Thats my point.... in my eyes and most others you have done NOTHING WRONG and I will certainly help you in future as will others so do not be put off from asking. This is about respect to others which you obviously have so pleeeeese don't sweat it! You asked, you were given the best info we had..... not your problem, just be responsible.

regards ICLOK

PS I am yold by another source that the people who told you off had no right too.

---

I did excelsior tunnel with my dad end of 06. Access is a bit funny, not of the woodlands but down "that lane". There is a busybody who lives in the cottage who does not welcome anyone (including two well spoken chaps who are blatantly not chavscum), if you are going to go into this long and boring tunnel, approach it from the N end of the woods. That way no-one will know you're there. Going past matey's house is asking for all sorts of repercussions. He is some sort of anxious paranoid recluse and it really isn't the best idea. You are dealing with a neigbourhood watch style nutter who would probably phone the police/etc/etc.

Regardless of lock cutting, who owns the woods, you getting in there, etc. This chap represents the way of getting into undue hassle.

Thats my point.... in my eyes and most others you have done NOTHING WRONG and I will certainly help you in future as will others so do not be put off from asking. This is about respect to others which you obviously have so pleeeeese don't sweat it! You asked, you were given the best info we had..... not your problem, just be responsible.

regards ICLOK

PS I am told by another source that the people who told you off had no right too.

Thanx for your support ICLOK, much appriciated

DaVa

---

How glad am I you posted, this is the same reaction I had 10 years ago!!!! He has seemingly built and gated across what was an un-classified lane.... well it is on my maps...

---

yeah that guys is odd, i know who you mean :glare:
he's the sort of guy who puts a cctv camera out to watch the road outside even though its public and nowhere near there house :lol:

If I can stick my tuppence in here.

From the site's point of view, we do not condone or encourage any anti-social or illegal behaviour. Trespass, illegal activities, lock smashing and so forth is not permitted. This is a responsible site on a sensible subject.

Similarly uploading of copyright material is not permitted.

Tin Miner will know (at least I sincerely hope he does, because I've discussed these matters with him personally in the past) that the site takes these matters seriously. And if a group or body makes an offical approach and explains the situation then the offending material will be removed provided the objection is valid and reasonable.

Taking material down because one person says so is more awkward; because what one person says may well be contradicted by another. Please note that is a general statement and not aimed at anybody at all.

We have had to recourse to removing material several times, but out of courtesy all parties are advised in advance so all parties are clear on what is happening. Nine times out of ten the original poster had no idea they either shouldn't have been there or that the material they uploaded was copyright and were totally understanding.

In this case there is no reason to suspect that either ferret or DaVa have done anything wrong. Two people have said they walked straight in and that there were no locks. If I'm officially told that this location should not be discussed openly then I can respond appropriately.

DaVa, please don't be put off by negative comments. We all start somewhere.

And ICLOK (and others) thank you for your input and responses on this topic.

---

But hasn't he gated the road too. I remember dragging my first Alstom company car over pot holes and puddles to get to gates over the road and no where to turn??? Then this guy came out yorping at me.....!!!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH I love it all.... theres def a book in all of us if you've had half the fun I have. I just can't take em seriously any more.

Oh God I feel another slating coming on :wub:

---

But hasn't he gated the road too. I remember dragging my first Alstom company car over pot holes and puddles to get to gates over the road and no where to turn??? Then this guy came out yorping at me.....!!!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH I love it all.... theres def a book in all of us if you've had half the fun I have. I just can't take em seriously any more.

Oh God I feel another slating coming on :wub:

Umm... on a subject of the actual mine, rather than access disputes, is the whole mine just one tunnel?

---

just about 🙂

---

yup lol, dead end, with a left had bend at then end :)
thats it.

---

I was not having a go at anyone in particular. My concerns are for the local clubs that always seem to get blamed regarding the removal of locks. Our local clubs are always having their locks removed by unscrupulous visitors who have no regard for safety, or the landowner's property. We have spent hundreds of pounds replacing locks as part of our agreements with landowner's that we maintain the safety aspect of the sites we use. None of the clubs locally have ever refused a visit to bona fide groups, and never will, as long as they're competent groups. People only have to ask certain groups outside the south-west to see if what is written is true.
If anyone on this forum or any other forum come to that, and also, that includes clubs wish to visit the south-west, and then perhaps a PM to me will be able to assist you with information, maps, etc, or even put you in contact with whoever owns, or manages the sites. This in my personal opinion is a step forward. I'm not a kill-joy, and know exactly where explorers are coming from. We all need to treat and tread carefully due to the current situation regarding visiting a mine site due to the "blame culture" that has been put on us.
Regards TM
:thumbsup:

I was not having a go at anyone in particular.

I didn't suggest it was. I tried to make it clear it specifically wasn't in response to your posts but rather a general policy of the site's in respect of locations that are off limit and legitimate requests from relevant clubs/bodies etc regarding off limits locations. No stress!

The SW had been sadly lacking on this site for a good while, which was a real pity as it's an area rich in mining heritage; albeit one with, it would appear, more access issues than other areas of the country.

The input from all you SW explorers on here is much apprecaited. Nice to see more SW based discussion and photos. :thumbsup:

---

I'll go with that, access info is always good for everyone and i would add there is certainly no dis-respect towards anyone on this subject.... contribution keeps issues live and on the scope. This is always a hot subject from Metal detecting to photography.... certainly not worth falling out about ... but always a hot debate. :surrender: :thumbsup:

---

The only real issues here in the south west regarding landowner’s are the Duchy. When I sat on the committee of the local regional caving access body of the NCA/BCA I with another person had a meeting in Cornwall to try and resolve access issues. The meeting was a total and complete farce, as the person whom we had the meeting with would not compromise at all. I even tried going straight to the top - i.e. London and still got the same reply from a legal point of view... "We don't want headlines like".... "Prince Charles kills man" To me that was a total cop-out, even though their legal team could not find any fault with the club insurance we had at that particular time (DCA insurance scheme through Perkins Slade).
My personal opinion here is that if you have tried to negotiate access through all the channels available and the landowner or their agent’s do not even contemplate, or listen to you, then? Say no more….. Enjoy your underground exploration - But do it very quietly, as not to arouse problems for the future.

Regards Tin Miner
:thumbsup:

have never seen so much interest in a hole :lol:

---

are but its not just any old hole :lol:

I have it on good authority they don't like us in there "as they store all the Devon Pixies down there"..... Well that's my daughters take on this..... She is 9

---

I have it on good authority they don't like us in there "as they store all the Devon Pixies down there"..... Well that's my daughters take on this..... She is 9

LOL sweet,

Looks like shes got the interest.....gonna be another ICLOK maybe?? 😉

DaVa

---

Strangely I think she will..... its ever since she kicked the Cave trolls Ass at Thors cave in the Manifold valley.... don't even go there what she did in Sleepy Hollow.....

---

Given that all historical mine sites are sensative one way or another, I see no reason to 'hide' locations and physical access possibilities for any particular mine.

As far as Excelsior is concerned, it was widely publicised by the NAMHO 2007 conference organisers as it was on the field trip schedule. Up to that point at least, the gate had been unlocked for a long time and visited regularly, quietly and with little fanfare.

As far as locks being removed more generally, perhaps its about time we explorers took the initiative and worked with land owners and local authorities etc to secure what's left of our underground mining heritage - FOR EVERYONE! Then there would be no need to remove locks (which of course I do not condone because its probably criminal)

Perhaps next time there is £6 million up for grabs in the South West, explorers will stop squabbling amongst themselves long enough to get involved and make a positive difference FOR EVERYONE!

Rant over - what do you all think?