NAMHO NEWSLETTER 44 - Spring 2003

EDITOR WANTED!!!

After many years as the NAMHO Editor, this is my last publication. At the AGM in March I did not stand for re-election and, as there were no nominations for the post, NAMHO is now editorless.

The job is not onerous but is important in disseminating news and information amongst the member organisations. The number of Newsletters published is, however, dependant on the provision of copy to the Editor.

If you are interested, or know someone who is, in taking over this position, please contact Mike Moore (Chairman) or Sallie Bassham (Secretary), NAMHO, c/o Peak District Mining Museum, The Pavilion, South Parade, Matlock Bath, MATLOCK, DE4 3NR.

I would take this opportunity thank everyone who has helped me over the years, especially those members who have sent me copy for the Newsletter and copies of their organisations' publications.

Wes Taylor

NAMHO 2009

Don't forget the NAMHO 2009 Conference which is being held at Rathnew, Co Wicklow, Ireland on the 6 - 8 June 2003. The Conference will include talks on Irish Mining, as well as surface and underground visits to mining sites. In the week after the Conference there will be opportunities to visit other mine sites in Ireland.

Further information is available from Mathew Parkes, MHTI, c/o Geological Survey of Ireland, Beggars Bush, Haddington Rd, DUBLIN.

E-Mail: mathewparkes@gsi.ie.

Web site: www.mhti.com.

NEW MEMBER

The South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group was elected to membership at the last meeting of theNAMHO Council. The secretary of SGMRG is Steve Grudgings, tel: 01256 896715.

SOUTH CROFTY TIN MINE, CORNWALL

With the un-abandonment in September 2001 of South Crofty Mine, Redruth, the mining and geological plans, sections and records were returned to the mine from the Cornwall County Recoirds office.

HM Inspector of Mines approved the re-opening of the Tuckingmill Decline and the making safe of the area above the water level. This work has been completed and approval has now been given to make an access route from the Tuckingmill Decline into the New Cooks Kitchen workings.

It is proposed to process the ore on the South Crofty site and this will require the transfer of processing equipment from the old Wheal Jane site.

Cornish Mining Development Association

BOOK REVIEWS

1. "Work in the Woods - Dean's Industrial Heritage" by Chris Morris. Published by Tanners Yard Press, Church Road, Longhope, GL17 0LA. 72 pages. ISBN 0-9542096-0-5. Cost ?11.99.
This is a book of superb contemporary colour photographs of the Forest of Dean and is printed on high quality gloss paper. Within a basically chronological structure, the pictures are arranged thematically (e.g. transport, charcoal, water) and by place (e.g. Lydney Harbour, Wye Bridges, Lea Bailey Gold Mine, Findall Chimney, Cannop Colliery). All locations are listed with grid references and a map so that interested visitors can find the sites. There are also photographs of miners, engineers, workers in museums and mine explorers.
The author would describe himself as a documentary photographer, but the digital enhancement of some of the pictures could be argued to take them beyond the purely representational to either pure art, or a mixture of the two. The aim is that the images are 'graphic yet informative'.
Those who do not know the Forest of Dean will find these photographs an incentive to visit the area.
For those who know the area, they will enjoy these high quality reminders of familiar places, but many in the latter category will also be made aware of new locations to visit and interpret.
Sallie Bassham

2. "Metal Mines of Llanengan - Mining Ventures in a North Wales Parish" by J Bennet and R Vernon. Published by Gwydyr Mines Publications, November 2002, 160 pp with 30 diagrams, sections and maps and 20 photographs. ISBN 0951479881. Hardback(24cm x l7cm). Cost ?15.00.
This is the first full and detailed account of the lead, copper, zinc, iron and manganese mines that lie to the south of Abersoch, Gwynedd. Although workings date back to at least the 17th Century, this is a relatively small mining area with few mines and low outputs. Recorded total annual output for the individual metal ores rarely exceeded four figures and maximum total employment only once exceeded 300 persons.
The book describes mainly the rise and fall of the various companies with notes on the developments they undertook at the respective mines. There is, however, a separate chapter on the accidents that occurred at the mines and the report of the three-death inrush of water caused by poor mapping makes particularly sad reading. The accident left 3 widows and 12 children without fathers. Truly a disaster in an area of such low population density.
The book also has an epilogue-a 'mining trail', with a map so that visitors to the area can see many of the surviving relics and get a feel for its mining past. It is well researched with references carefully given, but does surprise the writer that so few period photos have been located. Those given show clearly some of the most important features, engine houses, chimneys and shafts but there is some repetition. However the excellent and clear diagrams make up for this and the book is well produced.
Ivor Brown

