Following on from Roger Goslings announcements re South Glos - an
alternative is to visit Shropshire
Snailbeach Mine Open Day
Sunday 14th September
We would be grateful if you could advertise the event below via your media
WHERE?
Snailbeach Mine is in the village of Snailbeach in Shropshire. This is 2
miles south of Minsterley off the A488 road from Shrewsbury - Bishops
Castle. Look for the signs and park at the Village Hall car park.
WHEN?
Sunday 14th September from 10am to 5pm.
WHY?
This event is being organised by Shropshire Mines Trust and Snailbeach
Women's Institute as part of Heritage Open Days 2003 across Europe. All
events are free apart from the underground tours for which we are asking a
small donation to our preservation fund.
WHAT’S ON?
Village Hall
Everybody should go to the Village Hall first for information on the
activities which will be taking place between 10am and 5pm each day. There
will be displays and sales of souvenirs and refreshments.
Surface Tours
This mine has perhaps the best set of lead mine buildings in the UK. Guided
walks will take place at regular intervals from the Village Hall around the
surface remains and buildings of the mine. Main features visited will be the
Locomotive Shed, Blacksmith's Shop, Interpretation Centre and George's Shaft
headgear.
Short Underground Tours
There will be short underground trips into Day Level, pushed most of the way
in a truck! Helmets will be provided and the level will be lit but you may
like to bring a torch for extra lighting. The section at the end may be a
bit muddy so if you do not have wellies then be prepared for muddy shoes.
This is an additional option and will be available on payment of a £1
contribution to the Shropshire Mines Trust Preservation Fund. At the end
will be displays of mining equipment and a guide will explain about mining
techniques.
Adventure Underground Tours
For the more adventurous there is a longer underground tour into Perkins
Level. Helmets will be provided but you must bring your own torch and
wellies as the entrance is slightly wet. This is an additional option and
will be available on payment of a £3 contribution to the Shropshire Mines
Trust Preservation Fund.
Circular Walk
At 11.00am from the Village Hall there will be a guided walk of about 5
miles which will give you the chance to find out about the local mining and
social history, as well as the wildlife of the surrounding area. The walk
will return to the Village Hall at about 2pm. You will need sensible
footwear and come prepared in case of rain as the walk climbs to the top of
a hill.
Tankerville Mine
This is another lead mine, a few miles to the south, which is owned by the
Trust. It has an almost complete engine house and chimney, as well as other
features, which have been recently preserved. A guided tour will start from
the Village Hall at 2.00pm and participants will travel to the site by car.
FURTHER INFORMATION
More details can be obtained from :-
Adrian Pearce
72 Hopkins Heath, Shawbirch, Telford TF5 0LZ
Tel. 01952-405369
Or the following Internet websites :-
SMT Heritage Weekend
http://www.ap.pwp.blueyounder.co.uk/smtheri.htm
Snailbeach Mine
http://www.ap.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/sbeach.htm
Other Heritage Weekend events
http://www.heritagedays.net
BACKGROUND
Heritage Open Days 2003 across England is organised by The Civic Trust for
Wales, Scottish Civic Trust, Northern Ireland Heritage Service, Civic Trust
(England) and London Open House. It is supported by Cadw – Welsh Historic
Monuments, Historic Scotland, Department of Culture Museums and Sport,
English Heritage and National Heritage Lottery Fund. European Heritage Days
are an initiative of the Council of Europe supported by the European
Commission. The weekend is part of England’s contribution to European
Heritage Days, a Council of Europe initiative which sees similar events
taking place in 44 countries.
Snailbeach Lead Mine was one of the richest in the country and was once
described as having more lead per acre than any other mine in Europe. It is
believed to have been first worked by the Romans and carried on until
underground mining ceased in 1955. Like many mines, there was a price to
pay for the profits it brought its owners and, on the morning of 6th March
1895, there was a fatal accident in the shaft when the cage wire broke and 7
miners were killed. A new headgear was erected over this shaft in 1999 and
christened in the traditional way with beer poured over the winding wheel.
The surface buildings are probably the best in the country and most are
owned by Shropshire County Council, who are preserving them. An unmanned
interpretation centre has been set up and will be open during the weekend.
For Mining,Caving, IA and Geology Books new and secondhand see my website
http://www.moorebooks.co.uk
Visit the following sites for references to all kinds of mining subjects
British Mining Database <http://www.ap.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/bmd.htm>
Shropshire Mines Trust <http://www.ap.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/smt.htm>
Snailbeach Mine <http://www.ap.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/sbeach.htm>
Tankerville Mine <http://www.ap.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/tanker.htm>
Bersham Colliery <http://www.ap.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/bct.htm>
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