Yet another JFM unannotated photo, they are, slowly, getting fewer in number.

I suspect this is about 1985 - 90 and looking at the albums for Rotherhope Fell it seems quite similar to other pics of the blacksmith's shop and mine shop.

Photograph:

🔗108228[linkphoto]108228[/linkphoto][/link]

Opinions gratefully sought.

Jim

I go with this.

Blackburn Level was bricked up until reopened by person or persons unknown. I can now reveal that this was the late Damian McCurdy who told me so.

My first visit to Nenthead was in 1986, I can place this exactly. I must have photographs myself if I can find the time to go through them. I have done some but in a haphazard manner. They need all going through Methodically

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"Methodical" a bold word indeed Roy!.

Many thanks for such a rapid reply. It's certainly an impressive change to look at lampwort's 2003 pics and sparty_lea's of 2008 and rather pleasant that something so sympathetic can be achieved, though I imagine it wasn't cheap.

By the by I've put a replacement image up of Teeside mine as Don Borthwick told me my original upload was back-to-front, that's me not being methodical.

Jim

Recall?

I had purchased a new XR3i and took delivery in December 1985. First trip was to Wales, camped overnight and woke up to snow.
Determined to get up to north Pennines after reading Dickie Birds "Yesterdays Golcondas", first trip was planned for May holiday 1986.

After studying maps decided to head straight for Rotherhope Fell which is where I camped, I can remember insects being that dense they were like a dark cloud.
Disappointed to find Blackburn Level bricked up, so in the morning left for the Nent.

At Nenthead did a few short trips into Rampgill and Smallcleugh etc but didn't start any serious explorations until 86 - 87 ish.

Met a chap on Nenthead car park named John Lawson who I would keep bumping into.

1987 did some serious Caplecleugh explorations, far western reaches, North Flats etc, apparently this was what gained the respect of JL who had previously written me off as just another Brummie who talks to much.

Right John? If your there.

Also about this time first met Damian in Rampgill

Also about this time visiting Rotherhope Fell again found the Blackburn Level open so was able to have a good old explore and take photographs.

I can remember that about that time Blackburn was still being entered furtively, I can remember people in underground gear hiding and sneaking about.

The past is a foreign country indeed.

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Definitely agree with Rotherhope Fell.

I think my first visit there was in 1982 driving (since we're into car memories) a shockingly expensive Audi 100 bought from Hadwins in Grange.

Over the next few years I and a few friends made some 'interesting' trips including an SRT trip down Haggs Shaft using the rafters in the building which then covered it as a belay, and sleeping in a wrecked portacabin next to it. We also had a portable (wired) telephone to talk to surface. Usable until we met the waterfall coming out of the Nentforce level a little way down.

Very scary at the bottom too!!!!

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Thing about cars is that, well to me anyway, they help to fix the time of a visit to a place.
Diary would be best, but Oh the benefit of hindsight.
:lol:

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Well gentlemen, I was of the view it was possibly Rotherhope Fell, now I'm happily convinced so I'll upload it to the archive album.

As regards cars, JFM's Ford Executive has often given a good dating aid to several photos (see another Rotherhope Fell archive pic), bought new in 1969 (for a bit under £2000 I think) he'd got rid by 1972/3 (largely because it was already rotting and to replace the orange Series One SWB as per Faggergill archive pic) and bought the LandRover LWB which kept the adventures going until the late 1980's - which of course meant it became less useful for date purposes, so I then had to shift to amount of grey in the hair and/or amount:)

Jim

Hi am currently on vacation duties in the eastern Med, however, Roy is largely correct in his mines exploration history lesson.
He has however omitted one crucial detail, in those days he was often accompanied by a partner who has now sadly passed away.

Hi am currently on vacation duties in the eastern Med, however, Roy is largely correct in his mines exploration history lesson.
He has however omitted one crucial detail, in those days he was often accompanied by a partner who has now sadly passed away.

No, that was Maureen, shes alive and well.
Its was the wife sadly, who you never met but often spoke to on the phone.
Cant talk about Rita, it makes me sad.
:(

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Naturally stand corrected and I apologise for making such a stupid mistake, it is the temperature out here which is in the low 30's.
I thought it Important to share with the rest of the contributors that initially at least you did not set out to go underground just by yourself.
I did meet Rita on one occasion, when we stayed overnight.
Certainly, when I was first at Rotherhope the manager's house was in excellent condition and it was suggested to us that we should consider doing it up and using it like Magpie cottage.

I did meet Rita on one occasion, when we stayed overnight.

Yes, your right! I remember now.

That was a few years ago.

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