3. "The Rock Cannon of Gwynedd" by Griff R. Jones. ISBN 0-9533692-1-8. Only available from Plas Tan y Bwlch, Snowdonia National Park Environmental Studies Centre, Maentwrog, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd LL41 3YU. 147pp, approx 60 photographs. Cost ?8.50, including post and packing.
It is well known that Rock Cannon were used to celebrate heydays and holidays in north west Wales. Many people knew that several survived but Griff Jones records over 200 sites with full descriptions, some supported by photographs. He researches the history of individual sites, with an overview of their use,as well as the technical details of the methods of firing. The largest cannon is in Bethesda with 195 holes! There is a fully listed appendix showing map reference, location and number of holes.
The book is well produced and is excellent value at the price.
John A Knight

4. "Rocks and Scenery of the Peak District" by Trevor D Ford. Landmark Publishing 2002. 96pp. ISBN 1-84306-026-4. Photos, maps & diagrams. Cost ?7.95.
This book is written in "layman's language" so you don't need to be a professional geologist to understand it. It gives a detailed and fascinating account of the rocks and their formation in changing geographies of 300 million years ago and of the way in which the present day landscape has been formed by processes such as glaciation.
It details every rock and landscape type to be found in the Peak District, both in the White Peak and the Dark Peak, and is full of excellent colour photographs which illustrate clearly the various sites under discussion. It also has maps and diagrams which show the locations of the various rock types and sites and illustrate the processes described. Some of the maps, such as the ones showing the mineral veins in different areas and underground drainage, have been published before in specialist journals but are not readily accessible to the general reader. Now they are all collected together in one book and, together with the commentary, make the whole scenario much more readily understandable.
There is a separate chapter on "Caves" and one on "Areas of Special Interest" which includes many of the mining areas of interest to cavers. At the start of the book there is a note of useful OS maps and British Geological Survey 1:50000 maps which cover the area and, at the end, a two-page bibliography. It also has a comprehensive index.
This is a really excellent little book and one which ought to be on everyone's bookshelf.
Jenny Potts - Derbyshire Caver No 114

5. "The History of the Cheadle Coalfield, Staffordshire" by the late Herbert A Chester. Published 2002 by Landmark Publishing, Ashbourne. 192pp, many photographs and plans. ISBN 1-84306-013-2. Cost ?19.95
The late Herbert Chester was a well known schoolmaster with a keen interest in local history. He researched many sources of information, some of which are no longer available. Towards the end of his life he privately published two books: "Cheadle Coal Town" and "The Iron Valley".
This new edition of the first book, "Cheadle Coal Town", is presented in a more readable format, together with additional photographs and maps. An index is also included.
The Cheadle Coalfield lies to the east of Stoke-on-Trent and the larger North Staffordshire Coalfield. It covers an area of about 20sq miles and within this area there is a region of 5sq miles or so which is rich in ironstone.
The coal and ironstone have been worked for a
number of centuries and there is documentary evidence of working the coal prior to the 17th century. Nowadays there is very little evidence of the former industrial activity. Most of the signs of mining activity have been destroyed or have become overgrown. The Cheadle Coalfield was at one time a prosperous mining area, the last deep mine Foxfield Colliery closing in 1965. This site is now preserved as part of the Foxfield Railway.
This second edition, with editorial and geological assistance from Dr Trevor Ford is well presented in logical format with detailed accounts of the larger collieries and accompanying maps in the well known Landmark Collectors Series. The second publication, The Iron Valley is due out in 2003 and will complete the history of this fascinating area.
The books will interest both the serious historian and visitors to this attractive area.
Mike Luff

6. "Churnet Valley Iron. The Mills & Mines" by the late Herbert A Chester. Published 2003 by Landmark Publishing, Ashbourne. 96pp with photographs & plans. ISBN 1-84306-011-6. Cost ?7.95.
This is the companion volume to the Cheadle Coalfield by Herbert Chester, a local schoolmaster with an interest in local history. He researched many sources of information, many no longer available. Towards the end of his life he privately published two books: "Cheadle Coal Town" and "The Iron Valley".
This new edition of the second book is updated with OS Maps & extra photographs; the text is as the original.
The Churnet Valley could not be recommended to the tourist seeking beauty spots, they are hidden by the many sites of industries scattered about the valley.
This book documents in detail the mining of cherry red ironstone in the valley between Consall Forge and Froghall and Ipstone and Kingsley.
Many millions of tons of iron ore were found from 1853 up to 1923 when the last mine, Cheery Eye Mine closed. For 10 hours a day four boats, laden with red ore , passed the Black Lion Inn at Consall Forge.
Consall Forge was no longer producing iron in the 1850's, the earliest ironworks in the valley would appear to be at Eastwall dating from at least 1290.
Most of the tramways, mills and other reminders have become overgrown or lost, but the hamlet of Consall Forge and its popular pub (The Black Lion ) and its preserved steam railway are reminders that the area was once heavily industrialised with mines, pits, mills, trains, tramways and canal traffic. Todays ramblers, quiet nature reserves and quiet canal boats belie its past history.
This excellent book recalls the former days of the valley in detail and is a just companion to the first volume.
Mike Luff

