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PeteJ
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

12 years ago

Does anyone know of any UK lead miners who might be interviewed for a book? Ideally should be someone who has worked in a UK mine where lead was produced or was the objective.

Pete Jackson
Frosterley
01388527532

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AR
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

AFAIK there's one surviving Derbyshire miner who worked at Riber Mine in the 1950s, which was the last to try down here specifically for lead - everything after that was for spar and producing lead as a by-product. I'll make enquiries....

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PeteJ
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

12 years ago

Thank you

Pete Jackson
Frosterley
01388527532

John Lawson
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

Hi Pete
I would have thought that both Fraser's miners or a Blackdene one would fit this bill.
Robert was down the former towards the end off it's life and told me it was pulling out as much galena as spar!
My late friend Bill Proud who worked at Blackdene told me about problems he had on the tables sorting out the galena concentrate.
So clearly it must have been sold in significant amounts.

PeteJ
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

12 years ago

Thanks. Do we have any names and addresses?

Pete Jackson
Frosterley
01388527532

John Lawson
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

I do not have any names and addresses that are up to date.If no one else posts any then I will get in touch with my American friend Jesse because I am sure he will know of some.
In any case what is the time scale for this?

In any case it would be worth speaking to him because his company employs a few part time miners when he is across here. Probably the only mining done in the Dale at the present time, unless someone else knows otherwise.

PeteJ
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

12 years ago

Chris Arnot is doing research for a book with title like "Britains Lost Mines". He has previously written a book titled "Britains Lost Breweries and Beers". He says that he wants to meet a genuine lead miner - ie someone who has worked in a lead mine. He will be around in the North Pennines during early December, so I guess that the book will be written over the winter.

Pete Jackson
Frosterley
01388527532

catsam
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

There are several miners in Weardale who have worked in the mines over the years but some of them are not up for being interviewed.
The only one that I know would definately talk would be Lennie Willis from Rookhope who worked for Weardale Lead in Stotsfield Burn Mine and later at Sedling as a lad from school in the late 40s and early 50s but these were spar mines.
He told me a story of finding a full face of lead and being told to leave if as they were only after the Fluorspar
I cannot think of anyone who worked specifically in Boltsburn which was the last lead mine to work but Lennie would be able to put you right on this.
Please contact me for further details.

ebgb
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

"catsam" wrote:
There are several miners in Weardale who have worked in the mines over the years but some of them are not up for being interviewed.
The only one that I know would definately talk would be Lennie Willis from Rookhope who worked for Weardale Lead in Stotsfield Burn Mine and later at Sedling as a lad from school in the late 40s and early 50s but these were spar mines.
He told me a story of finding a full face of lead and being told to leave if as they were only after the Fluorspar
I cannot think of anyone who worked specifically in Boltsburn which was the last lead mine to work but Lennie would be able to put you right on this.
Please contact me for further details.

I was going to suggest lenny as well, his son alan, also worked in the mines, starting at cambo', finishing in frazers when it closed, there is one or 2 others in Rookhope but wether they would be open to talking to someone or not is another matter.

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