Does anyone know the situation in the vicinity of Williams Shaft? Last time I was in the area in 2016 I believe someone told me the area was now a pikey site and access to the area was not advised. And how much, if anything is left of the famous horizontal winder building there?

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Looks like it's now occupied by brambles.;D

Obviously I have been fed false gen re supposed occupants! Thanks for that. Never been to look at it before so on my list for next month!
Might have to do the "Harry Parker" technique with a lighted newspaper :thumbup:

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The ' traversing winding engine' must have been an interesting bit of kit.

Might have to do the "Harry Parker" technique with a lighted newspaper

I'll preface this comment by noting that times change and one did stuff once that one wouldn't do now.
Back in the day (40 years ago) I was present when the rectangular plate was unbolted. I still have the stillsons that were purchased for the job from MacSalvors. A plastic sack containing the remains of a VW Beetle oil change was used in lieu of newspaper. The shaft looked awe-inspiring; all the buntons were visible but don't remember seeing any guides. Bits of the burning material caught on the buntons; these modern wire-wool buffs would have loved it. Unfortunately we didn't capture it on film. Nowadays it would be billed as a 'site-specific installation, reflecting the ephemeral nature of combustible materials' (just for you TFPoP). There was talk of a fairly shallow inset connecting with the shaft near the crossroads (somewhere between Williams and Brea, can't remember exactly) but you couldn't see anything from the cap. We dropped the 'crossroads' shaft which from memory was not very deep, but was full of dead animals and maggots, so we didn't pursue a connection.

Times do change, now it would be a Chinese supertorch, but maybe still the burning bits like when the thing came inside my clothing. True.

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Might have to do the "Harry Parker" technique with a lighted newspaper

I'll preface this comment by noting that times change and one did stuff once that one wouldn't do now.
Back in the day (40 years ago) I was present when the rectangular plate was unbolted. I still have the stillsons that were purchased for the job from MacSalvors. A plastic sack containing the remains of a VW Beetle oil change was used in lieu of newspaper. The shaft looked awe-inspiring; all the buntons were visible but don't remember seeing any guides. Bits of the burning material caught on the buntons; these modern wire-wool buffs would have loved it. Unfortunately we didn't capture it on film. Nowadays it would be billed as a 'site-specific installation, reflecting the ephemeral nature of combustible materials' (just for you TFPoP).

Were you also present for the infamous "armchair illumination" episode at Magpie?:devil:

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Yes indeed do times change Roy. I recall back in the late 60s when "nobut a lad" I tried lighting some shafts on the Blythe Mines, Stanton, Derbys, utilising a large heavy saucepan lid, attached to a super long length of string and with some chicken wire-type pocket beneath. Into this was inserted a long coil of magnesium ribbon, which, when lit, and lowered down the shaft was quite a wonder to behold. A sort of Swinging Sixties light painting technique. Regrettably the Brownie Twin Twenty (or similar) did not have a bulb setting so never got any pix! Empirical engineering at it's best :)

.. and this was in the days you could go to your local chemist and buy such items as sulphur, charcoal and saltpetre.. you know the mix ! See (on this site) Photographs of Blythe (Vein & Pipe) Mines Lead Mine. But not the tin lid technique
https://www.aditnow.co.uk/Mines/Blythe-Vein-Pipe-Mines-Lead-Mine_20792/ 

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Were you also present for the infamous "armchair illumination" episode at Magpie?Devil

Not present. Others on here may be able to, ahem, ‘enlighten’ you.

.. and this was in the days you could go to your local chemist and buy such items as sulphur, charcoal and saltpetre.. you know the mix !

You can still buy it from Amazon as 'Saltpetre' or 'Stump Remover';D

The site is now accessible following efforts in the last few weeks to cut back the undergrowth and remove the flytipping.

As for the shaft. there does indeed appear to be an inset if you look at this video: -

The inset with the old rising main is visible at about 3:38.

I still have, and boxed in perfect condition, the Kodak Brownie 127 I spent all my pocket money on at St Ives, then aged 13.

Before anyone gets excited though, I do not still have, any of the photos taken on it of St Ives in 1958.

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Now that I've taken my motion sickness tablets (you can't please some people) I've looked at the video from Mr Knocker. The inset looks to be on the 'downhill' side of the shaft (opposite the winder). I guess that would be the obvious place for access from the cage.
I wish we'd tried harder to access it from the Brea shaft (unless that was all urban myth) but there you go. Quite what we'd have done if we had, goodness knows. Yet another distraction from studying! Doubtless there's a plan somewhere in the Camborne area showing exactly where it runs.

When it came to announcing this on the interwebs, a load of eco people got all upset about habitats, etc and shat the nest over it. As a result, works were held back a bit.

To be fair they had a point unless you wanted a couple of grand fine and possible luxury stay at her majestys pleasure. and to be fair they should of waited till at least the beginning of September then i would of been outside the nesting season of the local birds.