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ttxela
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

15 years ago

Amongst some stuff I acquired recently I've got a survey of Bincliffe mine which looks quite inviting.

Is access possible?

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Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

DCA have a mention of entrance stability last year (halfway down page).

http://www.thedca.org.uk/Meetings/2008/cmin0608.pdf

ttxela
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

15 years ago

Cheers :thumbup:

I'm not convinced thats the mine on my survey though, I've not visited the area but I think from what i've established there are some small levels which seem to be what the DCA newsletter refers to but also a mine with a 40' shaft access which is what my survey is of.

Of course the levels are of interest as well.

AR
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

Has your survey come from the article done many moons ago on these mines for the PDMHS Bulletin? (Vol 6 no.2). There's a whole collection of small adits and shafts in the area, I've seen the shafts (grilled) but can't remember if they are openable. I think one of the adits connects with a shaft...

Follow the horses, Johnny my laddie, follow the horses canny lad-oh!

ttxela
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

15 years ago

The survey was done a while ago for sure, it's not in front of me now but from memory it's a caving club survey from the 60's. I'll confirm exactly when I get home.

There is a surface plan too showing the shafts (definitely not inside adits).

It's a high quality survey clearly done with some care and precision.

looks like a reasonable trip with some interest if it's still accesible.

mcrtchly
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

Surveys of the adits were published by Pedrick and Chapman in the Bulletin of Peak District Mines Historical Society, Vol. 5, No. 5, pp. 258-270. I published surveys of the shafts in Bull. PDMHS, Vol. 6, No.2, pp 73-81.

Martin

ttxela
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

15 years ago

Ok, I now have the survey in front of me. It was done by an A King, I Bell & D. Pountney 18/8/65 to CRG grade 5.

It's actually titled "Upper Bincliffe Mine" this is followed by the characters "D.S. 650/1 whatever that means? A NGR is given, SK 115539

The survey shows a 44' main shaft and a 40' climbing shaft leading to a complex of passages on several levels. On plan it looks to extend 150' or so mainly N-S.

The survey shows lots of detail with many sections and cave pearls at one point.

AR
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

Having dug out Martin's article last night, it seems you've got a survey of a mine that's now collapsed unfortunately! Unless you fancy a digging project, that is.....

Follow the horses, Johnny my laddie, follow the horses canny lad-oh!

ttxela
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

15 years ago

😢

It's a nice looking survey though, would it be the done thing to post it up on here, copyright and all that?

SteveT
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#10

Went for a walk round here earlier in the year I cannot find the photo's unfortunately.
Nearby is Highfields mine which is still accessible though no access is allowed due to bats. There are a number of adits at river level, did you find any of them. I think there are 3 or possibly 4 am not sure now but they are gated now and access through Staffs CC or similar.
There is however one adit that is not gated and runs for several hundred meters with a branch off it, unfortunately these are both blind.
However the Highfields adit goes to the mine workings and I was wondering if the other adit was for Bincliffe and may lead to the mine if access can be gained??

ttxela
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

15 years ago

#11

The survey shows no adit or passage that looks likely to connect to one.

I wouldn't mind a wander round the area and a look into those adits though. I'll put it on my list......

SteveT
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#12

Perhaps not, but if you look at the OS map there are Adits marked (these are the gated ones) one is in line with highfields and the other with Bincliffe right on the bend in the river

ditzy
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#13

need to ask mr.c
been told a former club member ross looked in their and the adits were dammed for water supplies
he taut himself srt in those shafts on his own

http://ditzycaving.blogspot.com
my underground blog

ICLOK
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#14

Did one of them have a slightly blocked entrance and some nasty big blocks held up on props of dubious age and strength just inside the entrance tunnel... if so been there! I remember trying to find and identify those in the 80s and it was a pain in the a**e then!!!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Creeper!!!!!

Mr.C
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#15

"ditzy" wrote:
need to ask mr.c
been told a former club member ross looked in their and the adits were dammed for water supplies
he taut himself srt in those shafts on his own

Yes he did, but I'm afraid that's all I can recall too.
If you know him I seem to recall Chuck Hooley (of DCRO)
did a lot in there in the 50s/60s - he'd be worth an ask.
Staffs Wildlife Trust own the site now & they are having some of the shafts / collapsed open cuts made safe at present.
The spec includes access for suitably insured cavers/mine explorers I'm told.

We inhabit an island made of coal, surrounded by a sea full of fish. How can we go wrong.......

SteveT
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#16

"ICLOK" wrote:
Did one of them have a slightly blocked entrance and some nasty big blocks held up on props of dubious age and strength just inside the entrance tunnel... if so been there! I remember trying to find and identify those in the 80s and it was a pain in the a**e then!!!

Yes, I think thats the one i went down, the entrance takes a bit of getting to and then you crawl inside, it has a nicely gingged arch and then theres the dodgy bit to get past but its not bad then your into an adit in solid rock, but as I say its quite long but totally blind.

The orpheus did quite a lot down Highfields in the early seventies from the shaft which is still open on the rake (though capped and a grill for bats). This of course is not |Bincliffe

ICLOK
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#17

That sounds like it Steve... it had some nasty fractured blocks... guess its time for the embarassing pic of me by said arch.... and under props... once I can find it.... 😞

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Creeper!!!!!

ttxela
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

15 years ago

#18

"AR" wrote:
Having dug out Martin's article last night, it seems you've got a survey of a mine that's now collapsed unfortunately! Unless you fancy a digging project, that is.....

I've just bought the recent guide on the accesible mines of the Manifold, Dove and Churnet Valleys by Byron Machin (2009) which lists Upper Bincliffe as accesible? :confused:

Flooziegoosey
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#19

Hi ttxela, we had a brief meet in wapping a while back......... wouldn't mind having a look in that area again myself at some point if you fancy it, had an explore there over 15 years ago and always meant to go back.

Mr.C
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#20

Just be aware that the site is now under the auspises of the N Staffs wild life trust (who are sympathectic to responsible access) but remedial work on the shafts/ open works is currently being undertaken.

We inhabit an island made of coal, surrounded by a sea full of fish. How can we go wrong.......