B E L O Wb) data on the effects of mining in the Ironbridge Gorge on river quality over the last 300...
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“Below” 97.4 Quarterly Journal of the Shropshire Caving & Mining Club Winter Issue No: 97.4 E L O W ! B AGM Changes Following the AGM on the 3rd of October there have been a few changes in the make-up of the committee (most are now using black-eye liner rather than green!). Malcom Newton has stood down as Vice Chairman, Tom West has gracefully stepped into his shoes - although they are a tight fit! Adrian Pearce has also stood down (after a sterling effort in recent years) and been replaced by John Priest as Secretary. Other elected posts have stayed the same. Slight changes have also occurred with the co-opted officers with Alan Moseley becoming First Aid and Training Officer, the role of Rescue Officer is to be undertaken by the Rescue Wardens. Subs If you have not paid-up yet, your subs became due at the AGM, slight changes were made (mainly to cover printing and postage costs) and the current rates are:- Full Member £15 Associate Member £10 Family Member £22 Junior Member £ 8 Day Member £ 2.50 Welcome To Peter Sheldrake and George Evans, who have recently joined us (as we enter our 36th Year of existence) as Full Members. Access Arrangements Clive Mine is only available for use until 8pm during the winter - winter should be taken to mean the months between the clocks going back in autumn and going forward in spring. Keys Please note: that keys for access to all the mines under the club’s control are held by the Secretary. Trip Reports John Priest has introduced a new pro- forma for trip reports, which people organising (and taking part in) trips are encouraged to actively fill-in. The writing up of trip reports has been very lax in recent years, and members should be reminded that the recording of trips is part of the constitution. John will photocopy the reports so that they can be included in ‘Below’. You might like to know that in the past 2 months there have been Club trips to: Nenthead, East Roman Gravels, Watercress Level, Ashfordby, Pen-Y- Rhosith, Potters Pit (now gated), Ogof, Clive (for a rescue practice - see page 10), with bat counts at Rorrington, Rhadley, Leigh Level and Snailbeach. Info Wanted Phil and Richard Amies (of Sygun Copper Mine), have won the contract from the Council to undertake an interpretative study of Snailbeach. They are very keen to include any relevant photographs, artefacts or other material and have appealed to the Club for help. They came along to the November meeting to outline their plans, which (at the moment) involve developing the miners dry as a small visitor centre with possible inclusion of other buildings. Things may have to be ‘cut back’ as the Club has subsequently learnt that the County Council will be unlikely to afford their contribution to the CAP’s programme this year. Snailbeach Visits Before taking members of the public into Snailbeach the Council has asked that we walk through the area to be visited checking for signs of stability (instability?). The record of the walk is to be recorded and signed by the trip leader in a book (the placement of this is being organised by Nick Southwick). Any changes in stability to be reported to the authorities. Finally It only remains to wish all Club Members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Kelvin If you are feeling bored after lunch on the 25th then try you hand at the puzzles on pages 18 & 19.
Transcript of B E L O Wb) data on the effects of mining in the Ironbridge Gorge on river quality over the last 300...
“Below” 97.4 1
Quarterly Journal of the Shropshire Caving & Mining Club Winter Issue No: 97.4
E L O W !B
AGM ChangesFollowing the AGM on the 3rd ofOctober there have been a few changesin the make-up of the committee (mostare now using black-eye liner ratherthan green!).
Malcom Newton has stood down asVice Chairman, Tom West has gracefullystepped into his shoes - although theyare a tight fit! Adrian Pearce has alsostood down (after a sterling effort inrecent years) and been replaced byJohn Priest as Secretary. Other electedposts have stayed the same.
Slight changes have also occurred withthe co-opted officers with AlanMoseley becoming First Aid andTraining Officer, the role of RescueOfficer is to be undertaken by the RescueWardens.
SubsIf you have not paid-up yet, your subsbecame due at the AGM, slight changeswere made (mainly to cover printingand postage costs) and the currentrates are:-
Full Member £15Associate Member £10Family Member £22Junior Member £ 8Day Member £ 2.50
WelcomeTo Peter Sheldrake and George Evans,who have recently joined us (as weenter our 36th Year of existence) as FullMembers.
Access ArrangementsClive Mine is only available for use until8pm during the winter - winter shouldbe taken to mean the months betweenthe clocks going back in autumn andgoing forward in spring.
KeysPlease note: that keys for access to allthe mines under the club’s control areheld by the Secretary.
Trip ReportsJohn Priest has introduced a new pro-forma for trip reports, which peopleorganising (and taking part in) trips areencouraged to actively fill-in. Thewriting up of trip reports has been verylax in recent years, and members shouldbe reminded that the recording of tripsis part of the constitution.
John will photocopy the reports so thatthey can be included in ‘Below’.
You might like to know that in the past2 months there have been Club trips to:Nenthead, East Roman Gravels,Watercress Level, Ashfordby, Pen-Y-Rhosith, Potters Pit (now gated), Ogof,Clive (for a rescue practice - see page10), with bat counts at Rorrington,Rhadley, Leigh Level and Snailbeach.
Info WantedPhil and Richard Amies (of SygunCopper Mine), have won the contractfrom the Council to undertake aninterpretative study of Snailbeach.They are very keen to include anyrelevant photographs, artefacts or othermaterial and have appealed to the Clubfor help.
They came along to the Novembermeeting to outline their plans, which (atthe moment) involve developing theminers dry as a small visitor centre withpossible inclusion of other buildings.
Things may have to be ‘cut back’ as theClub has subsequently learnt that theCounty Council will be unlikely to affordtheir contribution to the CAP’sprogramme this year.
Snailbeach VisitsBefore taking members of the publicinto Snailbeach the Council has askedthat we walk through the area to bevisited checking for signs of stability(instability?). The record of the walk isto be recorded and signed by the tripleader in a book (the placement of thisis being organised by Nick Southwick).Any changes in stability to be reportedto the authorities.
FinallyIt only remains to wish all Club Membersa Merry Christmas and a Happy NewYear
KelvinIf you are feeling bored after lunch onthe 25th then try you hand at the puzzleson pages 18 & 19.
2 “Below” 97.4
News Round-Up 1by Ivor Brown
SnailbeachIn September work commenced onrestoration of Lords Hill Chapel aspart of an overall conservation plan. Acontract has gone out to tender for theconstruction of a visitor centre, basedaround the Loco Shed or Miners Dryarea of Snailbeach Mine.
LadywellConservation is nearing completionon the Ladywell Engine House and hasjust commenced on White Grit. A box-like canopy has been erected over it toallow work to continue in bad weather.
AccidentsIn September a horse was killed whenit fell down a shaft on Wood Level inHope Valley, and a 23 year old youthfell to his death down an 80ft. deepwell at Heath Hill near Shifnal.
Mines & DraglinesRecently IJB visited WoodhornColliery Heritage Centre nearAshington. Most of the collierybuildings still remain, also a steamengine and there is a mock-up of anunderground trip. Nearby is theStobswood Opencast Site which hasthe two largest walking draglines inBritain (a 3,000 tonner, ‘Ace of Spades’and a 4,000 tonner, ‘Big Geordie’).The Friends of St. Aidans Draglines(of which IJB is Secretary) are tryingto save for preservation the 2 draglinesat this site near Leeds, a 1150 tonnedragline (over 50 years old) and a2,000 tonnes (15 years old). The olderwalking dragline came to Britain afterworking in the USA in the late 1940’sas an American Aid deal, it worked forsome years in South Wales, then atPoplars Site in Cannock, Staffs andfinally arrived at Leeds. Membershipof the Friends is available at £2 peryear from IJB.
The CrownThe Crown Public House (site of)between Pennerley and Devils Chairhas recently been visited. There aresubstantial wall remains and the barand snug are easily discernible. Aroundit are several fair sized buildings used
to board itinerant mineworkers, allabandoned and the sunken lanes aremainly overgrown. There was also aminers chapel here until it was replacedby the larger Pennerley Chapel in 1869.From this date most of the populationseems to have moved off the hill,abandoning the old chapel, cottagesand eventually the pub (it must haveclosed early this century).
Coal LeafletA leaflet sized book, 17 pages of smallprint, has been acquired entitled “TheShropshire District Coal MinesScheme 1930” published by HMSOpriced 3d. Apparently the majority ofowners of coal mines in each miningdistrict had to produce a scheme for“regulating the production, supply andsale of coal”. Mr. Alec Morris, theSecretary of the Shropshire CoalOwners Association is named, addresswas Priorslee Hall, Shropshire!
Information WantedEnquiries have been received forinformation on the following:
a) good geological exposures suitablefor viewing by parties of up to 20people, showing coal, iron and clayseams in the Telford area (for anew Geological AssociationGuide).
b) data on the effects of mining in theIronbridge Gorge on river qualityover the last 300 years (for researchat Ironbridge Powerstation)
If anyone can help, please notify IvorBrown.
Miners PortraitsPortraits of some local miners are atpresent on display at the National CoalMining Museum, Wakefield. Theseinclude Frederick Morgan of Highley,Lawson Roper of Alveley and SamCookson of Madeley. These portraitsand about 50 others, werecommissioned by the new NCB in1947-51 from artist H.A.Freeth, andwere used in the industry’s housejournal called ‘Coal’.