BOOK PREVIEW

"Victorian Slate Mining" by Ivor Wynne Jones. 2003, Landmark Publishing. 141pp, numerous photos. ISBN 1 84306 073 6. Cost ?15.95.
Slate was to North Wales what coal was to South Wales. Its extraction and transport created entire communities, with a network of roads and railways to connect mines and quarries to new harbours, from whence the world's finest roofing material could be shipped across the globe. We know the Romans used some slate at Caernarfon and there was medieval use of slate roofs in Conwy. However it was the Industrial Revolution, and the need for something better than thatch to roof countless terraces of new houses sprouting around the factories, that prompted the proper exploitation of Welsh slate.
This study is based upon the 1893-94 investigation by a Government Departmental Committee, appointed to investigate the conditions in the slate mines of North Wales. The study also incorporates photographs specially commissioned by the Home Office from the pioneering underground photographer J C Burrow.
The damning report to Parliament by the Committee provides the only accurate survey of both the working and domestic conditions of a Victorian mining community - conditions that would have been commonplace across Britain.

CWMYSTWYTH MINES

GEEVOR TIN MINE, CORNWALL

Geevor Tin Mine has since October 2001 been run by Pendeen Community Heritage. Last year, visitor numbers were the highest ever and plans are now well advanced for some major developments. In conjunction with the St. Just Mines Research Group, it has been established that there is a much larger area underground that is potentially accessible to visitors than was previously suspected.

With the support of the site owners, Cornwall County Council, and Penwith District Council, it is intended to create visitor access to a suite of spectacular workings that exemplify 19th and 20th century mining methods. The ambitious multi-million pound plan will take several years to complete but will result in Cornwall having one of the finest 'tourist mines' in Europe. A display at the mine shows some of the proposals.

Geevor offers a discounted admission to all members of NAMHO affiliated societies.

Bill Lakin, Director, Geevor Tin Mine Museum

NATIONAL COAL MINING MUSEUM LIBRARY

The library at the National Coal Mining Museum is now open to the public. The library collects information which records the history of coal mining in England. It has information not only about the technical aspects of coal mining, but also about the social, economic and political aspects of the industry. The collection contains books, journals, newspapers, trade catalogues, maps, yearbooks and government publications.

There are also Special Collections of old and very rare books in the library, as well as novels and poetry relating to coal mining.

The main research collection is available by appointment only.

Besides the main collection, which is kept in a secure store, there is a collection of books on open shelves in the study which is open for browsing on the first full weekend of each month between 1000 and 1600hrs.

Further information is available on 01924 848806.

NEW STONE MINE OPENED

The new Bowers Stone Mine in Portland opened in November 2002. It should be in production for 5 years. If this mine is successful a much larger mine will be opened out at Stonehills with production planned to start in April 2004.

The new adit to the Bowers Stone Mine was cut using a Benetti diamond blade machine. The mine will be worked by the "Pillar and Stall" system of work.

Ivor Brown (Mining, quarrying and recycling - Nov 2002)

HISTORY OF COAL MINING IN BRITAIN

I am on the Committee of the History of Geology Group of the Geological Society, London. We are interested in the possibility of holding a meeting at some time in the future (?2004, 2005) on the "History of Coal Mining in Britain" from its earliest days to the present. This is a preliminary enquiry to see if anyone out there would be interested in attending such a meeting and/or giving a paper. If you wish to present a paper, please indicate your possible topic.

Any suggestions for other organisations we should contact for possible contributors would be welcome.

Richard J. Howarth, Honorary Professor of Mathematical Geology, University College London, 49 Selwyn Avenue, RICHMOND, TW9 2HB.

E-mail: r.howarth@ucl.ac.uk. Tel: 020 8332 7835.

GOLD FROM THE RIVER

A gold nugget weighing 6.1 grams (0.21oz) was found last summer by a man panning for gold in a stream in the Lowther Hills, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. Press reports state that the value of the nugget is worth up to ?600 !!! It is hoped that the find will not provoke a gold rush to the area.

In 1502 a nugget weighing 1.13kg (2.5lb) was found in the area. Gold from the area was used in the manufacture of the Scottish Crown Jewels.

A licence is not required to pan for gold in streams crossing public land but permission should be obtained before panning on private property. Gold panning has developed into a tourist attraction in Sutherland and at Mennock Water in Dumfries and Galloway.

UK MINE RESCUE STATIONS 2001

1. Financing Mine Rescue Stations

2. Tradegy in Glasgow

PRESERVATION OF MINE SITES IN WALES

The Welsh Mines Preservation Trust is committed to the preservation of relatively undisturbed mine sites in Wales. The first step is to create a database of these sites and the Trust would be grateful for any suggestions, along with details, of sites to be included on the database.

