GENERAL INFORMATION

All meets are subject to weather, and permission being granted. Further details in Newsletter. Please ALWAYS contact the appropriate meet leader if you intend going on a meet. Dogs are not allowed on some sites; please check with the meet leader before bringing a dog.

If you wish to organize or lead a meet please contact us.

Upcoming  Events

 

22 -24th March
The Third International Early Engines Conference (IEEC3) at Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life. Please visit www.earlyengines.org for further details.

Saturday 28th April
Annual General Meeting. Gisburn Festival Hall, Bentlea Rd, Gisburn BB7 4LL

 

Saturday 28th September
General Meeting to be held on Zoom at 2.00pm

 

Further details, meeting times, places & meet leader contacts can be found in the Members Area Please note that all persons going underground must have valid BCA insurance.

IMPORTANT

NMRS recognises that exploring old mines and mine sites is a potentially hazardous activity.
Participants in these events should be aware of, and accept, these risks and be responsible for their own actions.

PREVIOUS EVENTS

Short reports of previous events, the full report and further details can be found in members’ newsletters.

Unfortunately, we have not had any outdoor meets since Covid and the later death of our Meets Co-ordinator.
If anyone would like to volunteer to take on this role or to lead a meet, then please get in touch with us.

Grassington Moor

September 21, 2019

Grassington Moor

SURFACE – We left the main track and walked towards Beevers Mine, on a small path that passes a flooded shaft, a Meerstone was found in this area. The top of the 60-fathom deep Engine Shaft is guarded by a metal grid. Work started on this shaft in August 1836,…

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Carrs Level Nenthead

July 28, 2019

Carrs Level Nenthead

MODERATE UNDERGROUND – We entered Carrs Mine through the Show Mine, which is interesting with well-preserved tram rails, and after the “gate” entered the ‘real’ mine. Beyond the “gate” there are three flats. Initially, we progressed along the Horse Level that is below the Smallcleugh Cross Vein. As many have…

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Coldstones Quarry, Greenhow Hill

June 15, 2019

Coldstones Quarry, Greenhow Hill

SURFACE – Coldstones Quarry is situated on Greenhow Hill at 1400 ft above sea level and is one of the highest quarries in Britain, the quarry currently covers an area of about 30 hectares. It is worked on 6 benches 15-18m high to a depth of 300m at the base….

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Goldscope Mine

May 18, 2019

Goldscope Mine

EASY UNDERGROUND – A small but dedicated bunch of NMRS members joined up with other mine enthusiasts for a fascinating visit to Goldscope and adjacent mines in the Lake District. In the company of Mark Hatton from CATMHS, we were treated to a tour of the above and below-ground remains,…

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AGM 2019 & Jumbles Quarry

April 27, 2019

AGM 2019 & Jumbles Quarry

INDOOR & SURFACE – Following the AGM at Slaidburn Village Hall on April 27th myself and nine members did a surface walk to Jumbles Quarry. The weather was overcast with occasional light showers but warm. Jumbles was one of the quarries used to supply Millstone Grit to the Stocks Reservoir…

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Autumn Meeting

October 20, 2018

Autumn Meeting

INDOOR – Autumn general meeting held at Gisburn. Members drinking tea and chatting before the start of the meeting.

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Coate Moor Mine, Kildale, North Yorkshire

September 22, 2018

Coate Moor Mine, Kildale, North Yorkshire

EASY UNDERGROUND – Visit to Coate Moor Mine in Kildale, North York Moors, by invitation of the Cleveland Mining Heritage Society. After a welcome and introduction from the CMHS secretary Simon Chapman the CMHS members set to work clearing out a mine drain and repairing a fence around a ventilation shaft, while NMRS were…

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Skelton Park Pit Cleveland

August 18, 2018

Skelton Park Pit Cleveland

SURFACE – A small party of members arrived mid-morning at Skelton Park Mine in Cleveland and were met by Colin Keighley and Chris Twigg of Cleveland Mining Heritage Society. We first went into the mine power house where air compressors were once housed and D.C. power was generated, for an introductory chat and a look at some large…

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Rampgill Level, Nenthead

August 11, 2018

Rampgill Level, Nenthead

MODERATE UNDERGROUND – Five members gathered in Nenthead on a warm sunny morning for a trip into Rampgill level. Unfortunately, Mick, who had organised the trip, was suffering from an injured arm so reluctantly withdrew from the underground trip. Our guides were three members of the NMCS. Even though there had been…

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Garage Book Fair

July 21, 2018

Garage Book Fair

INDOOR – A Garage Book Fair for members was held at Nelson and had a good range of books and publications for sale. The most popular were our second hand copies of now out of print BMs, which are quite sought after nowadays.

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North Pennines Minerals Expo

July 14, 2018

North Pennines Minerals Expo

INDOOR – The weekend of 14th & 15th July was a busy one for our Society. Enrico Rinaldi, the organiser of the North Pennines Mineral Expo at St Johns Chapel, Weardale, had kindly offered NMRS a free stand at this event to showcase our publications and use some of our…

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Foul Clough Colliery

June 9, 2018

Foul Clough Colliery

SURFACE – Eleven members turned up for the Foul Clough Walk near Todmorden. The weather was lovely totally opposite to last year when the walk had to be cancelled. We saw evidence of the Foul Clough Colliery’s coal mining activities ranging from the late 1700s up to the early 1900s….

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Yorkshire Mineral and Fossil Fair

May 19, 2018

Yorkshire Mineral and Fossil Fair

INDOOR – We Society had a stand at Tennants, Leyburn at the second Yorkshire Mineral and Fossil Fair. We showcased many of our publications, as well as some of the Print blocks we have available from the Robert T Clough books

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Weardale

April 14, 2018

Weardale

MODERATE UNDERGROUND – Our meets organiser had arranged a very interesting visit to a mine in Weardale led by five enthusiasts. The six NMRS members had a five hour underground experience marvelling at the artefacts and the layout of the mine.

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Guisborough Jet Mines

September 2, 2017

Guisborough Jet Mines

MODERATE UNDERGROUND – A small but enthusiastic group of mine explorers gathered with Chris being our guide for the day. Chris eagerly shared his knowledge of the mine and led us safely through the labyrinthine passages: this is one place that should definitely not be entered without the guidance of someone familiar with the…

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Fox Clough & Trawden Collieries

August 19, 2017

Fox Clough & Trawden Collieries

SURFACE – Eleven members turned out for the archaeological surface walk to, Fox Clough and Trawden Collieries in Colne. Our meet leader had prepared a hand out, which gave an overview of the history as well as some interesting maps to peruse. Another member had some previous knowledge of the site and he provided…

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Surface tour at Nenthead

July 30, 2017

Surface tour at Nenthead

SURFACE – Five of our members enjoyed a fascinating surface tour of the mining remains at Nenthead. Despite some small showers and threatening clouds, the weather was kind, allowing us to visit the main parts of the site in comfort. Pooling our individual knowledge, we were able to give a good account of the…

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First North Pennines Mineral Expo

July 29, 2017

First North Pennines Mineral Expo

INDOOR – We were very pleased to be invited to participate in the first North Pennines Mineral Expo held at St John`s Chapel, Weardale, Co Durham, the last weekend in July. This event, organised by Enrico Rinaldi and his wife, Felicity, had as its aim to pay homage to the historical mining area in the heart…

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The Collieries and Geology of West Calderdale

June 10, 2017

The Collieries and Geology of West Calderdale

CANCELLED – Foul Clough Lived up to its name on Saturday the 10th of June. As a result the field trip had to be cancelled due to atrocious weather. However the dedication of some of our members has to be admired with eight turning up at the meeting point. Hopefully…

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International Early Engines Conference

May 13, 2017

International Early Engines Conference

INDOOR – The inaugural IEEC saw over 80 delegates from the UK, Germany, China and New Zealand, including several NMRS members, travelling to Elsecar in South Yorkshire to hear an extensive programme of papers on the history and developments of early heat engines. The purpose of the conference was to provide a forum for presentation…