100 Years AgoOn the 20th February 1898, there wasan explosion in Blists Hill Clay Mine,Madeley. The deputy told a workmanthat ‘gas’ was present in a heading, theworkman understood this to beblackdamp as found in clay workings,but it turned out to be firedamp asfound in coal. An explosion took placeand the workman was badly burnedbut survived.
1891 CensusThis shows that in Shropshire therewere 881 persons employed in Stone& Limestone quarrying, 1019 in claypits and brick making and 1 (one) slatequarrier. Presumably this workmanwas employed in Wales - or was he?
19thC. TramwayThe 19th C. tramway system in thefarm building of Honnington Grangenear the Last Inn is in danger of being‘lost’ (DRA has been to take photos).This may be a unique legacy from theLilleshall Co. days.
Brewery Well AccessInformation has also been receivedthat access has been ‘stopped’ to thesmall building over the WellingtonBrewery Well, near the Cock Inn. Thiswell contains a steam pump, controlwas put in the hands of the Club in theearly 1970’s. Has anyone been to checkit recently? (See SCMC Journal 1978).
Marble QuarriesIt appears that there are ‘marble’quarries on Clee Hill (see Below 97.3,page 11). A distinctive type of grey-blue, shelly, oolitic limestone wasextracted for polishing and marketingas ‘Clee Hill Marble’. It was not a truemarble (which is metamorphosedlimestone) but was capable of beingpolished - as at Mawley Hall nearCleobury Mortimer. (Thanks “Blogg”for this information). For details see‘The Building Stones of Shropshire’by M.A.Scard, Swan Hill Press 1990.This book also mentions Shropshire‘slates’ - perhaps this is where the‘one’ slate quarrier was working duringthe 1891 census (see above).
“Below” 97.4 3
At the end of 1996, a request was madeto the Club by Shropshire Education’sOutdoor centre at Arthog for help instabilising a section of a local slatemine that they used for undergroundtraining. These works were carried outover two weekends in June and July;involving ten club members and agood few pints!
Location & DescriptionThe mine site [NGR: SH 704149] issituated on the lower slopes of thenorthern side of Cadair Idris, betweenthe Fox and Pony paths that lead to thesummit. It lies on private farmlandand access is not normally possible.All underground access is controlledby the Outdoor Centre and the onlyentrance is securely gated.
The surface remains indicate different
periods of working with open quarryingas well as underground extraction.Some idea of the extent of the site canbe gained from the early OrdnanceSurvey plan shown in Figure 1 (page4).
As well as extensive waste tips, thereis an external incline (with remains ofa drumhouse), connecting withtramways at each level and a numberof ruined outbuildings, some withfireplaces. At the foot of the incline isa large, extended mill building, whichshows evidence of power saws beingused1. Nearby is a wheelpit served by aleat from the stream; however, it is notclear whether this waterwheel providedpower to the mill.
The accessible underground workingsappear to be developed on three distinct
Historical BackgroundExtracts taken from records at Gwynedd Archive Office, Dolgellau by Arthog’s teaching staff:
Date Mine Ownership Agent/Manager No. of ProductionWorkers (Tons)
1868 Crown Quarry Co. William Robert Williams
1877 William Bogett of Chelsea 16Crown Slate Quarry
1879 41880 81881 William Ellis 71882 47 2501883 201884 Thomas Evans 6 1301885 5 501887 - 92 NO RECORDS AVAILABLE1893 3 41894 41895 Crown Quarry, Long 17
Acre, Birmingham1896 David Davies 401897 Crown Quarry Ltd. 40
Dolgellau1898 151899 ALL PRODUCTION CEASED
Penrhyngwyn Slate Mineby Alan Robinson
levels, with access to these only at thelowest floor. All other entrances arecollapsed, but can be tracedunderground to roof falls. There is noapparent internal connection to theoverlying open quarry, although thereappears to be the remains of an inclineon the quarry floor.
Most of the chambers on the first andsecond levels have been extensivelyworked; in particular the chambers onthe second horizon have been brokenthrough to the third level. Evidence ofthe start of new chambers can be seenat the end of the first level, suggestinga typical method of working. The inter-connection of the second and thirdlevels is very confusing, but it doesallow a round trip to be made from thestabilised zone via two short freeclimbs.
Note:Figures 1, 2a and 2b are on pages 4 and5. Turn to page 6 to continue the story.
4 “Below” 97.4
Penrhyngwyn Slate MineFigure 1: Ordnance Survey record of mine after closure
“Below” 97.4 5
Penrhyngwyn Slate MineFigures 2a and 2b
Incline up
From Level 1
LooseWaste
LooseWaste
Area ofinstability
Tramming Levelto adjacent
Chambers
Penrhyngwyn Slate MineSection through top of Incline,prior to 1996 remedial work.Sketch by A.Robinson
PathPlan View
Figure 2a:
Figure 2b:
Incline up
From Level 1
Loose materialpulled back from edge,regraded and terraced
Penrhyngwyn Slate MineSection through top of Incline,after 1997 remedial work.Sketch by A.Robinson
PathPlan View
Sleepers keyed into rock,fence posts vertical
6 “Below” 97.4
SAL
OP
M
IN E R S FEDER
ATIO
N
APRL1914
Penrhyngwyn Slate Minecontinued ....
Recent Remedial WorksFollowing a visit by representative’sof Wardell Armstrong, the county’smining consultants, a number ofsections of the mine had beenrecommended as unsuitable for takingled groups through. Initially areconnaissance of the mine was madein February to try and determine thenature of the work required and if itfell within the SCMC’s capabilities.
The main area of concern was at thetop of a small inclined rise between thebottom and second level, where a largeamount of loose waste was precariouslybalanced above a short climb into theupper chambers.
Additionally, a further potentiallyunstable slope was being restrainedonly by a thin pack wall of slates (seeFigure 2a). Upon inspection, it wasfelt that the pack wall could bereinforced by railway sleepers, whilstthe loose material behind could bepartially removed and terraced.
These works were carried out over twoweekends in June and July; involvingten club members and a good fewpints!
ProblemsTwo major stumbling blocks had to beovercome during the works:
1. To move 4 very heavy sleepers, 24timber posts and a lot of tools fromthe car park to the mine, through aconstricted entrance pipe, alongthe level for perhaps 150m andfinally up more than 20 metres tothe top of the rise.
2. To cut two vertical slots in thesidewalls adjacent to the packwall.These were to receive the ends ofthe sleeper and resist any movementof the wall with competent rockabutments.
In practice, both these tasks wereundertaken simultaneously. Thefarmer was able to move all the sleepersand posts to within 100 metres of thebottom of the main incline. From here,
it required four people to lift one sleeperusing tape slings. This worked well forthe horizontal sections, but on eachslope we had to use a counter balanceof extra bodies to provide the necessaryimpetus to pull the sleepers to the top.This proved a useful application ofsome of the skills gained from rescuepractices, as the sleepers behaved verymuch like a heavy stretcher.
The partially flooded level inside themine proved easier than anticipated,since the displaced water took some ofthe weight off our shoulders and arms.Fortunately, by the end of the first daywe had managed to raise all the sleepersto within a few metres of their finalresting place.
Meanwhile, our team of ‘miners’ were‘stitch’ drilling and chiselling throughthe slate. This took about 12 hours ofcontinuous effort over the two days,providing us with ample opportunityto reflect on how much effort had goneinto the original excavation. Since thiswork was restricted to a maximum oftwo persons at a time, the rest of theparty started a chain gang to movesome of the loose, overhanging spoil.
At first we tried to remove it from thehigher section of the slope (away from
those working below) up to an area ofsolid floor above the slope. Once someof this weight was taken away, then atemporary retaining wall wasconstructed across the slope to allowus to move and rebuild the lower sectionof the slope with a series of low terraces.
Once the slots were completed and thesleepers cut to size, the new wall wasbuilt very quickly and the remainingspace to the packwall infilled withsmall rocks and chippings. Much ofthe unusable spoil from the slope wastipped down the incline and spread outfor hopefully a neat, professionalfinish!
Many thanks for all who helped tomake it possible. Arthog have greatlyappreciated the effort put in by theClub and this should help to strengthenour links with them.
References1. Richards, Alun John A Gazetteer
of the Welsh Slate Industry GwasgCarreg Gwalch 1991
2. Plas Arthog Outdoor Centre.Centre literature. Unpublished.
Alan Robinson
A B
Front of Salop ‘Fed’ Token (fullsize), (Reverse blank), probablybrass:
orb) letter to indicate quarter for which
receipt is given, ie: next would beM for July 1914. Can anyone clarifythis?
The name Salop Miners federationseems to have been an alternative form.It was also known as the “ShropshireMiners, Enginemens and SurfacemensFederation”.
Note:The SMA (or SMF) did not includeIfton, which was in the North WalesAssociation or Highley which was partof Old Hill and Highley Association,later Highley, Kinlet & BillinglseyDistrict Miners Protection Society.
Ivor Brown
Miners Token
This token is believed to be a quarterlyreceipt, with the two holes in the metaldisc (A & B) for use when sewing ontoa jacket.
