I do not have access to information sources that many readers of this list
have. But my suggestion that these were rowan twigs used as a superstition
may have some basis in fact.
For example, in the Peakland Heritage web site, there is a notation to the
effect that
Quote- "In pagan times the rowan, or mountain ash, was thought to have
strong magical properties. This belief continued for centuries. Peakland
farmers' wives hung rowan in the dairy to help their butter to churn and
lead miners planted it around the mine to improve their chances of finding
lead ore. In the late 18th century 'bits of wicken', meaning rowan twigs,
were put on a steam pumping engine at Calver Sough because miners believed
that witchcraft had caused it to break down"- end quote
Roy Wares, FEC, P.Eng.
Vancouver, Canada
-----Original Message-----
From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Helen
Sent: July-24-13 6:12 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Twigs
I saw those too.. I wondered if they had been used as an improvised sweeping
brush although I could see no sign of anything that might have bound them
together
From what I've seen turf seems to be the usual choice for the 'stoprice'
function locally.
On 24/07/2013 17:59, Ian Spensley wrote:
> The only other offering that I can add is that they may have been part of
a batch used as 'stoprice' to plug a hole in timbering to stop loose
material falling through.
>
>
> Ian Spensley
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Peter Jackson <[log in to unmask]>
> To: mining-history <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wed, 24 Jul 2013 16:06
> Subject: Twigs
>
>
> A recent exploration of mine workings at Nenthead, Cumbria, UK, has
> revealed two sites where a handful of twigs are laid on the floor of the
mine working.
>
> The length of twigs is approximately 200mm and the quantity is approx.
> one handful.
>
> The material appears to be heather - this is unconfirmed because the
> twigs appear to be too fragile to move.
>
> The mine is a lead mine, workings in the Great limestone within the High
Flat.
> Present conditions are dry and dusty. No evidence of firesetting. Mine
> workings may date from a period between 1800 and 1830
>
> Your views about why the twigs are in the mine, would be most welcome.
>
>
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