These books are free to members of Northern Mines Research Society and are also available for purchase - the first is on of the most fascinating Lead Mine sites in Mid Wales and I am pleased Nigel Chapman has moved away from his Coal mining studies to research and put into print this volume. I have visited the site on many occasions and at last I will be able to properly understand how mining was developed on this site. For the casual observer there a number of interesting remains including engines houses and Chimneys and it is a site well worth a visit. You should however respect owners rights and ask for permission to cross land. I always been met with friendly enthusiasm from locals whenever visiting



British Mining No.81 - £9.50 + p&p

The Van Mines N.A. Chapman

The Van Mine, near Llanidloes, was a relative latecomer to the UK lead mining scene when it was developed by Mr E. Morris of Oswestry and Mr J. Howell of Hawarden. After eleven years of poor results, they cut the Van Lode in 1862 and created one of Britain's most productive mines. Van peaked in 1877, producing 6,470 tons of lead and 2,404 tons of zinc concentrates and continued in operation until 1921. During the latter half of the nineteenth century the mine produced 95,739 tons of lead concentrates, 28,424 tons of zinc blende and 756,142 ozs of silver. The lode was so extensive that 'deads' from surrounding areas were brought in to stabilise the workings by packing them.

The monograph also describes the history of other mines which worked the Van Lode including: East Van,Central Van, Bryntail or Van Consols, Great West Van, and Van United Mines together with nine others, so great was the attraction of the Van name.

The monograph describes the way in which mines were promoted, money raised and dividends paid in the late nineteenth century. In addition to the corporate bluster there were a few strikes and some accidents. The author also includes descriptions of the sites as they are today.

A5, 144pp., 54 illustrations, 5 appendices 



British Mining No.82 - £10.50  + P&P

Mashamshire Collieries L.O. Tyson

Many of us are aware of Mashamshire through the products of Theakston's brewery, but far fewer have heard of Colsterdale. Of these, many probably only associate it with the ill-fated Leeds Pals. This book, Les Tyson's fourth, shows a different aspect of the area and presents a readable account of his meticulous study of an isolated Dales' estate and its coal mines. The latter were worked from the 14th century until the 1870s, one of the longest and best documented periods of working of any upland coalfield in Britain. Colsterdale was also home to an experiment in social engineering. 

In his research, Les has used scattered documentary references to the Danbys, as well as their family archive, to present an insight into the underlying relationships between the landowners, their mining agents and the colliers, with transcripts of many of the letters between the various parties concerned. These remind us of the important part these small coal mines played in the local economy, both in providing fuel for domestic hearths and for lime burning for land improvement. They also show how the Danby family ran its mines for the long term.

A5, 160pp, 42 illustrations, 7 appendixes. 





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BRITISH MINING DATABASE
http://britishmining.org.uk
SHROPSHIRE MINES TRUST
http://shropshiremines.org.uk
SNAILBEACH MINE
http://snailbeachmine.org.uk
TANKERVILLE MINE
http://shropshiremines.org.uk/tankerville/tankerville.htm
NAMHO CONFERENCE 2006
http://namhoconference.org.uk
MINES IN CYPRUS
http://shropshiremines.org.uk/cyprus/cyprus.htm