Dear Tony,
I can't resist replying to your interesting email, without saying that during
my practical initiation into mining in 1971 in a small mine in Weardale (Old
Middlehope Mine - worked by the Grieve Brothers (I have quite a few a/g & u/g
p.graphs. of this mine in those days if this is of any interest to anyone), I
was repairing a Holman 303 about half way up the level (.5 mile inbye), when
the Bros. fired a full stope round some 500yds further up. My carbide lamp
went out, and, as you do, you reach for the pocket where the matches usually
are: no matches. Knowing the Bros. were going to do other firing before
finishing, one says the normal curses because there was only one way I wanted
to go, so one gropes your way out! - thankfully knowing the level quite well
(in as much that there was nothing to fall down), apart from a few 'bumps' on
the helmet & shoulders from the occasional timber, all was well. I know what
you mean by total darkness - as I am sure a few others do! All part of the
learning process! I wish I could repeat everything I went through in Weardale
in the 70's, they were really very good times (small & large mines). It is
sadly a dead mining field now: one is only left with good memories of mines,
miners, and friends, some with us, and sadly many who are not.
Weardale still has a great hold over me (& possibly anyone who knows it
well), and I strongly recommend anyone to visit it if you haven't been: you
can simply feel the mining history in the place. It could initially be
disappointing for some, since the perception might be 'where are all these
mines'; read about the place first before going, and you will then realise
that nearly every part of the Dale has workings beneath it! - the same
applies to Rookhope, Alston Moor, Upper Teesdale, Nenthead, etc., etc.. I
hope this little preamble might be of use to someone!
Kind Regards, Bernard
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