The Derbyshire Caving Club will be opening up Engine Vein Copper Mines to the public for tours underground. Take the family and learn about the history of copper mining at Alderley Edge. See http://www.derbyscc.org.uk/alderley/current_visiting.php for more info.
DCC - Alderley Edge Copper Mines Open Weekend.
- Thread starter TLH
- Start date
Mrs Trellis
Well-known member
Yup - dates for your diary April 23/23 2016.
For those interested in the early history of mining in the UK Engine Vein mine contains a Roman era working unaffected by later mining. A pot of Roman coins was discovered a few feet down a filled-in shaft and complete excavation revealed a shaft leading to a gallery which led back to the open fault. Later infill had blocked the entrance of the Roman passage.
Although most of "The Weirdstone of Brisinghamen" is set in West Mine many of the surface features such as "Thieves Hollow" & "Golden Stone" are close by Engine Vein. The children exit the mines by way of the original entrance to Engine Vein.
"Blue Shaft" is a climbing shaft down to the Hough Level (a coffin level converted into a tramming level) stained a brilliant blue/green/jade colour by tertiary copper silicated being deposited onto the sandstone by running water.
This link takes you to the Open Weekend booking page:-
http://www.derbyscc.org.uk/alderley/current_visiting_open_days.php
For those interested in the early history of mining in the UK Engine Vein mine contains a Roman era working unaffected by later mining. A pot of Roman coins was discovered a few feet down a filled-in shaft and complete excavation revealed a shaft leading to a gallery which led back to the open fault. Later infill had blocked the entrance of the Roman passage.
Although most of "The Weirdstone of Brisinghamen" is set in West Mine many of the surface features such as "Thieves Hollow" & "Golden Stone" are close by Engine Vein. The children exit the mines by way of the original entrance to Engine Vein.
"Blue Shaft" is a climbing shaft down to the Hough Level (a coffin level converted into a tramming level) stained a brilliant blue/green/jade colour by tertiary copper silicated being deposited onto the sandstone by running water.
This link takes you to the Open Weekend booking page:-
http://www.derbyscc.org.uk/alderley/current_visiting_open_days.php
Mrs Trellis
Well-known member
oops some typos there :-
April 23/24 2016
Copper Silicate (Chrysocolla)
April 23/24 2016
Copper Silicate (Chrysocolla)
RobinGriffiths
Well-known member
Not done this, so quite fancy coming over form Gwynedd this year. It suggests in the faq that pre-booked trips to West Mine might also be available. Any idea whether trips to both this and Engine Vein can be accommodated on the day? Have sent enquiry, but might also be of interest to other forum users if someone knows.
Robin
Robin
Mrs Trellis
Well-known member
You can easily do the two trips the same day. You could even camp overnight (or stay in a posh hotel) and do Wood Mine and perhaps the Hough Level the next day.
What you need to do , imho, is to arrange a private trip to West Mine for say 10am and then book the last trip into Engine Vein or book the first trip into EV and then book a trip into West for a noon-ish start. This will easily allow four hours in West Mine.
It is highly likely that your West Mine guide will be up at Alderley for the Open weekend anyway.
Steve Mills , in my experience, will be happy to guide you if he is fit and well.
Nigel Dibbin is the DCC webmaster and the fount of all knowledge on the AE mines.
I hope you enjoy the weekend.
What you need to do , imho, is to arrange a private trip to West Mine for say 10am and then book the last trip into Engine Vein or book the first trip into EV and then book a trip into West for a noon-ish start. This will easily allow four hours in West Mine.
It is highly likely that your West Mine guide will be up at Alderley for the Open weekend anyway.
Steve Mills , in my experience, will be happy to guide you if he is fit and well.
Nigel Dibbin is the DCC webmaster and the fount of all knowledge on the AE mines.
I hope you enjoy the weekend.
RichardB1983
Member
At the September open day, there was a bookable public trip into West mine each day - but not sure if that's running in April or not.
RobinGriffiths
Well-known member
Great, thanks for the replies.
Robin
Robin