Ludwell Mine level, near Hartington

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RockChick
50.8% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

9 years ago

Hi all,
I was out walking to the north of Hartington over Easter and came across a gated adit with an identification plate on it saying "Ludwell Mine Level, 1862. Len Kirkham & Team, 2013." It's located just to the south of Ludwell Farm, on a very small road/track, and is actually identified on OS mapping as an adit (grid reference 412561, 362095).

I can't find "Ludwell" mine on the Adit database, it is nearby to Carder Low Lead Mine, and it may have just been known by two different names over the years.

http://www.aditnow.co.uk/Mines/Carder-Low-Lead-Mine_14090/

Carder Low is in the database, with a couple of surface photos and comments about the mine being extensive, I'm just surprised if it is the same mine that there's no mention of the adit- unless it was only dug out in 2013?

Can one of the Derbyshire folks say anything more about it? Is it accessible? I don't know whether Len (or team!) is on here?

Thanks!

Crocodile 1, Space ship 0!

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ttxela
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

I can't say anything about it but I've often thought of going and taking a look when in the area since it's marked on the map, never got around to it though.

Interested to hear more....

rufenig
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

Plenty on this map
http://maps.nls.uk/view/101600787

ttxela
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

I've been in the one at the bottom of the track to Hartington Moor Farm.

AR
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

This used to go to a collapse after a very short distance (I had a look pre-gate, Len and co. gated it and started digging. Mr. C may be able to tell you more, and IIRC there was something in the PDMHS newsletter about this and the shaft capping at Carder Low? There was also some historical detail in Chris Heathcote's article in Mining History 18:3.

I'll have a scan through the back issues of the newsletter when I get chance.

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

Yorkshireman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

Here's the walk that takes it in:

http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/village-trails

Click on Hartington to Pilsbury Castle for the PDF

AR
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

Found the letter from Len (October 2015 PDMHS newsletter) but the only mention of the adit is that it would be discussed further in a future contribution to the newsletter.

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

Mr.C
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

"AR" wrote:
Found the letter from Len (October 2015 PDMHS newsletter) but the only mention of the adit is that it would be discussed further in a future contribution to the newsletter.

I'll be seeing him on Monday,
I'll have an ask..

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

RockChick
50.8% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

9 years ago

Thanks for all the comments guys, I look forward to hearing more!

Crocodile 1, Space ship 0!

Mr.C
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

9 years ago

#10

Well, didn't see Len tonight but did see one of the team who were on this project.
One of the more local team members was pestering for a look, as he's heard the usual "caverns measureless to man" stories of this level.
Len got permission from the farmer to have a look, on condition that he gated it, as it's on a public footpath.
Dodgy collapse was dug through at around 50ft in & place dug to forefield & conclusion at 90ft from portal.
Seems to have been a trial for the southern Carderlow Vein.

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

RockChick
50.8% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

9 years ago

#11

Thanks for the info Mr C! 🙂

Crocodile 1, Space ship 0!

aricooperdavis
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

6 years ago

#12

I'm well aware that I'm digging up an old post here, but I walked past the adit this morning and noticed that the gate is no longer secured. I don't know whether it's damaged or simply unlocked, but I'll pop back tomorrow and take a photo that shows what needs doing to secure it.

alex17595
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

6 years ago

#13

It's best to contact the Derbyshire cave association

AR
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

6 years ago

#14

I informed DCA about this one a few months back and suggested they get in touch with Len Kirkham.

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

Mr.C
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

6 years ago

#15

I've made Len aware now of this latest report.
Sounds like someone has bosted the chain off, that the farmer put on after the previous reports.
He'll let him know.

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

Ian Bee
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

6 years ago

#16

That's interesting - in 1813 one of my ancestors bought the field at SK135624. He was a farmer at Marston Montgomery (over 20 miles away). He paid £300 for the land - £20K in today's money. Maybe intending to have a try at lead mining? Cant think of any other reason for wanting a piece of land so far away from his farm.

AR
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

6 years ago

#17

Buying land in the Peak with the intention of mining lead would be a bit pointless - the mineral rights for lead are mostly with the duchies of Lancashire, Devonshire, and Rutland. Apart from that, the free mining rights active in most parts of the Peak meant that you could generally mine lead without needing the owner or occupier's permission, just to have laid claim to the vein with the Barmaster and given a freeing dish of ore to prove the vein was productive. In the case of an existing but unworked mine, you could request the gift of it from the Barmaster who would inspect it for three consecutive weeks and if the mine had not been worked in that time, you'd get the mine.

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

Ian Bee
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

6 years ago

#18

Yes, of course Adam - should have realised that!