I'd be interested to hear more
On checking the parish boundaries the 19th century ironworks refered to by
Keith Ramsey (and the evening post) are definately in the Frampton Cotterell
Parish although the tram road runs North and through Iron Acton. My last
posting regarding this to the list was suggesting there could be some
confusion. This site is located "south of the village" - it isn't this site
that you refer to as having tested is it?
I don't have much information regarding the shaft Near Dowells Farm but was
under the impression that it was earlier than the Frampton Cotterell site.
The late 19th century colliery site I refered to as being in Rangeworthy but
worked by the Iron company from Frampton Cotterell was Oldwood Colliery (or
Rangeworthy Colliery) and is located quite a distance from the Dowells Farm
shaft.
I recently came across evidence of the location of what appear to be bell
pits on the iron Acton/Yate boarder. The Geological map suggests thease are
off the coalfield so are presumably iron related. What appeared to be
bloomery was found on the surface.
It is also worth noting that the tramways linking the Yate pits to the Main
line also contain a large amount of what appears to be iron slag although
where it is originally from is unclear.
An earlier thread on this list (august 2000) originated from a query I
posted regarding an enquiry to the owner of Iron Acton Manor regarding
Joseph Dodds (Stockton on Tees)and Frampton Haematite Coy
Regards
David
----- Original Message -----
From: Tim Young <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 11:07 AM
Subject: Re: Frampton Cotterell Iron Mines
> David
>
> I agree that much of the iron-mining in Iron Action is early and that the
> late mine in the parish was on, or near to, the main fault close to the
> Rangeworthy boundary (Dowell Farm). I'm not sure about the reference to
> Rudder though; my recollection is that he describes mounds of iron-making
> slag, not mining spoil. We have surveyed one such bloomery slag mound to
> the south of the village, as well as conducting extensive geophysical
> survey of the mineralised (?) fault systems in that area. We don't have a
> good date for the smelting yet - but it is probably medieval. Other good
> evidence for early iron-making in the parish is the name (seems to be
> medieval). The nature of the void- and fracture- hosted iron ores of the
> Bristol Channel Orefield means that exploitation by bell pits is unlikely.
>
> Dr Tim Young
> GeoArch
>
> Email: [log in to unmask]
> Web: www.geoarch.co.uk
> Phone: 029 20747480
> Mobile: 07802 413704
> Fax: 08700 547366
>
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