The origin of this Topic is forbidden territory and not for discussion of  
course. For history's sake, may I
mention that from time to time I engage a studio to disc such things,  
since, if they are not 'recorded', who else is going to - apart from the  
originator... but who would know how to find that/them/anything in years  to come. 
 
You know, what is Mining History and what is not...? What goes on "now", or 
 indeed has gone on over the last fifty years is the history of the  
future. Of course some of it is irrelevant, but quite a bit however is pertinent  
- however 'modern' - since, as history has proven over the last 150 years,  
procedures and methods change rapidly, with the result that if true mining  
historians are not vigilant, whilst we concentrate on the purist past, we 
are  leaving gaps for those who come after us with what goes on with the 
present -  and present also means the last 20 years!
 
Unfortunately I am of an age to say "I remember", in great detail, the Late 
 Weardale fluorspar mining Ind. during the mid to late 1970's. I am 
probably  one of only a handfull (maybe less), on the List who have the privilege 
of  saying this these days... furthermore, I knew the Derbyshire area quite 
well at  the same time - who else can say they stood at the collar of 
Ladywash Mine  watching the cage from top to bottom and been down as well. 
Likewise, who else  can say the same with Redburn, Groverake, and Cambo, Blackdean, 
Stanhope Burn,  Allenheads, Middlehope, Hope Level, Burtree (and only a 
handfull will know  these places anyway). I knew the people, the places, and a 
great deal of  what went on, and it is either in my head (just!), or in 
photographs. Such and  similar info., covering a great many other places, other 
times, other  things, remain with people such as I, but how much is 
ultimately lost for future  generations? Those few of us who take mining history 
seriously, know only to  well how frustrating it is to regularly not get answers 
to things that went on  between the early 1800's and 1930... are we, 
supposedly who are more wisely  advised, to fall into the same trap and leave gaps 
for future  generations? Yes of course the digital age has enabled much 
more to be  recorded than before but, however without the 'personal touch' to 
get 'the  detail'. Clinical fact is one thing, the whole story is somewhat 
another  matter.........
 
This last forty years I have had the privilege of meeting many IMM members  
and Mineral Industry professionals who's experience encompassed the late 
1930's  onwards, also some List members likewise (let alone those who 'just' 
broke  rock or operated plant). The former people, after graduating, learned, 
 worked and consulted in/for metal and coal from South Africa to India, USA 
to  Europe, Newfoundland to China, and, quite frankly, I don't think there 
is a  place on the Planet where I have not been to thanks to my meeting 
people  who have - oh, and those who just 'broke ground' also moved around a 
bit. A huge  amount of info. has been gleaned one way and another, but how much 
I have  lost of their valuable knowledge... I can't remember it all, I 
didn't  record/note it all, and why... because they were alive and it was the  
present, and they would go on. As one get's older, some things get very  very 
much clearer... and the main thing that crops up time after time is  'if 
only I had made note of what they said', why... because so many are  dead. 
Again, this digital age thankfully enables more general record than  before, 
but only a few, a pitifully few, seem to bother recording the 'personal  
touch' of our subject. The British Home mining Ind. is of course as good as  
finished, but there still remain many who worked in/for same, but, and do not  
forget this, as each year passes they become less... and, along with this,  
it will gradually dawn on you that you are next in line! All to late though, 
the  mistake made, so all you can do is do your best to secure for posterity 
what you  can. If you haven't yet reached this point, or might be ignorant 
of it, believe  you me you most certainly shortly will - and, believe me, it 
arrives very very  quickly! Ladywash... saw the cage coming up just now... 
isn't the grass growing  well over the area these days......
 
Anyway, enough rambling. Peter, as to The List etc., and as you clearly  
direct (and obviously a Chat Line the List would obviously be wrong to  be), I 
will, in line with my research criteria etc., etc., keep  my List 
parameters buried solidly in the academic pre 1930's past and  oblige.
 
Kind Regards, Bernard