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Hansen Quarry, Ingleton

May 13, 2017

The Fringe Collieries Of the Towneley Coal Company, Cliviger

April 22, 2017

The Fringe Collieries Of the Towneley Coal Company, Cliviger

SURFACE – After our recent AGM at Cliviger Village Hall. Sixteen members joined me on an archaeological field trip to the former Dyneley and Cuckoo colliery sites in Cliviger. The weather was glorious sunshine, a perfect day for digging up the past. Both of these collieries are situated just of…

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Annual General Meeting 2017

April 22, 2017

Annual General Meeting 2017

INDOOR – This years AGM was held at Cliviger village hall, half way between Burnley and Todmorden. A well attended meeting started with general conversation and book sales, followed by an excellent buffet lunch. The meeting itself started at around 1.00pm where reports from the Society’s officers were read out…

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General Meeting

October 22, 2016

General Meeting

INDOOR – Members met for the Autumn General Meeting at the Festival Hall, Gisburn, Yorkshire. Following the sale of books and a buffet lunch, the formal part of the meeting heard reports from the officers and various other items of business. Following this a number of presentations were made by…

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Bale Sites at Calver Hill in Swaledale

September 17, 2016

Bale Sites at Calver Hill in Swaledale

SURFACE Eight members met at the Foregill Gate Watersplash for a visit to the lead bale sites on Calver Hill. The walk was organised by Sallie Bassham and led by Richard Smith and was based on the paper: Smith R. and Murphy S., 2003, ‘Bale smelting sites at Calver Hill,…

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NMRS Stand at Leyburn

August 14, 2016

NMRS Stand at Leyburn

INDOOR – NMRS stand at Leyburn Mineral & Fossil Fair, Tennant`s Auction Centre, Harmby Road, Leyburn. Barbara attracted 3 new members and managed to sell a number of books.

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Rimington Lead & Barytes Mines

August 6, 2016

Rimington Lead & Barytes Mines

SURFACE WALK – Informative information sheets and maps were handed out prior to setting out to find and discuss the lead and barytes mining remains at Skeleron, Rimington. A full report should be in the November newsletter.

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Gunnerside Gill, Swaledale

July 9, 2016

Gunnerside Gill, Swaledale

Claughton Brick Works

May 21, 2016

Claughton Brick Works

SURFACE VISIT – Our visit to view production of bricks to meet demand in the UK resulted in a most enjoyable day. Thanks are due to the management for arranging viewing of the vast production areas, situated by the A683 just beyond Caton. Having previously walked from the quarry on past…

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Annual General Meeting

April 16, 2016

Annual General Meeting

INDOOR – Our AGM, head again this year at Mealbank Hall, Ingleton. Members gathered at midday to view books for sale, before tucking into a nice buffet lunch.

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Ingleton Quarry

April 16, 2016

Ingleton Quarry

SURACE VISIT – Hanson’s Quarry, Hawes Road, Ingleton, was begun in 1955. Full planning permission for the continuation to the year 2020 of the extraction of the much needed product has been given by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. With an even greater demand for road and railway repairs…

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Lord Carlisle’s Railways

April 2, 2016

Lord Carlisle’s Railways

SURFACE WALK – Those attending the first meet of the year were a mixture of those knowledgeable about the coal mining in the Talkin area, and those who are very, very, very knowledgeable of the area. Although the meet was entitled “Lord Carlisle’s Railways”, the hero of the area’s mines…

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Surrender & Old Gang Mines

August 1, 2015

Surrender & Old Gang Mines

SURFACE WALK  from Surrender Bridge looking at the Surrender and Old Gang smelt mills and and the mines in the valley.  

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Milwr Tunnel

July 12, 2015

Milwr Tunnel

HARD UNDERGROUND – The trip visited the limestone workings, the Milwr tunnel and the lake in Powell’s lode cavern. Access was via a 400ft descent down a shaft to tunnel level, mostly on fixed ladders, a 4 mile round trip to the lake and then ascent back up the ladders…

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Rogerley Mine

June 27, 2015

Rogerley Mine

EASY UNDERGROUND – Rogerly mine in Weardale is the only mine operated on a commercial basis solely for mineral specimens in the UK. Operation of the mine was taken over by UK Mining Ventures in 1999.

