Just to say hello

[Peter Burgess]

Go on then, Brains.

sits back and waits for Brains to explain that technically they are not really mines....

 

[Brains]

As mentioned earlier, these QUARRIES are underground workings for building stone (think the crescent in Bath, the houses of parliament, etc.).
The latin route of the word is similar to quater, quadrangle, quad, etc.
A quarry is a working for a "dimension stone" - cut block work etc.
A mine is for mineral (note the similarity in the word)
Other stuff is got from pits, like sand and gravel...
In a nutshell that is the diference, at least how I think of it, as I have read it in previous posts by better people qualified than I, in places other than this forum - I do pay a little attention Peter!

ANYWAY, some more info about the Freestone Quarries can be found at http://www.nettleden.com/. This site reveals past and present history - some of the quaries are still in production, others are in use by the military, and a few can be explored. The local explorers tend to hang out at another forum which for various reasons has had "issues" with this site. They can be found at http://www.darkp laces.co.uk/phpBB2/portal.php but remove the space between "darkp" and "laces" or this link wont work. Surveys can bought from the Quarrymens Arms in Box Hill for ?6 a sheet, 3 for Box, one for Swan and one for Browns. I would suggest if visiting Box, go with someone with local knowledge for a first visit, and treat it as an orienteering exercise - it can be VERY confusing...

I shall be visiting this area again before Christmas to see relatives in the area if you wished to meet up for a wander?

 

[Pickle McPickwick]

I cannot do a big trip before Xmas Brains, my other life gets in the way (I am a chef and hubby is a roadie, so we are both fairly busy in the run up to Crimbo). I would like to see the quarry at some point though.

 

[Brains]

Fair enough, to whet your appetite have a look at some of Ditzys trip reports on this forum - she has posted some of our pics of these quarries and other places as well.
When you have a day free speak up and we will see what can be arranged - most people on here do actually go caving as well 

 

[Pickle McPickwick]

I read Ditzys reports Brains, it was nice to see what you all look like! New Year would definately be best I think, more time and more importantly more money too! Can I bring a buddy?

 

[Brains]

Of course. Also check the pics on the other links I posted - lots in there I believe.
Speak up when you have some dates in mind and we'll see what we can do. Some of the locals have a far more extensive knowledge than I, but will do what I can
B

 

[Pickle McPickwick]

Sorry Brains, I am being an eeejit...what links chum? I do not want to trawl around, get lost, buried and recycled as firelighters.

 

[Brains]

http://www.darkp laces.co.uk/phpBB2/album_cat.php?cat_id=8 but take out the space between "darkp" ands "laces." This is where the locals to Box hang out...
http://www.nettleden.com/ and have a search around
http://www.mine-explorer.co.uk/default.asp Tons of pics on here
http://www.aditnow.co.uk/default.aspx Loads of stuff here as well

Should be plenty there to keep you busy for an hour or two?
Enjoy!

 

[Pickle McPickwick]

Cheers Brains!

 

[van the man]

Hi Brains but I was under the impressin that the stone for the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament) came from Portland rather han Box Hill.

This may be treading on very thin ice for my second post!

Michiel

 

[Brains]

You may well be right - I was more alluding to the ornamental uses of the rock. The Freestone, so called because unlike other building stone it can be cut and used any way up, is easily carved and worked, with a uniform fine texture. When first dug the stone has been described as soft, creamy almost buttery in nature but once matured on the surface for 5 - 10 years it becomes much harder, almost bone like in quality, making a high quality medium for a mason or sculptor.
Indeed the stone is so soft initially that cutting block from the quarry by saw was and is a preferred method of extraction, initially with hand tools and now with power "chain saws"

 

[langcliffe]

Hi Brains but I was under the impressin that the stone for the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament) came from Portland rather han Box Hill.

The main honey coloured stone is magnesian limestone from Anston Quarry, near Rotherham. This started to weather badly almost immediately and has been the subject of almost continuous repair. From 1928 it was repaired with oolitic limestone from the Medswell Quarry, near Rutland.

Portland stone was used for the grand Colonnade on the West Front.

Bath stone had previously been used to rebuild the two towers and main entrance of Westminster Hall.

 

[Pickle McPickwick]

Cheers Brains, I checked out those links, most helpful!

 

[Brains]

Good! Ditzy tells me you have signed up - remember there are no strangers, only friends you havent met yet, so have lots of fun and see where you can get down to!

 

[Pickle McPickwick]

awh.....thanks Brains! :hug: