Talybont (Source: Roy Fellows)
Access is now open with the rotten timberwork all stripped out and the access shaft concreted. Rotten ladders have been replaced by steel ones. There is no more work required on this site in the near future.
Cwmystwyth Lefel Fawr (Source: Roy Fellows)
Work on replacing the second tube with a steel roadway is currently ongoing. Visitors to the mine should consider an alternative route. RSJs have been moved into the mine in preparation.
Funding for Dales Countryside Museum (source: NAMHO June 2017 Newsletter)
The Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes has won support from National Lottery players to re-house and exhibit one of the country’s most fascinating lead mining collections. A total of 860 objects, including mining wagons and tools, were given to the DCM by the Yorkshire Dales Mining Museum in Earby when it closed in 2015.
A grant of £90,600 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) means that the artefacts can now be re-examined and displayed, while the stories of miners and of the members of Earby Mine Research Group who assembled the objects over 50 years can be told.
The project is being called, “A Rich Seam: Lead Mining and Textile Heritage in the Yorkshire Dales”.
As well as bringing the lead mining collection back to life, new exhibitions will be created from the DCM’s extensive textile holdings. The lead mining and textile industries were once vital to the Dales, especially in the 19th century. They went hand-in-hand, with miners often knitting on the way to work to supplement their income.
Groverake Headstock Saved (source: NAMHO June 2017 Newsletter)
Joint statement from Friends of Groverake and Friends of Killhope, agreed by GSC Grays:
The future of the iconic headframe on the Groverake mine at Rookhope is now safe. The threat of demolition which has hung over the last remaining headframe in County Durham for more than a year has been lifted.
The Friends of Groverake were formed to secure the future of this much loved landmark and have been working hard with interested parties to reach a positive outcome. The Friends, working with the Friends of Killhope, set up an appeal in a bid to take over the headframe and money poured in from all over the country and from as far afield as Ireland and the United States. The Friends rapidly reached the target set.
But now the landowner has agreed to take on the headframe rather than it being demolished in accordance with the original planning permission, now that the mining lease has come to an end. Margaret Manchester, chair of the Friends of Killhope, says “We are all delighted with the landowner’s positive response. This is an excellent outcome for a historic structure which is dear to the hearts of local people. My father worked at the mine and I know how happy he will be at this news. We would like to say a massive “thank you” to all those members of the local community and the wider public who supported us and our appeal. Without such huge public interest we would probably have lost this vital part of our heritage for ever. All those who gave money will now receive a full refund and we wish the landowner all the best for the future of Groverake. We have offered him any help he might need in the coming months and years.”
Link to Friends of Groverake Facebook page
Volunteers required at Wanlockhead Museum (Source: NAMHO June 2017 Newsletter)
Wanlockhead Museum of Lead Mining, Dumfries and Galloway, is looking to recruit more volunteers to help out with day to day tasks. If you have some spare time and would like to assist you can contact the museum via their website or Facebook page.
Link to Wanlockhead Lead Mining Museum
Link to Wanlockhead Museum Facebook Page
NAMHO Facebook Page
One place worth visiting if you use Facebook is the NAMHO Facebook page where there are regular updates posted on the news and activities from numerous NAMHO Member organisations.
Link to NAMHO Facebook Page
