David Hardwick wrote:
>I haven't personally come across the term "Culm" or "Culver" regarding the
> Gloucestershire/Bristol/Somerset area.
>
> The term Lime Coal is however used and it is perhaps no surprise that the
> Yate Colliery was operated by the Yate Coal and Lime Company Ltd who had
> there own limekilns to make use of the coal that was of a lesser quality.
Just to add to this thread, "Culm", here in North Devon is pronounced
'Culumn', and you can still hear the old locals talk of 'limculumn' (Lime
culm) and 'stimculumn' (Steam coal, or culm).
What is interesting is that in 4 years of excavation at Combe Martin, mostly
through14th to 18th century deposits, there has been no trace at all of the
use of charcoal as a domestic or industrial fuel. The former appears to have
been predominately peat turves, and by the 18th century, culm. The latter
always culm throughout the period.
Information has come my way regarding statute law which forbade the cutting
of wood for the production of charcoal within a set distance from the
coastline. Apparently the stunted oaks of the North Devon hog-back cliffs
were far too precious for the production of specialised shaped timbers in
ship-building. I still have to authenticate this information, although it is
well know in this area that the management of stunted oaks was an important
industry.
Kindest regards,
Trevor
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