 50th of an inch, the opening is immediately closed, shutting off all I had an opportunity, the other day, at steam from the top of the large piston valve in Coalbrookdale, of witnessing, in operation, one of another cylinder which at once lets off the surplus Horton’s patent equilibrium valves- A new invention and re-acts immediately to produce an equilibrium. for the purpose of preventing explosions of steam boilers. It appeared to act freely and satisfactorily, This action may be witnessed a hundred times a giving out in puffs the surplus steam whenever the minute, so susceptible is the machine to pressure. pressure became greater than that deemed desirable. Within the boiler is a lever of 8 inches long, with a spherical hollow float weighing 20th suspended. Mr. Horton, of Brierly-hill, has, for some time, devoted his attention to the construction of a valve The distance from the fulcrum to the centre of the which should be capable of retaining the steam to valve is 3 inches, so that as the water falls, the float any desired amount of pressure, and beyond that following it raises the small valve even if loaded to amount of pressure, presenting an outlet of sufficient 100 lb per square inch without the assistance of area to carry off the surplus. And which, should also steam, and only requires to move 16/50ths of an be so acted upon when the water in the boiler falls inch to open the large valve 3 inches. The invention below its proper level, as to allow the steam to certainly seemed to me exceedingly ingenious, and escape. This he appears to have accomplished by efficient, and capable of preventing the possibility means of a large valve having two seats, the upper of explosion from undue pressure. part being fitted as an ordinary engine-piston which, th so long as the steam acts on each side of it, remains 6 February 1858 closed ; but the instant the steam is shut off from the

16 “Below” 2009.3 Lilleshall Company Mines - A Brief History of Development Based on a talk to the IGMT, 2009 by Ivor Brown

Until the eighteenth century no About 1822 the Lodge Furnaces were Expansion continued in the 1860s serious mining had taken place in the opened and by 1836 the Lilleshall with the Company taking over the Northern part of the Coalbrookdale Company (or Donnington Wood Co.) Hadley Mining Field in 1860 and the Coalfield. This was due to a number is said to have had 200 working pits, sinking of several new pits: of reasons - it was a long way on the producing 240,000 tons of mineral (1 surface to water for transport and pit equated to 1 shaft, later 2 shafts Pit Opened power, while underground it was the were counted as a pit or ‘pair’). Granville 1860-3 opposite situation - too much water! Stafford 1862-6 The Company continued to expand Grange 1867-8 It is possible that the Romans had between 1835 and 1856, they took However in the 1870s contraction some workings along Watling Street over the Snedshill Mining Field along began, Wombridge & Wrockwardine and there is a record in 1330 of the with the old Snedshill furnace and Wood were closed (two disasters Gower family (the principal the Priorslee Field - a new furnace occurred at this time). A newspaper landowners) leasing minerals and was built at Priorslee in 1851. report says “little had been done at land. the above in recent years”. The first official list of mines, In 1764 the Gower’s decided to work produced in 1855, shows the By 1871 Donnington had 21 pairs of the mines themselves as “mineral Lilleshall Co. operating the pits, Priorslee 10 pairs, Hadley 9 pairs working was being mismanaged and Donnington, Wombridge, (Total 80 shafts), producing 545,000 spoiled”. They worked the limestone Wrockwardine, Priorslee and Lodge tons of mineral (420,000 coal, 120,000 and coal, and leased the iron Collieries. iron, 5,000 tons clay), plus 700,000 workings to the Coalbrookdale tons of shale (from which iron was Company. To improve transport they Edward Jones, writing in 1856, says taken) and 2,400,000 tons water. built canals, with the Gilberts and 100 pits were at work (100 “pairs” = In 1879 Hadley was closed, fireclay others as partners. 200 shafts) producing 480,000 tons of and ironstone production was falling: mineral (double that recorded in 1836) 1871 - 120,000 tons iron, The Donnington Wood Furnaces and the company was then known as 5,000 tons clay were blown-in, in 1785, and not long the Lilleshall Company. 1874 - 87,600 tons iron, after they were taken over by Earl 4,800 tons clay Gower & Co. - who already owned the Lilleshall and Donnington Mining Box 1 - Pits making up the Lilleshall Co. Fields. Collieries (late 1870s). Not all were working. Donnington Wood Co. Donnington Colliery Priors Lee Colliery By 1802 Earl Gower & Co. were (N.T.Beech, Manager) (R.Moffitt, Manager) known as the Donnington Wood Barn, Albion Company and owned four Mining Barnyard Bower Fields: Barracks (Waxhill) Cockshutt Blue Flat Dark Lane 1. Lilleshall - mainly limestone and Chimney Drayton Ferridays coal. Freehold Granville Fireclay 2. Donnington Wood - notable for Grange (Abert & Alexandra Pit) Hall its surface and underground Horton Hydraulic canals which were developed Jervis Building Hangman's Hill between 1765 and 1798. Langley Lodge Bank Lawn 3. Wrockwardine Wood. Lodgewood Little Hayes 4. Wombridge - notable for drainage Meadow Nelson by soughs and for having deeper Muxton Bridge Rickyard mines. Nobby Slaughter Overleys (Overtons) Spring (Top and Lower) From 1810 mining began in earnest. A Rookery Stafford 1, 2, 3 & 4 small book in the IGMT library Sale Tarry “Account of Sundry Pits Sunk in the Sour Leasow Village Donnington & Wrockwardine Wood Stephens Westcroft between 1818 and 1835” gives details Waxhill Woodhouse 1, 2, 3 & 4 of 74 new shafts and workings White including Rookery, Waxhill, Meadow, Woodfield (20 pits) Barnyard, and Lodge (1825). (23 pits)