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Cliviger Coal Mines

June 13, 2015

Cliviger Coal Mines

SURFACE WALK to view the operations of the Cliviger Coal Company which worked several pits in the Cliviger Valley including, Copy, Railway, Cliviger Drift, and Union. Copy Pit was the last to close in 1966. Also examined were the coal workings around Merrills Head Farm which was the headquarters of…

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NAMHO Conference

May 22, 2015

NAMHO Conference

INDOOR WITH FIELD TRIPS – held at Nenthead, near Alston in Cumbria from 22nd to 26th May. 168 people were involved in several roles including speakers, trip leaders, receptionists and delegates. There were four surface trips, 40 underground trips and two days of winch trips to Brewery Shaft. Twelve speakers…

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Hemingfield Colliery

May 9, 2015

Hemingfield Colliery

SURFACE WORKING PARTY – The Friends assembled for another working party weekend, bringing tools, talent and talk of recent research, together with a hint of excitement at the prospect of uncovering more features of the industrial archaeology of the site. Site Manager Glen, and Chair of the Friends Steve opened…

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Annual General Meeting

April 11, 2015

Annual General Meeting

INDOOR – Held at Meal Bank Hall, Ingleton, North Yorkshire. Following the AGM, there was a visit to the New Ingleton Granite Quarry on Hawes Road.

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Constant Mary/Dunkirk Colliery

March 28, 2015

Constant Mary/Dunkirk Colliery

SURFACE WALK – As the weather forecast had predicted, heavy rain shortened the walk on this years return visit to the Constant Mary Colliery on 28th March. As the photograph shows, the site is in excellent condition. This drift coal mine was worked by a 12ft diameter waterwheel with a 7ft…

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Autumn Meeting

October 25, 2014

INDOOR – Annual autumn meeting at Gisburn. After the formal part of the meeting the following presentations were made: David Nicholls told us all about the Morecambe Bay Gas Fields. Graham Topping talked about Cliviger Coal Co., as an introduction to a NMRS field trip in 2015 David Lewis` presentation…

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Brownley Hill Mine, Nenthead

September 13, 2014

Brownley Hill Mine, Nenthead

MODERATE UNDERGROUND

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Carrs/Rampgill Mine, Nenthead

August 9, 2014

Carrs/Rampgill Mine, Nenthead

MODERATE UNDERGROUND – Carrs Mine – the upper workings are a series of flats which are very extensive with much gangue material stacked at the side of the passages, very much like the Wheel Flats area in Smallcleugh Mine. Up here are remains of rail tracks and points.

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Rogerley Mine

July 26, 2014

Rogerley Mine

EASY UNDERGROUND – This mine near Stanhope, Weardale was first opened in the early 1970s as a source of mineral specimens, notably green Fluorite. It was acquired by its current owners, UK Mining Ventures, in 1999.

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NAMHO Conference

July 25, 2014

NAMHO Conference

INDOOR WITH FIELD TRIPS – The theme was “Mining Technology: Technical Innovation in the Extractive Industries”. There were 16 lectures covering subjects ranging from “Mechanisation on the coal face” to “Precipitation Pools on Mynydd Parys”, dates ranging from “Prehistoric Mining Technology” to “Metalliferous Mineral Exploration in North Wales since 1964”…

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Carrock Fell Mine

June 21, 2014

Carrock Fell Mine

MODERATE UNDERGROUND – Carrock Fell is a tungsten mine, the principal ores are wolfram and scheelite but other minerals are present as well. Small scale workings, mainly looking for lead and copper, took place in the 19th century but only yielded a few tons of galena. Tungsten mining was begun…

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Brandy Bottle Incline

May 17, 2014

Brandy Bottle Incline

MODERATE UNDERGROUND – Brandy Bottle Incline.  Alternative meet for the less brave (crazy). For those not so hard men who like to take a bath in hot water in the light, as opposed to cold water in the dark, we have organised an alternative to Mike Richard’s Hard Level to Brandy…

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Brandy Bottle

May 17, 2014

Brandy Bottle

HARD UNDERGROUND – Hard Level to Brandy Bottle through trip After hastily eating a couple of sausage rolls and half a flask of coffee at the same time as changing we were ready to. There were 32 attendees in total, 22 were going to make the underground trip whereas 11…