‘L’ may be either:a) indication of Lodge ie: ‘Lilleshall’
(A and B indicate holes for sewing. Lwas also punched out.)
“Below” 97.4 7
Where can I stay?CampingDetails of campsites can be obtainedfrom the organisers. A number oftouring caravans can be parked in theyard at the back of the Nenthead MinesCentre. Note if camping that Nentheadis at an altitude of 1,400ft and it can bevery cold. Snow is not unknown inMay!
Bed & BreakfastDetails of local Bed & Breakfast placescan be obtained from the organisers.
HotelDetails of local hotels can be obtainedfrom the organisers.
Where can I eat?The village pubs (Miners Arms andCrown) and the cafe at the NentheadMines Centre will be open for meals.Groceries will be available from thevillage shop or from Alston (4 miles).
What will it cost?There is a fixed fee of £5.00 for eachperson attending.
BCRA liability insurance is essentialfor all persons attending over theweekend. Attendees who are notalready covered by their club will berequired to pay 2.00 for honorary clubmembership which will give themcover.
How can I get moreInformation?
Further information on the 1998 FieldMeet can be obtained by writing to:-
Sheila BarkerThe RiseAlstonCumbria CA9 3DB
Or watch the website :wkweb4.cableinet.co.uk/
adrian.pearce/NAMOMEET.HTM
What are SCMC members doing? Arewe booking accommodation en masse?
Visit my Underground Database forreferences to all kinds of mining andcaving subjects.
“http://wkweb4.cableinet.co.uk/adrian.pearce/INDEX.HTM”
Adrian Pearce
What is it?A NAMHO Field Meet is an eventheld in alternate years to the MiningHistory Conference. It is hosted by aNAMHO member organisation(s) andtakes place over a weekend. There areunderground and surface trips to suitall abilities and sometimes otheractivities as well, such as seminars.There is usually an informal get-together on the Saturday evening at alocal pub, sometimes with a slide showor other entertainment.
Where is it?The 1998 Field Meet is being held inNenthead, Cumbria.
When is it?The Field Meet will be held over aweekend on 15-17th May 1998.
Who’s hosting it?It will be hosted by Friends of Killhopeand North Pennine Heritage Trust.
What is happening?The weekend will be based at NentheadVillage Hall with the followingactivities :-
Surface Field Trips- Cowshill & Coptcleugh, Weardale- Allenheads Mine & Village- Mining in the Rookhope Valley- Rotherhope Fell Mine- Nent Valley - mining & geology.
Underground Trips- Brownley Hill Mine- Rampgill Mine - horse gin- Killhope Mine- Brewery Shaft - winch trip- Tyne Bottom Mine- Capelcleugh to Rampgill Mine -
through trip- Smallcleugh Mine- Barhaugh Coal Pit- Rotherhope Fell Mine- Frazer’s Hush Mine.
Saturday Evening EventThere will be a social gathering in theVillage Hall with a meal, bar andinformal slide show. Price of the mealis £5.00.
1998 NAMHO Field Meet
Welsh Mines TrustThe Welsh Mines Trust has been busyduring 1997. Preservation work hasstarted on the Pearl Enginehouse atParys Mountain in Anglesey and it ishoped to do the same at PenrhosEnginehouse at Brymbo by the end ofthe year. Future work may includepreservation of the Nant Mine chimneyand enginehouse in Denbighshire andformation of a car trail to visit miningremains in North Wales.
Internet Miners LampsIf you are interested in mining lamps,then have a look at the miners’ lampcollector web pages:
http://www.asi.fr/~minelamp/-Lamps for sale-Links-Classified-History of mining lamp (french only)
Underground PrizeThe 1996 E.K. Tratman award for thebest piece of British caving literaturepublished in 1996 has been awarded toKym ap Rhys and Paul Peppiatt forUnderground Photographer.
Underground Photographer is not theproduct of a particular club or group,rather it has been produced to fill aneed among cave photographers. Thejournal contains an excellent mix ofarticles, covering basic and advancedtechniques, practical tips, historicalaspects, darkroom technique and evendigital image processing. For anyonewith even a passing interest in cavephotography, its a must.
Kym and Paul win a cheque for £50.00.
Nick Williams
8 “Below” 97.4
12 W i l l i a mLatham (1860-
1933) was theson of Jonah
Latham of a wellknown Donnington
Wood family. Jonah wasan ironstone miner and anenthusiastic member of theSalvation Army inOakengates.William followed his
father’s footsteps and at the age of 10or 11 in 1871, started work as a boyminer at the Lilleshall Company’sFreehold Pit. William gave the age of10 to the Royal Commissioners butother reports give the age of 11 years.Cyril Nicholls, who himself workedfor the Company for 50 years, from1920-1970, finally as Secretary andFinance Director, has recorded that,as a boy miner aged 11, William wouldhave worked a 52 hour week for a wageof 2s 6d (12.5p) per week in wet, dirtyand dangerous conditions.
It appears, from evidence that WilliamLatham gave to the Royal Commission,that he received his mining trainingfrom his father who was a pit fireman(or deputy). In answer to a question -had he ever been employed as a firemanhe replied “I was assistant to my fatherwhen I was 20 or 21 and, when he wasaway, I took his place”. That would beabout 1881.
Although William worked for a wellorganised company at the time, he feltthat there was no job as unrewardingor degrading as working in some of thelocal pits. During the 1880s he decidedthat improvements could only beaccomplished through Trade Unionsand through public service includingwork as a councillor and a PrimitiveMethodist Lay Preacher.
William was, however, a born trade-unionist leader and very quickly foundhimself in many leading roles, so muchso that when invited to give evidenceto the Royal Commission on Mines(taken in 1907, but published in 1908)he could claim to have been secretaryof the Shropshire Miners’ Associationfor twenty years and was now Agent
for Shropshire. In this post herepresented about 3,000 miners (TheShropshire Miners’ Association wasformed in 1886).
Royal CommissionWilliam was closely examined by theCommissioners and his evidencemakes about 13 pages of very fineprint. It is certainly the mostcomprehensive account of theconditions of work and views of theShropshire miners published at thattime. William’s comments wereaccepted by the Commissioners withparticular interest since not only hadhe had 37 years at a colliery, he hadbeen a miner working undergroundhimself until only a few weeks beforebeing questioned. Among the answersto their questions the followinginformation is given:
a) he had personally seen an Inspectorat his pit only 3 times in 37 years.
b) he felt Inspectors should visit about4 times per year.
c) he was glad that the company nowworked mines themselves ratherthan through chartermasters.
d) he would prefer that any mineraccused of something should betaken to the police court ratherthan be ‘fined’ by the manager.
e) “boys never had a meal-breakunderground until 18 months ago”
f) he believed that no-one should startwork at a mine “late in life”, theyare too old to learn the safety skillsrequired.
g) Shropshire men object to the use ofcages with more than one deck.Why? Men on the bottom decksometimes get a ducking in thesump or are thrown about as hewas. (He offered to show theCommission his elbow “where itwas smashed”.
h) the police appoint coroners juriesbut the police are warned by themine owner not to appoint miners“who know too much”.
I) juries are often made up of “farmersor that class of people”.
j) a man is too old to learn pitwork if heis over 21.
k) a “loader” is not employed by themanagement at all, but by the collier
- he is the “collier’s servant”.l) the average number of men at each
Shropshire pit would be less than100.
m) he did not think there was a “needfor toilets underground, men shouldgo in the gob”.
So it goes on, covering managers’qualifications, timbering rules,watering of roadways to lay dust,ventilation, training of boys and muchmore. Perhaps one of the mostinteresting points he made was thatgeology, ventilation, nature of gases,should be taught at school to boys inthe 9-11 year range.
Trade Union WorkAfter the Shropshire Associationbecame linked to the Midland Miners’Federation William became theirrepresentative and eventually, waselected a representative to the Miners’Federation of Great Britain. Heattended a conference in Moscow ofthe miners’ Union of Russia fromAugust 1926 to October 1926 and in1929 he attended a similar conferencen Poland. At both conferences he madenotable speeches appealing forinternational co-operation and mutualsupport of the miners’ cause for betterwages and living conditions.
Mr. Latham was often seen at grassroot level particularly in times ofdispute, he is reported as beingunderground at Madeley Wood Minein 1917 and 1921 (see ‘Below 97.2,p5). He led the first really significantminers’ strike in Shropshire in 1913,all the County’s main pits wereinvolved. The miners got very littlefinancial support from the Union oroutside and they were eventually forcedto capitulate and the strike collapsed.Again in May 1926 he led theShropshire miners in the GeneralStrike, but in spite of support frommany outside the industry, byNovember the miners had to return towork and concede defeat.
William’s obituary states that he wasstill agent at his death aged 73, some63 years after his mining career hadcommenced but his influence was still
William Latham (1860-1933),the Shropshire Miner’s AgentMining
Characters
“Below” 97.4 9
being felt in the local mines manyyears after this. He died on January25th 1933, having been almostcertainly, the one person who hadinfluenced the miners’ trade union inShropshire the most. His influencehad also been felt elsewhere, he hadbeen a Sunday School Superintendentat Wrockwardine Wood for 25 years, alocal preacher for 50 years and a long-standing councillor for Newport RuralCouncil and a Shropshire CountyCouncillor (of which he later becamean Alderman). He lived at Ivy House,trench Road, Wellington and wassurvived by his wife, four sons andfour daughters.
