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Dear friends We are trying to establish the national and international significance of the lead ore processing site at Killhope Museum in County Durham, England. We have a hand-operated washing floor from the 1860's with knockstones, grates, trunks and buddles which was fully excavated in the 1980's and reconstructed on the original remains. Adjacent to this we have a waterwheel powered mechanised mill from the late 1870's, typical of the small mechanised mill of that period, and originally designed by George Green of Aberystwyth. We have reconstructed the seven jigs in the mill (and operate two of them as demonstrations), and are currently rebuilding the trommels. There is a separate buddle house from which the round buddles have been removed. We have also reconstructed two of the four Brunton buddles on site and operate these on a demonstration basis. Killhope therefore exemplifies typical equipment and machinery from two phases of lead ore dressing - the hand-operated processes from the early to mid nineteenth century, and the mechanised (pre-flotation) processes from the second half of the nineteenth century. It would be very helpful to know whether such complete examples of these two periods of lead ore dressing technology can be found together on one site elsewhere - either in Europe or world-wide. Any suggestions very gratefully received! Thanks in advance Ian Be Green - Think, Don't print! Killhope - The Most Welcome Experience 2005 and The Family Friendly Museum Ian Forbes Manager Killhope - The North of England Lead Mining Museum Durham County Council (Adult and Community Services) Upper Weardale County Durham DL13 1AR Tel: 01388 537505 Fax: 01388 537617