Bernard, Martin,
Thanks for the responses on this subject. The whistling matter obviously
varies widely between populations and occupations. My colleagues and I don't
tempt fate and try to respect the beliefs of the men who worked those
particular mines.
I have no factual basis for a clog superstition, just rumour and heresay. I
have witnessed examples of perhaps 6 clogs in one mine group, mostly singly
but two paired, the latter placed on top of stonework halfway up a
manway/orehopper. None of the locations was particularly wet, all were
within worked areas as opposed to horse levels.
Just on the off-chance these items were placed there for luck, I have not
disturbed them in any way. Likewise when we explored a previously sealed
mine recently we came across a shovel hanging from a steel pipe bracket in
the main level. Although most unlikely to have superstitious connotations,
we have been most careful not to touch the artefact since it has been hanging
there for at least 40 years, and if nothing else serves as a useful water
level gauge!
Perhaps there is good subject material here if I ever get a website off the
ground. Meantime I'll see if I can get some clog photos scanned if anyone is
interested.
Best Regards
MARK PINKNEY (Durham Dales Mining Society)
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