At his funeral 8 members of the Miners’Council carried his coffin.Representatives were present of theMidland Miners’ Federation, theShropshire Miners’ Association(mostly from the CoalbrookdaleCoalfield but a group of 5 miners camefrom the Hanwood Branch), the PelsallMiners’ Association, the ShropshireCoal Owners Association (representedby a Mr. Morris), Directors of theLilleshall and Madeley WoodCompanies, the Principal of the WalkerCollege and the Secretary of theEnginemans’ Union. Local Counciland Church Leaders also attended inforce.
AnecdotesMany stories are still told about himand of his solid principles, for example,in 1918 he was called to a meetingwith the General Manager of theLilleshall Company and is responseon being offered a cigarette was “I’venever been bribed yet and I ain’t startingnow”. Again during 1926 he told ameeting of striking miners “Myreligious principles would not allowme to advise stealing but it is difficultto see one’s children go hungry”. Nextmorning when going to feed his ownpoultry William found his shed emptyand chalked across the door was thewords “thanks Bill”.
There has been no Union Agent forShropshire with a record like WilliamLatham’s but there were to be otheragents. During the writer’s time Fred
William Latham (1860-1933),continued...
Minutes of Evidence, RoyalCommission of Mines 1908 (Vol. III)
Index page 521(Part of the index to W.Latham’s evidence)
LATHAM, Mr. W., Secretary, Shropshire Miners’Association. (See questions 32954-33442).
ACCIDENTS:Face, large proportion of accidents at, 33331,33399.Falls of roof and sides, 33331, 33336, 33399:Complaints as to condition of roof not made,
owing to fear of dismissal, 33340.Securing of place after, extent desirable and
extent practised, 33342.Winding should be suspended until timber
has been set, 33046.Inspection by Home Office Inspector after, 32962,
32986, 32992, 33092, 33320Change in scene of accident, prohibition of,
until after this inspection, 33085, 33201,33330, 33405.INVESTIGATION:CORONERS’ INQUESTS:Adequacy of, views as to, 33176.Constitution of, 33093, 33141, 33151,
33179.Object, chief, of, 33136.Second inquiry under Sec. 45, views as to,
33141, 33174.Shaft accidents arising from two-deck cages,
33062, 33414Unskilled labour, accidents caused by, 33049,
33396.Friendly society statistics as to, 33051.
Age Limit for beginning work at pit, suggestion as to,33227, 33439.
Ankylostomiasis, prevention of, steps taken in Shrop-shire for, 33115
Deeley of Highley was referred to asthe “miners’ agent”. Each pit, however,had also a checkweighman “paid bythe men” and they also acted as LodgeSecretary.
At Madeley in the middle of this centurythis was George Whitehead anotherMethodist Local Preacher. The last ofthe Shropshire miners to be soappointed is believed to have been Mr.N.Latham (in the 1970s), but whetherhe was a relative of William Latham’sis not yet known by the writer.
References:1. The excellent paper on William
Latham by C.R.Nicholls inShropshire Magazine, June 1976and a reference by the same authorin his book ‘The LilleshallCompany’, 1764-1964.
2. Minutes of Evidence, RoyalCommission on Mines Vol. 31908 pages 359-372.
3. Pit Log Book, Madeley WoodColliery (now lost)
Ivor Brown
10 “Below” 97.4
in that there was no rigging for thewinze and the rock is not strong enoughto bolt! To emphasise the potential forcommunication problems, the radioswere not available. John Priest wasasked to take control of theunderground situation and was veryfrustrated when his repeated requestsfor rope (to descend the winze)produced no results for a long time.
Another deliberate part of the practicewas to compare the use of a framemounted Neil Rob. stretcher with acocoon stretcher for the now awkwarddog-leg infill. Much to my surprise,the Neil Rob stretcher proved to bemuch more satisfactory.
I believe the practice was verysuccessful in that a lot was learnt andeveryone enjoyed themselves. Thegeneral consensus after the event wasto emphasise the importance ofcommunications and the desirabilityof including some rope with the firstresponse equipment. It may have beena mistake to have two casualties witha small number of persons but havinggiven it further thought, I think theresources should be stretched to learn
Midlands Cave Rescue OrganisationReport on Rescue Practice 19th October 1997
The practice was attended by a total of24 persons including 8 from DCRT,Simon from C & C.C. and two personsfrom Shropshire Fire and RescueService.
An apparently simple scenario wasorganised with the ‘leader’ of a partyof three (Alan Moseley) falling nearthe Baryte Stope, one inexperiencedremained with the casualty while theother went for help reporting his beliefthat the casualty had possible headinjuries and a broken upper leg. Whenthe initial rescuers arrived at the scenethere was no sign of the inexperiencedperson left with the casualty - thisperson (Dave Bowdley’s son) was laterfound at the bottom of the winze at thefar end of the upper level.
One reason for having Alan Moseleyas the casualty was to ‘test’ personswho had attended the First Aid trainingthe previous weekend. I understandAlan was impressed with the attentionhe received from the initial First Aiders,Eileen and Mike (Worsfold).
Dave’s son at the bottom of the farwinze presented a particular problem
the most.
The two representatives from the Fire& Rescue Service appeared to beimpressed and noted the desirability ofhaving a practice where they couldadd the resource of additional man-power.
Simon Amatt noted that he had comefeeling an obligation to attend but hadfound himself thoroughly enjoying theday.
Based on the experience of the RescuePractice, the MCRO has agreed:
1. To organise a communicationsexercise at the mill in Dudley, to befollowed up by an undergroundexercise in Shropshire.
2. To propose at the British CaveRescue Council (in April) thatsmall cave rescue organisationsagree a programme of large rescuepractices to be held every otheryear. It was noted that there is acorrelation between small CRO’sand mining areas.
Steve Holding
100 Years Ago - Mining Accidents in ShropshireCoal and Clay MinesCruckmoile Pit - collier was burned by
explosion of firedamp, ignited byhis candle - recovered.
Grange, Donnington - banksmaninjured as he was pushing a tubinto the cage - recovered.
Rock Clay Pit - collier injured when alength of doubles (winding chain)fell down shaft - recovered.
Muxton - struck on head by debriswhen blasting - recovered.
Hinksay Pits - brakesman killed duringshunting - F
Grange, Donnington - hurt back whileat work, died - F
Overtons - collier struck on knee bypiece of roof, died of bloodpoisoning - F
Turners Yard Clay - fall of stone whileworking in ancient gob - F
Woodhouse - crushed when puttingfull tub on cage - F
Priorslee - demolishing building at anabandoned pit, wall fell on him - F
Metal MinesSnailbeach - miner fell off ladder,
survived 24ft fall into sump.East Roman Gravels - explosion of a
shot of gunpowder while he wasattempting to unram it (GeorgePugh age 55) - F
Snailbeach - loco stoker (calledEdwards), run over and crushed bya low flat wagon pushed by loco,died - F
Other AccidentsFatal accidents also occurred at
Porthywaen Limestone (Salop) -
fall of stone knocked man downquarry face 31ft. - F
Titterstone Basalt (Field & McKay) -fall of stone from 80ft. above.
(F indicates fatal or died of injuries)
Ivor Brown
Explosives User Groupweb pages
The BCRA Explosives User Groupweb pages have moved from AndyBrooks’ pages at Dundee and can nowbe found at:
http://www.conformance.co.uk/EUG/home.html
Please update any bookmarks andpointers accordingly.
Nick Williams
“Below” 97.4 11
Over fifteen members attended,although quite a few non-Shropshirebased members attended under theguise of other clubs.
This conference has the reputation ofbeing the most friendly and this yearwas no different, mine explorers, caversand academics provide a slightlyeccentric and bubbly atmosphere. Theevent is Bi-annual and hosted by adifferent Club each time, as a resulteach event is very different, often wellrun with inevitable cock-ups. The eventwas run this time by the Peak DistrictMines Historical Society and held atSt. Elphins School for Girls in DarleyDale near Matlock. Each day had amixture of industrial visits, surfacewalks, underground trips of varyingdegrees of difficulty and two days oflectures.
The site was perfect in every way withample camping space, a good size hallfor lectures (which unfortunatelydoubled as a dining room and as aresult noises from the kitcheninterrupted lectures at regularintervals). There was ample singleroom accommodation for the affluentand idle, which included communalkitchens, lounge complete with videoand TV. The school gym was used forexhibitors, traders, reception area andbar which was all too convenient for JRAT (BAT Products) who attemptedsingle handed to drink it dry.
If anything the event suffered theproblem of being over popular: everytrip was over subscribed and it createda catering problem at the Saturdayevening when most delegates andorganisers opted for the substantialgood value nosh and ended up in aqueue for 1½ hours.
The trade stands included Dragon andBAT, the Book Ouse offering secondhand and new books, BCRA, BernardMoore (no relation) Mining ShareCertificates, and PDHMS who soldeverything from publications,memberships, to gallons of cold drinksand tons of ice cream.