“Below” 2009.3 17 Lilleshall Company Mines - A Brief History of Development continued ....

Above: Detail of the Granville Pit engraving at the top of the 1864 shaft section scroll (the pit was 409 yds. 1ft. 4 inches deep when it was drawn).

18 “Below” 2009.3 Lilleshall Company Mines - A Brief History of Development continued ....

The 1883 Official list shows 6 Numbers Employed and Some References “collieries” (with 2 mamagers Beech Production Official Inspectors Reports and Lists & Moffitt): According to Ed Jones (Manager at Donnington, the pit in the 1870s - one of first Abandonment Mine Plans Priorslee, Certified Managers, Certificate Hadley ‘field’, No.259) in 1848 the Donnington Various Royal Commission and Woodhouse, Wood Co. had 200 pits employing Select Committee Reports Stafford, between 3,500 and 4,000 people. Granville Iron & Coal Trades Directory By 1866 the Company employed This had reduced to 2 collieries with Limestone Mining in Church Aston 5,000 people in their collieries of & Lilleshall, D.R.A.Adams, 2007 17 pits in 1889. which 582 were women and girls. Underground Canals in Shropshire 1. Donnington - Barn, Waxhill, In the 1870s there is an estimate of Mines, by I.J.Brown, Mining Freehold, Grange, Granville, about 2,700 men and John Wheeler’s History PDMHS, Vol.13 Nov.4, Lodgebank, Meadow, Muxton diary mentions 600 pit girls in 1872. 1997 and Overtons. 2. Priorlsee - Dark Lane, Fireclay, In 1873 200 pit girls went on strike. The Hadley Mining Field, by Lawn, Rickyard, Stafford (2), They sought full pay for Saturdays I.J.Brown, Telford Hist. & Arch. Woodhouse (2). when they ceased work at 2:00pm! Soc. Journal No.4, 2000 The next few years saw more pit Box 2 - Employment Figures, 1894 to 1977 closures, although coal production was increasing generally. Date No. No. Notes Pits Employed By 1910, only 6 pits survived 1894 17 1,472 nearly 1,000 at just 7 of them. (ironstone was only worked 1910 6 1,646 infrequently), employing: 1920 5 1,810 1927 = 400,000 tons coal. 1930 3 1,108 1937 = 300,000 tons coal. 1. Donnington - Freehold; 364, 1947 2 466 produced 120,000 tons coal. Grange; 189, Granville; 273 men. 1957 1 634 produced 134,000 tons coal. 2. Priorlsee - Hydraulic; 20, 1964 1 644 produced 246,000 tons coal. Stafford; 396, Woodhouse; 404 1968 1 800 produced 309,000 tons coal. men. 1977 1 582 produced 236,000 tons coal. (N.T.Beech was the Certificated Manager of both collieries, employing 1,646 miners total)

