This is indeed a sad state of affairs.
I have fond memories of a trip through these mines in about 1988. I was
taken down the decline at Frazer's Hush and passing the big fluorspar
stopes and inspecting some development faces we came out via the deep adit
in heavy ground (that WAS impressive!)and up a shaft - probably the one
being discussed here, but it was a while back and memory is hazy :)
Preservation of features in situ is only guaranteed to succeed if they are
well of the beaten track - witness some of the work done by Pete Crew et al
in Snowdonia - Cwm Cipwrth etc - if you cannot get there without a good
tramp over the hills there will be more to see!
Groverake being on the side of the road is as vulnerable as any other site
in such a position. Unless a) a museum is created on-site or b) the gear is
dismantled and rebuilt elsewhere I think it will be vulnerable to the
attentions of tasteless individuals who see the environment around them as
something to be plundered for an endless series of free lunches.
I agree that a memorial to the fluorspar industry is worthwhile. Could this
be incorporated into the Killhope site? - although that is primarily a lead-
mining museum.
Cheers - John
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