I thought that contributors might be interested in what little I know about the history of mine exploration in Swaledale/Arkengarthdale and I hope others will contribute to fill in the gaps in the thread.

Members of P.D.M.H.S. lead by Messrs Tony Marsh, Ivor Brown, Pete Jennings,Harry Parker and others ,started mine exploration in this area around the Summer of 1966.
Pete Crabtree had already discovered the Sir Francis engine and we hoped to find others!
At that time Hard Level had recently become blocked at the first Air Shaft and remained as such until it was cleared by Earby sometime in the mid 70's.
Messrs Roche and Marsh made the first recent entry into the Black Cross Cut in 1968 as they could not exit via Hard level they returned via Brandy bottle.
We entered Dam Rigg, and the left hand branch of Moulds level in 1966. At that time both mines were entered via their original arches although the former had to be dug to gain entry and during it's exploration the meet leader (Tony Marsh) just avoided being entombed!
We also carried out a major exploration in Barras End low level.

Although primarily concerned with caves, Moldywarps were active in the area during the 70s.

http://www.broomlee.demon.co.uk/memoirsall.html 

John, you aught to write a book.

I will be up at the Nent for a week from tomorrow staying at High Plains if you or anyone else are around.

Look out for a blue Skody full of gear.

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Although primarily concerned with caves, Moldywarps were active in the area during the 70s.

http://www.broomlee.demon.co.uk/memoirsall.html 

What a good read... Thanks for that link! I think I'll stick to slate mines, though.... 😢

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Hi Roy

Thanks for the invite unfortunately we have another appointment elsewhere this weekend though no doubt we will meet up again sometime in the future.
My idea here is to start fleshing out the history of mine exploration in the Pennines.
The moldy warp publications are good and their surveys are very useful but again we need to see the exploration threads from the start of the 1960's to the present day.
There is a lot of info out there which has been broadcast and my concern is the people who know will take it to their graves.
Incidentally I made a mistake in the original posting it should say our 1966 exploration in Old Moulds level was on the right hand branch ,not the left one.