In addition to the collieries there were pumping engines at Stevens, Lawn, Pudley Hill, Waxhill, and Muxton.

Employment peaked at Woodhouse Pit in 1922 with 742 men. However, from this date the slow decline began.

Pit Closed Stafford Pit 1926 Freehold 1928 Above: Detail of Stafford Pits Woodhouse 1940 engraved at the top of the Grange 1952 1866 shaft section scroll (pit was 248 yds. 1ft. 3 inches Pumps stopped at Waxhill and deep on 8th Dec. 1866). Muxton in 1930, Stafford and Lawn Right: “E.Jones, Mining about 1940 and Woodhouse in 1960s. Engineer” on the bottom right corner of the Stafford Pits Scroll - with pit chain border (triple linked winding chain).

“Below” 2009.3 19 Some Notes on the Mines of the Lilleshall Company, No.1 by Ivor Brown

The mines covered here are now pumping engine, pumping from a Lodgebank. Earthworks at the site are partly within Granville Country Park depth of 300 yds, one lift and 4 well preserved including an inclined (see map in next issue). forcing sets varying from 11in. to plane, mineral railway and footings of 13in. in dia. a rectangular building about 40 ft by Pits in the Donnington 12 ft. No information on pumping or Reports suggest two engines were employment has been found. Site has Field (Colliery) present in the 1920s, pumping been surveyed by IGMT. This information is mainly from the stopped in 1930. Engine remained on official lists, inspector’s reports, site since Atkinson (engineer) said it 4. Muxton Bridge, abandoned mine plans and was similar to the Lawn Pit engine SJ 722 133 correspondence from Mr Atkinson, about 1940, (vertical, condenser, Worked: Coal and ironstone, former colliery engineer for the cylinder connected to the pump rods Company. Sunk: 1820s and 1840s, by a beam in the top of the house). Closed 1905, reopened 1910 - 12. 1. Barn, SJ 718 125 Chartermaster working ceased in On the opposite side of the canal to 1894. Worked: Coal and ironstone, the colliery there was an older No section of strata for the shaft has Sunk: 1828 to 1831, pumping engine at Near Waxhill Pit yet been found although an Closed: Before 1910. (shown on Lilleshall Co. Water incomplete one is given by Doody No ‘section of strata’ for shaft has Mains Map 1878, and on the Parish 1879. In 1891, shafts 2 x 8 ft. dia.. been found. In 1891, shafts 2 x 7.5 ft. Map of 1857 but does not appear on Deepest 720 ft., ventilated by in. dia. Deepest 495 ft, ventilated by pre-1850 maps). This could be the old furnace, airways 3,146 yd. long. furnace, airways 1,922yd. in length. Donnington (Boulton and Watt) Workings officially abandoned in Pumping Engine, described as being 1928. Equipment described as ‘old’ in an at ‘Near Waxhill Pit’ when sunk in 1899 report. An engine house and at 1828. Winding: A report refers to an least three shafts shown on old engine in 1840 and, about 1884, a pair plans. No information on winding or The mine had its own community, of horizontal engines in use. A pumping engines. The Barracks, (1804 - 1905) complete winding engine house survives in Employed 58 underground, 18 on with Methodist Chapel (1862 - 1890s). ruins. It is said that a winding engine surface in 1894. Last fatalities 32 families (153 people) lived here in was removed to a Staffordshire mine occurred in 1894 and 1898. the 1850s. (probably Florence) in 1912.