Friday trips included a look aroundEnthovens Lead Smelters (this
included wearing a white oversuitetc..), Cavendish Mill, Dene Quarryor Yatestoop Sough - this wasparticularly popular due to the hotweather as it included two fixed laddersand about ¼ mile of passage with 2’deep running water.
The lecture programme on the Saturdaywas opened by Dr. Trevor Fordcomplete with gong (or was it the oldhip joint?) and new replacement hip.The first lecture was on the St. Aidensopencast mine disaster where the riverburst its banks and filled the mine, thiswas an excellent presentation given byAlan Stopher who was the site engineerthroughout the job had showed howthe river had been put into the canaland the mine drained with the waterbeing used by Yorkshire Water to helpout through the drought. Other lecturesincluded China Clay Industry,Flotation Technology, Cave Videos,Bronze Age Mines in North Wales,The Underground Killhope Wheel,Pleasley Pit and how its two steamwinders are to be preserved.
Underground trips included HorseButtocks Mine, Ecton and Dale Mines,Long Rake Spar Mine and MagpieSough, the latter was organised withspecial permission for the conferenceas access is normally closed. The tripinvolves some two miles in chest toknee deep water which leads to someinteresting features and artefacts.
A mining heritage walk of Winsterand Bonsall was led by Jim Rieuwerts,the expert on the area, unique examplesof buddling, boxwork scrims and smallminer/farmer mines were visited - someof which are unique. Land ownerproblems were also seen at first handwhere one site has been completelydestroyed.
There was no formal entertainment setfor the Saturday evening, althoughPeter Eggleston from I.A.Recordingsgave several showings of the IrishMines Video which includes uniqueunderground footage of Tara Mineone of the largest working Zinc minesin the world. This was followed by anauction of unique Mining ShareCertificates which included one form
Egypt and quite a few from Wales -entertainment was provided by variousgroups outbidding each other for theshare certificates. This was followedby lots of socialising which wascurtailed too early as the bar was closedat 12 midnight!
The Sunday surface walk was a fairlystrenuous 8 mile yomp which lookedat the Lead Mine sin the Castletonarea. These included Linicar,Slitherstones and Dirtlow Rake,Pindale Scrins, Fireset Scrin, AshtonsMine and Odins Mine plus a shortdetour to New Venture Mine. Theevening concluded with a visit to StoneEdge Chimney the oldest existingsmelting chimney in the world.Underground visits included MagpieSough, Jug Holes, Old Millclose Mine,and Good Luck Mine.
Lectures for Sunday included aninteresting talk by Dave Warriner onthe exploration and survey of Old MillClose Mine, showing how some fairlyclever engineering tactics had beenused to gain access and survey thisvery extensive system. The detailedcomputer graphic survey of the mine,shown at last years BCRA conferencewas also displayed. Jonathan Wrightof Clearwell caves gave an unaidedtalk on work at Clearwell and EctonCopper Mines including proposals topump out a flooded shaft. Other lecturesincluded a social survey on miningpopulations in the Dales, Paul Sowanon stone mines and undergroundquarries. Ivor Brown gave a confusinglecture on underground canals in theShropshire Mines, Harry Parker ranan entertaining seminar on the raisingof the Winster Engine, including slidesof one or two characters such as Stuart(Cheg) Chesters as a teenager.
Sunday evening concluded with a ‘dry’(or rather a ‘wet’) meet in a local pub.
Unlike BCRA, NAMHO makes aweekend of the conference for thebenefit of those travelling a longdistance. Monday therefore includedunderground trips to Bage Mine,Masson Mine and Holme Bank ChertMine, surface and industrial visitsincluded a guided tour of Magpie Mine
NAMHO Conference11th-14th July 1997
continued on page 12
12 “Below” 97.4
or a visit to the Hope Quarry/CementWorks.
During the weekend there were anumber of non-programmed tripsorganised by ‘Mole’ which wereattended by several SCMC Members.In all this was a superbly organisedconference which continues to go fromstrength to strength, it was a shamethat the caving world could not get itsact together and run a simultaneousCavers Fair. The BCRA should alsolook at this conference to see how tooffer a more varied and exciting newprogramme rather than continuousstuffy lectures, expensive trade hall,same old programme, and cliquey eventwhere very few people truly mix -small wonder that numbers don’tincrease.
Mike Moore
Snailbeach,Tankerville & Tinsley14th July 1997Members present: Nick Southwick,John Davies, Adrian Pearce, RobSouthwick, Andy Yapp, Kim Yappand Mike Moore.
Some members left the NAMHOconference early in order to reciprocatehospitality shown by the Irish MinesSociety. Six of their members stoppedovernight in Shropshire so they couldsee some of the South ShropshireMines.
Kim Yapp in her first officialengagement as a Snailbeach MineGuide organised the surface walk overthe site and she did extremely well.The more obvious underground tourand surface walk around Tankervillewas also given. The reaction to thelittle engine and drum was nothingshort of disbelief and led to commentsand praise of their visit to Shropshire- followed, of course, by lots of £1 ‘apint’ in the Stiperstones (the Woodswas off and the stuff coming out of theBoddingtons pump may have beentoo, so we were given something elseat the usual discount price).
Mike Moore
NAMHO 1997continued..
Sirs, I live in Edinburgh, but mygrandfathers were:
-Harry Edwards, an overman at IftonColliery who lived in St Martinsand died in his 80s in the late1980s
-Fred Stokes, who at one time bred andbroke pit ponies at the pit farm,Ifton, and latterly looked after theponies down the mine until comingup to look after the colliery gardens.
A great grandfather, Richard Jonesfrom Glyn Morlas, worked at BlackPark colliery and there were miners inthe family for generations.
I am very interested in any materialand memoirs relating to Ifton and othercollieries in the area. Could you let meknow about any magazines or bookletsthere are and what is in them relatingto Ifton.
Robert Stokes
Dear Sir,
Following our visit to the SCMC overthe weekend of the annual dinner, weboth wished to extend our thanks toeveryone in the club who made uswelcome and showed us around thearea.
In particular, Steve Holding gave us achance to see Clive Copper Mine andTankerville Mine, the latter beingdoubly relevant due to the superbdrawing of the site by Malcolm Newtonthat was presented after the dinner.
In short, thanks to everyone in what isobviously a very active and excellentclub.
Long may you prosper.
Chris HowesJudith Calford
Have an e-mail address for Mr. Stokes if members want to pass any details onto me. Kelvin.
Expencis at Snealbeach Mine DrivingLevells & Sinking Pits from 1782 To 25
March 1820£ s d
The Long Level from the Brook 4000Black Toms Level 3353
1 Level in the Loard Hill 9242 Do in Do Hill 18773 Do in Do Hill 42304 Do in Do Hill 6107Sundrys Sumps and Cross Cutes 54311 Level in the Rusting Hill 9322 “ “ “ Do 30683 “ “ “ Do 1960Level from the Pit in the Meadow 1187Towards the Croos [Cross?] Nist5 Level to the Loard Hill 16446 Level to Do 604Callow Hill Level and Pits 5725
41042
From an unsigned, undated script(Source: SRRC 800/25A)
Andy Cuckson
Letters to the Editor
“Below” 97.4 13
Snailbeach BestLast Analysis
Lead Calcd as metal 99 . 99 36Iron Oxide “ 0 . 00 32Copper Oxide “ 0 . 00 15Silver “ 0 . 00 17Sulphur nilSilicious [? illegible] nil
100 . 00 00
Draft Dated 28-6-1888 and sent by JohnJob to a customer.(Source: SRRC 800/26A)
Andy Cuckson
Coal Mine OpposedWrekin Council has decided to objectto the plans by the Clay CollieryCompany for an open cast coal mine inthe Lilleshall, Muxton and Donningtonarea.
Although the application is currentlybeing handled by Shropshire CountyCouncil and Wrekin has no controlover the application until it becomes aunitary authority in April next year,they hope the county will take theirobjections seriously.
Clay Colliery had promised to returnthe land to its current agricultural useafter three years of extraction, but localresidents were very concerned aboutthe effects the work would have ontheir lives.
The county will make its decisionregarding the scheme by the end of theyear.
Celtic Energy SueGermans
Celtic Energy, a South Wales opencastcoal mining firm is to sue the GermanGovernment for approximately £20million in damages. The firm (whichmines anthracite) claims that they faceunfair competition with cheap Germancoal being ‘dumped’ in Britain.
The German Government subsidisestheir coal authority to the tune of£40,000 per miner.
Irish TunnelA £14 billion project has beenannounced to build a tunnel betweenBritain and Ireland. The proposedtunnel would link Holyhead to Dublinand cut the rail journey time fromLondon to Dublin to just 3+ hours.
The tunnel would be 56 miles long(almost twice the length of the ChannelTunnel) and about 90m below thesurface of the Irish Sea. SymondsGroup consultants claim that whilethe tunnel would be a challenge, theypossess the technology and areconfident that the scheme is practicaland technically sound.
The tunnel is seen as one of the laststeps in completing rail connectionsthroughout Europe.
The initial study would last a year andcost £8 million, with the earliest datefor opening the link being 2010.