Each location will be considered with a view to protecting and preserving the site, together with what can be done to achieve these aims.

In addition, the Trust is in contact with CADW regarding the possibility of getting further mine sites scheduled. They wish to be advised of any site that could be considered for scheduling.

Welsh Mines Preservation Trust

REPAIR PLAN FOR TOLGUS TIN

A grant from the Cornwall County Environment Trust has been granted to develop the specification for repairs to the roof of Tolgus Tin. Materials similar to the original fabric of the building will be used for the repairs and, besides protecting the exhibits from the weather, it will also retain the authenticity of the exhibits.

Tolgus Tin has the largest collection of working tin streaming machinery in the country. In the season there are about 13 pieces of plant operating at the same time.

Trevithick Times

MINING BOOKS FOR SALE

1. North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers Transactions, 35 leather bound volumes ranging from Volume 1 1852 to Volume 34 1884-85. All complete with plates intact, index Vol 1 to Vol XV11 - ?3,200 or nearest offer.

2. "Fossil Fuels, The Collieries and Coal Trade of Great Britain" by J. Holland. 1835, 485 pages. - Very rare, ?85.00.

3. "Rules for recovering coal mines after explosions" by W E Garforth. 1909, 71 pages with linen map of Altofts Colliery explosion. - Very rare ?50.00.

4. "The Investigation of Mine Air", by Sir Clement Le Neve Foster. 1905, 190 pages which includes a very rare Appendix on the mine disaster at Snaefell Lead Mine of 1897. - ?50.00

5. "Accidents in Mines. North Staffordshire Coalfield", by Arthur Robert Sawyer, 1886, 302 diagrams of accidents in Coal and Ironstone Mines. - Rebound but very rare. ?180.00

6. "Practical Treatise on Mine Engineering" by G C Grenwell. Second edition 1868. Rebound but in very good condition. 255 pages of text, with 61, A3 size, colour plates of mining machinery, pumping engines, winding engines, early haulage engines, geology with mine layouts. - ?150.00

7. "Comstock Mining and Miners" by Elliot Lord. United States Geological Survey 1883, 442 pages. Rebound but again in good condition with plates and maps. - ?120.00.

For further details, please contact John Cornwell, The Old Tenniscourt Farmhouse, Wells Road, Hallatrow, BRISTOL, BS39 6EJ. Tel: 01761 453622.

THE EIMCO 12B ROCKER SHOVEL

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has designated the Eastern Iron Metals Company (EIMCO) Rocker Shovel Loader, Model 12b, a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. This award has been made in recognition of the fact that the machine was the first successful mechanical device to replace human labour in removing rubble from underground hard-rock mines.

The 12B Rocker Shovel Loader emulated the movements of the human "mucker" from underground, particularly in narrow mine tunnels. It was developed in the late 1930's and the first working machine, called an "overshoot loader" was built from discarded Ford Model T parts. The original designers were Edwin Burt Royle and John Spencer Finlay.

The first patent (No 2,134,582) was issued in 25 October 1938 to Royle and assigned to EIMCO. The first Model 12B was launched in 1938. Manufacturing rights were licensed to Companies in Great Britain, India, South Africa and Japan. Sales expanded into Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Mexico, Spain and Zambia. By 1969, some 29,000 loaders had been sold.

EIMCO Mining Machinery International was sold in 1980 to Sandvik AB (Sweden) and is known as Tamrock Loaders.

Grosvenor Caving Club Newsletter

CORNISH ENGINE HOUSES

Stewart Smith is now working on on the bid to have the Cornish Mining sites recognised as a World Heritage Site.

In order to strengthen this bid, would members please advise him of details of any Cornish mining engine houses in Britain, whether used for pumping or for winding, which would support their case.

If the Cornish World Heritage site is successful, these sites can link themselves with the World Heritage Site as Associate Sites.

Stewart B Smith International, Chygarth, 5 Beacon Terrace, CAMBORNE, TR14 7BU. Tel: 01209 612142.

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED BY NAMHO EDITOR - 31/5/02 TO 31/12/02

Carn Brea Mining Society

Cheltenham Mineral and Geological Society

Coombe Martin Silver Mine Research & Preservation Society

Cumbria Amenity Trust Mining History Society

Derbyshire Caving Association

East Cornwall Mining History Association

Friends of Killhope

Friends of St Aidan's BE1150 Dragline

Grosvenor Caving Club

Kent Underground Research Group

National Caving Association

North Pennine Heritage Trust

Peak District Mines Historical Society

Plymouth Caving Group

Shropshire Mines Trust

Subterranea Britannica

Wealden Cave and Mine Society

Welsh Mines Society

Other Documents Received

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MINING HISTORY ORGANISATIONS