2. Barracks (Waxhill Employed 57 underground and 43 on Pumping: In 1820 a 26 in. beam Barracks), SJ 718 129 the surface in 1894. Last fatalities in engine was in use. Atkinson said that Worked: Coal and ironstone, 1894, 1895 and 1908, many of the in the 1940s the pump was similar to Sunk: About 1820, surface workers were girls, (see fig. that at Stafford Pit. (A Bull-type Ceased production about 1903, but p76 East Shropshire Mines). There engine built by the Company, 45in. pumping continued until February are some walls remaining of the dia. cylinder and 7½ ft. stroke over 18th 1930. Methodist Chapel and possibly of the shaft, the cylinder was directly No section of strata for the shaft has the pumping engine house. connected to the pump rod and had a been found. In 1891, shafts 2 x 7.5 ft balance box consisting of a large dia. Deepest 630 ft. (796 ft. at 3. Barnyard, SJ 720 127 weight in an iron tank). Pumping closure), ventilated by furnace, Worked: Coal and ironstone, ceased in 1930. Part of an engine airways 1,650 yd. long. Up to 6 shafts Sunk: Probably 1820s, house remains on site. shown on old plans. Working Double Closed 1880s. Coal and Blackstone Ironstone in No section of strata has been found Employed 59 underground and 29 on 1891. although there is some confusion on the surface in 1894,18 persons in total old plans as to whether this is the in 1905. Last fatality here was in 1910. Winding: Steam engine recorded in Lodgebank Colliery, for which a 1840, in 1908 there was a horizontal, section is available. Mine plans show References single cylinder, 18 inch diameter, 3 ft. five shafts on site. 1. Granville Country Park by stroke, drum 10 ft. Winding from 855 M.Horton and S.Biddle published ft., (information from the report on an First shown on 1837 plan and with a by Ironbridge Institute 1987. overwinding accident, one man building on an 1878 plan. This is 2. A Fatal Overwind at Waxhill killed). probably the winding engine house Barracks Pit by Ivor J.Brown of which parts survive. Probably published by S.C.M.C. Quarterly Pumping: In 1870 there was a 61 in named incorrectly on an official Journal ‘Below’, 2008.1, March dia. double acting, condensing, company scroll of 1879 as 2008.

