A proposal:

1 Aim
Share information, advice and opinions about the North Pennines mining industries.

2 Scope
The North Pennine Orefield east of the River Eden, south of the roman wall, west of the North east coalfield, and north of Stainmore pass.

3 Objectives
Facilitate the sharing of information within the community of historians, explorers, geologists and archaeologists
Encourage research about the mining industries.
Provide information to National and Local government authorities, land and property owners.

4 Why should we do this now?
Environment Agency (EA), Coal Authority (CA) and Rivers Trusts (RT) are developing and delivering pollution remedial works on mine sites. Other public bodies also have made and are likely to make decisions which impact on mine sites
Historians, explorers and archaeologists have information that is not visible or accessible to public bodies.
The North Pennines AONB Oresome project showed a desire to continue with the work of that project. A group might help this work to continue.

5 Approaches that might be adopted

5.1 Signpost website
A simple website listing objectives and providing communication links to existing organisations. This would provide an email and/or phone number contact point. It might be hosted within a website of an existing organisation. Would require a process to manage the phone call and emails.

5.2 Annual Conference or Forum
This might include discussions, presentations, posters and displays with an emphasis on informality. Financed by a conference fee to cover room hire costs. Would need a minimum of two people to provide basic organisation, with existing groups providing support at the event.

5.3 Membership organisation
This might include a website and an annual forum as at 5.2. Would require a membership fee to cover costs. It might be possible to have banking facilities provided by another organisation. A minimum of three people would be required to provide the admin and manage the contact point and arrange a forum/conference.

5.4 Using an existing organisation with website.
Utilising part of an existing website to host the Group information, and receiving some administrative support from the host organisation. Would still require a process to manage the phone calls or email enquiries, as at 5.1.
5.5 Contact point hosted by a public body or charity
Examples might be the North Pennines AONB or NAMHO, or other local body or society. This would require an identifiable contact point by email or phone and would require links to existing charities, groups and societies. As before, contact point support would be required.

6 My proposal
I recommend that a meeting is held at a weekend, at a location in the North Pennines. The agenda for the meeting will be:
AGENDA
A Discuss the proposal to establish a North Pennines Mines Group
B Agree a format for establishing a group.

7 Feedback and comments
Please send your comments, offers of help and thoughts to:
Peter Jackson
14 Kirk Rise, Frosterley, DL13 2SF
01388 527532
[email protected]

8 What Next?
I will arrange a meeting somewhere in the North Pennines area, sometime before mid-summer of 2019.

PS: I have posted this to the NE England forum - it also is appropriate to the NW England forum

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