MILL COTTAGE AT NENTHEAD MINES

Mill Cottage has been converted into a Holiday Cottage.  For a special introductory period, NPHT members can stay in the cottage  at a discounted price.

The Dates:

November 2009 to 20 March 2010

Excluded dates 19 December 2009 to 2 January 2010 and 13 to 26 February 2010.

The Charge:

£285 per week

The Facilities

The cottage sleeps six people.  There are two double bedrooms and one room with two single bunks. All bedding is provided.  The cottage has a new kitchen and central heating.  Car parking for three cars.

How to Book

Either phone the NPHT office on 01434 382294 or email  admin@npht.com

Mill Cottage at Nenthead has been converted into a Holiday Cottage.  Bookings are handled through Cumbrian Cottages.

Sunday 06 09 2009

Two teams worked on Thompsons level.  One team cleared the shaft top, timbered the shaft and rebuilt the safety fence.  The other team removed more mud and rubble from the mine.

After some discussions during the day, those present agreed that future work should be in the mine.

English Heritage (EH)  have commenced a research project about the Miner-Farmer landscapes of the  North Pennines AONB.

Information can be found on the EH website at Miner Farmer Research

NPHT is represented on the Project Board.  For more information please contact Peter Jackson via email  petejackson @npht.com or phone 01642564100

Mine Water Research by Newcastle University

Newcastle University is conducting research into water pollution arising from abandoned metal mines. As part of that work, between April and August 2009  water samples will be collected from the Caplecleugh mine water discharge (opposite the Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre), and also from the River Nent near Wellgill.

For this work the University are especially interested in how the chemistry of the water changes between day and night, and therefore they will be periodically locating ‘autosamplers’ at these two locations, which collect samples every hour. The work is being conducted in liaison with the Trust and with its support.

It is hoped that it will lead to further research in the future, with the overall aim of understanding the unique chemistry of mine waters, and seeking the best ways to manage them for the benefit of all those with an interest in the mining heritage and river systems of the district.

If you would like further information about this work please do not hesitate to contact Dr Adam Jarvis at Newcastle University

Tel: 0191 246 4871;                    e-mail: a.p.jarvis@newcastle.ac.uk

Adam and Zoe installing the water sampler

(click on the pic for a larger view)

Sunday 19th April

MIDDLECLEUGH MINE

The plan for the day was to deepen trenches in Middlecleugh Mine and install a drainage pipe.  We carried the pipe into the mine and started to deepen the trench.  This required the use of gabions made from rubble filled plastic bags because the trench sides were becoming almost vertical.
We had some limited success with this approach, but it was clearly needing a lot of effort to deepen a 20 metre long trench for a minimal reduction in the water level.

Middlecleugh Mine contains a steel pipe laid on the sole which is  thought to be a compressed air supply line from VMZ times. Peter Chatt suggested that the end of this pipe should be located and the pipe then holed to lower the water level.  This had been attempted in the first modern exploration in 1966 but with limited success.

Today Peter  found and excavated the end of the pipe, Tim Haldon brought up the NPHT drain rods and the combined team then rodded the air pipe and broke into the pipe “upstream” and past two falls.  The water level fell leaving the trenches completely dry.

More rodding and pipe breaking is required and further drainage is then likely. The inflow of water into the mine is not large and the much lowered water level will allow us to more easily clear the level southwards and enable easier access for  carrying timber into the further  parts of the mine.

The next picture shows the group at the end of a successful day.

Click on the pictures to see a larger view

Earlier in the day, the lunch break was more relaxing

Sunday 17th May

The object of the day was to drain more water from the deep water sections of Middlecleugh Mine to enable easier access to the mine.

Once again, the air pipe was rodded and cleared and the water lowered up to the junction with Middlecleugh Second  Sun Vein.

We now need to dig a 10 metre long trench through the next fall because the air pipe has turned west off the main crosscut level.  Fortunately, the next fall is not of great height and the level is then clear of significant falls for about 300 metres.  This will bring us back to the blockage on Longcleugh vein at the south end of the mine.

Extensive clearance work took place in Thompsons level during 2008.  Further work will involve stabilising the top  of a shaft which is thought to connect with the level.  The site is part of the Nenthead Scheduled Ancient Monument and the the Trust has therefore applied for permission to undertake this work.

Updated 18th May 2009: News about the SMC is expected shortly.

Updated 16 July 2009.  SMC has been received.  Planning for site work now taking place – watch this website for updates. See the Events Page.

The shaft top is pictured below

The annual inspection of Carrs Mine took place on 2 February 2009.  David Carlisle was accompanied by Peter Wilkinson.  In this first view we see them in the main crosscut east of Old Carrs Cross vein.

Click on each picture and then click again for a larger image

Here we see timbering being inspected by David Carlisle. (Dave is wearing  orange overalls)

Dave later got entangled in the Halloween cobwebs

Click on each  picture and click again in the new window for a larger view

Excavations for steps from the castle to the terrace walk are on the left hand side of this view. On the right hand side, work continues on the rebuilt wall down to the bridge.

The woodland walk seen from the bottom of the hill, looking south.  The rebuilt wall can be seen running across the middle of the view

Inside the new bird watching hut.  This hide looks north over the river.

Dilston Castle interior looking north.  The new floor and railings are under construction. 20 February 2009.

Looking upwards at the new oak floor joists

Looking east from the top of the castle – the site of the 2008 excavations of Dilston Hall are in view.

Rampgill Mine Visit   Sunday 15th March 2009

Members visited the eastern section of Rampgill Mine. Scaleburn vein was also visited to see the remains of the Underground Whimsey.