rivetcotcher
13 years ago

I have a serious interest in researching British quarry and mine sites that during the 19th century produced horse and animal feed troughs and millstones hewn from stone, or for example Welsh slate. My intention is to write an article which will be posted on AITNOW and also onto my three websites.

All assistance will be gratefully acknowledged.

Alan Dandelion.
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AR
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13 years ago
Interesting one..... The obvious site that springs to mind is Stanage Edge, where there are still unfinished stones lying around, from what I remember one use of these was feed milling. Another really nice type of trough I've seen around the Peak District is a big octogonal one with a circular centre, these seem to have been used in the bleaching industry as there are a load still at Lumsdale mill near Matlock but I've seen examples on farms near Winster and Flagg, so the source may have been the Birchover quarries. I'm not sure where historical data may be lurking on these but I'll ask around.
Follow the horses, Johnny my laddie, follow the horses canny lad-oh!
Roger L
13 years ago
There are many stone carved troughs round the Huddersfield area and several millstones. The area round Huddersfield has stone quarries in most areas for sandstone which is used in building and walls. When you get to the Marsden and Meltham area you get the gritstone for the millstones.
The troughs come in all sizes and shapes carved from the stone. 10 year ago I new an old builder who was still carving flower troughs and selling them. The stone lends itself for this type of work.
Mine Lectures & Walks available for around Huddersfield
droid
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13 years ago
Stanage also has a series of numbered drinking holes for packhorses, running from Stanage End to the 'Roman Road'
There's also quite a few millstones at the side of the incline down to Lawrencefield Quarry near The Surprise.
Alasdair Neill
13 years ago
In the Cornwall & Devon granite areas I get the impression that much of this sort of thing would be made as required so there would probably be no site specialising in them. Could be totally wrong on that. Peter Stanier is the expert on that sort of thing.
rivetcotcher
13 years ago

To A.R., R.L., droid,Isobel Gott and Alasdair, many thanks for your collective advice.
Presently and greatly inspired by the fascinating information you have provided, after donning my ancient walking boots, my Glengarry bonnet and my much worn, semi-ragged Barbour jacket, I will sally forth to seek out these enticing locations and armed with note pad and pencil,and my 21st century digital wonder box, I will photograph and record these historic, enigmatic !9th & early 20th century Quarryman's artifacts. As previously promised I will post the article on ADITNOW.
Thanks again,
Alan.
www.sledgehammerengineeringpress.co.uk
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droid
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13 years ago
If you need a guide round the Hathersage stuff let me know.

I was raised there... 😉
Roger L
13 years ago
Do you want photoes sent as I jump out of the car. Or should I say as I ramble about. I already do mile stone etc. for a friend.
Mine Lectures & Walks available for around Huddersfield
AR
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13 years ago
There's a PDMHS walk round Lumsdale mills in a few weeks time, if I can get out on that I'll try and remember to take a camera and get some snaps of the bleaching vats for you!
Follow the horses, Johnny my laddie, follow the horses canny lad-oh!
rivetcotcher
13 years ago

Splendid! I will be glad to accept your kind offer.

I will contact you later this week to arrange a mutually convenient date.

Regards,

Alan.🅱
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rivetcotcher
13 years ago

Photographs of stone troughs and millstones taken to include their environment would be most welcome.

Best regards,

Alan.
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AR
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13 years ago
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=lumsdale+mill 

I was mistaken about the octogonal troughs being there, they're got a load of very well-made round ones, as well as some slab-built tanks in one of the lower mills. The source of the stone was on site, one of the dams was apparently originally a quarry. The site as a whole is well worth visiting, with wheelpits, tramways, a fine chimney, and other features, all in a very picturesque valley. As for an example of the octogonal ones, I'll aim to have a wander over to Cronkston Grange over the bank holiday and see if I can get a photo.

Droid - according to John Barnatt, the numbered troughs on Stanage are actually grouse feeding stations. Another feature of interest further to the south on the gritstone edge is a rock cannon, can't remember the exact location offhand but it was mentioned in the PDMHS newsletter a bit back.
Follow the horses, Johnny my laddie, follow the horses canny lad-oh!
rivetcotcher
13 years ago
A.R, Thanks for the information reference Lumsdale. What an exciting site. I will definitely, visit this fascinating old mill site as soon as my busy life permits! It would make a splendid magazine article!
Best Wishes,

Alan. www.sledgehammerengineeringpress.co.uk [u]
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droid
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13 years ago
"AR" wrote:

Droid - according to John Barnatt, the numbered troughs on Stanage are actually grouse feeding stations. Another feature of interest further to the south on the gritstone edge is a rock cannon, can't remember the exact location offhand but it was mentioned in the PDMHS newsletter a bit back.



Thanks for that, AR. I ain't going to argue with Mr Barnatt.... 😉

How old are they?
And what's a 'rock cannon'?
AR
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13 years ago
late Victorian, I think, but don't quote me on that!

Rock cannon are a quarryman's celebratory device, several shotholes are bored, grooves chiselled between then all filled with gunpowder and lit so you get a fusillade of shots going off. They're known in Wales and Shropshire, but so far only the one has been recognised in the Peak - on checking the O&D index from the last newsletter, it's at Burbage Moor.
Follow the horses, Johnny my laddie, follow the horses canny lad-oh!
AR
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13 years ago
Just read your journal Alan, putting aside the fact you appear to have been time travelling too, I wish I'd known you were reading down that way or I'd have dug you out the grid ref for the rock cannon at Burbage!
Follow the horses, Johnny my laddie, follow the horses canny lad-oh!
rivetcotcher
13 years ago
It was in fact a last minute decision to motor down to Burbage.

Of course, last Friday, very much unlike today, the weather was glorious. Christine and I thoroughly enjoyed scrambling over the Moonscape of gritstone boulders.
I ended up taking over 80 pictures of the millstones and troughs.
I do intend to visit again perhaps later this summer. Before I do however, I will contact you.
Happy Mining!
Alan.
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