Case for CoalA special conference designed to arguethe ‘Case for Coal’ was held atKellingley Colliery, Wakefield on 23rdOctober. Concern over the number ofjobs in the coal industry at risk due tothe ‘dash for gas’ was the prime drivingforce behind the conference.
The main argument was that “Coal hasa bright future, but only if urgent stepsare taken by the Government. Ratherthan closing down the industry andrelying on nuclear and gas theGovernment must ‘kick-start’ aprogramme of clean coal powerstations”.
Tin PoppiesIf you want something different, butwith a mining link, you might beinterested in the range of pure tinjewellery currently on sale from SouthCrofty Mine.
The tin is initially smelted in the mineslaboratories, then passed onto localcraftsmen in ingot form for castinginto a range of items, such as PoppyTie Pins, broaches and cuff links -designed and produced especially forThe Royal British Legion PoppyAppeal.
If you are interested in finding outmore about the items on offer write to:
The South Crofty Collection,South Crofty Mine,Dudnance Lane,Pool, Redruth,Cornwall, TR15 3QH
Tel: 01209 714821
Asking for the “Cornish Tin JewelleryBrochure”.
As a rough guide to prices: poppy tie-pins cost £11.95, matching cuff links£20.95, poppy stick pins £12.95 andstud earrings £18.25.
Kelvin
Metal PricesAs South Crofty Mine suffered fromthe drop in the price of tin so has thePhilippines metal producers. Theprices of tin, copper, silver and goldhave dropped significantly in recentmonths, causing a big drop in revenuefor the Philippines Government.
News Round-Up 2
14 “Below” 97.4
The coming of the industrial revolutionin the 1700’s and with it the creationof large companies and mines broughtabout a serious problem - that of colliersand workmen striking and rioting en-masse. One of the earliest majorincidents took place in November 1756when for various reasons there was“not a bit of bread nor corn nor flour tobe had for money” in the area. Thecolliers of Broseley, Madeley Woodand Benthall rioted, they marched andfood was sought from farms, shopsand even houses, some was stolen.
Attempts were made by localmagistrates and posses of farmers andtheir labourers to put down the rioters,and mine owners gave money to keepthe men at bay. On one occasion minersfrom the south of the coalfield met aposse, including tradesmen, in totalabout 1,500 strong near Ketley, ten ofthe rioters were taken prisoner andtwo were subsequently executed.
Industrial UnrestBetween 1756 and the opening of the19th Century there were many periodsof unrest and the causes were oftenmore general ones due to the timesrather than the action of the mineowners. Indeed the owners oftenactively tried to remove the grievancesand even, as with the Darbys, in 1757,petitioned for mercy when some minerswere sentenced to fourteen yearstransportation.
In the early years of the 19th Centurythere was a period of great depressionin the iron trade and the mine owners,however sympathetic to the conditionsof their workers they might have been,were under pressure to reduce costs bycutting pay. By 1820 the situation hadbecome so serious that the miners wereorganising strikes and using variousmeans, like threatening to cut windingropes, in order to ‘persuade’ those lesskeen on causing trouble to comply.Some of the strikes were settled byvarious forms of agreement andarbitration but in 1820 several troopsof Yeomanry were called out (Thishad happened previously but perhapsnot on the same scale). The Yeomanrywho were part-time soldiers made up
mainly from the middle classes andwho tended to support the upper class,were considered more useful than fulltime soldiers who it was believed tendedto support the workers. The Yeomanryhad been formed in 1795 and had upuntil the 1820s been used mainly as athreat and as a show of force. It usuallyworked - as it did in 1820, but onlyjust!
Trouble in 1821In the following year, on 29th Jan.1821 the Masters gave notice of wagereductions - the miners wages, whichaveraged about 15 shillings per weekwere to be cut by about 3 shillings. BYearly morning on the 30th over 500workers had gathered in Dawley andnumbers were increasing rapidly. Somewent to the Old Park Company’s worksand brought it to a standstill. Otherwent to Stirchley pits and ore marchedto the pits in Madeley. By noon, newsreached them that the Yeomanry wasbeing raised so the strikers retreated tothe cinderhills near Old Park.
By about 1.30pm two troops ofYeomanry in “scarlet and brass” leftWellington Barracks to march towardsDawley. By this time it is said therewere 3,000 strikers, mainly miners,gathered on the tips of waste betweenOld Park and Dawley, their mood wasnot pleasant. Soon the two forces met,the Riot Act was read to the responseof jeers and catcalls, it was very noisy.The Yeomanry were armed with pistoland sabre, the men with sticks, stonesand crude mining tools.
After an hour a squad of Constablesand Cavalry men had seized twosuspected ringleaders, SamuelHayward and a man called Hassell. Asthese two prisoners were being takenaway the masses closed in pelting thecaptors with stones. Colonel Cluddegave the order to fire* and during thebattle that followed one collier, WilliamBird, was shot dead, another ThomasGittens was fatally wounded. Haywardand Hassell were quickly releasedalthough Hassell was soon captured.One cavalry man David Spence wasdangerously wounded when his pistolwent off in his pocket and William
Turner, a magistrates clerk received alight wound in his arm, other cavalrymen were severely wounded by stones.
The mob began to break up with muchanger and great noise, the cavalryreturned to their barracks. Over thenext few days several miners werearrested. On March 25th at ShrewsburyAssizes the accused men were triedand sentenced:
Thomas Palin, who had been foundwounded after the ‘battle’ wassentenced to death and was hangedon April 7th.
Samuel Hayward, one of the firstcaught, also received the deathpenalty but was later reprieved.
James Eccleshall, John Grainger,Christopher North, John Payneand Robert Wheeler were allsentenced to 9 months hard labour.
The verdict of the inquest on Bird andHassell was given as “JustifiableHomicide”.
Yeomanry PraisedThe Yeomanry received a letter ofcongratulations from Lord Sidmouth(Secretary of State) and theGovernment of the day expressed itspleasure at the way the affair had beenhandled by Colonel Cludde and theYeomanry generally.
The problems didn’t end, in spring1821, there were to be other strikesand other callouts for the Yeomanrybut the situation never got so nastyagain. This particular period of unrestpeters out in late 1822 when demandfor iron started to pick-up again, butthe problems re-occurred in the 1830sand 1840s (The Chartists). The 1850s-70s were fairly stable times with highoutputs but during the 1880s realproblems due to decline and depressionarose which lead to organised “Union”activity (see William Latham’s storyon page 8).
ReferencesThe events outlined in the foregoingare given in much more detail in twopublications and much use has beenmade of these in this article.
Shropshire Pit-top clashes and theirfatal consequences - a Christmas Special
“Below” 97.4 15
This is one of the most interesting andearliest worked areas of the mining field,references to mines go back to at leastthe 14th C. and there are severalfascinating descriptions ofunderground visits in the 18th & 19thC. in existence.
The simplified topographical sketch (onpage 16) shows four important features,the presence of several competentsandstone beds or ‘rocks’, the effect ofgeological faults F1 and F2 (but thereare others present), the unconformableUpper Coal Measures (UCM) and thetwin valleys in this part of the Gorge. Allof these led to easy and very earlyaccess to good seams of ironstone,coal and clay, probably in that order.(Sandstone was also minedunderground and surface for buildingpurposes, including blast furnaceconstruction).
The Big Flint Sandstone immediatelybelow the unconformity the Vigar andBest Sandstones and the Little Flintand Crawstone Sandstone (the latteroutcropping at (3) and in the riverbed)all provided excellent roofs for tunnelsand workings.
The outcrops of Madeley Green werenoted in early Methodist History (the‘Chapel on the Rock’ 1762-1776, now
52/53 New Bridge Road). By 1750 amajor tramway tunnel appears to havebeen driven through the rock beneaththe road junction by the Old FletcherChapel and School and down-bank ofthe new (recently closed) Chapel(shown 1750 on the plan). There arecertainly many more adits here thanthese mentioned below.
1. Wesley Road TunnelThe tunnel was broken into duringconstruction of a sewer in October 1976.The excavation showed that it wasbrick-arched on stone walls, 6ft. highand 6ft. wide and the top of the arch wasabout 6ft. below the road surface. A lineof 1ft. diameter drainage pipes had beenput in vertically at some time to giveadded to support under the road. Localcouncil workmen said that there hadbeen a collapse in the 1930s or early ‘40sand that the pipes were filled withconcrete.
In 1976 the tunnel could be followed for1 yard uphill towards Madeley to astone stopping, and downhill towardsIronbridge for 9 yards, at a dip of 1 in 15,to a collapse of rubble. The adit entrancemust have been under the ‘ruins’ andwall supporting the roadway.
The entrance was not found despitedigging but the whole length under theroad was exposed and filled with lean-mix concrete (30 cu. m) beforebackfilling. The occupiers of the houseon the opposite side of the road reportedthat they believed the tunnel passed
their cellar - as it had an “irregularlyshaped bit cut out” and itseems likely that thetunnel, although alongish one, served onlyto get under the roadjunction, but it was therein the 1750s!
Beyond the road junctionthere is evidence of aninclined plane.
