Sunday 5th September 2010

Movement of rocks in the bed of the River Nent has exposed a complete mine wagon.  Come and help our attempt to recover the mine wagon.  The work will involve removing loose rocks from the river bed and moving the wagon to the river bank.

The wagon appears to be a wood frame flat wagon with steel wheels and axles of 2ft 6in gauge.

The river bed has been dry recently, but there may be water in the river.

Park at the smelt mill.  Follow the river upstream.  Starting at 1030hrs.

Tools and ropes provided.

More information from Pete Jackson 01642564100.

Bassenthwaite Reflections Project (www.bassenthwaite-reflections.co.uk)

As part of the Bassenthwaite Reflections Project, Grampus Heritage & Training Ltd. has commissioned North Pennines Archaeology Ltd. to undertake a comprehensive archaeology project at Cockermouth.

The target is  a group of very exciting geophysical anomalies that could point to the roman town of Papcastle having once extended over the River Derwent and being much larger than previously thought.

Volunteers are welcome to take part in the field work. Various tasks will be available  from digging trenches to washing finds.

All ages and abilities are welcome!

9th August 2010 is the start date.  The field work will run for four weeks. Working hours will be 9-5 daily.

More Information can be obtained from:

Frank Giecco

email  f.giecco@nparchaeology.co.uk

Tel.      01434 382045

“Red Wheels” Plaques inspired by The Transport Trust were unveiled on Alston Arches and Lambley viaducts on 17 June 2010. This picture at Lambley Viaduct shows Trust Chair, Harry James, shaking hands with Rob Shorland-Ball  on behalf of The Transport Trust.

Image © Gordon Scorer 2010

The NPHT group accounts for the year 2008-2009 are attached below as a pdf.

If you are not able to read a pdf, please contact the Trust office via the email address management@npht.com.

NPHT2009GROUPACCOUNTS

This section of the website is about what you can do to help the NPHT by volunteering

MEMBERSHIP

You must be a member of NPHT if you want to volunteer on the Trust sites at Nenthead Mines.

If you are a member of the Friends of Dilston, you can volunteer to work at Dilston Castle and Chapel.

EVENTS IN 2010

HOW TO FIND OUT ABOUT VOLUNTEERING IN 2010

Historic Dilston – go to the Friends of Dilston website which is at  www.friendsofhistoricdilston.org.  Here you can find event information and contact information for the Friends Committee.

Nenthead Mines -

email: contact Paul Mercer via the email address  education@npht.com.

phone: phone Paul Mercer on 01434 382037.  This number has voicemail.

letter: write to Paul Mercer at Nenthead Mines, Nenthead, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3PD.

We have arranged a volunteering day at Nenthead Mines on Sunday 28th March.  We can offer a range of activities including fence repairs, woodwork painting, stocking bookshelves, dusting and cleaning displays in the Museum, fixing lights in Carrs Mine, and clearing fallen shale in Carrs Mine.

Please contact Paul if you are interested in helping on the day or if you want to know more about the activities that we can offer.

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

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)

NATIONAL RESEARCH FRAMEWORK

The National Association of Mining History Organisations (NAMHO) has published a special Newsletter about developing a Research Framework for the Extractive Industries.  A copy of the Newsletter is attached at the end of this notice.

Following a meeting held at Matlock on 14th February 2009, a steering group has been set-up to progress this work.  Your Contact within NPHT is Peter Jackson.  (01642564100    p.jackson@ntlworld.com). Information will be posted on this NPHT website as it becomes available.

• NAMHO Newsletter

Latest News June 2009

NAMHO has made a proposal to English Heritage. Waiting for reply.

To view a larger picture, click on the small picture.

Pottery found in a tunnel on the Dilston Hall site.  11 June 2008

Frank Giecco, NPHT Principal Archaeologist ( on the left hand side) and Harry James, NPHT Chairman 2008, (on the right hand side) discuss progress on  11th June 2008

Early summer work on Hall foundations 11 August 2008

Explaining the site to Visitors at the North end of the Castle    11 August 2008

Interpreting the Castle to Visitors