Deterioration · AditNow Community

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carnkie
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

16 years ago

It's sad to see see the changes here in just a decade. One wonders for how long it will still be there even though it's listed.

🔗PENSTRUTHAL-Mine-User-Album-Image-001[linkphoto]PENSTRUTHAL-Mine-User-Album-Image-001[/linkphoto][/link]

🔗PENSTRUTHAL-Mine-User-Album-Image-002[linkphoto]PENSTRUTHAL-Mine-User-Album-Image-002[/linkphoto][/link]

The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.

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JR
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

That's the main shortcoming of the listing system as it exists. It can stop a building being pulled down but it is unable to prevent it falling down due to neglect.

sleep is a caffeine deficiency.

Cornish Pixie
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

I spoke to the farmer in question and he said that the Listing status meant that to maintain this structure was quite prescriptive in that only Delabole slate could be used on the roof etc. and that made the task very expensive. He was of the opinion that he didn't see why he should have to pay a lot of money to maintain a structure that he no longer uses (he used to keep fowls in it years ago).

I have recently heard that a new scheme tapping into some kind of rural fund is being put in place to help defer the cost of maintenance for mining strctures such as the above which are every bit as important as the engine houses that have had millions spent on them.

Den heb davaz a gollaz i dir

Gwyn
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

It might well help if the remaining structure could be fenced off from cattle. Their puddling and using the stone work for rubbing against can't be helping. What remains of the original slates? Is it worth trying to collect them?

Cornish Pixie
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

Yes, I agree Gywn, the cattle aren't helping matters at all. When I visited the powderhouse again the year before last, there were remains of slates on the ground all around the structure, but many had been damaged by the cattle's hooves and the place was awash with s**t and mud. Far from being fenced off to save it from further deterioration, my fear is that as this structure lies in a field that could be ploughed at some point, the farmer might just bulldoze the extant remains and a valuable piece of industrial archaeology will be gone forever 😞

Den heb davaz a gollaz i dir

carnkie
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

16 years ago

And what, I wonder, are the plans for this.

🔗Personal-Album-272-Image-069[linkphoto]Personal-Album-272-Image-069[/linkphoto][/link]

The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.

Cornish Pixie
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

Indeed! Bickford Smith's fuse factory is a vital part of Cornish mining heritage and is within the World Heritage Site. Several years ago the Delabole slates were taken off the roof and sold. Now without its roof, the building is being badly damaged by the elements.

I heard some time ago that the plan was to turn the site into work/live units, much beloved by Kerrier ::) I'll try and find out where things stand currently.

Den heb davaz a gollaz i dir

Gwyn
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

I think I've commented on this building before.
Lovely bit of stonework.

JohnnearCfon
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

It is not just in Cornwall the listing system fails. The buildings at Maen Offeren being a good example, virtually all are listed G11 and are decaying at an ever increasing rate. It will not be many years before one of the main roof beams gives way in the mill as the roof above it has gone and the beams are now so wet that moss etc is growing on them.