Hi all

Not new to the site but only recently registered. I have been through the listed lead mines and notice that several are very well documented and photographed but many have no records at all. As I am approaching retirement I have it in mind to rectify this, at least as far as Yorkshire Dales mines are concerned. I have been an enthusiastic 'explorer' for 40 years but not with any recognised group, just a couple of mates usually. Mostly good experiences, some a bit scary (Grimwith Colliery collapsing behind us as we beat a hasty retreat comes to mind, now drowned out fortunately). I have certainly gained entry to many mines, some not listed at all, that need to be remembered in some way. Would anyone be interested in this. It would not be reasonable for me to do it alone, safety comes to mind apart from being able to manage good photographs. At the very least it would involve some good walking!
Just out of interest, has anyone any experience of an underground quarry at Burtersett. We did explore this many years ago and we saw the most fantastic dry stone roof support pillars. 'Burtersett flags' were very well known in their day.

Robertybob.

Hi,
I'm in the wrong place and the wrong level of fitness (yet!) to be of help a a companion. If you do find someone though (and if some of the places are quite as 'off the map' as you imply). I'd be willing to be a mobile phone 'first responder'. PM me if that would be useful.
John.

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I'm sure you'll have no shortage of offers, but I'll happily add myself to the list. Where's your stamping ground?

Rick

P.S. Now you're registered you might find you can view additional photos for mines in the database, that aren't visible to the unregistered.

Thanks for the interest! We are moving house very soon to Low Mill near Ilkley so all the Dales are within easy reach for me. I work as a marine engineer (in the North Sea unfortunately) so am not always available but always willing to correspond when not walking. Some people may have been in mines that I have not but it would appear that I may have been in mines that are forgotten. We spent weeks surveying Buckden Gavel (a popular dry mine now) in the vain hope that we could walk into Buckden Pike at one side and appear at the other side in Bishopdale (impossible!). This was before the NMRA survey. I did spend some time in the upper levels there. Coming to a forehead I realised that someone must have said 'No more lads' and ceased work. I put out the light and sat in the dark and silence having a fag, as you do, feeling very secure. When I left the drive I noticed that the last foot prints before mine were clog irons going out so I was the first person in there for over 100 years. I swear I could here the miners talking in the distance, very weird. It is possible to become very close to old miners. Intrigued by a reference by Arthur Raistrick of gunpowder being used in the late 1600's in Colsterdale, a valley known only for coal, I wondered why they would be blasting in a coal mine (High Engine Pit to be precise). Delving into the Cunliffe-Lister manuscripts in Bradford library I came across the daybooks for the mine detailing who was working there on each day and how much they had been paid (interestingly this group of miners withdrew their labour because they had to pump out the mine each day before they could hew coal and didn't get paid for this. They were effectively 'on strike' until new pumps were provided. They were described in a letter from a Mr Robinson, the mine manager, to Sir Abstobus Danby, the mine owner, as 'these meddlesome miners'. How quaint is that!). I digress.....when turning the pages of a particular daybook I noticed that in leaves of a particular page there were many fragments of galena. This must have been the very day they came across a mineralised fault and brought the evidence to the surface with great excitement and broken it up in the office where the book lay open. I felt as though I was there. And that's pretty weird too!
I feel like starting at Adelaide Level in Swaledale. The portal has been rebuilt (by whom?). There are two levels there in fact probably not extensive judging from the deads but the walking is great!

a man after my own hart. buckden gavel is indeed a strange mine .that gives me the willys .but love to find out more

I have spent hours and hours in there. NRMA have a lot of info on this particular mine. Apparently the level from Buckden Ghyll is the same mine as that in Bishopdale but a stipulation of a new lease stipulated that a level must be driven from the Buckden side. So we were right in thinking that we could have gone straight through the hill. I think the mine appears strange is because all the ore extraction was from flats rather than vertical veins. A result of this is that it becomes very complicated in rich ground. I had a very scary experience in there when my companion at the time decided to go up a drive that could only have been driven by a child following a ribbon shoot as it was so small. It was horizontal and turned a corner. He could only advance laid flat and shuffling forward on elbows, knees and toes (bring back any memories to anyone?). When he reached the corner he called back that it appeared to go on for a long way and decided to come back. Unfortunatey as he did this his coat rode up on his shoulders and coming back the same way as he went in was not an option so he decided to go further in. As he disappeared out of sight and earshot I was absolutely beside myself with horror.......for about half an hour! His thinking was (and really he had no choice anyway) that whoever drove this tunnel had to turn round somewhere so he had to continue whether he liked it or not. His thinking was correct and he did find a space to turn round but it was a long way in, and he said it appeared to go much further. This was one occasion when we decide that if anything appeared dangerous in any way a vote would be taken as to whether proceed or not. Another example of caution neglected was Storey Level in Merryfield, Nidderdale when four of us entered to it's eventual end. The air was not good, all of us felt this but said nothing. It was one of those levels when everyone was glad to get out of. Storey level is very old and it showed. We should have known better and stopped immediately. But we all know the feeling I suppose.

I have visited the Burtersett quarries. I have a little book about them somewhere.

I'd bet Mr. Oldham does, too. ::)
O.G.

i will be in kettlewell on the 27 may to se if i can get in old provident mine you are most welcom to come.let me know.

Hi kroca
Just my luck to have to return to work on the 25th! For an uncertain period but not more than 5 weeks hopefully. I recently passed part of the Old Providence mine some months ago during a walk to see the Silver Rake vein (and others at Coniston) nearby. I would have persevered more at this time but was in the company of two ladies whose interest was not inclined to thoughts of mining. I'd love to hear how you get on but information available suggests that you may not be as successful as you would like to be. I could find no trace of Middle level (apparently blocked in 1954), didn't look for High Level, the entrance which is reported to have collapsed and Low Level, which may still be open, 'is blocked after 312 yards in the Old Providence vein'. There was no mention of rises in the level. If you have time to do others I could suggest the levels near the top of Cam Gill,Starbotton, at least one of which was open last time I was there, the Mossdale mine above Coniston (the smithy and accomodation house is still standing and possibly one level with access) or one that interests me more is the Wharfedale mine and levels, Wharfedale and Charlstons). The old mine road starting by Kettlewell bridge takes you to these. All good walking anyway. Good luck.

thank you verry mutch for that my frend. the information is most welcome. please can you tel me witch is the level next to the water weal pit. ::)

I feel like starting at Adelaide Level in Swaledale. The portal has been rebuilt (by whom?).

They are known as the "Yoredale Mine and Cave Group" they also repaired the Brandy Bottle Incline and I would say Priscilla Level portal is also their handywork.

I would imagine Sir Francis is too now (photos yet to appear)
http://www.aditnow.co.uk/community/viewtopic.aspx?t=5489