While out and about the other day I ended up at Lafarge's quarry, Hope. The conditions were OK to do a bit of KAP, so without ado I got the gear out and up into the air. I'm having a few problems with viewing my video downlink in bright conditions, so was huddled over my screen when I was approached by one of the quarry men. He naturally wanted to know what I was up to as they were down on one of the terraces getting ready to blast.

Anyway all was OK and I was told although I was OK where I was for now, come blasting time I would have to move and sentries would be posted on the public road to prevent access to the site. Sadly I was not able to stay for the blasting as I had prior engagements later that day.

On getting home and examining the days footage I came across some shots showing the quarry personnel loading the shot holes ready for blasting. You can see the explosives cart quite clearly. It's a pity I couldn't stay. I could have easily left the camera airborne and retired to the required distance and hopefully taken some pictures of the blasting.

Images are here: http://www.kap.toadstone.com/photo/lafargequarry.html 

I'll have to see if I can get up there again to record a blasting session.

Peter.

Excellent stuff. When I was a kid, I lived within site of a Limestone Quarry. Blasting was always a treat. For a week or so prior to blasting, we could see the drilling rings in operation. On blasting day there were 3 toots on the hooter and suddenly a whole section of the face would lift outwards and seemingly ages later we heard the noise of the explosion.

---

I live within about 1/2 km of a limestone quarry, and every few weeks they do blast 'more so in the summer season'. I once got a chance to witness one from near where the crusher plants are situated, and as has been said the rockface appears to grow outwards, to be followed by the shock wave a fraction of a second later. About 1/2 a second after this - the rock all comes crumbling to the ground causing a lot of dust and dogey "smashing of rock" noises. Limestone quarrying was once a big industry on the lake district peninsulas, with quarries of various sizes at Silverdale, Warton, Arnside, Sandside, Grange, Cartmel, and around Dalton in Furness.

---

I was dead lucky and got to press the button at the old Wirksworth Limestone Quarry in Derbyshire (Now closed) and fired a whole face. My Dad was a senior buyer and I went to see his suppliers in the 6 week holidays..... (Tarmac at that time)

Like LAP all I recall was hearing the sirens then being told to press the red button by the shot firer.... seeing the rock face heave, and a shock wave with a bang that quite winded me as a kid..... then that rushing noise of rock falling great way to spend a day with your Dad.... OH happy days.....

:thumbsup:

---

Nice photos Peter - if you look on the far side of the quarry, just to the right of the lagoon in the bottom, you can see the line of a vein in the face. I have been told which one it is in the past, but forgotten.... You can also see some of the opencuts on Dirtlow rake in the foreground of the photo looking towatds Mam Tor.

Blasting is a thing I'm used to hearing at home, coming from Lafarge's quarries at Dowlow and Hindlow!

---

I had a look at the website and note there are superb shots of Magpie Mine and High Rake Mines in Derbyshire

Wish there were some shots of the Shropshire mines

well worth a visit

snip You can also see some of the opencuts on Dirtlow rake in the foreground of the photo looking towatds Mam Tor.

Blasting is a thing I'm used to hearing at home, coming from Lafarge's quarries at Dowlow and Hindlow!

Thanks everyone, I will of course in time put them up on AditNow. I'm hoping to get round most of the quarries this year, as I get more proficient with the kit.

Yes Adam on my intro on the quarry page I have made some comments about things being made good after quarrying has finished. Dirtlow Rake is a classic example. Just out of shot unfortunately you can see the steps taken to re-grade, back fill and get rid of the spoil heaps. For years as you know it was a playground for the itinerant and latterly a prime fly tipping area. Now as I say its all been re-graded. It won't take long for it to return to nature. In any event in 100 years from now there won't be anyone around to remember what it looked like in the first place. Photos only serve as a reminder, they have no emotional attachment. Those in the future will accept the landscape for what it is then not now.

Peter.

Edit: I see what you mean Adam re: Vein actually its on a line with Tideswell and High Rake from this angle. That's Great Hucklow making the skyline to the centre. ??

I had a look at the website and note there are superb shots of Magpie Mine and High Rake Mines in Derbyshire

Wish there were some shots of the Shropshire mines

well worth a visit

Thanks, which mines in particular?? I have a must do list ::)
SWMO likes days out to other parts of the country :devil:

Edit: I forgot, viewing tip on website. On Macs if you hold the command key and click on thumbnail you will get a full screen image in a new window/tab which is considerably bigger than the one viewed. Don't know what happens in Windoze.

Edit: I see what you mean Adam re: Vein actually its on a line with Tideswell and High Rake from this angle. That's Great Hucklow making the skyline to the centre. ??

I don't think it's running parallel with High Rake, but it does look like it'd meet up with it around the Milldam mine area at Great Hucklow. I still can't find the name of the vein (Chris Heathcote might know).

---