The publications are:
1. The Cinderloo Affair by A.B.Mercerin the Shropshire Magazine datedJanuary 1966 pages 22-23.
2. The Industrial Revolution inShropshire by B.Trinder published1973 by Phillimore, pages 376-402.(Full references are given in thispublication).
It should be noted that a few detailsconflict and the dates of events do notalways agree.
No memorials to any of the miners whodied are known. The last incident knownto the writer when the Forces drew theirweapons on striking miners was atFeatherstone, West Yorkshire, inSeptember 1893, only a short distanceform the writer’s present home.
Two miners were shot in the back andkilled as they fled, another 16 wereinjured. The 100th anniversary of theevent has recently been marked byspecial meetings and publications.
Ivor Brown
* Colonel Cludde gave the order tofire - but who was he?
Nearly 200 years before this incidentin 1649, the Manor of Madeley andits mines was left to Edward Cluddeof Oreleton near Wellington, arelative of the Brooke family ofMadeley Court. He invested £2,000in the mines (four adits in MadeleyWood) which seem to have beenworked by subcontractors called“Master grubbers”.
When Cludde died in 1651 thetenancy went to Francis Wolfe,formerly clerk of the works. (fordetails see History of Shropshire byG.C.Baugh 1985).
Was Colonel Cludde a descendantof mine-owner Cludde?
The writer thinks so.
Pit-top clashesContinued...
The Mines and Tunnels of the IronbridgeGorge, Part 2: by Ivor J.Brown
The Jockey Bank Area (Madeley Green)
Wesley Road
School
Mad
eley
Hill
excavation
Probable entrance
Possible self-acting incline
Wesley Road Tunnel, Jockey BankLocation sketch by I.J.BrownScale 1:500
16 “Below” 97.4
3
PH
PH
PH
61
2
5
4
Clay pits
Shaft
Shaft
Harris’ Lane
F 1
Stone orStyches Pit
368000
Mad
eley
Hill
1883
1883
JockeyBank
Orchard Lane
BRICK & TILE CLAYOUTCROPS
BROCKHOLES
1750sP
ossible Incline Plane
FOXHOLES
BASE OF COALPORT BEDS (UCM)
Mine’Spout’
Belmont Road Wesley Road
VIGER ROCK
1848
MADELEY GREENGasworks
WES
TER
N
VALL
EY
Brick &
Tile
Works
BedlamFurnaces
BEST ROCK
Coalport Road
Adits
CRAWSTONE SANDSTONES
BEST ROCK
VIGAR
ROCK
EA
ST
ER
N
VA
LLE
Y
F2
Scale 1:2500
303500
Topographical and Geological Sketch Map ofJockey Bank (Madeley Green). Based on1849 Tithe Map, 1883 & 1956 O.S. Maps by I.J.Brown3
Key
1883Tramway/Stream(when shown on map)
Fault
Reference Point
The Mines and Tunnels of the Ironbridge Gorge,Part 2: Continued ..
“Below” 97.4 17
The Mines and Tunnels of the Ironbridge Gorge,Part 2: Continued ..
2. Tramway TunnelThis adit is marked ‘Tunnel’ on theMadeley Tithe Map of 1849, and it hasa tramway leading from it. Its entranceis some 13 metres below that of (1) (onpage 15) and so it is unlikely to beconnected to the above.
Exploratory digging with a JCB in 1976located the top of the tunnel which wasitself almost completely backfilled withrubble. The visible part indicated that itwas blocked by a stone wall 0.6m in, butprobably had been at least 1.5m high. Itwas arched with stone.
The area was later backfilled and thecover formed into a landscaped garden.
Also shown on the Tithe Map is a mine‘Spout’, the local name for a sough tail.It has not been seen in recent years.
3. Bedlam Adit (or adits)Situated at the foot of the high wall westof the Bedlam Furnace site. These havenot been explored but are believed to bein the Crawstone Ironstone seam.
Any workings will almost certainly havebeen disturbed by the landslip whichaffected the Gasworks Site behind inthe 1950s and also greatly contaminatedby pollutants from operations on thesite. Drill-hole investigation on the sitein the 1970s showed much disturbance.
4. Stone Pit TunnelThe mouth of a tunnel is shown on the1883 OS Map, this had a tramway and adrainage channel leading from it. It ispossible that this connected with theironstone mine to the west of Harris’Lane and may have been covered laterwith spoil from Styches Pit.
This tunnel almost certainly played amajor part in the flowslide that destroyedhouses below this point in the 1930s.
No access to the tunnel has been found,but there was a boggy area present inthe 1970s. The entrance was probablydestroyed by the earth movement.
5. Lower Stone Pit TunnelA similar tramway to the one above,with drainage channel is shown leadingfrom this point on the 1883 OS Map. Itshistory is probably similar to that of (4).
Possible PennystoneAditIn the grounds adjoining the old CouncilOffices. This was destroyed bydevelopment before it could be fullyinvestigated. It may or may not havebeen an adit because many propertieson this horizon are partly built into thesandstone to produce a cool storage‘cellar’, or have ‘arbours’ for pleasureand decoration in their garden. Thesecan appear very similar to mineentrances (and elsewhere some havebeen shown to be adapted from actualentrances.
6. Clay AditsNo adits have been found connectedwith any of the Brick and Tile Clayworkings on this bank of the Gorge.
1
Old Churchand School
Church
Mad
eley
Hill
2
Mine’Spout’
Tunnel
Wesley Road & Tramway Tunnels,Jockey Bank, IronbridgeSketch by I.J.Brown
1
2
Wesley RoadTunnel
Tramway Tunnel
These workings appear to have beenworked by shaft or quarry. Howeverthere is (or was) an inscribed stonehaving the words “Imperial Clay Mine”built into a wall at this point. Almostcertainly it is not in its original positionand its history is unclear.
There is no known mine of this name inthe Coalfield. The writer offers a prize forthe first photo or drawing of thisinscription received with description ofpresent condition, location, gridreference etc..
Warning:All the dangers indicated in Part 1 (lastissue of ‘Below’) apply. Do NOT enterany workings or tunnels without properprecautions. News that a youth had justdied in such a tunnel near Barnsleyreached the writer as he was producingthese notes, October 1997, BEWARE.
18 “Below” 97.4
Due to popular request (well AndyHarris asked anyway!). Here are a fewChristmas puzzles to help you relaxafter the big day - Alan Moseley’s walkaround Broseley, what else?
Yee-haa,
Make my day punk!
Yee-haa,
Make my day punk!
I told YOU asking him to ride “shot-gun” on this trip was a mistake!
Can YOU spot the 5 differences?
Christmas Puzzles1997
“Below” 97.4 19
A slight variation on a theme for thisone, hidden in the word puzzle, on theright, are the names of 17 Shropshirepits (although 1 may be welsh!).
When you have found all 17 names,fit them into the correct position in thegrid below, to spell out a message fromthe Editor.
As it is Christmas, I have started you offwith one of the names in the grid already,plus a few letters as clues (don’t say I’mnot generous).
Kelvin
D F J K E C L I V E Q U T O PA L L A N Y M Y N E C H L B IP L Y U M N M R D S U I O H TO I F T O N D L P K S G E I CT H Z F A K I N L E T H S S HT X Q U R S I U C E V L B T CE I Y S B V N J F A W E O E RR W R E N T N A L L P Y U E OS G W E R A T H I M Y U D R FP B I L L I N G S L E Y C A TI U O P W E G L N C B Z Y W LT R X Y R E A B V A K E D A MU G L L Y N M C Y S G Q A Y BT A N K E R V I L L E M B C IF M U N N O T R E B M E K T H
Find the names of 17 ‘Shropshire’ mines
_ I _ _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ C _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ R _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ H _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T C L I V E _ _ _ _ _ _ V _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ L _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ N _ _ _ _ _
Message grid - fit your answers from the word search intohere to find a hidden message:
Doodle-space:
Christmas Puzzles - 21997
20 “Below” 97.4
Recent Huglith Explorationsby Ben Shaw
9th April 1997Members present: L.Davies, I.Davies,Ben Shaw, Tom West, Mike Worsfold.
Using the petrol drill we were able to putin 3 bolts at the top of the pitch justoutbye of the ore chute on the maintramming level. This was thendescended to a constriction (about 30ft.down) which was partially blocked byan old wooden ladder.
The way on was clearly visible below,however the top of the pitch wasoverhung with loose mud and rocks,
16th April 1997Members present: L.Davies, Ben Shawand Tom West.
The top of the above pitch was madesafe by pushing the mud, rocks, stemplesetc. down the pitch. Unfortunately 2stemples joined the ladder in being stuckat the constriction. On descending tothe constriction both ladder andstemples proved to be unmovable.
23rd April 1997Members present: Eileen Bowen, BenShaw and Mike Worsfold.
On descending to the constriction witha saw I was able to cut through thestemples and ladder. The stemples werethrown down but the ladder had to behauled up to avoid it crashing throughsome in-situ stemples. I was then ableto descend the pitch, until the laddersran out, about 60ft. down and 15ft.above a level!
The level appeared to be open in bothdirections with a hole in the floorapparently going to water. I presumethis level to be the middle (75ft.) level.
30th April 1997Members present: I.Davies, SteveHolding, Ben Shaw, Tom West andMike Worsfold.
