I have some information on celestine in the Yate area, but not a lot I don't
know how much of this you already have. None of it relates to amethyst
though.
The earliest reference I have to Celestine workings is 1887.
The mineral rights for Yate were awarded to Rev Randolph of Yate House at
the time of the enclosure award (1842). I have some details regarding the
coal but little about what was granted regarding celestine. In 1911 The
Randolph Estate was sold and a large portion of the farms were purchased by
the Gentlemen who formed the Bristol Mineral & Land Company in 1912. The
industry in the area was basically run by this one company. Mr C Pauley who
was of German descent was the principle figure (I believe) who took
advantage of two way trade between the countries. The company was formed
along with Mr R Cox Mr G Young Mr R Young and Mr C Matcham. In the 1920's
tramlines were being put down for wooden trucks with iron wheels pulled by
horses. Some of these went back to the principle works on what is now
called Lime Kiln Road. I recently interviewed an elderly lady in Yate who
recalled the trams taking celestine from the area around Stanshaws Court
(inc Shireway) to a landing platform near to what was until recently the
Swan. From here it went by horse and cart to the station and from their
(she believed) to the docks at Portbury.
Mr Kenneth Pauley (son of Mr C Pauley) moved the industry to the Limekiln
Road site in 1956 where a grinding mill was erected.
In 1969 The Bristol Mineral and Land Company was sold to China Clay of
Cornwall by Mr C Pauleys Grandson (A Mr Young was manager at the time)
Celestine is one of the areas I hope the South Gloucestershire Mines
Research Group can further investigate and collate information on.
You would be a very welcome addition to the group and I would certainly like
to discuss this subject with you further.
Contact me off list to arrange a time to get together if you are interested
Regards
David Hardwick
South Glos Mines Research Group
(Acting Chairman)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rory Donaldson" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 7:33 PM
Subject: [MINING-HISTORY] Amethyst / celestine Yate
> Can anyone help me with a smaal problem that i have, I am trying to find
> find out as much info on the Celestine mining around the Shire Way part of
> Yate . I have come across some info that mentions that Amethyst was found
> with the Celestine , but i have been unable to find any samples to verify
> this , if anyone knows of any samples that exsist and where i might find
> them can you let me know. i have tried the local heritage centre and
> Bristol museum and University, but to no avail.
>
> if anyone has any samples they want to sell i will be very interested.
>
> thanks in advance
>
> Rory Donaldson
>
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