20 “Below” 2009.3 Miscellany and Letters

Old Grit Pumping Engine Union Banner Letter Shaft – Shaft Details Part of the letter from the IGMT to Ivor Brown, about the non-appearance of Some notes for those not familiar the Union banner at the July 5th Church service: with Old Grit - the scene of the recent Dear Dr Brown dog rescue, it is situated over the hill to the East of White Grit. The remains Re: NATIONAL UNION OF MINEWORKERS’ SOUTH of a very early beam pumping engine STAFFORDSHIRE & SHROPSHIRE DISTRICT MINERS’ BANNER house survive beside the open (but fenced) shaft: NGR: SO 3273 9824 Further to my telephone call today, I am writing on behalf of the John Heathcote in club account Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust to offer our sincere apologies for our No.12 (1979) refers to Rider Shaft failure to deliver the loan of the National Union of Mineworkers’ banner (which is up the hill behind the farm, in time for the special church service which was held on Sunday 5 July SO 3244 9811) as being 230ft from 2009. it’s collar to Wood Level, with the distance to water as being measured I understand that this was a great disappointment to many people, some as 200 ft. Account 22 states the shaft of whom had travelled a significant distance to be at the service. I would was descended in 1994 to a blockage be grateful if you could pass on our deepest apologies to all those at 130ft. including a dead cow. affected by our failure. Steve Miller Chief Executive, IGMT Using the above details as a rough guide plus Google Earth and OS Slate Directors Jailed maps, Rider shaft collar is at 338m Three former executives of the Alfred new management. Parent company aod while the pumping engine shaft McAlpine slate division in Bethesda, Alfred McAlpine was bought by collar (SO 3273 9824) is about 324m. North Wales have been sent to construction rival Carillion in So if Rider Shaft was 230 ft. (70m) to prison for inflating sales figures with February 2008. Wood Level then it implies Old Grit more than £10m in false invoices. Pumping Engine shaft is 184ft. (56m) The SFO acknowledged that the to Wood Level. The Serious Fraud Office said that purpose of the fraud was not to 44% of the firm’s reported debtors directly enrich the defendants but to I’m not sure where the 110ft. in the were fiction. Christopher Law, Geraint convey to the main board of press reports has come from, but we Roberts and Paul Harvey, admitted McAlpine that it was more were at the end of our 50m ropes, fraudulent trading and were successful than it was. with about 6 to 8m on the surface sentenced at Caernarfon Crown News Reports, 18th Sept. 2009 from the edge of the shaft, so I would Court. Law was jailed for 30 months, calculate that Alan was down about Roberts got 16 months and Harvey Memorial Unveiled 40m (131ft.) at the water level, so will serve 10. Alex Salmond, First Minister of about 16m above Wood Level. Scotland unveiled a bronze statue of Account 10, with the maps and plans The crime uncovered by parent a miner to mark the 50th anniversary in, has plans of the workings at Grit, company Alfred McAlpine in of Scotland’s worst mining disasters, but unfortunately they have not February 2007 when it’s audit team when 47 men died in an underground reproduced very well, making it very was asked to investigate why fire (caused by an electrical fault diffcult to read the fine details, it outstanding debts on the false 1,000ft below the surface) at the would be interesting to see if we invoices were not being collected. Auchengeich Colliery in North have a better copy in the Club library Lanarkshire on 18 September 1959. or if anyone has a better photocopy It was found that customer letters Only one miner who started the shift from the Shropshire Archive - which were created to give the impression survived the blaze. is where I presume the originals are that payments were in the pipeline, The miners were overcome by smoke now deposited. while delivery notes and as they travelled down to start work. Kelvin transportation invoices for non- Rescuers were unable to save the Glensanda Quarry existent consignments were forged. men and had to flood the pit to On the remote Morwern Peninsula on extinguish the fire. Scotland’s West coast is Europe’s The slate division was previously largest super quarry. It has a one-mile valued at £100m before the fraud The statue stands in the new long tunnel between the primary and which led to a £40m drop in profits memorial gardens near Auchengeich secondary crushing facilities and no and the loss of 126 jobs. The Miners’ Welfare Hall in main road access. Products are business was sold for £31m at the Moodiesburn. removed by sea. end of 2007, and now trades under News Reports, 20th September 2009 Quarry Management, July 2009

