tony street
16 years ago
I am a newcomer to Aditnow, having joined because of some research I am doing for an environmental science qualification.
The research is based on a hill farm in the Shibden valley, near Halifax West Yorkshire.
I'm particularly interested in the history of fireclay extraction in the valley, and I am writing on the off chance that someone might be able to help me.
I understand that one mine Springfield No2 Clay Mine, is still being worked and I wd be very interested in any information anyone can give me about it. It wd be extremely helpful for my research if I cd visit this mine and observe the extraction process. Again, if anyone knows how I might go about doing this I wd be very pleased to hear from you.
In anticipation, many thanks.

Tony Street.
AR
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16 years ago
Are you sure the mine is still in operation? I seem to remember fireclay mines being mentioned in the Halifax area in "British Small Mines North" but that was published about 25 years ago so I'd expect they'd have been closed by now.

If it is still working, go and ask at the surface if you can arrange to go and see the mine inside - at worst they'll say "no"....
Follow the horses, Johnny my laddie, follow the horses canny lad-oh!
ICLOK
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16 years ago
I thought springfield No 1 had finished around 92 and I was told about 2 years ago that No 2 carried on intermittently until around 2002 and was then blocked off.

I maybe wrong, but am up there soon so will drop in for a look.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Creeper!!!!!
tony street
16 years ago
Springfield No2 is definitely still open.
It is owned by Parkinson Spencer Refractories Ltd who have a factory in Halifax.
Since my first blog they have replied to an email I sent them. They have refused me permission to enter the mine to see the fireclay being extracted but they have offered help with my research in other ways.
I know foreclay has been extracted on a large scale from the Shibden valley in the past and what I really need are maps showing where the quarries and mines were.
Maybe Parkinson Spencer can help with this. I'm about to reply to their email so will find out soon!
Thanks for your help.
ICLOK
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16 years ago
Let us know re the mine, am pleased its still open as it must now be the last.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Creeper!!!!!
tony street
16 years ago
Yes Springfield No 2 is the last working fireclay mine in the Shibden Valley.
The MD of Parkinson Spencer, the owners, informed me that it will be closing in 2012 when the current planning permission expires.

I'm now following up another line re fireclay mining in the valley.
Does anyone know anything about the activities of the Leeds Fireclay Company in the Shibden Valley from about 1900 onwards? Again I'm particularly interested in finding out exactly where they mined the fireclay. Maps wd be really
helpful.

AR
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16 years ago
I'd expect that any workings which closed after the 1870s would have lodged abandonment plans with the Mines Inspectorate. Old 25" OS maps may also show some sites.
Follow the horses, Johnny my laddie, follow the horses canny lad-oh!
Queensburyboy
16 years ago
Been inside the Oates & Green Mine ( Leeds FireClay) after it closed Now a housing estate built on top of it. I somewhere have a photo taken inside of the mine belonging to julias whitehead at clayton. Have you had a look at the remains of Brow pit this belonged to Howcans pottery above where spencer parkinson are?
I know the ara pretty well and could point you to several of the fire clay and coal mines in the shiben valley
tony street
16 years ago
I wd be interested in seeing the photo if you cd dig it out and were able to post it.
You seem to know the Shibden Valley well so I wonder if you know of any disused fireclay mines on the hillside above Salterlee School and nearer Stumps Cross around the area marked on the maps as Tod Bottom?
When the weather improves I will go and have a look at the site you mentioned - Brow Pit - above Parkinson Spencers.
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