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Yorkshire Geology Day

May 3, 2014

Yorkshire Geology Day

INDOOR – A day of talks, surface walks, underground tour of Caphouse Colliery, plus displays from geological societies and groups including a NMRS sales and membership stand. The was all part of the “Yorkshire Geology Day”

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Coate Moor Ironstone Mine

May 3, 2014

Coate Moor Ironstone Mine

MODERATE UNDERGROUND – We met on a sunny morning off the lane above Kildale and entered the mine through the recently excavated East Entrance. The mine was only worked for a short period during the 1870’s and closed on account of thinning seams and the fall in iron prices. Two…

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Annual General Meeting

April 26, 2014

Annual General Meeting

INDOOR – Books sales were followed by the AGM. After that Bernard Bond organized a short walk around Ingleton’s Coal Mining Industry. The still standing Weigh Bridge Office, the First Aid and Cart shed were visited thanks to Brian Huck of the Ingleton Scrap Yard. Also a further visit to…

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Dunkirk Colliery

April 5, 2014

Dunkirk Colliery

SURFACE WALK – around the colliery remains, followed by visit to Woodend Coal Mining Museum at Reedley Hallows, Burnley.

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Boulby Potash Mine

March 18, 2014

Boulby Potash Mine

UNDERGROUND VISIT – The Boulby mine was sunk in the 1960s/70s to exploit potash and other mineral deposits found during oil exploration in 1939. The deposits date from the Permian 290-245 million years ago when the Zechstein Sea covered much of Northern Europe from NE England to Germany. This tropical…

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Autumn Meeting

October 26, 2013

INDOOR – Annual autumn meeting, held again at the Festival Hall, Gisburn. Following the formal meeting, the following presentations were given: Bernard Bond gave a short update on Claughton Brick works and Woodend Museum. Keith Turner’s photos of the NAMHO 2013 Conference. Mike Richards provided some interesting underground photos of…

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Trollers Gill and Burhill Mines

September 14, 2013

Trollers Gill and Burhill Mines

SURFACE WALK WITH BITS OF EASY UNDERGROUND – This was a joint meet with the Geological Society of London (Yorkshire Branch) On a lovely warm sunny morning we met on the roadside where the Appletreewick & Gillheads tramway crosses. After inspecting the tram rails that are still embedded in the tarmac,…

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Swaledale Bale Site

August 10, 2013

Swaledale Bale Site

SURFACE WORKING PARTY – a potential lead bale site at SE 05939 99141 was found in 2012 and was excavated as a joint project by the Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Archaeology Group (SWAAG) and the Northern Mine Research Society (NMRS) under the supervision of professional archaeologist, Tony Liddell of Vindomora Solutions…

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Smallcleugh Mine, Nenthead

August 10, 2013

Smallcleugh Mine, Nenthead

MODERATE UNDERGROUND – Some members wanted to see the Ballroom Flat. Went in via Smallcleugh Flats & Hetheringtons crosscut and out via Hetheringtons crosscut, Flat crosscut and the horse level. Total distance underground about 2½ miles.

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Booze Wood

July 21, 2013

Booze Wood

EASY UNDERGROUND – the weather was hot and sunny so the cool entrance was especially inviting. We initially navigated to the stone workings which provided stone for many of the roofs in Reeth long after the demise of lead mining within Booze Wood. Some members spent some time trying to get into every “nook and cranny”…

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Rogerley Mine

July 6, 2013

Rogerley Mine

EASY UNDERGROUND – Rogerley Mine, Stanhope, Weardale Worked by UK Mining Ventures for mineral specimens. An easy walk in level preceded by a steep flight of wooden steps.