“Below” 2009.3 21 Books, Library, and News

Library Additions The Lead, Copper & Barytes Mines of Shropshire North Wales Caving Club By Michael Shaw, Logaston press. valuable reference for mining Newsletter, Issue 311, April-July historians - not to mention Club and 2009. Articles cover 25 years since While SCMC publications have often Trust members looking to visit some Pool Park discovered by NWCC, carried articles about the various of the sites mentioned! World’s End Cave and Mine, plus a mines covered by this book, there report on the BCRC 2009 Rescue has long been a need to try and pull This book is well worth adding to conference. everything together into a coherent your library as it successfully plugs a publication. In this aim Mike Shaw gap in Shropshire mining history, Mendip Caving Group, MCG has been very successful. pulling together histories of little News, 354: January 2009, 355: known mines, along with the more February 2009, 356: May 2009. He has spent years researching famous ones. records and books, talking to Plymouth Caving Group, surviving miners, members of their Newsletter & Journal, No.152, families, SCMC members and tracking March 2009. Contains reports on down original documents and the trips into Wheal Benny (Kit Hill), sites of numerous mines - many of trips to the Mendips, Gaping Ghyll, which only lasted a year or two! Little Duke Mine (Tamar Valley) and The first few chapters cover the early Matienzo (in Summer 2008). mining history of Shropshire, the Subterranea Britannica, products and processes, before Subterranea, Issue 18: January delving off into the different mining 2009 - has a feature on the Tar areas and covering the mines in more Tunnel, Coalport, plus sites in detail, so it will have general appeal. Germany, Turkey, Yorkshire, There are plenty of interesting Cwmorthin and Brighton. Issue 19: snippets and facts to keep May 2009 - visits to the Thames ‘enthusiasts’ engaged - for example Barrier, South Kensington Station Mike has made an excellent job of and District tube line, sites in trying to untangle the ownership Sweden, Churchill’s Citadel and other history of Bog Mine (which seemed bunkers around London. Issue 20: to change owners almost every year ISBN: 978-906663-09-4 September 2009 - plate rails in surrey at one time!), plus uncovering the Softback, 320 pages, over 200 b&w firestone quarries, Camden’s railway histories of a lot of small mines. photographs, drawings and plans. history, Study weekend in Northern Price £12.95. France, Williamson’s Tunnels, Ram Coupled with the extensive gazetteer, Hill Colliery (Gloucestrshire) plus and references section this is a book Available from Mike Moore or online much more! that after the first read, will become a at www.moorebooks.co.uk Norfolk Mineral & Lapidary Snailbeach Lead Mine, Shropshire Society Newsletter: Stone Chat. As part of its efforts to raise funding Vol.29 No.3, Spring 2008. Vol.29 for further restoration work at No.4, Summer 2009. Vol.30 No.1, Tankerville mine, the Shropshire Autumn 2009, Mines Trust has published a new book on Snailbeach. This book was Western United Mines “purposely designed to be read by Newsletter someone with only a general interest”, but it is far better than that. The owners of South Crofty Mine have produced the first edition of I hope you will support the Trust by “South Crofty News” intended to buying the book. Just the right size keep people living near the mine to slip in your pocket as a field guide. informed of developments, it is available for download on their web Mike Gill site: ISBN 978-0-9556081-2-4 www.westernunitedmines.com/ Softback, 172 pages, 112 b&w assets/documents/pdf/ photographs, 23 drawings and maps. SOUTH_CROFTY_JULY_NEWSLETTER.pdf Price £9 (£7.50 to Club members).

