tonto125
  • tonto125
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10 years ago
Hey,

Does anyone know what the deal is at Cannop Drift in the Forest of Dean?

Is the drift still accessible?
Any known dangers?

Thanks,
Tonto
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crickleymal
10 years ago
If it's the free mine then it's privately owned and you'll have to find the owner (try contacting FODCCAG). If it's one of the abandoned coal mines then access is forbidden under the access agreement with the Forestry Commission.

To the best of my knowledge
Malc.
Rusted and ropey, Dog eared old copy
Vintage and classic or just plain Jurassic
All words to describe me.
Ty Gwyn
10 years ago
The Harding brothers shut Cannop Drift when they opened Heywood,presume it was sealed before starting the new drift.
tonto125
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10 years ago
Well, okay...

Can anyone recommend a mine in the Cumbria area that is accessible as I am having no luck.
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crickleymal
10 years ago
Bit of a jump in area there?
Malc.
Rusted and ropey, Dog eared old copy
Vintage and classic or just plain Jurassic
All words to describe me.
sparty_lea
10 years ago
Do you mean any type of mine or is it a colliery you're looking for?

There are 10 types of people in the world.

Those that understand binary and those that do not!
tonto125
  • tonto125
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10 years ago
Yes it was a bit of a jump, but I'm quite easy so...

Anything in Cumbria or Forest of Dean, or anywhere really would be appreciated.

Best Regards,
Tonto
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crickleymal
10 years ago
The GSS and the RFDCC have regular trips down the iron mines in the Forest. Providing you have BCA insurance I'm sure you'd be welcome. If you haven't then temporary membership can be arranged which may well be free for three trips. PM me and I'll sort out some contacts.
Malc.
Rusted and ropey, Dog eared old copy
Vintage and classic or just plain Jurassic
All words to describe me.
Ty Gwyn
10 years ago
There is always Hopewell,and Rich who now runs it also has Monument,same seam as Cannop.
JohnnearCfon
10 years ago
Has Robin retired now? He used to have Phoenix too. Who has Phoenix now?
Ty Gwyn
10 years ago
"JohnnearCfon" wrote:

Has Robin retired now? He used to have Phoenix too. Who has Phoenix now?



Not sure if Robin has retired,but i read an article,thought it was here,maybe on the Welshcoalmines forum,will try and find it,but it mentioned Rich Daniels was re-opening the Hopewell museum,maybe its only the museum he has taken over from Robin.
I always get Phoenix mixed up,is Phoenix the drift Robin was working alongside Hopewell,or is it over the lane opposite through the forestry?
At one time when the Heywood drift collapsed for the 2nd time,the Harding brothers were working one of Robins drifts,then the last i heard Robin was helping the Hardings open up Heywood again,
Reckon i need to call down again to catch up on the progress.
Dark Prince
10 years ago
Robin shut the mine to the public a while ago, but i thought he was still taking coal out of Hopewell.

JohnnearCfon
10 years ago
Phoenix is the one that is down a forestry road that is almost opposite Hopewell.

Initially (4 or 5 years ago?) Robin closed the museum to the public other than pre-booked groups such as schools etc. More recently he closed the museum completely.
JohnnearCfon
10 years ago
That is very interesting, thanks for posting that. I must call in when I am next down that way.

I hope they get a website (I haven't searched yet).
JohnnearCfon
Ty Gwyn
10 years ago
Nice little website John,

Just a shame about the exaggeration of the number of freeminers and the quality of the coal.
aliibert
9 years ago
hi there,the harding brothers I think operated a free mine which also used the original cannop drift mine entrance as an emergency exit.
this entrance was the original cannop mine entrance until they actually sunk the main shafts down to coal level.
this entrance is still there and very nice stone lined entrance,securely gated and no entry is allowed as there is bad air within this and most disused coal mines within the forest of dean.
as a member of the forest of dean caving club venturing into any old coal mines are a no go area due to the bad air etc.

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