The ore chute pitch was descended tothe middle level, deviations being riggedfrom stemples. The pitch has a lot ofloose rock and needs great care. Middle
Speleo Magazine goes EnglishDo you know the french magazine“Speleo” ?
Probably not, because... it’s in french.
Since 1990, “Speleo” has become oneof the most beautifull caving magazinein the world (according to Michel Siffre).
In 1998 : they plan to edit the magazinesimultaneously in french and in english.So every caver of the world can read it.
If you are interested, in finding out moreabout Speleo Magazine visit their website:
http://www.speleo.com/
to get an idea of what its all about.Also have a look at:
http://www.speleo.com/english.html/
you will find more informations about
the ‘english’ project and a form tolet you subscribe at their mailing list(it’s free - the to be on the list, but notthe magazine).
They want to know as soon as possiblehow many cavers are interested in theEnglish version, to see if it is worthcontinuing with the project.
The magazine contact is:
Luc-Henri FageMagazine “Speleo”BP114, 20, rue de l’Amphitheatre84404 Apt CedexFRANCE
Tl. 04 90 04 75 16Fax 04 90 04 75 28
Email : [email protected]
Autunite -hydrous calcium uranium phosphateOccurs as thin tabular crystals and scalyaggregates or crusts. Yellow orgreenish-yellow in colour. Glassy inluster, and transparent in thin sheets.
Formed as a secondary mineral byalteration of Uraninite. It is stronglyflourescent under ultra-violet light.
Common in granite, only found inCornwall in Britain.
Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2•nH2O
M i n e r a l Spot
level goes about 100 yards in eachdirection passing several shortcrosscuts and holes in the floor, downto water.
Inbye the level ends at a solid wall withsplendid azurite and/or malachiteformations. Outbye the level endsabruptly 30ft. above a flooded stope.This is probably very close to the inbyelimit of exploration described in ‘Below’,Issue 95.5 (Winter, 1995). The date 1984has been scratched in the wall on middlelevel, who was here then? and how didthey get in there?
9th July 1997Members present: Steve Holding, AlanRobinson and Ben Shaw.
Digging the blockage inbye from thewinze (from Badger level) provedvirtually impossible due to everything(even the ‘solid’ walls) being veryunstable!
The Steam Engine ofThomas Newcomenby Rolt and AllenThis book has been re-published byLandmark Publishing, recognised asthe ‘definitive history’ of the Newcomenengine and its inventor. It is available inhardback for £17.99 including post andpackage. Or via Mike Moore at a Clubmeeting.
Ivor Brown
“Below” 97.4 21
Books, Videos, Places & Events
Mining Videos(available from the Club)
For more details contact: I.A.Recordings,PO Box 476, Telford, TF8 7RHe-mail: [email protected]
or visit them on the World Wide Web at:
http://www.iarecord.demon.co.uk /
Snailbeach, £14.95The rise and fall of Snailbeach, oncerenowned as the “richest per acre ofground in Europe”, is traced in thisproduction through the use of historicphotographs, animated plans andsections, and unique undergroundvideo footage.
Collections from the ArchivesThe following tapes contain almost allthe footage recorded at the given mine,and are intended as a resource base, nota finished production:
C.15:Dudley Tunnel ’88 to ’89, £14.10C.18:Donisthorpe Colliery, £11.75C.20a:Snailbeach - Final Frontier,
£9.87C.23: Bagworth Colliery, £11.75C.28: Morse’s Level, £9.87C.29: SCMC in Cornwall, £16.45C.32: SCMC in Ireland, £14.10
If you are interested in doing a bit ofarmchair mine exploration the followingvideos, produced by I.A.Recordingswith help from Club members, may be ofinterest to you.
A Tour of Clive Copper Mine£14.95A comprehensive guided tour of Clive,with Edwin Thorpe acting the‘experienced’ expert and Kelvin Lakethe ‘novice’. The tour covers both theupper and lower levels, plus theNorthern stope (the access to which isnow a bit dodgey).
Clive Rescue Practice, £9.95An action packed ‘head banging’record of a Club rescue practice,featuring the ‘infamous’ maypole winzetraverse!
Darkworld- The Secrets ofLlangattock Mountain,by Martyn FarrA lavishly illustrated book, whichfollows the story of LlangattockMountain, which boasts some of themost spectacular and colourful cavesin the world. During the past 40 years aseries of dramatic discoveries has led tothe establishment of one of Britain’slongest cave networks, a complexsystem now well over 70 kilometres (42miles) in length, ranking as one of thelongest in the world. This is the story ofdetermined, tireless and dedicatedexploration. It recalls the successes andfrustrations of the past and discussesthe prospects of further excitingdiscoveries in the future.
128pp, 68 colour illustrations, 22 b/willustrations, 14 maps and diagrams.Hardback: £15.95, Softback: £12.95Published by Gomer Press, Llandydul,Ceredigion, SA44 4BQ,Tel: 01559 362371
Contact Mike Moore if you areinterested in a copy.
Ivor Brown
‘Shropshire History Books’ havereproduced two publications of mininginterest:1. Twelve Mines in the Broseley Area,
3rd Edition, fully revised byA.J.Mugridge. 1997, 46 pages, A5with over 30 illustrations. In similarstyle to the previous issue, but nowcontains a gazetteer to over 130mines as well. Price £2.50
2. Ropeway Conveyor at BaytonColliery. A reprint of a paper firstpublished in 1913 describing theinteresting aerial ropeway, singlerope, by Whites, at Bayton Collierynear Cleobury Mortimer. A5 size, 16pages, with 12 photocopiedphotographs. A map showing theroute of the ropeway would havebeen helpful. Price £1.95.
Both available from club member: SteveDewhirst, 9, Maypole Road, BroseleyWood, Broseley TF12 5QH(add 10% of cost plus £1 for post andpacking to each order).
Pit ProfilesAn Exhibition of Portraits by the ArtistH.A.Freeth (1912-1986)At the National Coal Mining Museum,New Road, Overton,Wakefield, WF4 4RHTel: 01924-84880620th October 1997 - 5th January 1998Commissioned by Manny Shinwell(Minster of Fuel and Power in the1940’s) to make a series of drawings ofmineworkers for the newly formedNational Coal Board. A selection ofthem were published in Coal Magazinein 56 monthly ‘Pit Profiles’ betweenMay 1947 and December 1952.
Hundreds of drawings were made, usinga range of media as Freeth travelledthroughout the coalfields of England,Scotland and Wales. The drawings weregenerally executed in charcoal, chalksand in pen-line overlaid withwatercolour, and were nearly alwaysinitially undertaken on the spot. Manyother drawings were made outside of
the portrait brief as he sketched andpainted glimpses of the everydaycolliery life.
Freeth was intensely interested in thehumanity of working life and each PitProfile was accompanied by a ‘wordpicture’. a written article often using theminer’s own words without alterationof grammar or dialect and sometimesadding the comments of family andfriends.
Other Exhibitions to be held at theMuseum include:‘Old King Coal’, - the mining landscapeby Janet Buckle12th January to 17th April 1998
‘Images of Coal’, - the coal miningindustry by Marjorie Arnfield27th April to 31st July 1998
‘Coventry Colliery Captured’, -drawings and watercolours by ArthurLockwood10th August to 30th October 1998
22 “Below” 97.4
Diary Dates ’97Club Officers
Catch us on the World Wide Web. Club activities & the labyrinth: http://www.shropshirecmc.org.uk/
The Legendary Call-Out - “it’s in the bag” ....
“It's a smallJack Russellterrier, theshaft isn’tdeep”
NoProblem!
“come on doggy”
There’s a good doggy,now into the bag ...
For organised Club trips please refer tothe Monthly Meets lists.
28th December: Walk aorund the 12mines of Broseley. Leader Alan Moseley- contact him to confirm start point, timeand date (!)
19987th January: Talk on “Evidence ofBroseley’s Past” by A.J.Mugridge,organised by Broseley Local HistorySociety at the Pipeworks Museum,7.30pm.
7th February: AGM Mining HistorySociety of Ireland at the GeologicalSurvey of Ireland, Dublin. 11am.
7-8th February: Cave ExpeditionPlanning Seminar at Plas-y-NantOutdoor Centre, North Wales.
7th March: BCRA Cave ScienceSymposium, University of Keele.
25-26th April: GPF 3rd EuropeanCaving Expedition Symposium. PeakDistrict.
15-17th May: NAMHO Fieldmeet,Nenthead, hosted by North PennineHeritage Trust and Friends of Killhope.
1999: NAMHO Conference, will be heldin the Forest of Dean.
Well done lad !
President: Alan Taylor
Chairman: Neal Rushton
Vice Chair: Tom West
Secretary: John [email protected]
Treasurer: Bob Taylor
Tackle Officer & NAMHO:Steve Holding
Training Officer:Alan Moseley
Conservation Officer:Nick Southwick
Bat Officer: Mike Worsfold
Assistant Secretary: Vacant
Rescue Officer:Role undertaken by the RescueWardens: Neal Rushton, Steve Holding,Alan Robinson, Andy Yapp
CCC/CNCC Rep: Ben Shaw
‘Below’ Editor: Kelvin Lakee-mail: [email protected]
