was up at the mine today doing some bits, and noted the following things that should be of interest here...

As mentioned in another thread, someone has been having a go at the mine managers house, so it may be an idea to see what can be done to put them off doing it. Ideas??

The smoke flue entrance was unlocked. This had to have been done by someone who knows the combination (perhaps an oversight?), as the padlock was locked to the gate but was locking the bolt in the OPEN position. I have locked it, so I hope I didn't lock you in?!

There has been some kind of syphon set up in the smoke flue. Do we know whose work this is? The syphon isn't working.

Someone has dug a drainage leat on the right hand side (heading inbye) of the lake level adit. The leat goes for a good 100m, so considerable effort has gone in to this undertaking. Is this part of an on-going project? The drainage leat doesn't exactly do anything to enhance the appearance of the lake level adit. I am sure intentions were sound, but I think this is ugly and unnessecary. Also, there are very old Landie tracks in this area. Hope none have been destroyed by the digging? Anyone know who did this?

On level C, between where my ladders are stored and the 'hurdles', there has been a small fall. The majority of the spoil from the fall is now sitting on the overhead rails that cross the passage at this point. Care should be taken here I would suggest, especially as it looks like there may be more to fall.

Once through the hurdles, if you turn right, about 3m from the dam wall, a large block has fallen out of the ceiling spilling some debris into the passage. It looks as though it was an isolated detachment though, the rest of the ceiling appears to be sound from what I could see, but don't quote me on it eh?

Coming up the stairs heading outbye from this point (the long stairs to level A), about a third of the way from the top a VERY LARGE block has detatched from the side wall almost directly above the staircase. it doesn't look like it is going to fall imminently, but I think it needs keeping an eye on.

I didn't venture very far into the mine as I was there to do something specific and had limited time. I did note though, that there seems to be a lot of evidence of a significant increase in traffic through that part of the mine since I was there last. (about 12 weeks)

Lots of things have been moved to be used as way markers, there is a lot more litter in the mine (I took some with me), and there are fresh arrows painted in some areas, most noticeably on the track up to the mine. There is also quite a lot of new graffiti scratched into walls in the stripey vein.

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Cheers Chris!

The smoke flue probably does need another go to see if that blockage can be sorted out, albeit that's one for the future and not for the present.

Interesting to know that there's been a couple of bits of movement in there - I'm not aware of any seismic activity recently and similarly it's been very dry this spring. Most curious...

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Hi mate,

I think it's just bits that have been hanging for a long time and have just given up 😉

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I have been told by a third party that there have been some activity at Cwmorthin recently. For example some work on the main adit roof by the enterance. But officially most of us would not know about it as it is certiain people on M.E. that discuss these things with each other.
Thanks for letting us know about the falls Chris, but the place changes all the time with continuous roof falls, everyone should be aware of this as it has been like this for many a year now.

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Correct me if I'm wrong (it does happen!)
The work on the roof of the adit was to correct a problem (problem?) that a piece of timber had been wedged under one of the beams outside the gate to 'prop' it up. Although I guess there were good intentions I heard that it had disturbed that beam making it potentially unstable and so had to be replaced as soon as.
Not sure about anything else (leats etc).
Thanks for all the info Chris, certainly worth keeping an eye on. But not too closely 😮

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Thanks for the update Chris, appreciate it :flowers:

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I also understand that the drainage pipe that empties the small dam in the Stripey Vein has been blocked, with water backing up behind it.

This is the tunnel that connects floor C of Cwmorthin (Chamber 10 East) with the Stripey Vein, later worked as Floor 1 of the Middle Quarry (and then onwards down the ladderway to Chamber 33).

Whilst this does restore it to a condition not unlike the one it enjoyed for some time, it's going to mean that people will get very wet feet until it's sorted out!

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