I very much enjoyed my recent visit to Cornwall in spite of the lengthy journey to get there and back. I was suitably impressed by the efforts made to conserve some of the mining remains and still remain optimistic that more may get suitable treatment in the future.

Unfortunately the problem appears to be the 'follow-up'. Unless the site is 'important' e.g. Wheal Killifreth on the path through Unity Wood then it is neglected.

Wheal Killifreth, the one with the bigger than average chimney, is on a popular path and has a picnic site so gets cleaned and the grass cut. The nearby Old Shaft with its pumping engine house isn't although time and money has been spent conserving the ruin. Now the path to it is overgrown and a dumping ground for rubbish. The interior of the engine house is getting overgrown and the wooden steps providing access are rotting. No 'follow-up'.

The Queen of Mines (Dolcoath) has also been treated and just as greatly neglected. I discovered a ruin covered by undergrowth which on closer inspection I found to have been conserved and subsequently discovered to have been the site of the winder for Old Sump Shaft. And the incomplete horizontal winder at nearby Wheal Harriet appeared very neglected.

Then there are the dressing floors at West Basset ... etc.

Surely with the significant interest in Cornish mining there is the possibility of local groups voluntarily taking some of these conserved sites in hand to keep them unvegetated and tidy. Here in Cleveland with a small group is what we attempt to do and after some resistance, overcome by our persistence, we have found landowners and others to be co-operative when they see what we can achieve.

Unfortunately in 2015 the reality is if we enthusiasts don't want to see conserved historic mining sites degenerate into a rubbish strewn dog's toilet then we have to do something practical about it ourselves.

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Unfortunatly there are many mining sites around the country that have been conserved in the past but then left to degenerate because on-going funds are not avaliable.
I can think of many buildings and even headgear that need further work but where money is just not there.
It is frughtening to watch how quickly buildings become overgrown and deteriate if maintenance is not continuous.

Another problem comes on the back of getting everything sheduled or listed as monuments. It can then become even more expensive with all the studies, consultations and specialist contractors that are required.

A problem not limited to historic conservation. I recently visited Salford Quays and it was obvious that significant investment had been made into building work, paving, street furniture etc. but then it had all been left to deteriorate and grow over.

Large areas would have made good film sets for a post apocalyptic zombie film.

I think the problem is local people not getting involved. People are happy to complain about this stuff getting neglected but most wouldn't lift a finger. Although i'm sure there are people out there who would help but just dont know how to go about creating some kind of heritage group, society or what have you.

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The issue is that we have so much worth conserving, and neither the money or interest (in general) to do so.

Chris.

Yesterday I finally got round to emailing Kerrier District Council about the appalling mess completely blocking the path to Killifreth Old Shaft. Today I got a phone call from their contractors, Cory Environmental, to say they had visited the site and it had been cleaned up already!

As I described the location in great detail I can only assume they went to the correct place, so well done Kerrier DC.

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