22 “Below” 2009.3 Books and Videos

Madeley Court, Shropshire 'Mongst More Mines Edited by Shelagh Lewis in the Transactions of Shropshire Arch. & EXPLORATION OF SOUTHWESTERN MINES ABOVE & Hist. Society, Vol.81, dated 2006. A4 BELOW GROUND size, 128 pages, many plans, photos The 2007 NAMHO conference was opportunity to re-visit the Camborne and figures. Price about £10. held at Morwellham Quay by the School of Mines (CSM) test mine A very full report of present day river Tamar. The organisers arranged (formerly Holmans Test Mine). A knowledge on this monastic grange special visits to many mines in walk round the buildings at site founded c1200. It includes a 5 Devon and Cornwall and this Botallack on a fine sunny day is page section on the coal and Compilation features some of them. A followed by a visit to Geevor tin ironstone mines as described in group from the Club spent the mine, where we were very privileged ‘Below’ 2004.3 and 2004.4. following week exploring more to be allowed to descend 79 metres of Cornish mines and many visits are ladders in Victory shaft to Deep Adit The Railways and Locomotives featured here. level and explore it inland to a of the Lilleshall Company dammed connection with the flooded by Bob Yate, published by Irwell The DVD starts with a look round Levant mine, then out along the long Press, hardback, 2008. A4 size, 138 Morwellham Quay including a brief winding level to the exit in the pages, many plans, photos and look at George & Charlotte copper Trewellard cliffs. figures about £21. mine. Then we visit Excelsior tunnel, have a guided surface tour of the Finally we see that the engine houses A fascinating book describing the superbly preserved Kelly mine of Wheal Trewavas near Rinsey cove Company’s system of standard including the dressing mill, and are just as impressive as Botallack, gauge track, about 20 miles, in all and explore various levels of Great Rock after which we move to Bodmin and the places it served. At least two shiny ore mine underground. mines around Caradon Hill: South sections contain a significant amount Phoenix, Phoenix United and Wheal of detail on the local mines. In Cornwall we visit the excellent Jenkin near Minions, then end at the Blue Hills tin streams, take a stroll extensive remains of South Caradon A couple of errors have been noted, round the St. Agnes area, attend a copper mine. but may be forgiven in such a specially arranged visit to Wheal comprehensive work on railways - for Peevor before it was opened to the In many ways, this Compilation example the Madeley Wood public, re-visit the always interesting complements our popular 3-DVD Company never “operated pits Taylor’s shaft and Michell’s shaft Production “’Mongst Mines and named Lawn and Darklane” (as National Trust preserved Cornish Mine Explorers”. stated on page 16) and the church engines in Pool and examine mines of £14.95 DVD known as St. Chads was C. of E. not the Basset sett after conservation for (£10 to Club Members at meetings) Methodist (page 81). the UNESCO world heritage Ivor Brown site. Roughton Gill and the Mines of A look round the splendid The Caldbeck Fells King Edward dressing mill is by Ian Tyler, HB, 320pp followed by a visit to nearby The long awaited and penultimate Wheal Grenville stamps, then book by Ian on the Mining in we have a quick look at a Cumbria, (it is dedicated to Jean Tyler variety of sites: Brea tin who passed away in 2007). Mining streaming works, South has taken place on these fells for Crofty’s New Roskear shaft, over 400 years starting with the the Red River near Roscroggan German Adventurers of the 16th and the Cornish Gold Centre to Century to the Barytes Mines of see what progress had been Potts Gill in the 1960s. The book made with the unique Tolgus provides details of each mine, plans tin streaming works. and photographs where available. I Afterwards, we stop briefly at like the Hardback style it does the St.Euny’s churchyard to book justice, as ever Ian’s easy to contemplate the many miner’s read stlye comes through as he gravestones. relates the story of each of the mines. There is also a list mine workers on An invitation from Mark the fells. Kaczmarek gave a welcome Price £20.00 plus P&P Mike Moore for details of availability visit: www.iarecordings.org

“Below” 2009.3 23 Diary Dates Club Officers 2009

President: Alan Taylor Membership, Insurance & 23rd to 26th October: 25th SUICRO, BCA Rep: Mike Davies Hylands Burren Hotel, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare.

4th November: Newcomen Society Chair: Neal Rushton Monthly meeting & talk “The Sinking Tackle: Andy Harris and History of Lea Hall Colliery” by Denis Jackson, 7pm at the Thinktank, Millenium Point, Birmingham.

Vice-Chair: Tony Wilson First Aid Officer: 14th - 15th November: NAMHO Alan Moseley Council meeting at Nenthead, plus winch on Brewery shaft. Contact Steve Holding for details. Secretary: Andrew Wood Librarian: Alan Robinson [email protected] 2010 3rd February: Newcomen Society Monthly meeting & talk “Boulton, Watt & Wilkinson - the birth of the Treasurer: Eileen Bowen Bat Officer: Mike Worsfold improved steam engine” by Jim Andrews, 7pm at the Thinktank, Millenium Point, Birmingham.

13th February: DCA AGM, 10am Training Officer: Ian Davies Rescue Officer: Monyash Village Hall. Neal Rushton 6th March: BCRA Cave Science Symposium, University of Bristol.

Conservation & NAMHO 27th - 30th April: IV International Rep: Steve Holding ‘Below’ Editor, Publications: Karst Symposium, Mallaga, Spain. Kelvin Lake e-mail: [email protected] 4th - 6th June: NAMHO 2010, Miners Institiute, Coalpit Heath, South Gloucestershire. Forms available from 1st January 2010.

The Perils of an Animal Rescue ...... 87

Ok, Thanks ... no problems She’s such a

Hellounderground ...... friendly dog too ...

Hello ?

Take awe radio can so keep in touch

Catch us on the World Wide Web. Club activities & the labyrinth: http://www.shropshirecmc.org.uk/ 24 “Below” 2009.3