spent the day having a long overdue poke about, one of the locals had the digger out the other day and undercovered a level at boltsburn that every one said didn't exist!, quite a big horse level running SW towards red vein, it had been buried in the bouse teams for a long long time, stonework in amazing condition, maybe waist deep in water still for the first 100 metres or so. Any one got any old maps or anything that might shed any light on it??

Also discovered another level further downstream that I can't find any record of, roughly level with stotsfield but the opposite side of the valley - in the trees the other side of the burn from the old graveyard??

had a walk upstream and into west level just up from the main boltsburn shaft, opens up into ironstone flats with another level that heads off to meet some extensive workings at red vein (according to local knowledge) but is blocked by a fall or maybe back filled?? put some pics on the boltsburn album.... managed to drop my camera in the water so the rest of the day was pic free sadly

http://www.aditnow.co.uk/photo/Low-Fulwood-Lead-Mine-Archive-Album-Image-001/  is an accurate map - but its not for the feint hearted - very thick and deep mud - in places for every foot of water theres at least a foot of treacly mud.

headed up to Groverake. decaying fast, the horse level has had a big fall not far from the entrance, someone has dug through, but its still very loose, lots of house brick sized lumps coming down with even the smallest bit of disturbance as you squeeze through the hole. the bairn was none to happy so we sensibly got out sharpish. The main dib down is coming away fast in places too, especially where if passes through the shales. I suspect there as been a substantial fall maybe 200 metres down as the water is backed right up, so no going any further, guessing its a fall anyway as the 'drop something down the no2 shaft test' still reveals a very long drop and dry bottom. top section of ladder is now missing in the no2 shaft as well - probably the same light fingered scrap men that had everything else away.

finally headed down into allenheads and had a wander down the newly dug out spiral horse level - its also either fallen in or back filled after about 100 metres or so

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There is a vein runs southwest from the area of the borehole (probably just S of there) been proved for around 500m and intersects Patersons vein at approx 300m. Sounds like your level might be on that vein.
It's not named on any document I have seen.

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The entrance is maybe 25 yards or so down stream from the borehole. Will get a pic tomorrow night

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Lots of interesting stuff there, i'm sensing a visit to Rookhope in my future.....

Know what you mean Chris 😉

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One in the mineyard is Boltsburn Old West Level and it's choked when it gets to the shaft in the field behind the garage.
Originally it followed Red vein up the valley to about lintzgarth.
with a branch each way on Mary's Vein.

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If you head over that way why not start here?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/9279600/Owner-of-Royal-themed-tea-room-threw-out-customers-who-refused-to-stand-for-national-anthem.html 

She looks not unlike Gav as it happens! 😮

One in the mineyard is Boltsburn Old West Level and it's choked when it gets to the shaft in the field behind the garage.
Originally it followed Red vein up the valley to about lintzgarth.
with a branch each way on Mary's Vein.

sounds about spot on! where'd you find those wee nuggets!!??

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She looks not unlike Gav as it happens! :o

:lol: cheeky!

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She looks not unlike Gav as it happens! :o

:lol: cheeky!

I am far better looking 😮

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just added some pics to the boltsburn album. this new level seems huge compared to some, a good 2 metres wide.

also a pic of the shaft in the field. the shaft is dry at the bottom, sounds like there's a rise leading maybe to the old west level?? (based on the drop a stone and listen to it bounce and roll technique)

there's another one that was dug out a couple of weeks back, north of the borehole (pic uploaded) maybe a tail race for the waterwheel in the shaft?

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Yet another reason to visit Rookhope then 🙂

Entrance to the old west level now filled in again sadly

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Poo.

A lesson to us all in taking opportunities while they are there.

Had a trip down Old West level while it was still open first 50yds is in good condition but then is a large fall with water coming through this will be just behind the garage local tradition has it that a large hole opened there before the last world war.