The Proceedings of the 2016 Welsh Mines Society Conference at Mellington Hall, Powys are now available. The conference celebrated the life in mining of the society’s late president George Hall and gave an opportunity for society members to present papers on various aspects of historical mining in Wales and elsewhere.

Papers relating to George Hall provide personal recollections from people who had come into contact with him through mining, a description of his work in connection with the Shropshire mines, a pictorial record of his mineral processing mill at Esgairmwyn and a discussion of his archival legacy.

The remaining papers are: a summary of current research work on quantitative aspects of the Great Orme Bronze Age copper mines; archaeological investigations of medieval lead
mining and smelting sites in Wales; early modern mining and smelting at Strata Florida and Maen Arthur; an outline of the life of the ‘other’ George Hall, who was involved in gold mining in Australia and Wales; mining cartoons and the reality behind them; a history of lighting in the metal mines of north Wales and an approach to the practical geology of the central Wales orefield.

Delegates to the WMS conference are entitled to one free copy each, WMS members may obtain copies at the reduced price of £10.

I will be taking copies to the 2018 NAMHO Conference in the Forest of Dean and I will endeavour to pass copies to other delegates and purchasers directly (or by 'caver post'). Otherwise, unfortunately, WMS will have to charge £2.50 for p&p.

The Fascination that is in all Mining, ed. D. J. Linton, Welsh Mines and Mining 5 (Welsh Mines Society, 2018), PB, 92 pp, ISBN 978-0-9561377-4-6, £11.00 + £2.50 p&p

Dave