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NAMHO Conference

June 28, 2013

NAMHO Conference

INDOOR WITH FIELD TRIPS – held in mid-Wales, based at Aberystwyth University, over the long weekend 28 June to 1 July. It was well attended, with around 120 delegates from across Britain and Ireland, and feedback to the organisers has been very positive – everybody appeared to enjoy themselves in…

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Gunnerside Gill

June 1, 2013

Gunnerside Gill

SURFACE WALK – we gathered in Swaledale for a walk led by Sallie Bassham through the mining remnants of Gunnerside Gill. Paul Dollery had opted for an earlier start and so he, I and Richard Platt headed leisurely up the eastern side of the gill, ahead of the others who…

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Moulds Level

May 11, 2013

Moulds Level

MODERATE UNDERGROUND – Once inside the mine it was necessary to wade shin deep through water of foot-numbing coldness. After only a short period of adjustment, however, feeling returned to our feet and, comfort restored, there was much to absorb our interest and divert attention from potential dangers and discomforts….

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Yorkshire Geological Society

April 27, 2013

Yorkshire Geological Society

INDOOR – This was a day of lectures and displays celebrating the 175th anniversary of the Yorkshire Geological Society, held at National Coal Mining Museum for England, Caphouse Colliery, Wakefield  

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Annual General Meeting

April 20, 2013

Annual General Meeting

INDOOR – Books were on sale from 11.30am with a free buffet lunch from 12.00; the AGM started at 1.00pm. A good number of members were present and it was nice to see some new (and old) faces present. Afterwards Bernard Bond led a walk to see some of the…

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Autumn Meeting

October 20, 2012

INDOOR – our autumn meeting held at Gisburn Festival Hall. After the formal meeting we had a series of presentations: David Cross gave an interesting presentation on the Winn family of Nostell near Wakefield who owned Nostell Priory and some ironstone quarries in Lincolnshire. Ken Geddes talk on mine museums…

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Tynebottom Mine

September 22, 2012

Tynebottom Mine

EASY UNDERGROUND – A short level walk from the road soon brought us all to the main entrance of the mine. The “dry” haulage level had a small amount of water flowing out of it and a rather inconveniently placed tree in front of the entrance, however everybody managed to…

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Williamson’s Tunnels

August 4, 2012

Williamson’s Tunnels

EASY UNDERGROUND – Joseph Williamson lived from 1769 to 1840. He came from a poor family to work in Liverpool and found a job with Thomas Moss Tate, a tobacco merchant. He worked hard, did well for himself and married into the boss’s family. In 1818, Joseph Williamson was rich…

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Rogerley Mine

July 21, 2012

Rogerley Mine

EASY UNDERGROUND – Rogerley Mine, Stanhope, Weardale Worked by UK Mining Ventures for mineral specimens. An easy walk in level preceded by a steep flight of wooden steps.

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Thatch Marsh & Goyts Moss

July 16, 2012

Thatch Marsh & Goyts Moss

SURFACE WALK – around the colliery remains at Thatch Marsh and Goyts Moss, north Derbyshire.

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NAMHO Conference

June 30, 2012

INDOOR WITH FIELD MEETS – hosted by the Derbyshire Caving Club and held at Quarry Bank Mill, near Wilmslow, Cheshire. The main theme of the conference was to describe the mining heritage of Cheshire and by extension other areas where the ratio of mining to agriculture may historically have been…

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Ingleton Book Fair

May 27, 2012

Ingleton Book Fair

INDOOR – held at the Community Hall, Ingleton A chance to meet up with members at our NMRS table where our publications and other mining books were available for sale.

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Ayton Monument Ironstone Mine

May 5, 2012

Ayton Monument Ironstone Mine

EASY UNDERGROUND – underground via the fan drift behind the 1919 Sirocco Fan House. First port of call underground was the large 1914 ventilation furnace, originally at the base of a shaft to surface, this provided the mine with ventilation before the installation of the Sirocco fan, artefacts such as…

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Turf Moor Lead Mine

April 8, 2012

Turf Moor Lead Mine

EASY UNDERGROUND – the entrance is quite low, however everyone entered with enthusiasm and at full speed ahead. We pushed on with wet craws through digs, through shale falls, and a few other “normal type crawls”. After a while we came to a old four way junction. Off to the left there is…

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Annual General Meeting

March 31, 2012

Annual General Meeting

INDOOR – Held at Mealbank Hall, Ingleton Meeting started at noon with a free buffet lunch followed by the AGM. After this Bernard Bond lead a short walk around Ingleton Coalfield entitled “Brief Encounter”

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